Why not a Mini-14?

[Huby]

A recent rekindled interest in firearms started me re-educationg myself about what's out there.  Pretty quickly you get almost overwhelmed with stuff about the AR-15 (or M16A1, to me), and end up wanting one.  I was also reminded about the M1 and decided I really wanted one of them, for the historical significance.  Well, what pops out when you think about an AR and M1 at the same time - a Mini-14.  So why (at about half the cost) not an Mini 14?  What would a head-to-head AR-15 vs. Mini-14 competition look like?  If it was up to Ruger, I'm sure they'd both come out winners, but what do you folks think?  (And you can get both in a .30 if you like.)

[PegLeg45]

Well...... I've owned a Mini-14 for 25+ years..... and an AR-15 for about 6 months........ and I love them both for what they are and can do.

The Mini-14 has a few strong positives:
1- Reliability...... mine has never failed to feed or fire or eject any and all ammo that I have fed it.
2- Rugged and durable...... they don't break much.
3- Will shoot a wide variety of ammo without hang-ups

And a few minor negatives:
1- Fair accuracy.... the diminishes as the barrel rapidly heats up, causing shot stringing.
2- Mag changes require extra work to be proficient, but not unlike the AK, if yo learn it, it becomes the norm
3- Modification or customization is severely limited based on design.... (but they work well the way they are)
4- Accurizing cost a lot of money


The draw of the AR rifle is its modularity and the ability to customize and modify it to suit individual needs of each shooter. The AR is decidedly more accurate out of the box...... and with a few modifications, can be made even more accurate. You can change calibers by changing uppers or just the barrel (in some instances like the .300 Blackout).

[alfsauve]

What Peg said. 

Newer ones especially the Tactical and Target seem to be more accurate.  So I've heard.

I've sold all three that I owned and decided to go with the carbine sized bolt action. Like the MVP or Scout.

But everyone should own one for a while and get it out of your system.

[Michael Bane]

The only one I have now is one of the ANCIENT Series 180 that I actually shot in 3-Gun in the mid-1980s when the sport started. Not a tack driver, but hey, we shot within 300 yards and it was fine with one of the first small-tube Aimpoints. Minis are reliable as dirt...if it was the only black rifle I had, I'd be okay with it...

Michael B

[PegLeg45]

The only one I have now is one of the ANCIENT Series 180 that I actually shot in 3-Gun in the mid-1980s when the sport started. Not a tack driver, but hey, we shot within 300 yards and it was fine with one of the first small-tube Aimpoints. Minis are reliable as dirt...if it was the only black rifle I had, I'd be okay with it...

Michael B

I bought mine in 1987. It had belonged to a good friend and when he told me he had traded it the day before at a local gun store I went right on up there and bought it. It has given great service ever since and still has the old Tasco 3x9x32 scope on it. It'll still hit a coyote at 200 yards or an armadillo at 100.....and that's good enough to get the job done.

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

One of 2 guns I have sold, the other was a glock.   I could not keep it on a pie plat at 100 off of sand bags.   me shooting it, othere people shooting, this brand of ammo, that brand of ammo, reloads, custom hand loads.  It didn't matter.  After the 3rd shot the barrel was warm and it was done.   damn shame, i always liked them, just not how they shot.

[Strider]

the Ruger is a great gun! In fact it is the only other patrol rifle(than an AR) that many police agangies are authorized to carry. It is reliable as a brick and is a 2" grouper at 100 yds on average.

[MAUSERMAN]

Ruger mini series carbines are awesome. I one in 7.62,.223, and 6.8spc. Best alternative to an AK or AR. My 6.8 is a dear slayer.

[crusader rabbit]

Had a mini.  Traded it back to the gun store for an AR.  Couldn't keep the mini on paper at 50 yards.  HazCat gave it a try with the same results.  

My AR is a tack driver.

I like other Ruger guns, but their mini-14 is one I would not have in my gun safe.

Crusader Rabbit

[alfsauve]

Had a mini.  Traded it back to the gun store for an AR.  

See.  Everybody has to try them out.  For some they're great.  Not so much for others.  BUT everyone needs to one one at one time or another.

I will admit, if I every wanted to add 7.62x39 back to my arsenal collection, the it would probably be the mini-30.