I don't see the need for the lecture. Everyone here has qualified their statements. One has to balance their priorities. This to include, quality, price, and wait times. Some are willing to wait, while others are in a hurry. Preferences are and should be made based on those priorities.
The OP asked what we are all using and why. Looks to me like that is what he has received.
In my own case, I have always gotten the best that I could afford at the time. I've had 1, Smith Ltd., 3 Armscorps, 2 Springfield Inc, 1 LRB, 1Norinco and now a 7.62MM. I had also had a MKS on order, and managed to cancel that order and get a refund, just in time before their receivers were confiscated. Someday I will have another LRB, if and when I can afford it.
Some of us don't have the luxury of getting a LRB or a 7.62MM anytime we want.
For example: I had a Rem 870 threnchgun. It took me almost 3 yrs to gather what was necessary to make the build due to both finances and scarcity of parts. I did it though and enjoyed a sense of satisfaction that I had done it. I ended up selling it due to financial needs, but that's another story. I also had a project M79 that I was working on and was getting extremely close to finishing that project when I nedded to sell it. Was lucky at the time that I was able to trade it for a USGI Training 79 and some $$$. Had that for awhile and ended up selling that also.
What I'm trying to get across is the fact that this is the nature of the beast. We all have ups and downs financially. My best advise is to get the best that you can afford at the time, whether the wait might be 6 months or 6 weeks. The wait sometimes just makes the end result a little sweeter.