Ruger Mini 14: Good AR alternative?

I have a Colt AR, Sig 556, and a Mini 30 Tactical. The Mini 30 is as accurate as any albiet with a lesser trigger. It also has more "thump", and might be of more use...at least out to 200-250 or so with iron sites. Without question the AR platform is more modular, and what I'd choose for combat...but I really like the cut down heavy barreled Mini 30.

I edited this to add that as of a few weeks ago, the accu-strut was not available for the Mini 30 tactical, and the salesman I spoke to didn't think they'd bother making them as they didn't appear to be necessary.

I hear a lot about how Mini 14 magazines are more expensive than AR mags. If you are talking about Ruger Factory mags, then Yes, this is true.

However, I have had good luck with mags from TripleK. I got three of the straight 20rd mags with the green follower from CDNN and three more of the 30rd mags with the green followers. All have been flawless. $14.99 each. Its pretty hard to beat that.

As to the AR vs Mini debate...I own a Mini 14, but if I was going to do it all over, I would get an AR.

Advantages to ARs:
-Accuracy.
-Accessories
-Spare parts

Basically it boils down to Options with an AR. You have more with then AR.

Mini 14/30's do have a few things going for them:
- compatibility with a variety of ammo. Cheap reloads, steel case garbage...you name it, a Mini will probably run it without complaint.
- I think they handle a bit better and are often lighter than AR's because they dont have all those Tacki-cool rails to hang your dishwasher off of.

In the end, you will probably be better served by an AR and the price differential is usually less than some folks will make it out to be (unless you get a screaming deal on a Mini, ie, less than 400$)

cheers,

I was less than impressed with my Mini 14. I traded it as soon as possible. Go with a cheap AR, or maybe even a SKS if you want to spend less.

I have 3 Ruger Mini's. the 1st one I bought for $125.00 on an LE Letterhead the year they were released... The second, a 200th Year cut down to 16" with the flash hider.. and another in SS that I picked up on a trade about 2 years ago... I absolutely LOVE them.

Accuracy, meh... not a drill, but everthing you need in a truck gun, duty carbine, or ranch rifle.. at 100 meters, I own what I aim at.. 2 to 3 MOA Avg. I have a Bushmaster, and an Olympic AR, all shoot about the same as far a accuracy right outta the box.. Now I do have a couple of AR's that are purpose built, and they are drills... 1/2MOA no problem

Magazines, yup, only Rugers, I have had issues with the aftermarkets.. and the AR mags, good ones are available for cheap as surplus...

Dependability, NEVER had one fail... EVER... and I am not kind to duty long guns... It is based on the Garand action.. Fool proof design in my opinion... Early production Mini's which all of mine are.. are great, I cannot speak to the later production guns..

From the OP: "I'm probably just gonna use one for plinking and popping some varmits."

I've had four early-model Minis. I always used a Weaver K4. My uses were the same as the OP's. The Minis did as good a job as any other .223, and I've had several sub-MOA ARs; have one now.

But, no, generally, if your deal is for tight groups on paper, don't buy a Mini.

IMO, the best deal going for a magazine is the factory 10-round. It doesn't protrude so far that you can't carry the rifle at the balance point.

i was thinking of going the accurizing route on my Mini 14 but I think I might just sell the Mini 14 and buy a Mini 30. I'm taking my time looking for one in wood furniture.

My mini-14 after a couple thousand rounds has functioned flawlessly. In terms of accuracy, it's about a 2 MOA rifle, which for it's intended purpose is fine. Yes, the Ruger mags cost more but this is essentially a one time cost. The only thing I've done to mine is widen out the rear sight so it's a bigger diameter ghost ring, painted fluorsecent orange on the front post, and pop riveted a small rail onto the stock as a sight. I am quite happy with this weapon. If you're after an accurate rifle, bolt actions are the way to go anyway.

Mini 14/30's do have a few things going for them:
- compatibility with a variety of ammo. Cheap reloads, steel case garbage...you name it, a Mini will probably run it without complaint.
- I think they handle a bit better and are often lighter than AR's because they dont have all those Tacki-cool rails to hang your dishwasher off of.

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You assume incorrectly. Here are the facts:

A well lubricated AR with a 5.56 chamber will eat cheap steel case ammo all day as well

An AR-15 carbine with flat top, fixed front sight, standard handguards, and clamp on rear weighs 6.5 lbs. That's 1/4 less than a synthetic stock Mini-14 ranch or tactical model rifle. Add a detachable carry handle, and the AR weighs exactly the same as the Mini. The Daniel Defense M4V1 weighs 6 lbs 15.1 oz. That's an AR carbine with a rifle length aluminum quad rail, and plastic VFG which is .9 oz lighter than a wood stocked mini -14, or 1/4 lb lighter than the mini-14 tactical with collapsible stock & partially railed synthetic stock.

If you're after an accurate rifle, bolt actions are the way to go anyway.

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I suppose that's why there are so many accurized AR-15s that shoot just as well as bolt guns.

but if ya gotta butt stroke somebody,mini is better

but if ya gotta butt stroke somebody,mini is better

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That's why mil-spec AR/M4 receiver extensions are thicker than commercial REs. From the A2 stocks on, AR-15/M16/M4 stocks have been quite solid. If you really wanna get hard core you can always get a MagPul UBR stock & strike plate

Old Minis, New Minis

Ruger recently (like in the last four years or so) junked all their barrel making machinery for the Mini 14 and started over with all new equipment.

The accuracy improvement, according to those I've spoken to who have tried both, is significant.

Not necessarily in the AR class, but not nearly as sloppy as their historical reputation would suggest.

If cost is a factor, also look into the Kel-Tec SU16. I have two of them. They have (or at least mine do) surprisingly good triggers, and group acceptably at 50 and 100 yards. I have no glass on mine, so I'm not your accuracy guy for this.

The primary difference between the Kel-Tec SU16 and the Mini 14 (other than the fact that the Kel-Tec folds down, the Kel-Tec is noticeably lighter, and the Kel-Tec is cheaper) is that the Kel-Tec uses standard AR magazines.

My SU16s both eat whatever I feed them without complaint, and frankly I've fed them some real garbage. They're chambered for 5.56 NATO, so they'll eat that along with .223 Rem no problem.

The SU16 isn't a competition gun and was never intended to be one. It's a lightweight, folding sport-utility rifle that shoots a popular caliber and is useful in a ranch-and-plinking capacity.

My next .223 rifle will probably be a Mini 14. Just something I have to get out of my system, I suppose.

At some point, maybe after my next substantial bonus, I'll go AR shopping. And then I'll be right back here asking all the same dumb questions you've all seen before.

if I was strapped for cash, forget the mini and get a Saiga in .223 / I sold a new one to a dear friend and he claims 2.5"-3" groups with Remington UMC ammo (the cheap stuff)

If you get a mini, I'd suggest getting a new one, 580-xxxxx and up, not the older pre-580 series. Some of the older ones were decently accurate, but a whole lot weren't (my 1989-ish 188-series Ranch Rifle shot 5-ish MOA cold or hot). There are things you can do to improve accuracy of an older mini (cut the barrel to 16" and recrown, add a heavy flash suppressor, install a smaller gas bushing, barrel stiffeners, etc.) but the newer ones seem to have less need for it.

Mine was 100% reliable, though. Never had a failure of any kind in several thousand rounds with good magazines, but I did run across a couple aftermarket magazines that were severely out-of-spec, and I had a Ram-Line polymer mag that broke on me once. Now that Ruger is selling full-capacity factory magazines again, magazines are much less of a weak point, IMO.

A new mini won't be quite as accurate out-of-the-box as an AR, but should do 2-3 MOA or better with decent ammo, I'd think.

I think that the problem is with us. We tend to compare the Mini with the AR, myself included. After trying the AR there is no way I could go back with the Mini. But I also realize that the problem is with me and what I was expecting. Kind of like buying a bass boat and then getting mad that it doesn't make as good as a ski boat. The Mini and the AR are not only different in design, they are different in intended function. The two are easy to compare, they both have large magazines and shoot fast but they are really not going after the same market. The market may merge a little but the core is different.

I think of most of my weapons as defensive albeit combat weapons, with that mindset it is no wonder that I like the AR better. But if your a guy that is just happy with a plinker and varmint gun and you really don't need or want more than a couple of mags then the Mini should be great.

One is a good alternative to another depending on what you want it for?
The advange of the AR is that is a modular and very accurate. The advantage of the Mini is a great
ranch / trunk carbine.

I've got a Mini and absolutely love it. It has never ever failed, shoots about 2 MOA, and is really good for what I use it for. I've got bolt actions to shoot the lights out, the Mini is for filling the air with lead. It eats cheap UMC ammo (no steel) and, finally, is not an AR.

Try this place for decently priced mags. http://www.hoffgun.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? I've bought a few from these guys and have been satisfied every time.

jmr40 said:

Right now you can buy an entry level AR for less money than a Mini.

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Where at? Cheapest AR I've ever priced was like Dr. Frankenstein's monster composed of assorted parts from different manufacturers - the cheapest parts found went on the rifle (minus composites - I stuck with aluminum alloy for the lower). Total, it priced at just under $700 online. Then there was shipping costs and the FFL transfer fee for the lower...

Right about there, I abandoned the whole idea.

Where at? Cheapest AR I've ever priced was like Dr. Frankenstein's monster composed of assorted parts from different manufacturers - the cheapest parts found went on the rifle (minus composites - I stuck with aluminum alloy for the lower). Total, it priced at just under $700 online.

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S&W M&P15 Sport for $600 at Academy. If seen them right around that price point at local dealers as well.

If you want a screaming deal PSA has a special on complete 16" Mid Length uppers with FN marked 1:7 twist hammer forged barrels for $460. http://palmettostatearmory.com/2431.php. That upper would be considered their premium line with the FN made hammer forged "machine gun steel" (educated guess is it's very likely certified Mil-B-11595E steel since it's a hammer forged FN bbl) which typically run about $500 regular price. $400 regular price will get you their standard grade upper with a 4140 steel, chrome lined, button rifled bbl. Those are all prices with HPT/MPI bolts in the carriers, which are also properly assembled according to the specs. Even the standard grade upper is nothing to sneeze at, and especially not at that price. They also have pretty nice (on paper) complete lowers for $254 shipped.

Side Note - The M&P15 Sport was $598 at www.budsgunshop.com. If it's an indication of popularity Bud's doesn't have the standard sport in stock. They're selling the http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_772660_-1_772659_757784_image for $636, and it's reserved for VIP customers. It's funny to me that by shipping with a 10 round mag & bullet button (instead of standard mag release) CA residents get the Sport with the collapsible stock, flash hider, and bayo lug: While the CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY compliant AR-15s have a standard mag release, but lack the other goodies that the CA compliant & standard rifles have.

They also have pretty nice (on paper) complete lowers for $254 shipped.

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The complete lowers might be pretty nice on paper, but they are VERY nice in person.

I assembled one of their lower build kits with a PSA stripped lower a few months back, and couldn't be more pleased with the quality. I've since purchased another PSA stripped lower that's awaiting my next build.

Other than price (and maybe that's the only reason), what would be a reason somebody would prefer a Mini-14 over an AR?

valnar, did you read the first post? That's the context for posting.

Some of it is looks; some folks don't like pistol grips. Some folks like to carry at the balance point.

And if you're mostly a hunter, the Mini is quite adequately accurate for the first shot--which is the one which matters the most. My experience has been that shots #2 and #3 are certainly close enough to #1 to call them a decent group.

I dunno. I have a half-MOA .223 bolt action. I had a half-MOA AR. Neither did any better on Wily Coyote than did my Minis. IOW, I fail to understand the problem.

Another alternative is a Kel-Tec SU 16. All reports say is it reliable and it uses AR mags.

I have a little experience with ARs and a LOT of experience with Mini 14s.

As previously stated, the new Mini 14s are a step up in terms of quality and accuracy. A friend has a new one that is really nice. 2 moa is a piece of cake.

I have a mid 90s mini that actually shoots well. With a Bushnell Elite 1.5-4.5x32 and a trigger job and 16" barrel it is shooting 2moa with some ammo and 3 moa with all the rest. For pictures of groups, check this thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=573530

I recently ran this gun in my first 3gun competition and I was the lone mini user surrounded by ARs. I placed in the top 30% on the long range stage and every guy that beat me had a rifle & scope combo that easily cost double what mine did.

I am not saying that Minis are better than ARs, I am just saying that for many uses, they can compete with ARs.

Also, the mini requires very little cleaning and is amazingly reliable. I can't remember the last time I removed the bolt or cleaned the gas system. Most AR owners would have trouble if they tried that.

Other reasons why people might choose a mini over an AR:
ergonomics
scope rings included
ability to fit in scabbard
not as affected by local AWBs

ugaarguy said:

S&W M&P15 Sport for $600 at Academy.

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You may very well have just showed me my next rifle. Never realized M&P ARs were so inexpensive.