Have a couple rimfires I've been using over the years, love the Ruger 10/22, but thinking of moving up to a centerfire. I don't hunt, just drop by the range when I can for target practice. See quite a few AR style rifles when I'm there but not familiar with them. Do you think switching over to a SR-556 would be a more drastic change than one of their Mini-14s? Didn't know of people preferred one over the other because of style, personal preference, accuracy, cost of upkeep, etc.
Ruger autoloader recommendations
- Thread starter seanb7492
- Start date
south_ridge
Single-Sixer
Well, zillions of bytes have been consumed on the internet debating the pros and cons of the mini-14 compared to the AR platform.
In this day and age, I think the ARs are generally more accurate. But the newer minis are 'accurate enough'. I have a mini-14 that was produced about 5 years ago. I like it. It's a handy carbine that is easy in and out of the truck and fun to carry around on the farm. But if all you do is shoot at a range, an AR-style rifle may be a better bet.
For a guy like me who spends a lot of time on the farm and little time at the range, it's hard to beat a mini-14.
SR
In this day and age, I think the ARs are generally more accurate. But the newer minis are 'accurate enough'. I have a mini-14 that was produced about 5 years ago. I like it. It's a handy carbine that is easy in and out of the truck and fun to carry around on the farm. But if all you do is shoot at a range, an AR-style rifle may be a better bet.
For a guy like me who spends a lot of time on the farm and little time at the range, it's hard to beat a mini-14.
SR
Hello,
I have trained in the military and on the civilian side with both rifles. They both offer a great deal of value and function. I currently own a Ruger SR556E model and I got a heck of a deal on it. You need to go to a location that offers both and take a few minutes to hold each and bring em up to your shoulder to look down the sights. Sometimes that is the only way to decide. See which one fits you better. Both will perform well for you as a plinker and I do not think you could go wrong with either.
If I had to decide, I would select the AR for many reasons. The top of the list of reasons is the amount of after market products that can be found for the AR. Good luck with your selection and be sure to post a picture of it or let us know how it is working out for you.
Bill
I have trained in the military and on the civilian side with both rifles. They both offer a great deal of value and function. I currently own a Ruger SR556E model and I got a heck of a deal on it. You need to go to a location that offers both and take a few minutes to hold each and bring em up to your shoulder to look down the sights. Sometimes that is the only way to decide. See which one fits you better. Both will perform well for you as a plinker and I do not think you could go wrong with either.
If I had to decide, I would select the AR for many reasons. The top of the list of reasons is the amount of after market products that can be found for the AR. Good luck with your selection and be sure to post a picture of it or let us know how it is working out for you.
Bill
DGW1949
Hawkeye
seanb7492 said:
Yes, switching from a 10/22 to an SR will be a "more drastic change" than switching to a Mini-14.
Which has more "style" is in the eye of the beholder.
Accuracy?....that depends on many factors, but if all you do is shoot off of a bench, the SR will do a better job for you.
Cost of upkeep?....probably a wash. If you get a good example of either, the only upkeep cost you should see is for cleaning materials.
Personal preference?.... personaly, I have no use for the Stoner platform, be it Ruger's "improved" version or otherwise. But that's just me....and what I think about it shouldn't influence your decision.
DGW
seanb7492 said:
If you decide on an AR-style rifle, keep in mind the SR556 upper is unique to Ruger. If you want a more basic AR, the best value (IMO) on the market is the S&W M&P Sport... it can be had for $599 shipped.
The SR556 is a good rifle, but it ain't inexpensive and it is (to me) front heavy compared to the standard ARs. I sold mine for that reason alone, I had no complaints with accuracy or function, just the really odd balance.
9x19 has got it right.
If you are willing to consider other manufactures, there are a bunch of AR's on the market for the same price as a Mini or less these days.
I own and I am fan of Windham Weaponry AR's. They are made up of the original Bushmaster manufactures and restarted the business after selling it off. Great product and the price is right.
Bill
If you are willing to consider other manufactures, there are a bunch of AR's on the market for the same price as a Mini or less these days.
I own and I am fan of Windham Weaponry AR's. They are made up of the original Bushmaster manufactures and restarted the business after selling it off. Great product and the price is right.
Bill
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
The Mini-14 looks better.
The Ruger SR556 is a looker also.
http://www.ruger.com/products/sr556E/models.html
http://www.ruger.com/products/sr556E/models.html
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
If you like that 'black plastic' look the Mini-14 has that too.
Maybe it's just the two AR's I have but they have never lived up to the 'better' accuracy that folks keep touting..... I also have a couple of older mini's and yes, they over all, are worse... but from all I've heard the newer mini barrels make the rifle just as good.... as for the zillions of aftermarket items you can get for an AR... how many different dresses do you need for that Barbie Doll? Plenty of upgrades are available for the Mini too. I do think the AR is easier on mag. changes and the ergonomics of the safety and mag. release are easier to master.
Looks like AR's can be had with wood stocks also.
https://www.windhamweaponry.com/pdf/NewTechSeets/VEX%20Wood%20Stock-Nutmeg%203-5-14%20MSRP.pdf
Bill
https://www.windhamweaponry.com/pdf/NewTechSeets/VEX%20Wood%20Stock-Nutmeg%203-5-14%20MSRP.pdf
Bill
Wow. The opinions will never cease, and will usually never change when we speak of these rifles.
As a "user" of the old M-16, I learned to hate them. As a repairer of the M-16's, I learned to hate them even more.
So, my Mini-14's were the answer to my prayers for a lot of years, and I professed them to be the best of all the compromises rolled into one gun. The most important attribute to the Mini is it always works, and I've never broken one.
Now that I have the SR556, I don't think I've ever shot my Mini-14 since. As incredibly accurate as my SR556 is, it's impossible not to grab it as the first choice when I'm out shooting this kind of weapon.
But, I don't ever see myself not owning a Mini-14 either. If a Mini was the only rifle of this type I could own, I'd still be quite okay with that too.
WAYNO.
As a "user" of the old M-16, I learned to hate them. As a repairer of the M-16's, I learned to hate them even more.
So, my Mini-14's were the answer to my prayers for a lot of years, and I professed them to be the best of all the compromises rolled into one gun. The most important attribute to the Mini is it always works, and I've never broken one.
Now that I have the SR556, I don't think I've ever shot my Mini-14 since. As incredibly accurate as my SR556 is, it's impossible not to grab it as the first choice when I'm out shooting this kind of weapon.
But, I don't ever see myself not owning a Mini-14 either. If a Mini was the only rifle of this type I could own, I'd still be quite okay with that too.
WAYNO.
I hear what you are saying.
I have completed the Ruger Mini Factory Armor course twice. (Work).. (Retired now from that).
I have serviced range Mini's that saw a bunch of hard use.
They are a solid rifle but they do break. Some would keep shooting even after they were broken.
I have nothing bad to say about them. I just got sick of working on them and cleaning them. But now that I have moved on to new adventures, I miss the good times at the bench breaking them down and inspecting the parts.
While in the military I carried AR's and had to clean them A LOT! If you were in the service, you know that they will not let you turn in a dirty rifle. I never had to fix them just clean them.
I do not currently own a mini but I am always looking. I would like a 6.8 SPC or 7.62x39.
Bill
I have completed the Ruger Mini Factory Armor course twice. (Work).. (Retired now from that).
I have serviced range Mini's that saw a bunch of hard use.
They are a solid rifle but they do break. Some would keep shooting even after they were broken.
I have nothing bad to say about them. I just got sick of working on them and cleaning them. But now that I have moved on to new adventures, I miss the good times at the bench breaking them down and inspecting the parts.
While in the military I carried AR's and had to clean them A LOT! If you were in the service, you know that they will not let you turn in a dirty rifle. I never had to fix them just clean them.
I do not currently own a mini but I am always looking. I would like a 6.8 SPC or 7.62x39.
Bill
Quentin
Bearcat
Mini-14 vs. SR556, that's a hard question and no doubt causes even Ruger much grief. In fact that's likely why Ruger chose to go with an expensive piston AR design instead of a less expensive standard direct gas impingement offering - they did not want their AR to be priced low enough to cannibalize Mini-14 sales.
I'd say look carefully at both and definitely look at other ARs. Don't dismiss building your own AR either. Compare the SR556 with other ARs, it is front heavy and takes away one of the biggest advantages of the AR - industry standard, user replaceable parts from hundreds of sources. With the Mini or SR556, if a major part breaks you'll probably have to ship the rifle to Ruger for parts/repair.
I'm an old guy and like old designs, so have a Mini-14 because it's so much like the M14 I was issued in 1966. But I carried an M16 in Vietnam and was won over by the innovative design. Today I have a few ARs I carefully put together myself, choosing quality parts I wanted. To me the best AR is the one you designed for yourself, after researching the parts available and knowing exactly what you want.
I'd say look carefully at both and definitely look at other ARs. Don't dismiss building your own AR either. Compare the SR556 with other ARs, it is front heavy and takes away one of the biggest advantages of the AR - industry standard, user replaceable parts from hundreds of sources. With the Mini or SR556, if a major part breaks you'll probably have to ship the rifle to Ruger for parts/repair.
I'm an old guy and like old designs, so have a Mini-14 because it's so much like the M14 I was issued in 1966. But I carried an M16 in Vietnam and was won over by the innovative design. Today I have a few ARs I carefully put together myself, choosing quality parts I wanted. To me the best AR is the one you designed for yourself, after researching the parts available and knowing exactly what you want.
I hear you.
I was not in the market for a SR556 but came across the "E" variation that was on sale and I liked how narrow the hand guard was. The weight forward feeling does not bother me. I have yet to have a malfunction with that rifle. Watching out for carrier tilt but so far, no problems.
I can build and exchange parts on AR lowers but I have yet to do anything building on uppers. I just buy a complete upper and I am good to go. Of course, I can exchange components on the BCG without any issues. Just seems like the barrel and upper receiver required tools and equipment to work on. I would not build enough of them to justify the cost of the build equipment to make it worth while. It does sound like fun.
I was at Walmart this afternoon and they had a blue/wood Mini for about $750.
Bill
I was not in the market for a SR556 but came across the "E" variation that was on sale and I liked how narrow the hand guard was. The weight forward feeling does not bother me. I have yet to have a malfunction with that rifle. Watching out for carrier tilt but so far, no problems.
I can build and exchange parts on AR lowers but I have yet to do anything building on uppers. I just buy a complete upper and I am good to go. Of course, I can exchange components on the BCG without any issues. Just seems like the barrel and upper receiver required tools and equipment to work on. I would not build enough of them to justify the cost of the build equipment to make it worth while. It does sound like fun.
I was at Walmart this afternoon and they had a blue/wood Mini for about $750.
Bill
Quentin
Bearcat
I agree, Bill. Normally you can buy a barreled upper receiver configured almost any way you want, avoiding having to buy specialized tools to install the barrel, gas tube and gas block. In fact that's what I've usually done then adding the BCG, charging handle, handguards and sights. Of course a stripped lower is easy to build up with common tools many of us already have. Some people don't save money building their own AR but anyone who wants it built to their specs will save money (not having to replace parts later).
I like the SR556E, as you say the handguard is thinner and it is lighter than the original model. I've heard Ruger has solved the carrier tilt issue but don't know first hand.
Wow, the Mini is going up at Walmart! The blue/wood Ranch Rifle was $724 a couple weeks ago here in Boise and $699 earlier this year.
Watch out, Phoenix is growing your way fast! Last year I drove in from Yuma and couldn't believe how far west the city has grown. It'll be out to Salome before you know it!
I like the SR556E, as you say the handguard is thinner and it is lighter than the original model. I've heard Ruger has solved the carrier tilt issue but don't know first hand.
Wow, the Mini is going up at Walmart! The blue/wood Ranch Rifle was $724 a couple weeks ago here in Boise and $699 earlier this year.
Watch out, Phoenix is growing your way fast! Last year I drove in from Yuma and couldn't believe how far west the city has grown. It'll be out to Salome before you know it!
