Ha, nope, the gun laws are all screwed up. I can buy a brand new Mini-14, and put a flash hider and a folding stock on it (and I already picked up a Butler Creek ss folder!). Limited to 5-rnd mags though, so my local gunsmith is blocking the 30-rnd mags, uh, parts kits, that I have (it's not illegal to posess hi-cap "parts kits", just assembled mags. Once the mags are blocked to 5 rnds, they're legal).
Anyways, as the Mini is a "non-restricted" rifle, I can take it into the bush while camping, 4x4ing, or ATVing, UNLIKE an AR-15 which is "restricted", meaning I can only take an AR-15 to the range, and if I'm not a member of a range, then I have no good reason to own one (in the eyes of the law, anyways!). So when I eventually get an AR-15, it'll be a tactical toy, with stepped barrel, flash hider, collapsible stock, rail system, etc., just because I can. Since it's already restricted and can't be used anywhere BUT the range, there's no problem adding all the goodies. I'm just trying to decide between a normal 14.5" A4 barrel or a shorty 7" barrel (like my brother's), or something in between.
And why is the AR-15 restricted while the Mini-14 is not? Because the AR-15 is an evil black "assault rifle", while the Mini-14 is a conservative-looking wood-stock-equipped hunting rifle, and obviously would be much less dangerous if it should fall into the wrong hands.
So, the reason I bought a Mini-14 before an AR-15 is because I CAN take it with me, and therefore it's a useful tool as opposed to a "range toy".
