Still hypothetical, because I'm still broke and a lot of my deciding factors are riding on the AWB expiring.

Which sounds like a better general-purpose (plinking, camp gun, SD) carbine: a) a Bushy Shorty with an A-3 handle or b) an Armalite AR180B with carbine-length barrel (traded email w/ sales@armalite & they're considering it in '04) and, if the ban expires, an original-style side-folding stock?

Feel free to throw in any "c" options, as long as they're realistic, no much more than $600, .223, take AR mags and are more accurate than my Mini-14 .

Well, there's no way there aren't opinions to be had on *this* site [;)]. Guess this is what happens when I post on a busy Saturday night.

Anybody? Buehler? Buehler? Looking for a compact, handy, accurate, semi-auto carbine that takes AR mags. Would prefer moderate-maintenance 'cuz I'm a little lazy.

I really like the sound of that AR-180 with the folding stock.  I've handled it, they're incredibly light.  They take AR mags, and gun reviews have found that they're even more accurate than stock AR's.

I'd love to own one, ahead of an AR.  I vote for that option.

Between those two, my vote goes to the AR180. Why? Because I've gotten to handle lots of Bushy's, but never an AR180. From what I hear they are pretty nice, unique little rifles, especially with a folding stock. [:)]

my vote goes to the "Bushmaster" shorty because
parts availability and versatility is important
to me. The AR180 is kind of like a Daewoo, hard to find parts and accessories.

Go with a nice pre-ban (or after the AWB expires a No Ban) Bushmaster.  The ultimate weapons platform.  You can have different uppers in normal and exotic calibers.  You can also get a nice .22LR upper for plinking.  Maybe even get into suppressors and get a few for each caliber.  That's what I've done :)