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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AR15? Mini-14? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 5/14/2007 4:11:34 AM EDT
| So this weekend I went home for mothers day and told my dad I was going down stairs to get my bench gun out of the safe and take it back with me. When we opened the safe a whole new collection was discovered but one in particular caught my eye, not because of its rarity or collectability but because it felt so good. He had purchased a Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. I have to say that it felt amazing and was incredibly light. I was blown away. Not to mention I think it has uber cool factor. Now I know the Mini-14 is just not prcatical for deployment but why do we as civies pick the ar over the mini 14? Just a quesiton not flaming the ar-I love mine! However I think my next build will be cancelled and replaced with a Mini-14. What do you guys think? |
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I don't like Ruger as a general rule, most gang-banger assholes use them, that speaks enough to where Ruger is in the stratification of quality firearms. There is, however, a caveat; in that the Red Label shotgun has the smoothest action I have ever come into contact with, and the 10/22 is the most versatile and accurate out of the box 22LR rifle I know of---for its price. I cannot get over the fact that Bill Ruger sold his soul during the Klinton era, and that irks me most of all. Having said that, Mr. Ruger was a great man by all reports, God rest his soul. As far as the Ranch Rifle, well, I personally don't much care for them. I have 2 friends who own them, they shoot just fine and accurate enough for them but I just kind of look at them as a .223 version of a ripoff Garand. I see a Mini-14, and I can't help but think of "The A-Team". My .02.  |
| I've owned 2 Mini-14s (1 RR), 2 ARs, and an M1A (among many others), and the Mini-14 would definitely have been my last choice for a SHTF rifle. That being said, my first one wore an Armson OEG and it was death on anything milk jug sized out to about 200m offhand. It could handle getting dirty a lot better than an AR - and I mean dirty, as in sounding like 2 cinder blocks rubbing together when you work the action dirty. But they have very thin barrels so extended shooting hurts accuracy, and bolt parts break relatively easily and can't be repaired in the field. As a civvie I'll pick an AR over a Mini-14 for reasons already mentioned - accuracy, availability of good mags, and durability. The first can be remedied with an aftermarket barrel, the 2nd is hard to fix without spending a lot of money (only Ruger and Eagle mags are good IMO), and the last just can't be improved. If anyone is considering a Mini-14 over an AR due to cost, I'd recommend an SKS or AK instead. A Mini-14 in addition to an AR is a good idea, but in place of an AR isn't. |
| Won't bother with the Mini vs. AR argument. I own and like both. The Mini is a good little gun that does what it was designed for just fine. The new ones seem to be very well built, I've been considering picking one up myself. You can find mags pretty easy now with no ban in place. I say, buy one, you can always sell it if you don't care for it. |
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The mini's aren't known for their accuracy, but are very reliable. That being said, the new "target" version is getting very good reviews. According to one recent gun rag (I forget which... G & A, maybe) it has excellent balance and is much more accurate than the plain-jane mini, but costs as much as an AR. |
Mini 14 = Mini M14 = scaled down version of the M14 to .223. I've looked at the Mini 14 and Mini Thirty. I wish Ruger made them with thicker barrels and had them use standard AR mags. As far a gang bangers go... they purchase Hi Points. That's currently the number one gun that police have been pulling off the street. Hardwarz |
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A long time ago I was rather ignorant and I never saw the value in the AR-15. Back in those days I thought bolt actions were far more accurate then the AR-15 and that if you were not going to have an accurate rifle you might as well buy the cheap mini-14... Well, it's been 20-years now... and I am glad I leaned that AR-15s can be MORE accurate then Bot guns and that the modular nature of the AR-15 allows it to do far more then the Mini-14 can ever dream of doing. Besides, the Mini-14 I had was really quite innacurate as as others said finding decent mags is impossible without spending a fortune. I will never own another Mini-14 but if someone is on a tight budget a mini-14 will get the job done but then again so would an AK at that point and you get better and cheaper mags. |
Most "gang-bangers" covet the AK. You don't hear "Mini-14" in too many hip hop jingles. And that's where most of these imbeciles get their marching orders.
I've yet to see a Garand clip go flying out of the top of a Mini. 
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Holy Crap you guys hang on every word. No, I don't believe that the Mini uses clips as does the Garand, and I was referring to the ACTION DESIGN rather than the rifle as to the heritage of the Mini, the M14 was of the Garand HERITAGE in that it used the same basic design of the action. Geeesh. As far as the gang-bangers, at one point Ruger----the manufacturer, not necessarily the Mini---was a preferred firearm due to it being a "less expensive" weapon than, say, a Colt Gold Cup 1911. I stand corrected on the current weapon of choice, I don't see too many Crips or Bloods in New Hampshire, nor am I up on the latest Hip-Hop lyrics. Sorry, I must get out more often, I guess... 
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Bought a mini 30 when they First came out Broke the BUIS the first day I also had 2 Mini 14s one shot 3 feet to the left and had to go back to ruger other than that they were Okay ISH 
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+ 1 Cheapo handguns & cut off single shot shotguns |
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In the last few years Ive picked up 4 AR15s and 2 AR10s and a ton of ammo for each. But a few months ago I ran across a local add for a ranch mini 14 unfired inbox but over 15 years old. The guy wanted 500$ and I offered 400$ just because I thought the gun looked and felt cool. I know Ill never use it before I pick up one of the ARs. For sthf stuff So now it sits in the safe waiting to be taken to the range. I may like it when I try it out ,or may sell it for no loss our use as a SHTF loaner later on. It came with a factory 10 rd. mag and a factory 20 rounder and it also has the feel of a 10/22 with more punchh |
FYI. Hi Point = $129 for a BRAND NEW 9mm semi auto pistol. They also sell a 9mm carbine. Ugly as all hell, but fires fine, nothing has went wrong with my friend's. limited to 10 round mags. Hardwarz |
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The mini-14 can be fun, but the normal ranch rifle version will only hold about 6 moa group at 100 yards (and that's on a good day with a cold bbl). The target version id definately a better version, but I still don't care for how they designed the bbl. They didn't even design a new gas block for the heavy bbl. It uses the original gas block and the bbl is necked down just for the gas block (and it's a tiny diameter). There is one company, accuracy systems, that can tune up the mini-14 for sub-moa groups, but it isn't cheap. One nice thing they have that I plan on getting for my old mini-14 is an adjustable gas block. The operation of a stock mini-14 is very violent, and is very hard on scopes. It literally throws the brass 25-30 yards. The adjustable gas block is supposed to allow you to tune it all the way down to the point where it won't even cycle if you want. |
Well, I don't think I would cancel my next AR build. However, the Ruger Mini14 can be a lot of fun. This one has had a bit of work done on it and now shoots sub MOA all day long. The work was done by Accuracy Systems. Again, lots of fun, but not a SHTF weapon.   |
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im building one of these for the hell of it, im putting a ctr stock on mine with an eotech! policeguns.com/2006/cart_ImageContainer.cfm?productid=5757 |
| Mini-14 = M1 Carbine. What people liked/disliked about the M1 will hold true for the Mini. Yes there are always better choices but look at the popularity of the M1 and the soldiers that LOVED them. Handy, light, reliable. Whats not to like? Both are excellent replacements for a pistol, short range weapons. the mini has better ammo. |
6 MOA at 100 yards? I have a mini 14 ranch that will shoot 2 moa with quality ammo. I will say that once the barrel gets hot accuracy goes south. And forget about shooting 5.56 nato ammo. Several friends of mine have mini's as well, all will do far better than 6moa. Is it as accurate as an AR? no. Is it as reliable as an AR yes, and then some. If I had to pick one or the other I would take the AR hands down. I will say that the Mini is poison on Coyotes and is easy to carry all day in the field. I guess what I'm saying is that I like both platforms and am glad that I own both. |
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Whay an AR over a Mini-14? Because... - An AR is more accurate. - An AR is FAR more flexible because of its swappable upper/lower configuration. - An AR has far better controls and ergomonics. - An AR has better iron sights and far better optics mounting options. - An AR has better and cheaper magazines. - An AR has a MUCH wider selection of available ammo. - An AR is easier to either work on your self or find a good gunsmith for. - An AR wasn't used by the A-Team!  |
Oh, you mean something like this. Hey, the Mini 14 is a lot of fun, it's not a replacement for an AR. I think most people know that when purchasing one. Why not let them enjoy there purchase?? After all,...... it is their money. 
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As an owner of a 10/22 and ex-owner of a Mini-14, I must ask if you are kidding? I've tried ordering parts from Ruger and their CS sucked. Wait 8 weeks for a part they have in stock? Their warranty department must not be far behind... ETA: Sorry, meant to say you wouldn't get any warranty service on an AC556 being due to Ruger's stance on issues such as items they deem LEO or .gov only. |
I cant say i have an expirence with their cs i just know there warrantied. |
There...that's much better. Everyone satisfied now? 
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Makes as much sense as the first thing you typed. |
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Just checked gunbroker and the mini's went from 500 to 700 bucks. The beauty of the mini 14 years ago was that it was economically priced. That is not true today. I built my last AR for 535. What is the point of the mini when you can get a good AR with mags that are half the price, more accurate and an almost infinate amount of add-ons to choose from? That being said, trying something different is a great reason for doing anything. It keeps things interesting. But for anyone that is debating between the two for a first gun, the AR is the only way to go. |
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I have never seen a gang banger with a Mini-14, not even in the movies. The AR is certainly more accurate by far, I believe the Ruger is like a 5 MOA to the AR's 1. However it is a carbine action and is very dependable, I have never had one malfunction and used them a lot. Its not a ripoff of the Garand it is a small version of the M-14 however which is quite evident when you take one apart, so I guess if the M-14 was the upgrade to the Garand you can say it, but its not the case. Smith & Wesson, Colt, and Ruger are all examples of companies whose knees buckled under the anti-gunners so why single out Ruger?. The gun is still legal in states with assault bans still in place due to its original marketing which was with a 5 shot mag, which saved many guns in the northeast. I would not want to be on the recieving end of one of these mini's, they may not be an AR-15 but they are a lot of firepower and they dont breaj, not in my experience. Best, V |
| The fools that ran S&W are long gone. How many times did that company get sold in the last 10 years before going back to its roots. As for Ruger, I do not think that the upper management is gone yet. Just look at some of the lawyer friendly features that many of their pistols have. (IE one of the first to bring back the magazine disconnect) |
yep, I said 6 moa at 100 yards. And as thin as the bbl is, it only takes one 20 rnd mag (slow fire) to heat it up to the point that accuracy goes south. I don't doubt you can shoot yours 2 moa at 100 yds. And that's exactly the problem. You can take 10 mini-14's off the shelf, and all of them will have different levels of accuracy, although I doubt you'd ever get less than 2 moa from a factory ranch rifle. Mine shot 6 moa from day one, and it's the best it'll ever do unless I send it in for a MAJOR overhaul. Now, one thing that I forgot to mention is, the new mini-14's that have been coming out since they re-tooled the line seem to be better. (better triggers, better bbls etc). Don't get me wrong, I love my mini-14 for what it is. It's a ranch rifle, not a paper puncher. It can tag coyotes out to 100 yds without too much effort. If I ever were to get a squirrel at 100 yards, it would be pure luck. |
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http://www.accu-strut.com/ These are supposed to really help with accuracy... I should post pics of mine... I didn't want an AR for a long time cause I had a mini, it felt like a nice sporty little plinker/SD rifle. I still love my mini, but I would definitely grab my AR if I was headed to a Gunfight... Then again, I work in the Armored Transportation industry. We have to use shotguns cause of insurance reasons, but there are 4 mini 14s sitting in the office. I wish I could take that with me on my route, would feel much more comfy with it then a shotgun. I know I can hit with a mini out to 100 yards very easily. A shotgun is good out to about 15 yards... |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AR15? Mini-14? (Page 1 of 2)
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