mini-14 as a battle rifle
- Thread starter carlrodd
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Dollar An Hour
Member
Is there anything the mini-30 does better than a Saiga 7.62 at half the cost? Better sights probably, anything else?
If I want a cheap to shoot rifle, these two or an AK seem like top choices, I'm just having a hard time justifying the Ruger over the Russian gun.
If I want a cheap to shoot rifle, these two or an AK seem like top choices, I'm just having a hard time justifying the Ruger over the Russian gun.
Rifleman 173
Member
I've had several mini-14s. As I shot them, the point of impact wouldn't stay still. It would literally wander all over the target. All 3 of them were like that. On top of that, there weren't any jam-free high capacity magazines anywhere for them. On a good day, any of my mini-14s were lousy pieces of junk that I did NOT feel comfortable carrying. I got rid of them, never looked back and started picking up ARs and AKs for my shooting needs.
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
ditto Buck, I bought a S/S M30 in 1992 for 220$$. and thought it was a premium price but the FFL shop owner was an acquaintance and I figured what the h%@# feller has to make a living. after some tinkering with this carbine shoots 1.5 MOA with good ammo(I have a 1.5X4.5 tactical scope on it). it doesn't care for the steel-case stuff , however a caveat on the owners manual addresses this issue. so I don't use it. I like mine and have tinkered with some 20 round mags to get them doing well. I'll grab it in a heart-beat for anything.
I shot it for groups off a rolled up sleeping bag rest on the bench using Lapua ammo and some of my good handloads with Hornady 123 gr. slugs. PMC fmj doesn't do nearly as well, nor does Win. fmj, my hunting loads of Speer 150 gr. does nearly as well.
I shot it for groups off a rolled up sleeping bag rest on the bench using Lapua ammo and some of my good handloads with Hornady 123 gr. slugs. PMC fmj doesn't do nearly as well, nor does Win. fmj, my hunting loads of Speer 150 gr. does nearly as well.
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armoredman
Member
I have a newer series 580. I had a Mini-14 wayback in the early 80's, and it worked just fine, sold when I went into the service. My new 580 works just fine, and it occupies a niche asa carbine to both have fun with, and a defensive rifle within 100 yards. I do handload for it, and have a few loads that will do 2MOA, and the factory load I use a defensive load, (Remington 45gr JHP), is also a 2MOA round in this rifle.
I don't expect to go into combat with it, and all of my goofy whizbang "tactical" gear, (what little I had), is going bye bye. All I have is a home setup active shooter bag with 3 spare mags in it, and the rifle with a Ruger factory 20 round mag.
It works with whatever I put in it. It shoots minute of man at 100 yards. BTW, it does shoot straighter than any of the three SKS rifles I have owned, and better than the wifes' WASR-10, which is definately a 50 yard carbine.
Besides, I will never be able to afford my FAL, so this is what I have.
I don't expect to go into combat with it, and all of my goofy whizbang "tactical" gear, (what little I had), is going bye bye. All I have is a home setup active shooter bag with 3 spare mags in it, and the rifle with a Ruger factory 20 round mag.
It works with whatever I put in it. It shoots minute of man at 100 yards. BTW, it does shoot straighter than any of the three SKS rifles I have owned, and better than the wifes' WASR-10, which is definately a 50 yard carbine.
Besides, I will never be able to afford my FAL, so this is what I have.
K3
Member
I would think that an SKS with some good handloads would be perfect for SHTF. I would also think that 80 - 100 rounds would be more than a person would need and could realistically carry along with other gear in a SHTF situation.
With good handloads, 2" groups at 100 yards is certainly attainable.
With good handloads, 2" groups at 100 yards is certainly attainable.
Neo-Luddite
Member
The AC556 is full auto (as in, empties the mag).
They have been configured w/ 3 shot burst to meet specific customer needs (likely to be viewed as a low-cost alternative to the m16a2 back in the early 80's). I don't know if Ruger shopped them out to be set up that way or did them in house.
The dissapointment with the mini always seems to grow from folks expecting it to be something it isn't. To draw an analogy, when Pontiac brought out the Fiero some people looked at it and saw a mid-engined fibreglass two-seater and decided it was an exotic sportscar. Those people were the ones most disapointed. There was NOTHING wrong with the car, but it was designed to be 'sporty' and fuel efficient; it was a commuter car.
People look at the mini and want to see a little M-14. I know I did when I bought mine. I got passed that.
My biggest gripe about the mini--Cheap plastic buttplate. It's a solid little gun that is over-priced next to the AR's in today's marketplace.
They have been configured w/ 3 shot burst to meet specific customer needs (likely to be viewed as a low-cost alternative to the m16a2 back in the early 80's). I don't know if Ruger shopped them out to be set up that way or did them in house.
The dissapointment with the mini always seems to grow from folks expecting it to be something it isn't. To draw an analogy, when Pontiac brought out the Fiero some people looked at it and saw a mid-engined fibreglass two-seater and decided it was an exotic sportscar. Those people were the ones most disapointed. There was NOTHING wrong with the car, but it was designed to be 'sporty' and fuel efficient; it was a commuter car.
People look at the mini and want to see a little M-14. I know I did when I bought mine. I got passed that.
My biggest gripe about the mini--Cheap plastic buttplate. It's a solid little gun that is over-priced next to the AR's in today's marketplace.
Ed Ames
Member
Go back to the factory for repairs.
Seriously... part of what you are buying when you buy a name brand rifle from a major US manufacturer is the knowledge that they will stand behind their product. Whoever imports the Saiga may stand behind it... I'm not sure... but you can bet money that Ruger will stand behind the mini.
As for the mini as a battle rifle... what does it matter?
I've only fired one mini. It was fine.
Would I want it if the alien horde landed? Sure, why not? It would make pretty sparkles dance on their force shields as well as anything else and would maybe be useful for hunting up some dinner too. It would work... At least until I figured out how to operate their advanced alien weapons.
Would I choose it to carry out my single-handed invasion and conquest of Greenland? Probably not. I'm not that into Greenland actually. That don't make it junk.
Dr.Carbine
Member
Design would not be static
I think the Mini could be a fine military rifle. If the Mini 14 became a military issued weapon there would probably be a few design changes to meet the needs of the military. For instance, the military may require a slightly thicker barrel for greater accuracy, or they might require a straight-insert AR-type 30 round magazine. They might require the same sights as on the AR or other sight as standard. If Ruger got a huge contract from the military, I'm sure they would be glad to make these changes; Ruger isn't making them for the civilian market that they presently have. It's not like the current ARs are the same as the originally issued ones in the early '60s. I like the look and feel of the Mini 14 and believe it could be as good as the the AR with a few small changes that would likely happen if it was an issued weapon. Personally, I feel pistol-gripped rifles feel odd to handle and that a straight stock is easier to carry and shoulder, but that's me.
I think the Mini could be a fine military rifle. If the Mini 14 became a military issued weapon there would probably be a few design changes to meet the needs of the military. For instance, the military may require a slightly thicker barrel for greater accuracy, or they might require a straight-insert AR-type 30 round magazine. They might require the same sights as on the AR or other sight as standard. If Ruger got a huge contract from the military, I'm sure they would be glad to make these changes; Ruger isn't making them for the civilian market that they presently have. It's not like the current ARs are the same as the originally issued ones in the early '60s. I like the look and feel of the Mini 14 and believe it could be as good as the the AR with a few small changes that would likely happen if it was an issued weapon. Personally, I feel pistol-gripped rifles feel odd to handle and that a straight stock is easier to carry and shoulder, but that's me.
kBob
Member
Well, it hardly counts as a battle rifle but, when I was assigned to 3rd Armored DIvision, Division Artillery as the HHB DivArty XO in 1982 I had no assigned rifle or handgun. We were litereally at full strength plus and there were neither available in the unit. The guy I was replacing explained that he had carried his POW (Privatly Owned Weapon, prisoners of war were PWs at the time) a Colt Commander in .45ACP. As we still issued the M1911A1 this made perfect sense. I had brought my Colt MK4 Series 70 in that chambering to europe with me ( actually bought it there on an earlier tour) and so after a discussion with the DivArty CO (eagle with visions of stars) was assured that I was OK for anything I could qualify with. Being an xGrunt I realized a handgun is not the best choice for going to war with, even if you are surrounded by nuke capable 155mm guns and 8 inch howitzers.
I rapidly found that the ROD & GUN club would not attempt to import an AR-15 as the Germans were a bit weird about importing article of warefare (though they would happily sell you an HK91), oddly they did have in stock an FN FNC semi only 5.56mm rifle (not the CAL but the later actually fielded model) but I was unimpressed with it.
Before I could do much more shopping one of my NCOs had to be reassigned stateside in a hurry and was being forced to leave before he could get his Customs forms (6A I believe) to import his privately owned firearms. Two other NCOs bought his shotguns and bolt action and I ended up with his stainless Mini-14 and S&W Model 19. For the rest of my tour that Model 19 road around in my breifcase ( I sometimes carried documents that needed to be handled only by some one under arms and this made it easy even when I did not have my BDUs and Colt on) The Mini got shot a bit for familurization and zeroed with some Rod & Gun bought FMJ then broken down into the three basic groups and stuffed with several loaded mags in to my field duffle.
The mini went with me up to our "battle sites" on the boarder or along the road to our fall back positions. I figured it beat a sharp stick or saying "BOO!" by a pretty good bit. Especailly as my drivers issue weapon was a 1911A1 and so we were often alone and under armed. So I guess you could say that a mini-14 has served on the boarders of freedom, sort of, semi secretly, stuffed deep in a locked duffle bag inside a locked Jeep trailor.
My only regret with regaurd to the Mini was that I did not trade it even-steven for a Finn M71s a Major was having fits with. He had bought it for the same reason I had the mini and one of his troopers pointed out that one of the rest of us might shoot at the AK looking thing in the dark. Then he had problems getting more than his three magazines, and then it had repeated failures for him. I showed him what he was doing wrong (not rocking the mags into lock) instead of ripping him off. Sometimes I am just to honest.
The Mini went to help me do some Post Grad work later.
-Bob Hollingsworth
I rapidly found that the ROD & GUN club would not attempt to import an AR-15 as the Germans were a bit weird about importing article of warefare (though they would happily sell you an HK91), oddly they did have in stock an FN FNC semi only 5.56mm rifle (not the CAL but the later actually fielded model) but I was unimpressed with it.
Before I could do much more shopping one of my NCOs had to be reassigned stateside in a hurry and was being forced to leave before he could get his Customs forms (6A I believe) to import his privately owned firearms. Two other NCOs bought his shotguns and bolt action and I ended up with his stainless Mini-14 and S&W Model 19. For the rest of my tour that Model 19 road around in my breifcase ( I sometimes carried documents that needed to be handled only by some one under arms and this made it easy even when I did not have my BDUs and Colt on) The Mini got shot a bit for familurization and zeroed with some Rod & Gun bought FMJ then broken down into the three basic groups and stuffed with several loaded mags in to my field duffle.
The mini went with me up to our "battle sites" on the boarder or along the road to our fall back positions. I figured it beat a sharp stick or saying "BOO!" by a pretty good bit. Especailly as my drivers issue weapon was a 1911A1 and so we were often alone and under armed. So I guess you could say that a mini-14 has served on the boarders of freedom, sort of, semi secretly, stuffed deep in a locked duffle bag inside a locked Jeep trailor.
My only regret with regaurd to the Mini was that I did not trade it even-steven for a Finn M71s a Major was having fits with. He had bought it for the same reason I had the mini and one of his troopers pointed out that one of the rest of us might shoot at the AK looking thing in the dark. Then he had problems getting more than his three magazines, and then it had repeated failures for him. I showed him what he was doing wrong (not rocking the mags into lock) instead of ripping him off. Sometimes I am just to honest.
The Mini went to help me do some Post Grad work later.
-Bob Hollingsworth
kBob
Member
Re Mini in Carbine class,
Lady shot one next to me in the Morigan Counsulting Carbine Operators class.
It was an older model with the exposed parts on the left of the reciever covered by a plate in later models.
Zero malfs FTF jams or what have you other than those intentionally induced for the immediate action drills.
She used Wolf steel cased polimer coated FMJ for the intire course.
She shot a qualifying score on the Police standards course used by several states at the end. It was a realistic Police standards course with the max range at 100meters, but not shot flat footed or belly wamping of as a desk job either. Minute of A zone works just fine.
I breifly shot a Ranch Rifle in the class just for giggles. For those few magazines it did as well as some of the ARs on the line. I also broke out an M-1 Carbine for a section of the class as well, it did fine. The assistant Instructors suggested I not bring out the SKS I had planned to use for part of it as well. I did all but the two sessions mentioned with an AR-180 BTW.
I was told though that there were reports of Minis not lasting a course....a couple of the ARs on the scened did not did not last thae course I took and the Mini did....hmmmm.
The class before mine a guy took the course with a GI M-1 carbine and did just fine and qualified as well.
I suggest that folks get what they can afford, what they like and what they can shoot. If all I had was a Mini-14 I would spend more time worrying on how to get the most out of it rather than fretting over what I wish I had.
BTW there is a Mini Stock out on the shop right now being shortened and refinished, short as original stocks are, ladies and kids need guns that fit and not everyone can afford a new AR with a colapsing stock to fit them.....I already own a saw and sand paper and I have the original stock for when I want to shoot that rifle.
-Bob Hollingsworth
Lady shot one next to me in the Morigan Counsulting Carbine Operators class.
It was an older model with the exposed parts on the left of the reciever covered by a plate in later models.
Zero malfs FTF jams or what have you other than those intentionally induced for the immediate action drills.
She used Wolf steel cased polimer coated FMJ for the intire course.
She shot a qualifying score on the Police standards course used by several states at the end. It was a realistic Police standards course with the max range at 100meters, but not shot flat footed or belly wamping of as a desk job either. Minute of A zone works just fine.
I breifly shot a Ranch Rifle in the class just for giggles. For those few magazines it did as well as some of the ARs on the line. I also broke out an M-1 Carbine for a section of the class as well, it did fine. The assistant Instructors suggested I not bring out the SKS I had planned to use for part of it as well. I did all but the two sessions mentioned with an AR-180 BTW.
I was told though that there were reports of Minis not lasting a course....a couple of the ARs on the scened did not did not last thae course I took and the Mini did....hmmmm.
The class before mine a guy took the course with a GI M-1 carbine and did just fine and qualified as well.
I suggest that folks get what they can afford, what they like and what they can shoot. If all I had was a Mini-14 I would spend more time worrying on how to get the most out of it rather than fretting over what I wish I had.
BTW there is a Mini Stock out on the shop right now being shortened and refinished, short as original stocks are, ladies and kids need guns that fit and not everyone can afford a new AR with a colapsing stock to fit them.....I already own a saw and sand paper and I have the original stock for when I want to shoot that rifle.
-Bob Hollingsworth
Bailey Boat
Member
I've heard most all of the stuff mentioned above about the Mini's and since I only have experience with ONE, maybe my experiences aren't typical.
Back during the Y2K days (remember those) I felt that I needed something to shoot "things" at 100 to 150 yards out, had readily available ammo and a couple of hi cap mags. I looked at a number of options and for some reason I settled on a SS Mini with the black composite stock. It didn't "look" like an assault rifle (whatever that is) and it handled pretty well.
I proceeded to do nothing more than mount a red dot sight and go to the range. A few sighter's later I was pretty much at POA with all shots. My club range only goes to 200 so I put targets at 100 and 200 (B-27's) COM hits were duck soup and I could rattle them off as fast as I wanted. No malfunctions and nothing blew up.
Where I went wrong was in letting my wife give it a try. Very low recoil, really cool little red dot thingy, put the dot thingy on the target do-hicky and boom !!!!! When I bought the rifle at a gun show I also got 1000 rounds of WW .223 ammo. when I finally got away from there I had less that 500 rounds to pack up.
If I were any of you I wouldn't want to stand at 150 yards and tell her that those jeans make her butt look BIG......... I dare ya........
Back during the Y2K days (remember those) I felt that I needed something to shoot "things" at 100 to 150 yards out, had readily available ammo and a couple of hi cap mags. I looked at a number of options and for some reason I settled on a SS Mini with the black composite stock. It didn't "look" like an assault rifle (whatever that is) and it handled pretty well.
I proceeded to do nothing more than mount a red dot sight and go to the range. A few sighter's later I was pretty much at POA with all shots. My club range only goes to 200 so I put targets at 100 and 200 (B-27's) COM hits were duck soup and I could rattle them off as fast as I wanted. No malfunctions and nothing blew up.
Where I went wrong was in letting my wife give it a try. Very low recoil, really cool little red dot thingy, put the dot thingy on the target do-hicky and boom !!!!! When I bought the rifle at a gun show I also got 1000 rounds of WW .223 ammo. when I finally got away from there I had less that 500 rounds to pack up.
If I were any of you I wouldn't want to stand at 150 yards and tell her that those jeans make her butt look BIG......... I dare ya........
a few good replies, but back on track.... i was hoping people wouldn't start telling everybody why ARs are better and you should buy them, or what ammo is best etc. i am talking specifically about the mini-14, and for those who detract, what it is that makes it not combat worthy, and for those who feel it would function fine in such a role, what evidence there is of this(why i asked about carbine courses). for those who disagree that it could function in a combat situation, i'll have to say i have heard no convincing arguments....really i haven't read any arguments at all, aside from that it jams, is wildly inaccurate, and ammo finicky, none of which i have personally experienced with mine.
so back to the original question.....let's say you chopped your mini's barrel and put on a muzzle break(both of which very much do markedly improve accuracy on this weapon)......what is it that makes it so clearly a rifle that couldn't be used in a combat situation? saying that it was designed and is manufactured for the civilian market has nothing to do with anything....so are all your ARs, and so are M1As, for instance, which probably all the mini-14 dissenters would claim serve as fine combat weapons.
by the way, whoever posted earlier that the idea of minute of torso is silly, because all you'd ever see in a combat situation are heads and feet, has never been in any sort of combat. every branch of the military teaches you to shoot center mass, and for good reason....it appears often as a target, and always has.
so back to the original question.....let's say you chopped your mini's barrel and put on a muzzle break(both of which very much do markedly improve accuracy on this weapon)......what is it that makes it so clearly a rifle that couldn't be used in a combat situation? saying that it was designed and is manufactured for the civilian market has nothing to do with anything....so are all your ARs, and so are M1As, for instance, which probably all the mini-14 dissenters would claim serve as fine combat weapons.
by the way, whoever posted earlier that the idea of minute of torso is silly, because all you'd ever see in a combat situation are heads and feet, has never been in any sort of combat. every branch of the military teaches you to shoot center mass, and for good reason....it appears often as a target, and always has.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
As a longtime owner of a mini-14 Ranch Rifle (which I recently sold) and a civilian AK (which I kept), here are my thoughts.
Strengths:
Reliability if kept clean and lubricated. Mine never malfunctioned except for the time a friend accidentally gave me some of his dad's super-hot "5 grains over" .223 reloads. Locked up the bolt tight, and I had to kick it open like the proverbial buried-for-a-year AK. Worked fine afterward. Also, according to John Farnam, mini's can be prone to locking up when they get HOT if you lubricate with light oil, but seem to run fine if you use grease.
Easy to field strip and clean. Perhaps the easiest autoloader to maintain.
Weaknesses:
Magazines. Reworking the design to take standard milspec AR magazines would make a lot of sense. Yes, the AK uses rock-and-lock magazines, but they are built like trucks. The mini magazines are slower to change than AK magazines (that little hole does not self-align on the pin very well), and are at least as flimsy as AR magazines--worst of both worlds, IMO.
Accuracy. My 188-series Ranch Rifle shot a best-ever group of 5.5" at 100 yards, from a benchrest. I tried match ammo in a variety of weights; mine was just not an accurate gun. Reportedly accuracy is better on the newer models, but a heavier barrel (and a flash suppressor) would be welcome.
Modularity. Try attaching a light to a mini, or an Eotech, or an Aimpoint; not as easy as with an AR. There are aftermarket stocks and rails to remedy this, though.
Strengths:
Reliability if kept clean and lubricated. Mine never malfunctioned except for the time a friend accidentally gave me some of his dad's super-hot "5 grains over" .223 reloads. Locked up the bolt tight, and I had to kick it open like the proverbial buried-for-a-year AK. Worked fine afterward. Also, according to John Farnam, mini's can be prone to locking up when they get HOT if you lubricate with light oil, but seem to run fine if you use grease.
Easy to field strip and clean. Perhaps the easiest autoloader to maintain.
Weaknesses:
Magazines. Reworking the design to take standard milspec AR magazines would make a lot of sense. Yes, the AK uses rock-and-lock magazines, but they are built like trucks. The mini magazines are slower to change than AK magazines (that little hole does not self-align on the pin very well), and are at least as flimsy as AR magazines--worst of both worlds, IMO.
Accuracy. My 188-series Ranch Rifle shot a best-ever group of 5.5" at 100 yards, from a benchrest. I tried match ammo in a variety of weights; mine was just not an accurate gun. Reportedly accuracy is better on the newer models, but a heavier barrel (and a flash suppressor) would be welcome.
Modularity. Try attaching a light to a mini, or an Eotech, or an Aimpoint; not as easy as with an AR. There are aftermarket stocks and rails to remedy this, though.
blackhawk2000
member
What is with you mini people? It has expensive magazines. It is as accurate as an AK, but costs twice as much as a WASR, and is damn close to AR price. It generally doesn't hold up well in high round count classes. It doesn't have the modularity of the AR. If you wanted something to bounce around in the back of a truck, why not buy an SKS, or an AK?
The worst thing about them, is that you guys who own them are supporting a company that craps on the 2A. So basically you are crapping on the 2A, by buying Ruger.
The worst thing about them, is that you guys who own them are supporting a company that craps on the 2A. So basically you are crapping on the 2A, by buying Ruger.
Neo-Luddite
Member
What is it that makes it so clearly a rifle that couldn't be used in a combat situation?
Nothing really would prevent it from a practical standpoint. We've been propagandized by Ruger that it is a 'sporting' rifle. If they sold those nice, beefy folders w/bakelite pistol grips to the great unwashed (and put a flash hider, bayo lug, etc. on) it would be easier to buy into. People pay insane prices for mini's that are 2nd or 3rd hand because they are parked and have a military 'look' to them-and have the nice factory folder.
Also missing is actual combat experience with the platform--good, bad or otherwise.
Nothing really would prevent it from a practical standpoint. We've been propagandized by Ruger that it is a 'sporting' rifle. If they sold those nice, beefy folders w/bakelite pistol grips to the great unwashed (and put a flash hider, bayo lug, etc. on) it would be easier to buy into. People pay insane prices for mini's that are 2nd or 3rd hand because they are parked and have a military 'look' to them-and have the nice factory folder.
Also missing is actual combat experience with the platform--good, bad or otherwise.
22-rimfire
Member
I have had no problems with my mini-14. The bolt locks up occasionally, but I just wack it and I'm back shooting. Wouldn't do that to another rifle. I only need to hit 8" pie plate accuracy at 100 yds and it usually does that. Don't like the sights; never have. In a fight, do stand at 100 or 150 yds and say.. can't hit me with the x%# mini-14. I'll show ya. Heck I can do it with a revolver, I can certainly do it with a rifle.
I wouldn't call it a battle rifle either. But I am quite comfortable with it for civilian needs. In a big fight, I'll take another rifle off a dead terrorist and use it or use my Mini. But I would prefer something with select fire in a battle situation. I don't plan on being in any firefight. I'll let you macho AR guys take care of it.
I wouldn't call it a battle rifle either. But I am quite comfortable with it for civilian needs. In a big fight, I'll take another rifle off a dead terrorist and use it or use my Mini. But I would prefer something with select fire in a battle situation. I don't plan on being in any firefight. I'll let you macho AR guys take care of it.
How's that?
Nothing really would prevent it from a practical standpoint. We've been propagandized by Ruger that it is a 'sporting' rifle. If they sold those nice, beefy folders w/bakelite pistol grips to the great unwashed (and put a flash hider, bayo lug, etc. on) it would be easier to buy into. People pay insane prices for mini's that are 2nd or 3rd hand because they are parked and have a military 'look' to them-and have the nice factory folder.
Also missing is actual combat experience with the platform--good, bad or otherwise.
good post. i believe the royal ulster constabulary used select fire minis in northern ireland in the 80s. i'll try to do some research and dig up info on whether they were ever used in any combat engagements. by the way blackhawk2000, by purchasing any firearm and owning it responsibly, i'm very much supporting the 2nd ammendment. the ruger is an evil company silliness is getting old.
Also missing is actual combat experience with the platform--good, bad or otherwise.
good post. i believe the royal ulster constabulary used select fire minis in northern ireland in the 80s. i'll try to do some research and dig up info on whether they were ever used in any combat engagements. by the way blackhawk2000, by purchasing any firearm and owning it responsibly, i'm very much supporting the 2nd ammendment. the ruger is an evil company silliness is getting old.
Are you familiar with Accuracy Systems? Check out their website:
http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/index.php
They can make your Mini-14 shoot MOA or better. In answer to your question, I would prefer an accurized Mini-14 to an AR-15 in combat based on reliability alone. My mini-14 has never had a malfunction, and though I've never owned an AR, I've seen too many problems with my shooting buddy's. And their reputation of being finicky doesn't leave me with much confidence.
Magazines are too expensive, though the factory 20 rd I ended up getting has been flawless. The after market mag I bought off the internet didn't even fit in the magwell.
I do prefer the ergonomics and controls of the AR-15. The push button magazine release is the feature I miss the most in the mini.
http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/index.php
They can make your Mini-14 shoot MOA or better. In answer to your question, I would prefer an accurized Mini-14 to an AR-15 in combat based on reliability alone. My mini-14 has never had a malfunction, and though I've never owned an AR, I've seen too many problems with my shooting buddy's. And their reputation of being finicky doesn't leave me with much confidence.
Magazines are too expensive, though the factory 20 rd I ended up getting has been flawless. The after market mag I bought off the internet didn't even fit in the magwell.
I do prefer the ergonomics and controls of the AR-15. The push button magazine release is the feature I miss the most in the mini.
jerkface11
Member
Rumor has it that Ruger has ordered a rather large number of AR15 raw forgings . The day of the Mini is probably coming to an end.
armoredman
Member
A Ruger AR-15 would be kinda weird...
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