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under $800 will be hard right now unless you get lucky on a kit from JSE or Model1 or similar low cost kits... Fine for a first gun/plinker but not the same quality as what you could do for just a little more if there was stock on the shelves.

As mentioned above if... if you can get a lower for a reasonable price then you can wait until stock returns a little and not pay the higher prices. If a ban comes then your lower gets you in the door to build later. Without the lower you are stuck if a ban comes. Not saying a ban is coming but if that is your pressure then that's the facts.

It's not hard to do either the lower or upper. Getting parts will be fun right now. Just have to look around a lot and often to get everything. You can probably find parts for everything except the BCG right now with a little bit of work. Prices can be had that are slightly high (but not ridiculous if you work for it).

Best thing I could recommend is getting on mailing lists for many vendors (the smaller ones with reputation are the best bets IMO) and watching your email and be ready to strike. It's a time investment right now as a buddy is learning the hard way. I have a list of links that are good to browse if you want them. If you aren't in a hurry then just plan to get started a few months from now and you'll be less frustrated.

If you really want it soon your best bet is to stake out academy or cabelas every morning till you get lucky

So far as light goes it is hard to beat a polymer lower in the weight department. You can find Cav Arms styles lowers which have the lower, pistol grip and stock all in one piece... They are nice and light but you are stuck with the configuration. The bonus is they are still in stock often enough (Cabels has them on the shelf at a price slightly higher than online). Good for what they are but they aren't traditional. If you want to build traditional the lowers are harder to find but slowly trickling in at different places.