I'm on my first-ever AR (Bushmaster Shorty) and it's been a learning experience. Biggest gripes - *only* gripes, really - are pretty frequent jams (usually feeding live round from mag after extraction but prior to ejection) and all the crud in the receiver from the gas system. I'm also having some marksmanship problems, but that's from my own inexperience with the sighting system. I'll get over it.

My Mini-14 (I know, I know) may not be as accurate, but it hasn't jammed once in almost 10K rounds and is pretty quick to clean up. Of course, accuracy isn't as good and finding decent mags is almost a full-time job. I've shouldered a few bullpups (Valmets and AUGs) & liked the balance but never got to see how they shot.

So... anyone have any recommendations for a rifle that's compact, controllable, mag-fed, accurate with open sights to about 150 yards, mechanically reliable and operationally clean?

Much obliged,
Keith C.

I don't necessarily have any recommendations, but wanted to comment on your post.

If there are "pretty frequent jams" with a Bushmaster (or any other quality AR) then something is WRONG.  If you are using USGI magazines, then you need to send the rifle back to Bushmaster or have an expert look at it.  A Bushmaster that is well-maintained, regularly cleaned and lubricated should not jam at all.

Do as DK Prof said with the Bushy, but for your requirements listed, get a cheap AK, a redstar trigger group, a mojo Peep sight, and go to town.  Low maint, high fun potential.

So... anyone have any recommendations for a rifle that's compact, controllable, mag-fed, accurate with open sights to about 150 yards, mechanically reliable and operationally clean?

   My son come onto the light
 
Get thee an M1A or perhapse an M1 garand
 and thou shalt not want further.