I wonder why? Mini 14 vs. AR

[Bill B.]

Why to so many Law Enforcement Agencys choose the Mini 14 instead of the AR? It seems like there is a deep split between what the military likes and what Law officers use. Or is this a sectional type thing in the US? Are there some states that use the AR more than the Mini 14. In my state it must be at least a 80% nod to Mini over the AR.

 

[cslinger]

Part of it has to do with the fact that we don't want our police officers to look like soldiers. The job of a LEO is first and foremost to be a helping hand, a negotiator etc. They are not hired to be warriors or gunslingers.

The Mini is simply a more PC weapon. They tend to be wood and blue and tend not to have a PG.

I have always though a good lever gun would make a great do it all LEO firearm that also exuded that down home, I'm here to help feel.

I am not here to argue which I think is the better weapon just that a cop with an EBR is, quite honestly, kind of frightening to many people too many parrellels to Nazi Germany. A good old boy with a Mini or a lever gun is just that a good ole' boy.

Chris

 

[Master Blaster]

Mini-14's are less expensive to buy.

Officers seldom need a rifle anyway.

 

[twoblink]

I will avoid my comments about the AR's, as that will start a flame war.

The real reason is as Cslinger said, it looks more PC. Also, it's more differentiatable from that of military rifles.

Having someone photographing a cop with a mini shooting a teenager on drugs, is better than him using an AR... that way, the anti's won't say "It's live Vietnam moved to the intercity, same guns too.."

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

Part of it may be that LE rifles tend to sit unused (and uncleaned) for much longer periods of time than military rifles. Perhaps the lower maintenance requirements of the Mini appeal to LEOs.

 

[George S.]

One of the local police departments moved from Mini-14's to an AR-type rifle a few years ago and there was a fair amount of screaming from the citizens. It was basically the look of the rifle that was the issue.

Outside of the accuracy argument, the two rifles do the same sort of thing. They are semi-auto in operation, shoot the same round, have close to the same rate of fire if it came to being in a firefight with a BG, and have the capability of using hi-cap magazines.

The city used the argument that the Mini's were old and approaching the end of what they called the service life of the rifle. The city got a grant to help defer the cost of the AR rifles so it wound up being about the same price for either one. One rilfe went into every patrol car and more were purchased for the SWAT Team.

What I found strange is that while people may be frightened by an EBR, they really don't seem to have an issue with local LEO's who shave their heads, wear sunglasses all the time, wear their uni's to look like SWAT teams (there are some local LEO's who even look like they belong in the WWF ring!) complete with bloused boots and flack vests outside their shirts. While I have great respect for LEO's, I just don't see why some of them have to look (and in some cases, act) like SS or SA storm troopers.

 

[ny32182]

FWIW, I've never seen a cop with a mini; around here its mostly shotguns and the occasional AR, for the cops that have long guns. Aside from the PC factor, I would think that an AR would be much better suited to the needs of law enforcement than a mini.

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

Most if not all the CHP and local police around these parts have an AR15 variant riding with them in their cruisers.

With that being said, the local CHP used to cruise with the GB mini-14s but have switched to the AR platform for reasons unknown to me.

When I lived in San Luis Obispo, the officers also had AR15s.

-Jim

 

[Sactown]

I've never seen a mini used my law enforcement in the NorCal area. Only long guns I've seen are shotguns and ARs. Its' probably a regional/political/budget thing.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

As stated, why is PC.

Many years ago, a local agency issued the AC556 (full-auto Mini). Fearing the fallout if one of thier officers killed someone, especially an innocent bystander with a machinegun, they replaced them with Marlin semi-auto carbines.

The North Hollywood shootout has now given the AR the PC stamp of approval, although for police only. They are still too evil for the average citizen.

 

[Jeff White]

It's money and the more PC look of the Mini 14. But the Mini 14s day as a police long weapon is almost over. Even the very PC NYPD has bought M4s.

The AR system is simply superior to the Mini 14 for LE use.

Jeff

 

[dave3006]

In California we can't have AR15s. But, we can have Mini-14s. Therefore, one must assume the AR15 shoots faster, shoots farther, has higher capacity, can be concealed easier, and is overall more deadly.

The Mini-14 shoots happy, friendly bullets.

 

[4v50 Gary]

PC of course. Chiefs worry about image and public comments (or the City manager's opinion). The Mini-14s aren't really cheaper when you consider that the federales gubmint was giving surplus M-16s away for $25 a pop. We all need to go to one spot, set up our own township, swear ourselves in or deputize ourselves and then order one M-16 per person.

Any suggestions for a town name?

 

[MrMurphy]

Out here a lot of sheriff's deputies get Minis. Mostly because they were cheaper to buy at the time. They are slowly being replaced by semiauto ARs or free-from-the-government M16A1s (real, auto-capable ones, some modified to semi only though).

The PDs around here have mostly got ARs from what I've seen.

But then, this is Texas, we're all sane out here.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

We all need to go to one spot, set up our own township, swear ourselves in or deputize ourselves and then order one M-16 per person.

Any suggestions for a town name?

Now that's a great idea. Copland, where everyone's a cop and there are no criminals.

 

[cheygriz]

There are only three reasons why LEAs buy the Mini-14 over the AR.
Cost, cost, and cost.

 

[Jim Watson]

My agency bought AC556s for nuke plant security because they were about $50 cheaper than M-16s at the time. The area instructor told me they did not hold up well to frequent full auto for training and practice; that he considered them sporting rifles and not up to the demands he was putting on them.

 

[nordaim]

Now that's a great idea. Copland, where everyone's a cop and there are no criminals.

Or Molon Labe

I'd be in.

 

[dave3006]

I like AR15s. I also like my Mini-14s. I would much rather arm my non-shooter wife with a Mini-14 than an AR-15.

The Mini, in my experience, is more reliable.

I know all about GI mags, green followers, aligning the gas rings properly, using quality factory ammo, using the right amount of CLP on the bolt, and keeping the gun clean. I have been to 3 rifle classes with every brand of AR-15. I have seen too many malfunctions to trust a non or semi-trained person with this weapon. You and I can clear a malfunction fast. Our wives or kids probably can't.

I have 4000-5000 rounds through my Mini-14 with PMI mags and Wolf ammo. Not one malfunction.

 

[jimmyp50]

Most of the cops in Atlanta seem to favor the AR style weapon. I don't think I have seen a mini-14 exhibited. Maybe I just don't get arround much. I have tried 3 mini's and was not impressed with accuracy, I have never had a failure to feed, fire or extract with any semiautomatic rifle I have owned. I have always wanted to like the mini, but in my hands the AR is consistently sample to sample more accurate out of the box. I don't like the gas system in either rifle, the big slam and bang rod under the Mini barrel does nothing to enhance performance or accuracy and it can rust to the gas piston under adverse conditions. The direct impingement gas system of the AR is better for performance but not for keeping the gun running. I have an aquaintance who is a class III dealer, he told me the AR or M-16 would run about 1000 rounds before it had to be cleaned, so that is enough for me. People that really understand these things seem to prefer the AR rifle. Jimmyp

 

[Jason Demond]

Why would a police agency buy a mini14 or an AR15, when they can get M16's from the DOD?

 

[Jeff White]

Jason Demond wrote;

Why would a police agency buy a mini14 or an AR15, when they can get M16's from the DOD?

Well, for starters the free M16s are drying up. Right now DOD is giving away M14s, shotguns, .45 auto pistols and .38 special revolvers to police departments that apply on the basis of one per full time officer engaged in counter-drug work.

The other reason might be that you would be hard pressed to come up with a legitimate law enforcement use for full automatic weapons. Many departments that got M16A1s from DOD put AR15 trigger groups in them. Also many departments prefer 16 inch barrels and collapsible stocks, the M16A1s come with 20" barrels and fixed stocks. This is more important as more departments go to smaller cars like the Impalas for patrol vehicles.

Jeff

 

[Zach S]

I've only seen one LEA mini-14, several years ago, in Burnsville NC IIRC. It may have been in another small town nearby, I'm not sure. Anyway, PC got thrown out the window with that one since it had a sidefolder.

I dont know of any LEAs nearby using Mini-14s. The officers I know use an AR or remington 870, as do most of their co-workers from what I understand. I dont know a lot of officers though.

 

[dave3006]

Cut the Mini-14 barrel down to 16". 2 MOA. Problem solved. That is accurate enough for a semiauto carbine.