Foxtrot,
I recently picked up an SU16A (first model with the funky front sight), it really is a neat little rifle and so far I have had no problems with it, in fact it likes Wolf polymer coated ammo very much, no sweat with brass either of course (I need to try some Olympic ammo I have, if it eats that it should shoot ANY 5.56/.223 ammo
).
I put a Russian POSP scope with built in Weaver mount on it, clears the cheasy plastic rear aperature sight, is quick on/off and rugged as a T34. I havent benched it but hitting small rocks and cow pies out to 150 is easy
(the Ruskie scope is 8x42 with a Drag reticle).
It will wander when the barrel heats up BUT, consider this, it was not designed to be a bullet hose, it is intended as a survival/emergency weapon and is well suited to the role, I would not feel handicapped at all using it for deer hunting or even self defense, it has a very reliable action similar to a Daewoo DR200 and as stated is very clean, break down is very easy and no tools are required. The sights are rudimentary but adequate, I was able to hit cow pies to 150 with them, small rock closer in, they are more than sufficient.
I would prefer to have the one in the picture you posted as mine has an 18" (+-) barrel but will still fit corner to corner in a 26" plastic tool box when folded, I might cut the barrel to 16 1/8" if I can come up with a viable front sight for it. Trigger pull is on par with any of my AR's (factory triggers) and better than some, the safety is a cross bolt and can be reversed (a little tricky but KT has very good directions in the manual). The pistol grip stock is very comfortable and the rifle shoulders and handles very well, quick handling actually and a natural pointer, LOP is decent, I have fairly long arms and find it to be comfortable.
The guy I got mine from had a great idea and purchased a 1/4" lynch pin of the appropriate lentgh to use in place of the factory rear take down pin, it is ver easy to grab the ring and yank it out, the factory pin requires a tool such as a bullet nose or a punch of some sort and is akward.
Mine will spend the summer in the afore mentioned 26" plastic tool box in the back of my Grand Cherokee, my Bushy 20" Vmatch is my primary woodchuck rifle but if I happen to be out doing inspections and neglected to bring the Bushy, the SU16 will always be handy and discreet, I dont believe hitting chucks out to 200 or so will be any problem for the SU16, I like it.
Having said that, I have owned a lot of AR's and it is just about my favorite weapon system but be forewarned, it can get very expensive even if you start with the cheapest one you can find, you will have an overwhelming desire for a while to buy every stupid little gadget/stock/forend/BUIS/optics, etc. etc. etc. that come along till you come to your senses and get back to basics
If I were you I would flip a coin
No, the best thing would be to find someone that has an AR you can play with and someone else (maybe same guy) that has an SU16 to play with and see what you like the best. Let us know how you make out, more than likely you will end up with both.
Jeff