I just pieced together my first AR-15 this week, with a 20" bull barrel intended for varmint hunting or target shooting. I don't shoot all that much, but figured like many others that a ban on sales (at the least) is coming. Ugly, threatening-looking black rifles, don't ya know.
AR's have to be kept clean. They are inherently accurate due to relatively close tolerances on the components.
I suppose I could drop my Mini 14 in the dirt, pick it up and shake the dirt out of it, and it will function. But it ain't very accurate, due to loose fit of the bolt and such.
If I was in a war zone, I don't suppose at the end of a long day I would like to spend a lot of time cleaning my rifle, but you must with an AR. It's a compromise between accuracy vs. reliability. It's the most solid-feeling firearm I've ever owned, though. Plus, it's so versatile. For less than 500 bucks, you can slap a different upper on it, lighter barrel, different caliber, whatever you want. It's a great buy. But you must keep it clean. Unfortunately.
“But it ain’t very accurate, due to loose fit of the bolt and such.”
May I suggest spending some time at the perfectUnion BBS?
The voluminous, and validated, methods of “accurizing” the Mini-14 are well discussed on that site.
AS an example, shortening the barrel, adding a brake, a trigger job, etc - all are extensively discussed.
The thin barrel seems more of a culprit on the inaccuracy issue than is bolt fit.