Ruger Mini-14 vs. AR-15 - Which one and why?

[teerex.otw]

I like both.
The AR for it’s accuracy, ability to find parts, etc.
The Mini because…well, sometimes you just like what you like.
Truth be told, I would take either one over an AK, an SKS, or a .30 carbine (which have all, as you’ve surely noticed, become hideously expensive in the last few years as well).

 

[lysanderxiii]

 

[cfullgraf]

For a long time I had no use for a Mini 14 or an AR-15. I almost bought a Mini 14 around 1990. They just did not fit in my wheel house of use.

Then, in the early 2000’s, I got into Service Rifle competition to qualify to purchase a Garand (shooting in matches was a requirement back then). A fellow competitor allowed me to shoot his match AR-15 for one stage. I was amazed at the group I shot and I was hooked.

A side benefit was I could assemble a rifle the way I wanted. My builds get good groups with quality components, maybe not top match capable, but better than many run of the mill factory rifles.

I’m still curious on the Mini 14 but I hate hearing reports of mediocre accuracy.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

If one is looking for practical factors the AR is the obvious choice. Modern Mini-14s are reportedly more accurate than the bullet hose I had back in the 90s but it's still a proprietary design with little aftermarket support (compared to the AR) with expensive proprietary magazines. Still, the economy is pretty good and even an overpriced gun like the Mini is a mild extravagance. If the design appeals to you why not give one a try? If you don't like it I think the resale value is pretty decent.

 

[S.Crockett]

A Mini’s sole virtue is that it looks like a “non-threatening” Fudd gun, something Uncle Barney in Kansas uses to keep coyotes at bay around the farm … not that he’s ever actually hit a ‘yote with it.

Selling or trading for an AR solves all your Mini issues, whether it’s accuracy, ergos, or spare-parts availability.

 

[S.Crockett]

Minis have a market in ban states where you can't get anything but some Frankenstein, neutered AR. You can have a 'normal' looking rifle with detachable mag (may be a 10 rounder). It is accurate enough for the real world - now, someone will have an Internet MOA blather-fest. But they work.

The other issue is 'will it hurt you in court debate' - someone else can go there with their learned legal and criminological/psychological opinion and expertise. If you aren't a lawyer or a researcher or say "Show me case" - please spare us. Sorry to be blunt, been down this road too, too many times on the Internet.

Arming himself with an AR instead of a Mini resulted in an acquittal for Kyle Rittenhouse. The jury found his scary black gun was used for legit self-defense.

Despite that, Fudds everywhere were shocked and amazed.

 

[jmorris]

I have both, there are only a couple reasons I can think of to pick a mini 14 or Ranch rifle over an AR, now that the faster, more accurate rifle is also the least expensive.

You love wood and hate plastic.
You want to be different.
You already have a a bunch of AR's and can't have one of everything without a mini.

 

[jmorris]

I owned a couple of Minis (sequentially) in the early 1990s. Had I been able to get one to shoot better than 4 MOA, I might still have one.

The Ranch versions came in the mid '80's and along with their proprietary scope rings, they changed the ejector to the "throw them into the next County", version.

FWIW, my buddies no optics mount Mini 14, with the right target down range, will out shoot my Ranch rifle with a LPVO on it at 300 yards and it leaves the brass within a couple of steps of the bench.

 

[Speedo66]

Why the comparison? Apples and oranges, the only thing tying them together is the caliber.

I tried an AR when I thought I wouldn’t be able to buy one in the future, more a political statement than a real need. Quickly found I didn’t care for the design or the materials. Took the sale money and bought a different design, a Mini, which I’m very happy with.

All the reasons AR lovers have, better accuracy, cheaper, etc. are valid, but to be honest, I don’t care because I like what I like.

Going through basic with a M-14, then having Garands and Carbines in my reserve unit may have been an influence.

 

[trackskippy]

If they would have copied the M1/M14's rear sight, it would have bumped the Mini up a few notches. The Minis irons, especially the early guns pretty much suck.

For a short while back in the late 80's, early 90's someone was making a M1 type replacement sight for them, but I guess the market wasn't there and they were gone as fast as they showed up.

 

[Styx]

I've seen a number of posts here about the Mini-14. I don't have one, and I'm curious about the preference over an AR. Is it looks (I can see the appeal of a more traditional style .223 semi over the black rifle), function, nostalgic factor, or something else?

Almost everyone seems to have an AR by now. I don't believe I know anyone with a Mini-14.

Of you that have Mini-14s, do you also enjoy ARs, or tend to gravitate towards the former? ARs can be had for relatively cheap, while boasting impressive accuracy and reliability for the price. PMAGs are affordable and widely available, and the aftermarket for ARs is expansive.

Every time I see a Mini-14 at a show, I handle it and enjoy the feel, but haven't yet wrapped my head around acquiring one when ARs do well in the same caliber, for cheaper (build depending). This is just functionally speaking, in my opinion. The styles are different, and I'm sure you have your own good reasons for going with the Mini. What's the draw?

I prefer the Mini14 over the AR15 if price is no issue. The reason most prefer the AR15 is because they can add a bunch of unnecessary crap and/or treat it like it's Legos for grown men. They want something they can tinker with and spend money on via expensive accessories and replacement parts. I'm saying this as someone who has assembled several AR15s and who currently owns many of them.

Don't believe the hype.

 

[Show Me]

If they would have copied the M1/M14's rear sight, it would have bumped the Mini up a few notches. The Minis irons, especially the early guns pretty much suck.

For a short while back in the late 80's, early 90's someone was making a M1 type replacement sight for them, but I guess the market wasn't there and they were gone as fast as they showed up.

Old stainless front sight was the pits. I'm just fine with the sight on new models. It's a short range weapon for me. But the new style rear is awkward to sight in. And cheesy but quite usable.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I didn't vote for either because it depends on what I need it for.
Long range and/or precision shots, give me my Ar-15. Wading thru swamps and brush and nasty weather, I want my Stainless mini 14.
Zombie apocalypse or small enemy invasion, maybe the Ar has advantage of being lighter and easier to swap mags.
Shtf home defense, either will work.

If I run out of ammo and need to use it as a club, the mini 14 is heavier and stronger

 

[trackskippy]

Old stainless front sight was the pits. I'm just fine with the sight on new models. It's a short range weapon for me. But the new style rear is awkward to sight in. And cheesy but quite usable.

The original sights, front and rear, flat out sucked! The new versions (sights and guns) are an improvement but still could be better.

I replaced the front sights on my 80's era Mini's with one that was an M14 copy FS/flash hider. It was a better front sight all around except for how it attached and as long as it stayed on (three set screws). I would have replaced the rear with the M14 copy if Id seen one while I had the guns, but I didn't keep them long enough.

 

[Varminterror]

Apples and oranges, the only thing tying them together is the caliber.

What?

Dbm semiauto carbines in mini-length actions designed for Mil/LEO applications…. I guess if we wanna compare Golden Delicious to Fuji’s and say one is an orange, sure…

 

[Jonah77]

I prefer the Mini14 over the AR15 if price is no issue. The reason most performers the AR15 is because they can add a bunch of unnecessary crap and/or treat it like it's Legos for grown men. They want something they can tinker with and spend money on via expensive accessories and replacement parts. I'm saying this as someone who has assembled several AR15s and who currently owns many of them.

Don't believe the hype.

I can look you straight in the eye and tell you NONE of that is why I own and appreciate an AR type rifle.

Nor are they the reason anyone in my closest circle of friends and family owns one.

From manual of arms to maintenance-Simple. Proven. Accurate. Affordable. I couldn’t care less what someone else hangs off ‘em, mine work for me.

No ‘hype’ intended or needed. Lol.

But I'd never question or criticize your choices and the right to do “you”.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I forgot to mention one more advantage to the mini: any miscreants sneaking up on my 3:00 within 50yds will get taken out by hot brass

 

[Robert]

I prefer the Mini14 over the AR15 if price is no issue. The reason most performers the AR15 is because they can add a bunch of unnecessary crap and/or treat it like it's Legos for grown men. They want something they can tinker with and spend money on via expensive accessories and replacement parts. I'm saying this as someone who has assembled several AR15s and who currently owns many of them.

Don't believe the hype.

Na, I've got my truck for that. My AR is simple and weasr only a float tube and an ACOG. That's it. Oh and it's a 20"...

 

[Styx]

From manual of arms to maintenance-Simple. Proven. Accurate. Affordable. I couldn’t care less what someone else hangs off ‘em, mine work for me.

And the Mini14 is all of that as as well. I still stand by my original statements, but you're free to disagree.

 

[Show Me]

The original sights, front and rear, flat out sucked! The new versions (sights and guns) are an improvement but still could be better.

I replaced the front sights on my 80's era Mini's with one that was an M14 copy FS/flash hider. It was a better front sight all around except for how it attached and as long as it stayed on (three set screws). I would have replaced the rear with the M14 copy if Id seen one while I had the guns, but I didn't keep them long enough.

Your work in progress. My newest has the front sight a little off so rear windage is off to the right but it no reason to change on the fly . Now if it had a garand sight I'd adjust it like I do my Garand's. Rarely. My mini's give me joy and happiness.

 

[Show Me]

What?

Dbm semiauto carbines in mini-length actions designed for Mil/LEO applications…. I guess if we wanna compare Golden Delicious to Fuji’s and say one is an orange, sure…

Please expand . Not picking up what your layin down

 

[Show Me]

Why the comparison? Apples and oranges, the only thing tying them together is the caliber.

I tried an AR when I thought I wouldn’t be able to buy one in the future, more a political statement than a real need. Quickly found I didn’t care for the design or the materials. Took the sale money and bought a different design, a Mini, which I’m very happy with.

All the reasons AR lovers have, better accuracy, cheaper, etc. are valid, but to be honest, I don’t care because I like what I like.

Going through basic with a M-14, then having Garands and Carbines in my reserve unit may have been an influence.

I agree with all but the first paragraph. World according to me

 

[Varminterror]

Please expand . Not picking up what your layin down

I'm always happy to elaborate:

Semiauto - short for semiautomatic, is a type of firearm type which is auto loading and fires sequentially with only activation of the trigger, not requiring manual operation of the action.

DBM is an acronym for detachable box magazine, describing a firearm component which containerizes ammunition and supplies the cartridge feed mechanism for the action.

Mini-length is a class of firearms cartridges denoted by their length, for mini-length limited to <2.3". This class of cartridges includes rounds used in the AR-15 and Ruger Mini actions, such as the 223remington/5.56 Nato, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, 300 Blackout, 7.62x39...

Carbine is a term referring to a rifle format, generally shorter than a standard rifle.

The AR-15 and the Ruger Mini were derived from firearms designed for military and law enforcement use, and gained their civilian market popularity, in large part, due to their contracted deployment for these uses.

Fuji and Golden Delicious are varieties of Apples, referenced here that sharing ALL of the above classification and design aspects between the AR-15 and the Ruger Mini would explicitly define them as both "Apples," with acknowledgement that they are two distinct varieties among the same species.

How someone can pretend comparison of these two rifles is like comparing "apples and oranges," truly escapes me. Certainly, they've been compared for half a century, including comparison when bidding for law enforcement contracts, and military contracts around the world. We've compared AK's, SKS's, Mini's, AR's, M1 Carbines, and many other semiauto carbines and rifles like SCAR's, Galil's, FAL's, M1A's/M14's, Garands, ACR's, and on and on, for generations... Certainly not apt to say these comparisons are like "apples and oranges."

 

[bassjam]

I remember pouring over the Cabela's and Sportsman's Guide cataloge in the 90's and lusting over a mini 14 and all the accessories for them. Of course I was a teenager and unable to buy one, and as soon as I was old enough I had to buy my own vehicle and then pay for college and it was never a priority as their prices jumped higher. Next thing I know S&W and Ruger were offering AR's for $600 and suddenly a Mini 14 didn't make sense to me. I'd probably pick one up if I could find one for under $700 just to try out, but I'm not paying a grand for one.

 

[Show Me]

I'm always happy to elaborate:

Semiauto - short for semiautomatic, is a type of firearm type which is auto loading and fires sequentially with only activation of the trigger, not requiring manual operation of the action.

DBM is an acronym for detachable box magazine, describing a firearm component which containerizes ammunition and supplies the cartridge feed mechanism for the action.

Mini-length is a class of firearms cartridges denoted by their length, for mini-length limited to <2.3". This class of cartridges includes rounds used in the AR-15 and Ruger Mini actions, such as the 223remington/5.56 Nato, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, 300 Blackout, 7.62x39...

Carbine is a term referring to a rifle format, generally shorter than a standard rifle.

The AR-15 and the Ruger Mini were derived from firearms designed for military and law enforcement use, and gained their civilian market popularity, in large part, due to their contracted deployment for these uses.

Fuji and Golden Delicious are varieties of Apples, referenced here that sharing ALL of the above classification and design aspects between the AR-15 and the Ruger Mini would explicitly define them as both "Apples," with acknowledgement that they are two distinct varieties among the same species.

How someone can pretend comparison of these two rifles is like comparing "apples and oranges," truly escapes me. Certainly, they've been compared for half a century, including comparison when bidding for law enforcement contracts, and military contracts around the world. We've compared AK's, SKS's, Mini's, AR's, M1 Carbines, and many other semiauto carbines and rifles like SCAR's, Galil's, FAL's, M1A's/M14's, Garands, ACR's, and on and on, for generations... Certainly not apt to say these comparisons are like "apples and oranges."

Dbm = DBM got it. I thought it was a word missing something. And TMI