I didn't get the $600 Ar, I got the Double Star! And I am very pleased with it.
FYI the 'cheap' is is this one:
http://centerfiresystems.com/AR-IA-20A/3.aspx
It says Interarms Huston TX USA, they used to import pistols from brazil. The place selling it said the price for the next load has increased, that the $629 price was an intro..........but when I learned the Kentucky law enforcement used the Double Star I got it instead. You already saw the pictures.
And back to the subject of 'Good scopes for the money' I mailed my 15 year old Seeadler of Nurnberg scope back to the US today. They admitted to me I have one of their last true German made scopes. The same series is now made in China, and they are cutting sales of all scopes, they got a contract to fix some brand I never heard of!
But they will still fix my current scope if it ever needs it. But it has worked flawlessly, cost me 500DM at the time, about ($300). It is an 8x 56mm with a #1 post, and has the fast focus, so it is still a keeper
But it is sad to think, if it ever needs work, would they replace stuff with Chinese stuff
?