FS2000 Vs AR
I agree with Wildeye's original assessment, the AR's gas system sucks. If you look at successful small arms in recent history, they are gas piston operated, the Garand, M14, AUG, AK, FN49, and the FAL, to name a few. The AR's gas tube does lead to excessive fouling, and while home firearms enthusiasts are prone to be anal about keeping their investments utterly spotless because they have nothing better to do, the solider on the front does not have time to worry about a super duper cleaning when he is between fire fights, and should not have to worry if his rifle will function when he needs it to. Patriot Ordnance has tried to remedey the AR's shortcomings by ripping off the FAL's gas system, and while this has made it a lot more reliable, it comes at the price of a ridiculously high sight platform.
I have been using the AR professionally for 7 years, and though it is issued to me, and it works on the home front, I dread the day when I will be sent overseas to use it, or if someone hops the fence at work. As to being able to accept "all those cool accessories", well, thats just downright foolish. Accessories may be working in the desert for now, but I guarentee you, the first engagement we go off to in a jungle or other wooded environment, all that BS will be the first thing to go away. All you need is a wait-a-minute vine to snag your precious flashlight or your stupid laser, and while you are trying to extricate yourself, the bad guys lay waste to you.
The shortcomings of the FS2000, such as the mag realease being tight are negligible. We are being taught that magazine control is better than just dropping mags as you run around in a firefight. It is reliable, will more than likely be further accesorized to satisfy the yuppies at home, and will be proven with time. Remember, the AR was accepted the same way when it came about on the shirt tails of Wood n' Iron rifles.