If mini 14s are inaccurate why does law inforcement use them?

[JoshM]

Purchase and Supply

Before the giant switchover from revolvers to automatics in the LE world, I expect that bean counters could get a decent discount on Mini 14s if they decided to reequip/update with GP100's as duty revolvers.

I know the local LE, picked up a consignment of GP100's and .223 Ruger Tactical M77 (Mk 2 VLE) rifles over the same time period, and I find it hard to believe that such a deal was not a consideration for the purchasing team.

 

[ArmedBear]

Undoubtedly, the choice of the AR also has to do with price. As well it should.

It's now a multivendor product. No need to pay a hefty tribute to Colt if you want one. That has to influence its growing popularity.

I will say, though, that I think the "it looks bad-ass" factor does exist in LE, as it does in the civilian market. My club rents out a range to local and state LE, and SWAT teams, among others. So I see a few of these weeapons. Tell me: what exactly is the value add of a gun with a really expensive free-float 4-rail handguard system when there's nothing on the rails and it will never be used for long-range shooting? It does look "bad ass", though, I'll give it that much. And what the hell, I the taxpayer foot the bill anyway, right?

Don't get me wrong. As a taxpayer, I want the local cops to have what they need to do their jobs. However, I also expect the "bean counters" to do their jobs and see that my money is well-spent.

 

[atblis]

Considered by whom?

Did the "public" thing slip by you? I don't care what the media says. Most people are not gunnies.

I bet if you did a picture line up of those rifles

Mini-14
SKS
Saiga
M1 carbine
Springfield M1A
FAL
SAR
Rock River LAR-15

and asked people which ones were "assault rifles", every single one would pick out the "M16" and the "AK47". The next most popular would probably be the FAL. After that...?

 

[Frog48]

Once a month practice is not a hobby.

And unfortunately, alot of cops dont hit the range that often. Many cops arent "gunnies", their weapons are just another thing on their belt.

 

[mpmarty]

Our city police dept. still carries 12ga Rem 870s. The County Sheriff deputies carry both 870s and Remington 700s in 308 Win. w/ scopes. The State Police carry a variety of weapons depending on where they are deployed and what their duties involve. Their most effective weapon seems to be the ticket book.

 

[ArmedBear]

Southwestern Oregon?

There's only one kind of gun they're encouraged to practice with there, and it doesn't even need bullets.

 

[mpmarty]

Bear, I don't know what you are referring to but would point out that our former sheriff, Mr. Jim Main a few years ago terminated a kidnapping / hostage situation involving a very young girl held in an automobile on the interstate median by making a very respectable 250 yard head shot.

 

[ArmedBear]

Your area is famous throughout the West as speeding ticket central, and with ridiculous speed limits, as well. It's strange how a road that is considered perfectly safe at 70 in California or 75 in Idaho suddenly requires drivers to drop to 55 as they cross the state line into Oregon for safety's sake, even though the road looks identical on both sides.

Maybe if you have an Oregon plate, they don't pull you over, so you aren't aware of this.

That's what I was referring to. Target shooting with RADAR guns.

And re the kidnaper situation, nice shot! I'll bet he's a hunter. Too bad he can't mount the trophy from that one.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

Neo-Luddite & Alucard0822:

I have nothing against the Crown Vic - I just reported 2 FACTS:

1) Ford sells them cheap to cops;

2) Crown Vic's are prone to fires during a rear collision.

These are FACTS - please go ahead and look them up.

 

[trueblue1776]

2) Crown Vic's are prone to fires during a rear collision.

They fixed that 5 years ago, including a recall where Ford installed shields on the rear of the tanks.

It was never much of a problem, "prone" in legalese means it happened twice and someone saw a "pattern".

 

[alucard0822]

Thanks for the assist trueblue, although the police interceptor models have always had steel "splash plates" front and rear. ANY vehicle can be "prone to catch fire" in a rear or side collision, it is not that hard to puncture a gas tank, and it often happens in bad crashes. If I was to be involved in a wreck at highway speed I would rather be in a crown vic than anything else smaller than a semi, they are just that tough, and tend to keep the rubber side down. I suppose the police could switch to volvos, but I wouldn't want to foot the bill for maintenence, or the cars themselves, as one detective had a s60 that seemed to like staying in the shop more than on the road. They are the safest vehicles on the planet because you will probably crash the rental while your veh sits safely in the dealers shop as they fight swedish gremlins

 

[Seattlefungus]

In the mid to late 70's when I first came on, Ruger was selling the Mini cheap. Even the full auto versions. If you wanted an AR that meant just one company. Colt... The clone makers were small niche companies then. Now, 30 years later, a lot of them are fine major gun makers and well established. AR's Like Bushmaster, Rock River, Stag Arms, Colt (On average $350 more for the same rifle) . Just to name a few. My department bought Ruger Mini's in the late 70's. Only the Swat team used them at that time. Now we have a patrol rifle program. About 30% is certified in the rifle, all volunteers (Bushmaster M4's). In the last four years we've had five shootings where deadly force was used with officers armed with the rifle and all of the suspects were downed with one round. All head shots and all with iron sights. Distance varied in each incident from 50 yards to 10 feet. The ammo is the 5.56 Frangible. As Seattle is urban. Lastly, the parts are readily available so the armorer's can keep the rifles in service with minimal down time.

 

[ArmedBear]

IOW, once upon a time, Rugers were reasonably priced.

 

[SoCalShooter]

RE:ARMED BEAR IOW, once upon a time, Rugers were reasonably priced.

I nearly fell out of the chair with that one.

I think they are great actually and for what the LE needs them for they are great but honestly I would still take an AR over the mini.

 

[qbpc]

This thread has turned into a roller coaster from bashing the ruger to the crown vic. Why do these things get so far off topic?
Why rugers mini's they are reliable, shoot good enough 2" to 3" at a 100 yards is just fine (if you don't think so put a tape measure on your chest) and ruger give PD's a good discount.