Or SKS for short. Self-buffs RoF, but with too weak stats. Between G43 and M14 you have enough good low-rarity rifles to keep you supplied while you work on better ones.

The Night Empress. Unfortunately, she's been going the way of many a monarch with the lower class overthrowing her. She used to be the last word for night battle ARs, but with AS VAL's mod, she has fallen behind. Turns out, being able to use a crit scope at night is very good. That being said, +200% damage at night is still decent and if you can't afford the mod, she's a good replacement.

Also, while enemy armor stacks superhard now, it's actually fine if you have sufficient +FP on your ARs to punch through. If you don't though, this still wont save you.