heck of a lot more reliable when SHTF than an AR.
I must say however that my stint in the Army turned me completely against the AR platform. I never had one that could shoot worth a D@#$ and being left-handed was a pain (literally) as well.
I’m a south-paw as well. The whole gun world hates us for some reason. I need to get my smith to work on a left handed AK ejector/bolt/dust cover combo for me.
My brother did 3 tours in Iraq/Afghanistan. Hated the M4! I owned two of them (AR’s) and sold them off after two shooting sessions.