Deadreckoning: This is one of those topics that people just can't talk about objectively. Its kinda like Chevy vs Ford. eventually you get those in the group who just start sticking their tongue's out and saying "mine's better than yours".
Personally I find the following as I have owned 3 AR's in various configuartions, a true M4 (classIII) and 3 mini's (as well as several others).
I have seen both with manufacture errors (everyone is human). I have seen both jam although the ruger not so much. I shoot my trick dept issue M4 and personal tac AR at work becasue that's what they make me shoot. Yes I love the interchangeable parts but the thing is a pain to clean thoroughly and it jams when subjected to extremes (mud, sand, clay, snow, etc...). With a proper folding stock (ie buttler creek), forward pistol grip and tac light set-up I truely prefer the mini when I hit the mud.
If I'm kicking doors I prefer the intense firepower and quicker mag changes of the ar/m4 style. Then again I have never owned or shot a class III ruger. I also like the things I've seen with the 50 bewolf (sp?) cartridge upper and shear awsome penetration in car bodies
I believe the AR is more accurate out of the box due to prodruction practices at ruger, but these can easily be fixed as mentioned eslewhere on this board with minor expense.
AR/M4's can be made more user friendly with the addition of a gas piston upper that keeps the carbon and gas out of the action but these are VERY costly. I believe in general the AR/M4 has more options and accessories if that's your bag.
It boils down to this. I carry the AR/m4 at work becasue they won't let me carry anything else and it does many things well.
I carry my mini-14 in my POV becasue it works 100% of the time after I neglect it like crazy. The mini replaced my 45-70 guide gun
but only because I spend more time in urban areas now and don't want to worry so much about over-penetration. I believe in being prepaired, knowing your needs and adapting to your environement.
Anybody who thinks the AR is easy to clean has never had one jam while being fired upon. Yes they are easy to clean when sitting at home or at the range. You can even get quick when racing eachother in cleaning contests. But loosing a firing pin retaining pin or bolt assembly in the mud when trying to free the mechanism SUCKS. Trust me and read my signature at the bottom! ( I now carry a spare slide assembly in a zippy bag) There is a reason why some contractors in Iraq carry McCormick triggers in zippy bags. You can drop them out (another pain but better than no long gun) and put another in to get back in the fight.
I've never had this problem with my mini and do not feel the need to carry around spare parts for it in my turn out gear.
The 223 round is good for urban environments when compared to most common rifle rounds due to overpenetration concerns. If I worked somewhere more remote I'd opt for a M14 (16in) and call it good. I understand the CA DEPT of Fish and Game has them now and loves them.
See there deadreckoning, I ended up rambling on forever and still didn't answer the debate. By the way I'm a Chevy guy
I'll check back in a few days and see if you guys have figured this one out for me yet.