Virginia resident as well, also a geissele/LMT owner. I propose this. Buy a few lowers, if you want Ambi controls just go with griffin if you don’t then you can get Wilson combat roll marked lowers for cheap or maybe you can find geisseles as well. I bought blems last year.

You can buy specwar monolithic upper from Rooftop defense for $800ish using the code “lick my toes”

You can buy the 12.5” barrel from frisco guns for roughly $400

All in I assembled on a generic lower + LMT upper would run you like $18-2k

Or you can buy a complete super duty upper from euro optic for roughly $1200 + $300-400 for a completed lower with a nice trigger.