how about an AR-180B?
dchi,
the only problem with a Golani Sporter fitting your needs is that it is heavy for a .223 weapon. If you are not in a hurry, there is the Daewoo semi-automatic rifle. It is not as light as an AR-15, but hefts better than the Golani Sporter (commonly referred to as a Galil, although the aforementioned is much more expensive). They run at eight-hundred dollars and twelve-hundred, respectively. The AR-180 is nice and light, but its magazines are outright expensive. Its progeny is the AR-180B, and I am thinking this is the one for you. The rifle is not only affordable (around eight-hundred), but it uses AR-15 magazines. Later, you can fit it with a folding shoulder stock. My brother has one and he likes it alot. I hope this helps.
- JKHolman