>>2703824My 'nice' AR is a Daniel Defense, for most people who don't want to spend a lot of money I would recommend buying an assembled upper and lower receiver from palmetto state armory and slapping them together. All you need at that point is a bcg, charging handle, and usually a rear sight. ARs are quite cheap anymore, while AKs are getting much more expensive. You could get a good PSA AR for around $600 total if you're not concerned with the bells and whistles.
I don't have much for older stuff, as much as I'd like to. I picked up a Walther P1 awhile back as a birthday present for you know who. Not a real P38 but with some wood grips on there it looks old enough. It's just old boring sporting stuff and the requisite moist nugget (don't buy one) other than that as far as the oldies go.
Are you an American?