A POS is a POS and once it leaves Walmart it is no longer a WalMart gun, it's just a gun. I doubt many manufacturers would want people buying crappy guns from them just because the seller is WalMart. If I buy a Remington from WalMart and the gun won't cycle, I'm going to be on here complaining about Remington, not WalMart.
As for the mom and pop LGS thing, I have had better service from Academy Sports and GM than I ever get from my LGS. I have to pay more at the LGS, get charged a 4% credit card fee, then if the gun breaks I get told to "send it to the manufacturer" with no offer for help doing so from them. Isn't hard to see that I am gaining nothing by buying from them.
Now, I own a mom and pop company (not gun related) so I am all about the little guy making it, but you have to EARN that. WalMart is part of life, the LGS has to step up their game to compete.
As to your question, I have heard that an AR is generally more accurate, and just as well made, as a Mini 14. I would probably go the AR route.
Todd
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