What will an AR do that a Mini-14 won't?

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Wishoot

Wishoot

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I'm pretty new to .223 and I'm looking for a little education. I like the simplicity of the Mini-14 and the price too. AR's just look complicated and come with far too many options (kind of like a 1911).

What are the real advantages of an AR over a Mini-14?

Thanks for your help.
 
The advantage of the AR15 is subjective to the user. If you are looking for a rifle for tactical use, precision shooting, precision hunting applications, etc., The AR15 platform has the advantage. They are easier to work on and modify, there are significantly more options and they're easy to find. AR15s can be more accurate than Mini-14s when properly equipped. AR15s are not complicated, but you do need to learn how to use them and shoot them. The same can be said for a Mini-14, though.

If you want a rifle for shooting at the range or for some hunting applications, the Mini-14 is a viable option. The way to look at it is that the Mini-14 is designed after hunting rifles, but can perform light tactical applications if necessary (though not anywhere near the capability of the AR). The Mini-14 is just a bit more traditional. The ARs are designed for tactical applications, but can be used for sporting. It's not a bad weapon by any means, and is an alternative to the AR. However, it's up to you to decide what you want out of the rifle.
 
The biggest advantage that an AR has is that you don't have a skinnied down barrel under the gas block that the Mini-14 has. That narrowed portion under the gas block is conducive to flex and the Mini just isn't as accurate.

FWIW an AR is a pretty simple rifle to work on or maintain.
 
I'm no expert, but I have owned both. The AR gives you better accuracy, adaptability, better, cheaper magazine options.

If you are just wanting a fun, reliable, range/ranch/all purpose weapon, the mini-14 is great choice.
 
AR's really aren't that complicated. There's videos all over YouTube of people taking them apart and reviewing them. There's even a vid of a 12 year old girl disassembling and reassembling one in under a minute.
 
For the longest time, ruger put its mini up against ARs trying to show its versitility. Guess who makes ARs now...
 
AR's are cheaper.

The best price I can find on a Mini-14 is at Walmart, $627. My last AR was $607 and it included a telescoping stock, two 30 round magazines, cleaning kit and a hard case. Buying a mini-14 with the same accesories would have pushed the Mini's price to around $800 with tax.

AR's are much more accurate. I've got 4 and all are well under 1MOA and 1 is closer to .25MOA. A few Mini's will come close to 1MOA, but they are a rare find. 2-3 MOA is the norm, with plenty of horror stories of guns much worse.

Magazines are much cheaper and available. $10-$15 for an AR vs $40-$50 for a Mini.

You can buy an AR's parts separately and build it in almost unlimited configurations, barrel lengths and weights depending on what you want.
 
In addition to what everybody else said, another advantage of the AR (the flat top ones, at least) is how easy it is to mount optics on them. It is more of a chore with the mini, and usually requires a cheek riser.

You would think the mini would be more reliable than the AR, being that it is a gas piston as opposed to direct impingement, but that has just not proven to be the case.

I honestly can't think of one good reason to buy a Mini-14 over an AR. It used to be that the one thing they had going for them was a lower price, back when you couldn't find an AR under $900, but even that has gone by the wayside now.
 
Just to be contrary, the new Mini-14s are much better accuracy wise than the old ones.

One other advantage of the Mini over the AR is that the action is easier to understand for new shooters.

That being said, with ARs coming down in price and Mini-14s being much more expensive, the AR is the better choice.
 
to turn the question around, what will a mini 14 do that an ar15 won't? the only thing i can think of is wear a folding stock.
 
Can't believe no one has mentioned that the Mini is 223 and most all AR's are 5.56/223. Try loading IMI 62gr AP ammo in a Mini mag, I will save you the time, it won't work. Ammo is longer than the mag opening, haven't tried to load any other ammo in it. Now the Mini is just a wall hanger, not worth messing with shooting wise. Also, cleaning the Mini was a hassle, but the AR's are relatively simple to clean after each outing.
 
Well the Mini does have a longer sight radius.

It's wood stock is nice, and the open top action is easy for new or seldom shooters to understand.

The gun has a slim profile, especially with the low-cap factory mag.

Other than that the AR is superior in every way that I can think of.
 
The AR will put the bullets where you aim, the Mini will be all over the place.
Click to expand...
Not true, at least in my experience. My Mini will put ten rounds on a 10x10 triangle at 200 yards, rapid fire, time after time. I've done it. Plenty good for minute of coyote.

I own both. My AR is more accurate, but not by enough to make a difference. My Mini is more robust, but not enough to make a difference.
 
Everything has practically already been said, but what put it best was, "to turn the question around, what will a mini 14 do that an ar15 won't? the only thing i can think of is wear a folding stock."

Heck soon theyll make a more widely available folder for the AR platform.

...though the new Archangel sparta is pretty badass looking....a budget ACR
 
AR's don't bend up the brass like the mini and throws it where you can locate it, however I do love my mini and even though she spits out brass way out there I like the self type cleaning of the mini action the rotating and claw of the ejector it does the JOB ALL THE TIME.
 
An AR will remain in your collection.
If you are like most, you'll part ways with the Ruger at some point.
 
I like both. It's like saying what makes a blonde better than a brunette?! They're both fine ladies...I mean, the rifles. :)

Geno
 
Can't believe no one has mentioned that the Mini is 223 and most all AR's are 5.56/223. Try loading IMI 62gr AP ammo in a Mini mag, I will save you the time, it won't work. Ammo is longer than the mag opening, haven't tried to load any other ammo in it. Now the Mini is just a wall hanger, not worth messing with shooting wise. Also, cleaning the Mini was a hassle, but the AR's are relatively simple to clean after each outing.
Click to expand...

First, The Mini 14 is in fact chambered for 5.56. The target Mini is .223 only.

Second, I have right here in front of me 3 factory 20 round magazines full of IMI 62gr AP ammo. They fit and function just fine.

I will admit that AR's are easier to clean from the breach.

Mini's will do just about anything an AR will do out to 200 yards or so and in stock form don't look as evil as an AR does in some peoples eyes.
 
I just bought my mini 14 tactical from CDNN for 598 pays for everything taxes, shipping and they gave me a free rail mount. CDNN has no AR under 600 bucks, and I hear the Promags for the Mini 14 are damn good at 14 bucks a pop.

I wanted an AR real bad, but they are just too expensive.

Other great advantage of the mini is it will eat up any ammo you feed it.

That bad ass grand style op system will not fail you.

I am happy with 2 MOA, if I aim for center mass and I am 2 inch off, I can live with that.
 
Magog:

I agree. If we can always destroy our targets, then that should be the objective.

When the plastic bottle sinks or the grapefruit shreds, goes thirty feet into the air, that works.

Some of us seldom have anyone to impress (or have superb skills), as we mostly shoot alone, whether at a range or into a river etc.
In that case, I don't see why people need 1 or 2 MOA.
 
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