I know, I know. But I'm being honest - my AR is light, handy, accurate and reliable... but I've never felt comfortable or natural using the blessed thing. It shares a safe with a Mini-14, a SOCOM II and a Garand, all of which just handle better for me. I tried to mentally make up my "perfect rifle" and came up with an accurate, reliable, 16" threaded-barrelled semi-auto carbine in .223 (or .243 so I could use it for deer out here) with a traditionally-contoured stock, peep sights, AR mag components (mag well, release and ability to use AR mags) and a rail for simple scope mounting. I don't really have a problem with a reciprocating bolt so could go either way on that.
And there's no such animal, near as I can tell. Except that plastic abomination from Kel-Tec. In fairness, I've never fired one and only handled their initial entry into the market (now the "SU-16A"). I like the company and the concept and carry a P3AT as an "everywhere gun" but that thing felt like the cheapest piece of crap next to a Lorcin. But I figure I'll be fair and not make assumptions. On paper, it's got just about everything I'm considering, even if the stock isn't a solid synthetic. I just question its durability under hard use.
Anyone been down this path, pondered the same problem, given it a try and/or have any useful suggestions beside "design your own" and "dream on"? Anyone ever realistically torture-tested the SU-16?