New Mini 14 or Lower Budget AR?

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Homerboy

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I have a Colt Match Target AR that I like very much. It's a post-ban model, without a flash suppressor with a 16" barrel and a fixed A2 style handle. I am looking at another .223 since I like to keep my ammo selection consistent. I know AR's are generally more accurate, but a new style M14 tactical (standard stock and flash suppessor) with a 20 round mag can be had for $650 delivered, and three extra 30 round mags will cost me $130, so I can have the new gun with the 3 extra factory 30 round mags for less than $800, while a Bushmaster, Stag, or DPMS AR will run me closer to $1000. Only real plus side is I can use the many AR mags I already have for my Colt with the new one.

I am not a competitive shooter. I have owned my Ar for 10 years, and there is maybe 3000 rounds through it. I'm not ever selling the Colt, but it would be nice to have a post-ban gun without paying $200 more for a low-end AR.

On the other hand, my friend has a Bushmaster he is very happy with.

Only other downside is I will have to sell something to get the new gun. I have a Mossberg 930 about to be sold, and I am considering selling a 4" GP100 as well. I have a S&W 686, so the Gp is kind of redundant. Then again, I have three Beretta 92's and won't be selling any of those!

opinions?
 
You might want to shop a little more- I've seen Bushmaster and S&W ARs in the $800-900 range lately.
 
yeah, but if I get another AR, I want the removable carry handle (A4 config). Those are going for like $950 delivered from Bud's. Factor in my FFl fee on my end, and we're looking at $980. I like the classic look of the carry handle, but also like the oprion of going flat-top for an optic.
 
Nothing wrong with the Mini idea. They are very good strong rifles. They are not as accurate as the AR but every bit as reliable. You can pick them up for less then $650.00. Down side is that Ruger screws everyone on the mags.
 
Just out of curriosity, what would be the roll of the new rifle? I've personally never put much stock in owning two of the same gun (I suppose if you had multiple family members that liked that platform that would be a good reason though). Don't let me talk you out of something though, it's your money and you're the end user.

But I'm always in the market for another gun, if you want to let me buy something for you (with your money of course) and test it out for a while let me know:)
 
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The role of this new gun is another target/home defense gun to have. Something to alternate betwenn the AR.

Don't need it. Just want it. The 930 I'm gonna sell is very nice, but my range only allows slugs, and 20 slugs out of that 930 ARE punishing. It's no fun to shoot. I'll keep the rem 870, though.

I guess what I am saying is would you rather have the Mini over a lower end AR or not?
 
I'd go with the Mini, but that's just me. I've never really cared for the AR platform (although I know it's more accurate). I've had my mini14 for almost 10 years and I like it a lot. It's simple to take down and clean, fun to shoot, and certainly accurate enough for 100+ yards (haven't had much opportunity to go past that). If I was in the market for a shotgun I'd buy your 930, unfortunately I'm not in the market for one.
 
I say buy the AR15, because even a cheap AR can be turned into a nice one even if it's just one part getting replaced at a time

The Mini on the other hand is a Mini forever
 
I have two ARs (and parts to make more) and two Minis. I like them both and would not sell either unless economic conditions dictate it.

I spent about $800 each on the ARs (both are parts guns).

The Minis were bought used, $450 each, and about $150 each to customize (shorten/thread barrels, add flash hiders, cryotreat, different sights). And I put a folding stock on one of them (about $60 used but perfect). A little more (trigger job, bedding), and they will approach the accuracy of my ARs. I think newer Minis are more accurate than the old ones out of the box.
 
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You could just get a different style AR upper, 20" heavy bull barrel, with a decent piece of glass. There is a huge differnce when your shooting bench/prone with an AR RIFLE opposed to an AR CARBINE. Then you could keep what you got and swap uppers for target practice.
 
I thought of getting a new upper, but it wouldn't be long until I got another lower for it. It would bug me having "1 and a half" guns.

And the complete uppers I have seen are Stag and RRA, anyway, so the question stands.
 
well look at it this way...you dont have "1 and a half" guns...you got two in one...and the money you would save by not buyin the lower assembly could be put toward a scope or ammo...

after shooting a buddies Rock River Arms AR this weekend, I was impressed with the accuracy...my AR has a DPMS upper and its pretty accurate at 100yds with the irons...
 
I say get what you want--don't settle for something solely based on price. That statement is of course, relative. But in terms of the subject at hand, you could buy the AR upper now, then as funds allow, purchase the lower. Furthermore, buying the upper and lower seperately will save you over $100 when compared to purchasing a complete rifle (read excise tax). By doing this, you could enjoy having two ARs for now by switching uppers until such time that you could purchase the lower. You wouldn't realize the extra cost (AR over mini-14) since you'd be spacing it out as you could afford it. That is IF you want another AR!

Take a look at BravoCompanyUSA.com Check out the specs of the BCM upper--I think you'll be impressed with what's offered. They make damn good stuff that's reasonably priced. Complete upper (less bcg and charging handle) $475. Lower $350.

That's just my quite-biased opinion as I'm a big fan of the AR platform.

To help you determine where your heart is, flip a coin. Heads-AR, tails-Mini-14. Now flip the coin.........

Are you happy or disappointed with the results of the coin flip? That may help indicate which one you really want.
 
Homerboy said:
yeah, but if I get another AR, I want the removable carry handle (A4 config). Those are going for like $950 delivered from Bud's. Factor in my FFl fee on my end, and we're looking at $980. I like the classic look of the carry handle, but also like the oprion of going flat-top for an optic.
Click to expand...

Just saying you need to shop if price is a major concern, Buds isn't always the best price. I'm not against the Mini by any means, I have two, the 5.56 and the 7.62, like them both, I also have two ARs like them too:)
 
check Delton and Model one sales for uppers lower priced uppers...I personally dont have any experience with them but I'm sure somebody has...

Yes, the lower half is cheaper than the upper but...dependin on what parts he puts in it might change that, i.e.(match trigger, one of the expensive stocks,etc) but I guess he wont since hes lookin for a budget AR
 
Go AR: two complete weapons means one (basically) full set of spares in a pinch.
That, and your obvious respect for the platform, experience, etc..

Skip the mini until later on if you really want one; times are uncertain and spare parts for the mini are not commonly found in every gun shop but parts for the AR are fairly easy to come by. A basic 'emergency' (read bolt re-build kit) for the Mini will cost 80 bucks--so figure it into the price, too.

Don't sell guns to fund guns---especially nearly un-breakable wheel guns that are soooo practical to have about in a pinch (just my .02 on that).
 
from what I am reading, all I see is this; " I am mesmerized by the new ruger mini , and I want one real bad, so much so, that I am selling off other stuff !"
Now then, this is completely up to you, but i would not do it. And if it were me, being a bit more practical than most, I would stop and ask myself, " what am I doing here?" Do I really need another 223, what am I doing this for?"
The only purpose I can see here, if I were doing it, is to get another ar, and for practical reasons. It does sound like you are trying to be a bit practical, so here goes; get another ar, because you need a backup when yours fails, or you need a more bang em up primary, or you want something that fits a more SHTF scenario, or is a super light , pencil bbl flat top, you could carry all day, some other type of variation of the ar, so that you have another, for spare parts, for failure, to load up for mags, etc.
 
Homerboy, have you actually handled a Mini-14 before? I have to ask because, to me, I am not impressed with the feel of the newer Mini-14 Tactical models. I handled one just last week and was greatly underwhelmed. I did not like the feel of the stock, and I was disappointed that Ruger is using the same (or very similar) atrocious ghost ring sights that it used on the now-defunct PC carbines.
 
Why not just buy a new AR15 upper?

An upper can be had for well under $650 and it would have all of the other features that you would like on an AR15.
 
It would bug me having "1 and a half" guns.
Click to expand...
IMO that's most of the fun. That 1 will turn into a two then to a three..and so on.
ARs can be made to have their own "personality". Can't say that about any mini that I've had.
 
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