After owning all three, here's my experiences:
2 Mini-14's - Good idea, putting the M-14 style in a .223 format. BUT... someting gets lost in the translation. As DC mentioned when the barrel heats up accuracy drops off. Your groups will really open up, in direct proportion to the amount of shooting you've done. I'm disappointed that Ruger has not upgraded the steel they use for thier barrels. Decent hi cap mags are hard to find. However if your looking for a "working" gun, the Mini-14/30 are great choices.
1 AK-47 - I had a Polytech AK. Extreme reliability about says all the good that I can say about it. I shot mine and never cleaned it other than a patch down the tube. Never malf'd. But talk about a stamped out rough piece. Ergonomics and balance were crap. It fills it's intended role very, very well, better than any other combat weapon out there. If you decide on an AK, go with the Eastern European versions. Much better quality than the Chinese.
1 AR-15 - I'm currently on my first personally owned AR. A Bushmaster Shorty AK. I love it. Accurate and very ergonomic. The .223 is an easy on the shooter round. And within it's envelope of performance (inside 200 yds) produces a nasty wound profile. I would not consider it an appropriate game taking round though. It works well for it's intended purpose (anti personell). The AR system offer great flexibility in that it's modular. You can have 1 lower reciever and a collection of different uppers for your different tastes.
Who am I kidding, you will end up with many, many ARs....
The downside to the AR system is it's gas systen. It redirects dirty gas directly into the bolt. Messy to say the least. Proper maintenance is a requirement. But that should not be a problem for a sport shooter, I doubt you will subject an AR to battlefield conditions.
After saying all this, the AR is the only one I own currently and I plan on more - they are addicting!
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Dan
Si vis pacem para bellum!
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