I think ARs are very good rifles. I think they just got off to a bad start, thus they still carry around a bad reputation. I love my Bushmaster though. There is obviously a lot of bad stories about them from the 60-70s, but anyone I have talked to recently who has been in the service, never had much bad to say about them. I know everyone says .30 cal is so much better, but I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of .223. From what I have heard, .223 shoots flatter than say 7.62x39, and you can carry more of it too. I like mine, but to each his own.....