I've been torn. I've spent months on internet forums and pondering in my office what my ideal defensive rifle would be.
I think I am about to be finished thinking.
Ruger Mini-14 tactical, regular black synthetic stock with the flash hider on the end for improved barrel harmonics.
Add XS tritium front post sight.
Will want to possibly mount a light, probably a TLR-1 or other blinding LED.
I am thinking about testing my wife's first (she loves her mini but is a more casual shooter than myself) to see if this project will be feasible given the general complaints about Mini-14 accuracy and whatever else it is people complain about them.
250 rounds.
5 - 3" targets @ 30 yards each set.
4 rounds each target, 20 rounds total each set. Only enough time to stop and reload mags, not enough to let the barrel fully cool.
If I can continue to hit a 3" target at 30 yards, for 250 rounds consecutively, call it good for a defensive rifle.
Or if someone already has the new Mini-14 ranch rifle (for apples to apples), they could just do this for me and save me the dough.... I mean, fun of doing it myself.
One gun salesman told me AR's were more reliable than mini-14s. That's contrary to my knowledge, research, and experience - but can anyone verify that?
From what I gather, the mini-14 is as reliable of an auto as you can get.
You may say, why 30 yards? 1) that's as far as my indoor range goes. 2) if you can hit a 3" target at 30 yards, you could probably be okay hitting a man sized target at 200 yards.... and if I need to shoot over 200 yards, I am going for a 30-06.
You may say, why mini-14? A) controls are WAY easier for lefty than AR B) I can't afford a real M14 C) My M16 jammed a lot in basic and I don't trust them unless they are surgically clean D) defensive weapons can't always be surgically clean E) .223 is a good close-quarters caliber because it doesn't over-penetrate (see FBI tests) F) They can be made to look very PC. Which matters to me because I'd like to take it out varmint hunting, G) Price of .223 is way more affordable than .308 Win, H) Mini-14 is not just cheaper than M14, but way the heck lighter.
The model I want breaks-down to....
OAL: 37.5"
Weight: 6.75 lbs
versus the AR which is
OAL: 35-38"
Weight: 6.74 lbs, unless you add all the barbie tools and then maybe like 9 lbs.
I think I am about to be finished thinking.
Ruger Mini-14 tactical, regular black synthetic stock with the flash hider on the end for improved barrel harmonics.
Add XS tritium front post sight.
Will want to possibly mount a light, probably a TLR-1 or other blinding LED.
I am thinking about testing my wife's first (she loves her mini but is a more casual shooter than myself) to see if this project will be feasible given the general complaints about Mini-14 accuracy and whatever else it is people complain about them.
250 rounds.
5 - 3" targets @ 30 yards each set.
4 rounds each target, 20 rounds total each set. Only enough time to stop and reload mags, not enough to let the barrel fully cool.
If I can continue to hit a 3" target at 30 yards, for 250 rounds consecutively, call it good for a defensive rifle.
Or if someone already has the new Mini-14 ranch rifle (for apples to apples), they could just do this for me and save me the dough.... I mean, fun of doing it myself.
One gun salesman told me AR's were more reliable than mini-14s. That's contrary to my knowledge, research, and experience - but can anyone verify that?
From what I gather, the mini-14 is as reliable of an auto as you can get.
You may say, why 30 yards? 1) that's as far as my indoor range goes. 2) if you can hit a 3" target at 30 yards, you could probably be okay hitting a man sized target at 200 yards.... and if I need to shoot over 200 yards, I am going for a 30-06.
You may say, why mini-14? A) controls are WAY easier for lefty than AR B) I can't afford a real M14 C) My M16 jammed a lot in basic and I don't trust them unless they are surgically clean D) defensive weapons can't always be surgically clean E) .223 is a good close-quarters caliber because it doesn't over-penetrate (see FBI tests) F) They can be made to look very PC. Which matters to me because I'd like to take it out varmint hunting, G) Price of .223 is way more affordable than .308 Win, H) Mini-14 is not just cheaper than M14, but way the heck lighter.
The model I want breaks-down to....
OAL: 37.5"
Weight: 6.75 lbs
versus the AR which is
OAL: 35-38"
Weight: 6.74 lbs, unless you add all the barbie tools and then maybe like 9 lbs.