I have a lower priced S&W which is good to shoot 556 or 223. It is very accurate and reliable. The price will leave you enough money left over for decent glass which sometimes costs more than the gun.
I might be tempted to wait a little while right now. My guess is the SCOTUS will rule on a few gun cases this year which very well may do away with a lot of Kalifornia’s ridiculous gun laws. The 9th circuit appeals court of all people, recently ruled the high cap Mag ban unconstitutional.