Mini 14?

[Cubby]

I've been wanting a .223. I'm narrowed down to a Mini 14 Ranch, or an AR-15 from Windham. Has anyone handled both a Mini and an AR? I don't have any experience with either.

It looks like the AR will be easier to break-down and maintain. The Mini is $200 cheaper, but extra mags are very expensive!

Thanks for any thoughts...

 

[Busterswoodshop]

The AR is easier to break down and is much more accurate.
Magazines are much cheaper also.

 

[Cubby]

The AR is easier to break down and is much more accurate.
Magazines are much cheaper also.

I read that the early models of the Mini had some accuracy problems, but supposedly the newer ones are better? I know that Hickok45 said that he couldn't choose between the Mini or his AR-15?

 

[6mm]

I have had both platforms, and while the AR is usually more accurate, I still prefer the Mini. My current Mini is a 1995 built one with the older light barrel. With good ammo I can usually keep it around 2 MOA. With cheap surplus 55gr is usually is around 4 MOA. My last AR would keep groups about 1 MOA or less. It is all up to the shooter. One thing that always bother me about the AR platform was the buffer in the stock, and the "twang" when you pulled the trigger.

 

[Jim Puke]

I have had both platforms, and while the AR is usually more accurate, I still prefer the Mini. My current Mini is a 1995 built one with the older light barrel. With good ammo I can usually keep it around 2 MOA. With cheap surplus 55gr is usually is around 4 MOA. My last AR would keep groups about 1 MOA or less. It is all up to the shooter. One thing that always bother me about the AR platform was the buffer in the stock, and the "twang" when you pulled the trigger.

X 2

 

[coastie]

What did you train with if you were in the service?
I had the M1 Garand in high school ROTC.
And joined the CG in 1966.
And my "muscle memory" means.....Mini 14.
Plus the feedback from the troops in SE Asia gave
me negative impression of the AR platform.
I realize that it is valued now and has gone many
Changes, but...Garand, M1A, Mini 14.
My style and preference.
[but like the guy said: "doesn't mean I can't shoot 'em]

Thanks, Paul

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I have owned several mini 14's and several AR's.
While the newer mini's are more accurate than the older ones I still don't think they compare to a good quality AR.
Let's say you are shooting at a brick wall at 100 yards.
With a mini 14 you could probably hit any brick in the wall you want.
With an AR you can hit any mortar joint that you want.

 

[Cubby]

I'm still not sure which way to go. I'm leaning towards the Mini partly because of the Retro look, and Ruger's Reputation. Also the model has flourished for almost 30 years! If my wife wouldn't shoot me with one, I would get both ...

 

[Lateck]

I own both platforms also. You can get the Mini in nice wood furniture so it is not a "black" rifle. (Or you can get a black version).
Yes, the AR might be more accurate (might). But I shoot my Mini the same as my AR. Yes, the AR breaks down easier but the Mini is not as dirty.
To me the Mini has more feeling but the AR can get .22LR adapters.
So, half a dozen one or six of another.

Lateck,

 

[DGW1949]

I've been wanting a .223. I'm narrowed down to a Mini 14 Ranch, or an AR-15 from Windham. Has anyone handled both a Mini and an AR? I don't have any experience with either.

It looks like the AR will be easier to break-down and maintain. The Mini is $200 cheaper, but extra mags are very expensive!

Thanks for any thoughts...

Caliber aside, what you are comparing here are apples 'n oranges.
As the basic platforms go, there's pros and cons to both.
Personaly, I prefer the Mini.....simply because it'll go bang when the Stoner platform won't.

Yeah, any given AR is capable of shooting smaller groups than any given Mini, and it's well known that matched-tuned AR's are incredably accurate when shooting match ammuntion. When we're talking basic "off the shelf" guns and milsurp ammo though, the difference aint as great as some would have you believe. For shooting that don't involve merely sand-bagging off a bench, you may even find the Mini easier to hit with.

"Ease of maintenance"?....depends on how you look at it.
You are correct in that the AR is easier to "break down and maintain". It is also much easier to clean from the breech. On the other hand, the Mini don't need to be "broke down" very often. It will get by fine for hundreds of rounds with nothing more than cleaning the bore and occasionaly wiping off the bolt face....or while doing nothing....meaning that if push comes to shove, it will keep running whether it's wet or dry, and it don't need to be squeaky-clean, or need the latest/greatest oil and/or grease to do so...just sayin'.

Mags?....No comparison there. Good AR mags are both cheaper and more widely available (as-are spare parts). I'm saying "good" here because "cheap" mags for the Mini usualy don't/won't work, which perty-much makes the factory mags the only game in town.

I guess we pays our money and takes our choice.

DGW

 

[Cubby]

Is $697 a decent price for the Standard Mini?

 

[DGW1949]

Is $697 a decent price for the Standard Mini?

Is $697 a decent price?....these days, who knows?....but if it makes you feel better, that is $2 less than I gave for mine.

DGW

 

[blume357]

Everyone on the internet says the AR is more accurate.... older minis were pretty dern bad in this vain... the newer ones are a great deal better. I have two older mini-14s and one shoots pretty good the other is a joke. I also have two ARs and neither shoots any better than the one semi-good mini.

The AR is the 'Barbie Doll' of guns, the number of extras and change out parts that you can buy for one is uncountable... The magazine change out on an AR is a whole lot easier....

With all that said... my vote is for the Mini-14. Just stick with factory mags.

 

[Cubby]

I went into the store this morning with the intention of buying the Mini. The clerk wouldn't let me try the trigger. I thanked him for his time and walked out! I guess that this wasn't my deal???

 

[south_ridge]

I have one of the newer minis with the heavier, tapered barrel (580- or 581- series). The only ammo I shoot through it is Hornady custom 55-grain v-maxes, simply because that's the first thing I tried and it shot well. It consistently shoots 1.5 MOA or better. I'm sure I could find something that shoots a little better, but the first attempt suits my puropses just fine.

The mini-14 is an extremely handy firearm. The first time you carry one on an extended hike, you'll be glad you bought it. It's easy to carry one-handed, and it points well. These are things that can't be learned at the bench. I would rather have a handy, rugged, 1.5 MOA rifle than a 0.5 MOA rifle (AR or otherwise) that is harder to pack around or get on target.

For me, the mini-14 is great.

To your most recent post, I really don't like it when gun shops won't let me try the trigger on something.

SR

 

[57springer]

my vote is for the mini.

 

[mohavesam]

I'm still not sure which way to go. I'm leaning towards the Mini partly because of the Retro look, and Ruger's Reputation. Also the model has flourished for almost 30 years! If my wife wouldn't shoot me with one, I would get both ...

..."Retro look"??? We're in trouble here guys... :shock:

Your criteria leaves much to the imagination, but since you're in Florida and I have never seen a stainless AR (yet) at any reasonable workingman's price, get a flippin' stainless Ruger! Are you even kidding about this?

 

[DGW1949]

I think(?) that I understand what the OP means by "retro look". Leastways, I took it to mean that the Mini has a full length stock sans any sort of pistol grip and/or other "stuff" sticking out all over the gun.....which on a "standard" AR, would include it's incredably tall sight mounting(s), it's carrying handle, and/or the side-mounted forward assist thingy. Me thinks that the Mini looking a lot like a scaled-down M-14 adds to it's "retro" image also.
On the other hand, about the only thing I can see as being "retro" to an AR would be a 50's era sci-fi movie. :lol: .

DGW

 

[Cubby]

The Mini 14 looks a lot like the M1 Carbine that I've shot a lot years ago! I'm not looking for a super "Tack Driver". I'm not into 500 yard shots. I'm not planning on being a sniper. I just want something fun to shoot at the range and to double as a house gun. I'm not sure what mohavesam was going on about?

 

[mohavesam]

DGW hit it on the head!