[Bob Hafler]

Originally Posted by cyphertext

I'll admit that I have not shot a newer one. My step-dad had an 80's production one that I shot as a kid. Never shot it from a bench, but was able to kill milk jugs with it. It was a fun gun, taken out to the lease for plinking and maybe a coyote or two.

From just a quick look at Bud's, it appears that the Mini 14 goes from $650 up to the $800s, depending on model. I can tell you that unless that Mini 14 is capable of shooting sub MOA, it is not going to compete with some of the ARs in that price range.

I'm fairly new to ARs, and I just bought a S&W M&P 15 Sport. It gets bashed by AR folks more than the Mini 14, I bet... I took it out for the first time yesterday, and after I got it sighted in, my last 3 shot string from sandbags had two in the bull touching, and the third a little high and just outside the bull in the 10 ring. This was 50 yards, iron sights, shooting Russian steal cased ammo. That rifle has a MSRP of $709, but many have found them for less than $600.

I paid $529+ tax out the door at my LGs for a mini 14 wooden stock Ranch rifle and I've heard all the mini 14 trash talk many times before. I've still never met anyone who will put there smart phone up on a fence post 100 yds away and have me take a few shots at it no matter how many rounds I've put through it. This old wives tale about the mini 14 not being accurate after the first couple rounds might have be true at one time when they used the pencil thin barrels but not anymore. Like I said many AR fans want to compare todays AR15's to yesterdays Mini 14's. Always make me laugh when I see these one sided comparisons..

[smokeross]

Originally Posted by Bob Hafler

I paid $529+ tax out the door at my LGs for a mini 14 wooden stock Ranch rifle and I've heard all the mini 14 trash talk many times before. I've still never met anyone who will put there smart phone up on a fence post 100 yds away and have me take a few shots at it no matter how many rounds I've put through it. This old wives tale about the mini 14 not being accurate after the first couple rounds might have be true at one time when they used the pencil thin barrels but not anymore. Like I said many AR fans want to compare todays AR15's to yesterdays Mini 14's. Always make me laugh when I see these one sided comparisons..

I paid $250 and $325 for my two. The second one was a pre ban factory folder still N.I.B. at an estate sale. They are both stainless guns. They will digest any ammo I feed them.

[AngryPanda]

Originally Posted by Bob Hafler

I paid $529+ tax out the door at my LGs for a mini 14 wooden stock Ranch rifle and I've heard all the mini 14 trash talk many times before. I've still never met anyone who will put there smart phone up on a fence post 100 yds away and have me take a few shots at it no matter how many rounds I've put through it. This old wives tale about the mini 14 not being accurate after the first couple rounds might have be true at one time when they used the pencil thin barrels but not anymore. Like I said many AR fans want to compare todays AR15's to yesterdays Mini 14's. Always make me laugh when I see these one sided comparisons..

Same way people use vietnam era AR's to compare with other rifles?

I don't have a horse in this race, but being able to hit an object the size of a smart phone at 100 yards with "a few shots" isn't winning me over to the Mini 14 side. With "a few" shots I could do it with a lot of my handguns.

[Bob Hafler]

Originally Posted by AngryPanda

Same way people use vietnam era AR's to compare with other rifles?

I don't have a horse in this race, but being able to hit an object the size of a smart phone at 100 yards with "a few shots" isn't winning me over to the Mini 14 side. With "a few" shots I could do it with a lot of my handguns.

But if the Mini 14 is as bad in accuracy as some would have others believe it is then what's the problem.

[cyphertext]

Originally Posted by Bob Hafler

But if the Mini 14 is as bad in accuracy as some would have others believe it is then what's the problem.

The problem is that you stated "Anyone who believes that a comparable priced AR shoots better than the Mini 14 is a fool", then offer up being able to hit a 4.5" x 2.5" target at 100 yards "with a few shots" as proof of accuracy. If you are shooting supported, with a scope, that is no great feat.

[Bob Hafler]

Originally Posted by cyphertext

The problem is that you stated "Anyone who believes that a comparable priced AR shoots better than the Mini 14 is a fool", then offer up being able to hit a 4.5" x 2.5" target at 100 yards "with a few shots" as proof of accuracy. If you are shooting supported, with a scope, that is no great feat.

Who ever mentioned supported or scope. Wasn't me. I own a plain wooden stock ranch rifle. Iron sites.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

I like mine. It works and shoots decent. Good enough for me.

[AngryPanda]

Originally Posted by Bob Hafler

Who ever mentioned supported or scope. Wasn't me. I own a plain wooden stock ranch rifle. Iron sites.

Still not really all that impressive. Not saying the Mini is a bad rifle, I just am not swayed by this argument that it is any more, or as accurate as an AR. I can do this with any rifle I own, especially with a few shots. Hell I have an old semi auto .22 that the boss gave me for free that I could do this with and I don't even remember who makes it. I think it's a "Squires Bingham" or something like that.

[Bob Hafler]

Yea I'd say he pretty much dead.
Panda you are the man what else can I say.

[cyphertext]

Originally Posted by Bob Hafler

Who ever mentioned supported or scope. Wasn't me. I own a plain wooden stock ranch rifle. Iron sites.

OK, a little more challenging, as my eyes aren't what they used to be, and the front post is going to appear wider than the target at that range.

I'm due for a phone upgrade Bob...where you located? If we are in the same area, I'll supply the phone, you supply the 100 yards and the fence post.

[AngryPanda]

Mini and AR are just different weapons as far as i'm concerned, no point really in comparing them. They share caliber, and are semi auto, and that is about it.

I had a mini that I sold, unreliable a rifle as I have ever seen. still, I like the platform and understand that mine was a lemon. Would buy another one in the future given the right price.

[Bob Hafler]

Originally Posted by AngryPanda

Mini and AR are just different weapons as far as i'm concerned, no point really in comparing them. They share caliber, and are semi auto, and that is about it.

I had a mini that I sold, unreliable a rifle as I have ever seen. still, I like the platform and understand that mine was a lemon. Would buy another one in the future given the right price.

That was pretty much what I was getting at from the begining Why is it when people talk anything about the mini14, AR guys automatically have to jump in with there with negative comparison comments.

cyphertext
Well aren't you the big time gambler wanting to put up and old used no longer in use phone. Like you admitted you never shot one of the new mini14's and are new to the AR15 platform as well. Good luck with your AR. It's warming up and it's time to ride.

[arclight610]

For me, there is no reason to get a Mini-14. For the same price, maybe even a bit less, I can get a PSA AR-15 that blows the Mini-14 away in every category for my needs. If you like the Mini-14 because it's a Mini-14, then rock on. However, just looking at it from a semi-automatic .223 rifle point of view, there are better options out there.

[cyphertext]

Originally Posted by Bob Hafler

Well aren't you the big time gambler wanting to put up and old used no longer in use phone. Like you admitted you never shot one of the new mini14's and are new to the AR15 platform as well. Good luck with your AR. It's warming up and it's time to ride.

What does it matter if it is a used phone that I am not using....did it suddenly change size because I am upgrading to a new phone. You made the claim, I'm calling you on it. Put up or shut up.

I haven't shot a new Mini, and I said as much. I have shot some new ARs and they have all been capable of 1 MOA or less. I'm not claiming that is what I got out of them, but their owners could. Now go back and read the first 13 posts...the OP compares the rifle to the AR, inviting discussion. He compares accuracy to an AK. Another poster claims 2MOA, and a few others claim not as accurate as the AR, unless money is spent to improve it.

Neither one is really made to be a bench gun though, and both are capable of minute of bad guy, or coyote. Even the old Mini was capable of this. But when you post ridiculous claims in a gun forum, such as having to clean an AR after a couple hundred rounds, you should expect response from AR users.

[RMTactical]

I would love to get my hands on one of the newer Mini's. I hate to say it, but ever since Bill Ruger died, Ruger has just gotten much better in so many ways. I like that they are actually selling "hi-caps" and "evil" Black looking rifles with "evil" flash hiders on them.

[brisk21]

I work in Corrections up here in Michigan and I have alot of experience with the Mini-14 at work. I'll say one thing. They are damn accurate and reliable. We have old ones sitting around that are all crappy and banged up. They shoot great. My biggest complaints for the mini are the "rock and lock" style magazine catch and the ergonomics of the stocks. I much prefer the AR-15 for these two reasons. The mini is underrated though. Its a great rifle. I like the AR-15 better, but the mini is a great rifle to just throw in the back of a pickup and neglect. It just works. It makes a great "beater gun".

[AustinTx]

I don't think they're particularly bad, they have always cost more than I was willing to pay for one. I like the SKS and AK-47 in 7.62 X 39 and they didn't cost me as much as the Ruger.

[mongo356]

I shot my new mini 14 today. It runs much cleaner than the DI AR's and extraction/ejection is POSITIVE!

With open sights it shoots as well as my CMMG & Colt M16A1. About 2.5" to 3" on avg- eye strain and factory trigger seem to play their part on accuracy.

In the accuracy dept it's on par and plenty good enough for what I want out of it. The trigger and right ammo seems to make a huge difference in how they shoot. All three rifles I used TAP 55gr as a standard ammo for comparison.

the black dot is 3-15/16". The upper left has 6 shots and the one off the paper is from previous sight adjustments.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I don't own a Mini-14 or a AR-15, but I will be getting a Mini first. They are just sweet little utility rifles. Can be used for fun plinking, defense, or whatever. I guess I just like the look of a basic rifle more than the black guns.

[arclight610]

Ruger should make a 300 BLK mini with 16" threaded barrel and keep the same price point. It would be really competetive with 300 BLK AR's, since none of them are cheap.

All they would have to do is redesign a new barrel.

[EldoEsq.]

Originally Posted by smokeross

I paid $250 and $325 for my two. The second one was a pre ban factory folder still N.I.B. at an estate sale. They are both stainless guns. They will digest any ammo I feed them.

How do you know if a new in box gun even shoots, let alone will digest any ammo you feed it???

[kmrcstintn]

I had a recent conversation via text & email with a buddy dealing with 'assault rifles' and I will write here what I told him why I went the route of Ruger Mini-14 (post 2008);

I have purchased 3 different AR's since 2003 and not one of them functioned well for me; one was a Bushmaster and it had feeling problems; one was a DPMS and it had barrel alignment problem (gas tube not mounted correctly & shot over 6" to the left @ 25 yards); latest one was Stag Arms and it also had a barrel alignment problem (gas tube not mounted correctly & shot over 6" to the right @ 25 yards); sold all 3 and won't buy another since I have bad luck with them...

my Ruger Mini-14 shoots straight & true (30 rounds into 3" group @ 50 yards with open sights) and I haven't had to adjust sights for windage or elevation shooting Federal American Eagle 55gr fmj in .223 Remington; my Ruger Mini-14 is just a plain ole' ranch rifle (stainless & wood stock) and works well and I know the operating system well

[Veedubklown]

Originally Posted by Aceman

But any 10 AR's on average will NEVER beat 10 random Mini's on reliability. If you believe that - you should be ignored.

Your getting back to the 1911vGlock argument.

AR's are made by dozens of companies. Mini 14's are made by 1.

[Cole125]

Originally Posted by MinnesnowtaWild

I don't own a Mini-14 or a AR-15, but I will be getting a Mini first. They are just sweet little utility rifles. Can be used for fun plinking, defense, or whatever. I guess I just like the look of a basic rifle more than the black guns.

You cannot go wrong with a Mini 14 if you accept its limitations. My Mini 14 was my first centerfire semi auto rifle, and I was and still am very happy with it. Lots of fun, very reliable, more than accurate enough. I also have two ARs now, but I still enjoy shooting the Mini.

Be sure to buy Ruger factory magazines, aftermarket ones are crap and will probably make your gun less reliable.

[mickdundie]

Originally Posted by QNman

(More like a mini version of the M14 - just saying. )

I was more refering to the CLASSIC part than the weapons being similar...You are correct sir

Mick