this should be in the firearms section

 

Excellent! Thread nazi strikes in 7 minutes! Nice!! :thumb:

 

I have a mini 14 and love it, so that gets my vote. The ARs I have shot, I have not liked, but they were somebody else's and not set up for me; so I might enjoy an AR that I have set to my specs better. I opted for a Mini though because I just loved the way it felt in the store, and every time I have shot it I fall more and more in love with it.

 

I guess it depends on what the use would be for, and what AR you would compare it to.

I have a mini, and used to own an AR, *now building another*.
The mini is AWESOME! It's a ranch rifle, with the pencil thin barrel.
The major reason mini's seem to lose accuracy, is the barrel heats up when fired over a perioud of time, and more barrel flex becomes apparent. This is fixed pretty easily by using a mo-rod or har-bar. They are barrel stabilizers that clamp onto the gas block, and barrel. They work both by dissipating heat quicker from the barrel, and act as a structural "brace".

You can always install a bull barrel for a few hundred and solve the issue,
But I have neither on my mini.

My mini is extremely reliable, accurate enough to hit a head size target a few hundred yards away, and will eat up anything I feed it.

(down sides)
Quality magazines are pricey, $25+
(thats about it)

AR's on the other hand, can be made to what you want it for.
I'm building my AR as a combat rifle, where function and reliability are more important.
AR's can be very reliable, and typically are. They can be mixed with pretty much any other brand AR for parts, and magazines are abundant. I've seen 10 round magazines go for $5.00 at sportsmans warehouse.

I like both rifles... and the mini is an excellent gun.

 

I would rate the Mini-14 as at least one full notch better than an AR-15 for survivalist duties, because of the gas system, but I might consider a Mini-30 as it is a slightly better round. Still the AK fires the same round and costs half as much, $500 vs. $1000.

A bottom of the line AR-15 can be had for $700 or so but keep in mind the they can be finicky and require gunsmith level assistance to run right.

 

When I get a .308 caliber rifle it will be a SOCOM 16 not an AK. I know it costs more but I believe it will be a better weapon also. And it will probably be lighter too.

 

Consider the 18" Scout Squad instead of the 16" Socom. I believe it to be more accurate with identical handling.

 

I like my Saiga .223, it's $350 vs $600 for a mini and $800 for an AR.

$300 buys a thousand rounds of .223.

If you've got $ to burn, buy the mini, got one, love it. I wanted two rifles for backup. I'm also looking for a bolt action in .223 for sniper duty and standardize on caliber. Selling the .270, but it will do for now :thumb:

 

Is the Ar15 any more reliable than the mini14? Does it have a lot of issues with stoppages or misfires? I know the AR15 is really simple to break down for cleaning and easy to accessorize and I know there are a lot of things you can do with a Mini14 also. How easy is the Mini14 to break down for simple cleaning? Does it need a lot of cleaning in dirty environments like the AR15 does or is it pretty able to eat some dirt and come up grinning and spitting lead?

 

i have both a mini 14 and an ar 15, if i was to do it again i would not buy the mini, it is no where as accurate as the ar and it is not modular like the ar. sure if you want to put tons of money in the mini it could be good and if you want a gas piston just get a piston ar, you are also very limited on optics, and mags are very pricy

 

on the Mini: what happens if the fireing pin breaks? how bout if the extractor breaks? is it economical to stockpile mags? (good ones, not cheap unbranded mags), how good are the sights? easily adjustable? mounting optics? how ergonomic is it to run the gun? safety (its in the trigger guard) not a fan of that. stock size, adjustable? Mounting a white light? <-- should be the #1 add on for a defensive gun.

now compair to an AR:

just things to think about

 

One: Have you ever seen a broken FP in a Mini? Or any other part in actuality? In 25 years of smithing, I've seen one broken extractor. I've seen more broken AR extractors and bolt parts.
Two: How often are you going to adjust your sights once you sight in?
Three: Have you ever fired lead bullets out of an AR? The Mini will run long after the AR doesn't.
Four:

Realistically both are excellent weapons.
Both are more than accurate enough for their intended purposes today.
And if the Mini fits you, you're gonna shoot it better than the AR even if the AR is "more accurate".

Most AR's are 2" guns at 100Y, the new Ruger's run about the same.

Pick the one you like, pick up some factory mags and don't worry about what anyone says, you have what you wanted and like. That's more than many can say.

 

I like the sights better on the Mini actually. And if I was really wanting to accessorize it I can put a stock on it just like an AR. I'm also pretty sure there is a way to mount a light on it too. I have fired quite a few rounds threw an M4 when I was in the Army and it never felt quite as good to me as a mini14 does when I pick it up. And the sights just seem to line themselves up for me without even thinking about it.

 

I say AR15. Parts and magazines are way more available, and affordable. Also, the AR is more upgradeable. There is new cool stuff coming out all the time.

 

Parts and magazines are way more available, and affordable.

I can't help but think this is because the Mini 14 rarely breaks?
I've owned my older Mini since like 1980 and have yet to have a breakage or malfunction. :thumb:
OTOH, I own one of each. I don't think you can go too far wrong with either.
-Bruce

 

Both have their perks. Can't go wrong with either. Pick the one that feels best to you and you can't go wrong.

 

Mini14 is a far better rifle in my own opinion.

 

I've fed just about every ammo on the market through my Mini, and it has never had a hiccup. That includes steel: zinc and lacquer coated, Federal City brass, Winchester, Wolf, Tula, Isreali M193 and anything else you can purchase over the internet.

The sites are very easy to adjust, and they are great sites. Ruger supplies the Scope rings for you and they have a place to mount them on the iron sites. There is also an after market piece for the bolt lock assembly that allows you to put a picatiny on the wood ranch model.

If you want something more modular, look at the tactical version (adjustable stock, rails, the whole bit). If you want to deck it out with 15 extra pounds of crap, get an AR. You don't need a light on your rifle.

People complaining about accuracy are probably shooting an older model. I've heard there were issues, but most folks don't know the twist rate of their rifle or how to adjust their irons and just expect it to drive a nail right out of the box. That being said, every Ruger I've owned has been able to do damn near that right out of the box. I dumped 30 rounds at 60 feet (freestanding) just as fast as I could pull the trigger last time at the range and all but two hit inside the nine ring, all others were in the x and 10 ring. What more do you want out of a rifle. If/when I put a scope on it, I have no doubts I can get all in the X on a rest.

The Ruger factory mags run you around 40 bucks (not cheap), but they can be found at great deals (best I've found is around 25. The new Tapco Intrafuse for the Mini, I've gotten them for 12.50, and they run like a dream. I believe that will give any AR a run for it's money as far as mags go.

If I were going to get an AR, I'd probably look to 308. That will cost you quite a bit more, but hopefully that price will come down eventually.

Not sure what that dude is talking about the trigger guard???

Long story short, I couldn't be happier with my Mini. I wouldn't trade it for the most expensive AR on the market. Course that goes both ways too. I'm betting the AR fans wouldn't trade their AR for the most finely tuned Mini on the market either. It's a personal preference, and mine goes to the Mini.

 

I have both and love both.

I think the mini is much easier to clean and maintain. I think its a bit tougher than AR platform.

The pencil thin barrel has been replaces with a tapered one, making it a helluva lot more accurate than the older models, but its still no where near as accuarate as the AR. Its good enough for what I use it for. I get 2 inch groups at 100 yards. Plenty good enuff.

The mags are expensive. The ruger factory mags work best, and they are pricey. I have however had excellent sucess with the pro mag 20 rounders. The 30's seem to cause problems for some reason, but all the 20's I have gotten work flawlessly.

I also think the mini is an easier and less intimidating platform for beginners.

As far as accesories go, you can do pretty much anything with them if you want to spend the money. Personally though, if you want a wacked out .223/5.56 with all the goodies on it ( tac lights, optics etc ) your better off with the AR. Its cheaper and easier to modify, or simply add to the existing rails where as with the mini it can be a pain in the ass.

I like the mini for its simple design. Less I have to worry about breaking IMO. I still have my old one I got in high school. Its still a perfecty serviceable gun, and I have not had to replace anything on it. I bought a new one about 3 years ago. Its way more accurate than the old one, but both guns are shooters.

Its a really good gun to take along on hikes, or for general use on your property. I kept the factory sights on both guns. I haven't added anything other than a sling to either of them.

If you want a simple, no nonsense, easy to maintain all around gun the mini is a good choice just the way it is. If you want a sexy gun with techno toys, get an AR. The mini isn't the gun to tac out IMO. Although you can if you want.

Ruger makes quality products. They are somewhat pricey I suppose, but I never mind paying a bit more for products I know I can depend on.

Shoot. I forgot to add something. I did make a minor mod to both of mine. Unless Ruger has changed this within the last three years, these guns launch brass into outer orbit. Its not a big deal if you don't save your brass, but if you do I suggest you change out the gas block bushings. The new busings were cheap and it cures the problem.

 

I've fired minis and wasn't very impressed, but then again I generally do not like wood stocked rifles.

The AR for me is the platform I have trained on since I was 17, and used in extreme circumstances.
I stick with what I know.

For gunsmith that hasn't seen many parts on the minis break vs the AR, I think some it boils down to the AR's getting ran harder. I had a mini for a couple of years, it collected dust so I got rid of it.

 

Between the two...for a couple hundred more you can get the AR which in my opinion is a better SHTF gun, not to mention the fact that unlike a mini its infinitely modifiable making it truely a weapons system platform.

 

While the AR is much easier to mod, you can add anything to the mini as you can the AR. The only difference is the cost. Way more expensive to mod the mini, but it can be done.

Its not really an issue with me. I don't like or need most of the stuff folks hang off their rifles these days.

If your into that though the AR is a better choice.

 

The most I would ever put on a mini or an AR would be a scout scope and maybe a taclight. But since I prefer a shotgun for home defense or any other CQB situation I don't see myself ever wanting a light on a carbine like that. I might put a light on a home defense/CQB shotgun but not likely on a mini or an AR.
I don't see myself ever needing more than 3-4 extra mags so once those are purchased I don't need to buy any more unless I just run the holy crap out of them and wear them out. I could buy 6 mags for $240 bucks and be done with it and have all the mags I'd ever need for the weapon.
I would like to know more about the action. I know it's based on the M1 Garand but I don't know that much about that type of action. I think I like it better than the action on an AR but I don't really know since I've never fired that type of weapon.
Either one I get is only going to be a stand in until I can get a SOCOM 16 for my all around "assault" carbine. Then that will be my main battle rifle if the paw ever comes or just a good all around rifle for training and for a ranch rifle type weapon.
Thank you all for the good info and opinions. Please keep them coming since I really like talking about these two weapons.

 

I would like to know more about the action. I know it's based on the M1 Garand but I don't know that much about that type of action.

The Garand-style action is legendary. I've owned a Garand, M14, M1carbine, and now my Mini 14. This action was so reliable because the nature of the rotating bolt will fling off any debris while it operates. Also, like the AK (but not quite as exagerated) the chamber has extra room, so it takes a lot more than just a layer or two of dirty and sand to bog up the action.

Here's a quick video I made. You can see how the bolt flings off debris by the nature of its action.

 

Man, there's so much to say on this subject. I was in the Army, too, and know the M4/M16 platform more intimately than I care to remember.

If you're looking for a rifle to patrol the PAW while living in the woods, I would (and did) go with the mini-14, just because it's a bombproof ammo-eating beast. The garand action is LEGENDARY. If you've got a nice home base in the PAW that you're patrolling for a few hours before you return home without getting your rifle dirty, I might think about going with the AR platform.

The two things I've found intolerable with my mini are how much my wrists hurt after carrying a traditional stock at the ready for a day, and how few quality aftermarket options I have for it.

I like my rifles to work while dirty, rusty, and wet. My mini hasn't let me down.

 

I built my AR for about $100 less than a Mini would have cost me. Mini's are good guns. People complain because they can and accuracy from a Mini wasn't really as bad as people make it out to be. 2-3 MOA isn't bad from any semiautomatic rifle and that's what most if not all Mini's could achieve. An affordable AR isn't going to do much better and I believe Mil-Spec required them to be about that accurate.

Get what you like, practice with it to no end. Although, I would think that your familiarity with the AR should have you leaning that way in the first place.

 

You seem like you are already Mini 14... Used the M4, great, you like the mini better? Ok.

DO the mini. Good rifles. GET ALOT OF 20 round RUGER magazines. You think 3-4 mags are enough? You must be a tanker.

Consider yourself an infantryman, without even a fireteam. You will need to rapidly reload. 7 mags minimum.

Garand action is great. I'm not a fan of the M1 carbine, too light a round. M14, great. Bush model is better than SOCOM- especially for woods use, shoots a little further more accurately.

 

It definitely seems like your mind is made up on the Mini. I don't really understand how you can like something more that you don't know about more than something else you don't know about....but that's ok, it's your gun.

I went the AR-15 route after doing the debate dance you're going through. After $800, I have a well built piston driven AR that shoots ~.78MOA on average with the occasional 1 MOA 5 shot group due to my mistakes. I didn't want to fiddle with the mini14 with swapping barrels, polishing internals, etc etc...when the AR is much easier to build on my own without the use of a gunsmith and parts can be interchanged easily.

Accuracy and cost aside, the major driving factor to me going the Stoner route was the fact that parts would be plentiful. LE, Military, Mall Ninjas, Hill billies, War Buffs, etc... all use the AR so if S really did HTF, I could find anything I could ever need for my rifle not to mention have the ability and experience to grab another AR, examine it, determine its condition and fighting ability, and then use it competently.

Regarding the mini, I couldn't say that. If a part of your mini breaks or gets damaged in a fall, wreck, or because of neglect, you're up S*** creek without a paddle. You better have a good sidearm.

 

Okay I'm not really preparing for the S to HTF (I like that so I stole it: ) with my next rifle purchase. If it does and what I have is the mini or the AR then I'm sure I'll be fine. I don't think having 10 or 20 mags on hand and loaded up is really going to be necessary even if the S does HTF. If I need that many rounds then something has gone seriously FUBAR.
I guess what I'm really trying to find out is which is more reliable and more accurate and if the new ones really are more accurate than the older models. Also I probably won't be getting either one until next year since the next weapon on my list is a handgun and I'm pretty sure I already know what I want.
Is the Stoner action really considered to be more reliable than the Garand action? I know that AR's can jam up pretty quickly if not lubed and also if you over lube them they can jam up.
Both weapons are considered to be accurate "enough" at 300 meters which I'm not going to engage anything outside that anyway most likely since I'm no sniper.

 

Ar15 for sure from a quality manufacture.

Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense, LMT, PSA, Spikes, Noveske and Knights all make a quality AR15.

Here is a article of the BCM filthy 14 with somthing like 26k rounds before getting cleaned. They will run dirty, they will not run dry.

This is a good read, it also offers insight of when things begin to wear out. I belive this same firearm has over 40k rounds through it now.

http://www.slip2000.com/art-swat2.html

 

Well as usual, when the conversation is about the reliability of the AR-15, someone inevitably brings up the Filthy 14 article. You know what that litte article proves? Exactly diddly squat. Nothing. If you know anything about statistics, you know that in order to test a group of objects, you need to have an adequate sample size. Given that there are millions of ARs out there, a sample size of 1 is simply not going to cut it. If that test had been done on, say, a few hundred thousand ARs and they all performed like the Filthy 14 then the test would mean something. Right now, all it proves is that that single AR can go forever without being cleaned, it doesn't mean that all ARs can do it. Similarly, if the Filthy 14 had jammed repeatedly after only 100 rounds, it would be highly inaccurate to say that all ARs jam after 100 rounds.

Between the AR and the mini, I would definitely pick the AR. It's more modular. I'm not worried about accuracy because both guns are accurate enough for me. I like that you can turn your AR into a .22 LR by simply using a .22 bolt group and a .22 magazine. Let's see you do that with the Mini. Also, by simply owning a bunch of uppers, you can use different calibers on the same lower. The mini just can't compete with that in my humble opinion.

 

One point of view, among many.

http://www.ar15.com/content/swat/200203-AR-15_vs_Mini-14.pdf