Wasn't going to add to a necro-thread, but lumbering buffalo brought it back to life, so I'll add my two cents. I picked up a 183 series Mini-14 in 2010 Sold it five years later because I just HAD to have an AR-15! Once I had it, I tinkered with it, but no matter how much I tried, I just couldn't like it. The bolt close was unique, the safety was unique, charging it was unique. I sold it
in 2020. Early in 2021 my LGS got in a 584 series gun. I put a good scope on it, and it will shoot as good as the AR did, for me with my eyes. But I like the Mini design. I could never make myself like the AR design. And I really did try.