AR180B vs SU16C vs Mini-14

All three are light enough for the propose. If your bug out area is a place where people don't bat an eye at rifles being carryed, get the mini-14. People will NOTICE an AR-180B or SU16C.

If you get the Mini-14, buy extra 20 or 30 round mags, instead of just one or two.

-Bill

Ar180b.

I would tend to say AR-180B, also. The Mini can have accuracy problems (that, supposedly, can be eliminated by chopping the barrel back), and I'm just not a fan of the SU-16.

YMMV.

Mike

PS Of course, in the EVIL category, the AR-180B probably wins, hands down. This may or may not matter to you.

You must be a resident of the PRK since you've not mentioned the AR15, which is what I would get if I were you since the others mentioned aren't the healthiest, accurate or most reliable things.

I vote for the Mini. 5000 rounds, no malfunctions. 2-3 MOA.

Ar-180

You must be a resident of the PRK since you've not mentioned the AR15, which is what I would get if I were you since the others mentioned aren't the healthiest, accurate or most reliable things.

Click to expand...

If that is the case than the AR-180b is not an option, or perhaps the AR-15 is not particularly appealing to everyone.

Between the guns you stated, I would go with the AR-180b due to the comprimise of durability and magazine availability. But, it really depends on what is most important to you. If price, magazine capacity, and compact storage ability are priorites than the SU-16 wins hands down. If durability is essential than the Mini-14 is probably the best choice.

Maybe you should consider a Carbon 15 since they weigh in at ONLY 4 POUNDS!!!

FWIW, I like my M17s which is very accurate (.5 - 2 MOA) and compact but pretty heavy

Doesn't the SU16 take AR mags? That would seem to be a huge upside. And the fact that it folds makes it much more hidable than the others, if that's a consideration.

If you want a light carbine for the kids, you could get a Colt 16" A1 profile barreled upper, or a Bushmaster Superlight. The Bushmaster will be a little easier to find. An AR15 with a 16" A1 profile barrel weighs about 5.5-6lbs.

The Kel-Tec is a good, reliable carbine - I have two of them. It can't handle a high rate of fire without getting rather hot, but this isn't a drawback for a civilian-use carbine, IMHO. I've put two 30-round mags through mine in a total time of 4-5 minutes, and found it uncomfortably hot around the fore-end, but function was fine. A slower rate of fire doesn't produce overheating.

AR180B. Takes AR-15 mags, reliable, durable military grade rifle that's still lightweight.

The SU is also good however I don't know how it'll hold up long term.

I'd take an AK over a Mini.

Since all three are roughly equal in performance, I guess I look to the psychology of the deal to some extent. That is, if you run across a bad guy, a Mini might not have him as keyed up and alert as an EBR. Just guessing. But, if you run across some good guy, the Mini might have him more amenable to giving assistance if you need it. Some folks are turned off by EBRs--doesn't matter about right or wrong.

My own experience through four Minis is that they're plenty good for coyotes and jackrabbits, out to some 100 or 150 yards. Back during the giant explosion in the population of jackrabbits in 1980 in Nevada and Idaho, a buddy of mine and I stayed in one spot and killed 50 or 60 each in about an hour. (Came back a week later, and couldn't tell we'd even made a dent in the numbers!)

IMO, the best magazine deal for a Mini is a ten-rounder. They don't extend enough below the stock to make carrying at the balance point into any problem.

FWIW, Art

I've heard awesome reports on the new mini 14s. They were redesigned a little bit and I've heard quality is much better, the sights are much better and that accuracy is greatly improved.

Promag makes a 20 round magazine that is supposed to be very good. They run about $15 a piece. They also make an excellent 10 rounder which I've had experience with. They hardly protude below the gun and they are extremely heavy duty. Never had a failure.

I have no qualms w/ the the AR180 series...

I don't particularly care for the SU16. It just doesn't feel right to me. At first I thought they were cool looking, but after holding one, it just felt funny. Maybe that's cause I'm use to the solid feel of Hbar ARs, AK47s and Mini 14s.

My bug out semi is a my mini 14, but my back up is a Marlin Camp 9. It is the one firearm I have that I can say I have NEVER had a failure with. Unfortunately, my mini 14 has had a few fail to feeds, but I was using crappy magazines and wolf ammunition... With good ammo and PMI or factory magazines, I never have had problems.

I am partial to the AR180B. I have owned one for a while, as well as a few AR15's. The AR180 is easy to take care of, very light, and mine shoots around 1.5MOA when I do my part. If there is a downside to it, it has a distinct "slap" recoil that can sting when clothing is light. My 14 year old daughter has taken ownership of it, and now it is partially bright pink. So, I don't carry it anymore. go figure
I played with a SU16 at a local gunshop and really disliked the way it felt. It was more like a toy than a firearm. Just my opinion.
The Mini 14 is a good weapon, although a bit less accurate than I prefer.

Ar180b