Mini-14 or AR-15

[Quincy12]

I’m thinking about buying either and AR or a Ruger Mini-14. Either one would be in 5.56/.223. This would be primarily for target shooting/plinking with something other than a rimfire yet still relatively inexpensive. Could also be used for SD, although my primary SD tool at home or out would be a Sig 9mm.

I haven’t shot either one, closest I’ve come would be a Ruger Carbine in .44 magnum. All of my experience would be in either bolt or lever. I’m more interested in the Mini-14 simply because I’m rather old school and have a preference for wood and blued metal, but I clearly can appreciate Stoner’s design regarding the AR. Very easy to field strip, clean and numerous options.

For now, I’d stick with aperture and post sight, but might mount optics of some sort on it in the future.

Compare and contrast the two and what are your thoughts?

 

[jerkface11]

The mini is prettier, and ruger will fix any problem you have with it. The AR is less expensive, more accurate, has less expensive accessories/magazines, and is more easily modified to suit you.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Unless you're absolutely enamored with the look of the mini, to the point of being willing to accept it's shortcomings in a fashion over function decision, the AR is the obvious choice.

 

[Robert]

I have and shoot both and while the Mini is a fun rifle and mine is rather accurate I like my AR better. The Mini starts to wander when it gets hot. Mags are iffy at best unless you pay for Ruger mags. Scoping a mini can be done but it is not as easy.

My AR stays accurate when hot, takes just about any mag, is easier to put optics on and offers greater flexibility in what parts and accessories I can use.

But if you like the Mini better go for it. Mine is very accurate as long as I don't overheat it.

 

[X-Rap]

For repair parts, mags and accessories you'l have a hard time beating the market support for the AR.
Of the many AR's I've shot they have all been acceptable accuracy wise, I can't say the same for the mini's. I'm admittedly not a fan but it is based on real experience although with the older rifles.

 

[ldlfh7]

I like the look of the mini better than the ar but I only own an ar. Very accurate but I would have no problem trading the ar for a mini because I only use the ar for plinking.

 

[Nature Boy]

I have an AR and always wanted a Mini-14. In order to scratch the itch I decided to go with the Biggy-14 and be done with it

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Oh, the eternal question of Mini vs. AR....

For what you're planning on doing, either would be fine.

Twenty-five years ago a Mini cost just over 1/2 of what a low end AR cost---I paid $340 for my plain-jane blue Mini in 1990--now the reverse is true.
For what a Mini costs you could buy a decent AR + mags + (a few) accessories.

Your options for adapting an AR are almost limitless. It is a more accurate platform than the Mini right out of the box in almost all cases. The Mini is a good carbine, if I were getting one today I'd opt for stainless steel. Ruger stands by their products, of course. The Mini is a capable patrol carbine/truck gun---but I wouldn't call it a battlefield weapon. Working on an AR is a snap and while the Mini is fairly rugged, it isn't as easily smithed as an AR when help is needed (not that it should or would be needed, of course).

If you can, shoot them both before you decide. At least spend some time dry snapping them, shouldering them, etc.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The real answer is to get both-----I did

 

[Quincy12]

Get both... That's funny! I can't justify one let alone two of them. Just something I'd like. Thanks for the feedback guys. Some very thoughtful information to consider.

 

[Nature Boy]

I can't justify one let alone two of them. Just something I'd like. Thanks for the feedback guys. Some very thoughtful information to consider.

That's all the justification to be had until there's a zombie apocalypse or a complete collapse of western civilization, and then it's too late of course.

Better get both now.

 

[jmr40]

Twenty years ago you could buy 3 Mini's for the price of an AR. At that price difference the Mini made sense. But today an AR can be had for less than a Mini. The AR's do everything better. Unless you live someplace where Mini's are legal and AR's are not I can't justify buying one.

If I already owned one and liked it it I might keep it, but I've owned several in the past and wouldn't got that way again.

 

[Sunray]

"I want one." is justification.
The Mini is over priced and inaccurate. An AR can be whatever you want it to be, but any of 'em is going to shoot better.

 

[ttarp]

If you like wood stocks and iron sights go mini, if you like pistol grips and scopes go AR.

An AR does all things better than most rifles it gets compared to, so thats really a moot point, the mini is a decent little rifle, but you can't change too much about it. You can customize an AR just about any way you like within the obvious limitations, but in my mind it really boils down to which style rifle you enjoy shooting the most.

 

[carbine85]

I love the Mini 14 and have 3 of them. Considering the cost of the Mini 14 these days I can no longer justify them when comparing to the AR15. You can get more rifle, more accessories, and more accuracy from the AR15 for less money. Ruger is probably making the best Mini they have ever made at this time but $750 - $800 is over the top for me.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Buy the Mini if you like the looks and the handling, but the AR will do everything better for cheaper, and will be easy to customize should the desire arise. The Mini is still a fun gun to shoot though.

 

[Edster12]

I'm with Omaha and Nature Boy ---but I kinda combined both their ideas. I have all three......................

 

[jmorris]

I have a mini but it spends most of its time in the dark, only thing they are really better than an AR at is throwing brass into the next county.

 

[Nature Boy]

Edster12 has figured out the puzzle

 

[chopinbloc]

AR by a long shot. No contest. Better ergonomics, better accuracy, better optics mounting, better/less expensive magazines, convert to other calibers and barrel lengths by swapping uppers. The Mini is kind of cool, but the AR is a real fighting rifle.


Also, a rifle is a much better choice for defense than a pistol. Pistols are only good at being convenient to carry.

 

[farmerboy78]

You can get an entry level ar for $500 or less... classic Firearms is selling g the ati omni hybrid for 479.00, I received mine today, haven't shot it much (3rds)... but it seemed solid

 

[Ironicaintit]

While its hard to argue against the merits of an AR.... I still like the mini better. I cant even really put my finger on why, either. One of those intangible things, like having a feeling for driving a certain type of car, even though it may get lousy mileage and not be as fast or nimble, and even cost more than something else.
If you have no experience with either, I suggest you try them both.

 

[highlander 5]

Ar hands down. Everybody and his brother makes parts for an AR and at pretty decent prices to boot. S&W and Windham Weaponry make AR 15s that have lifetime warranties.
tha

 

[Welding Rod]

I have had 3 or 4 Minis and a couple dozen ARs. In my experience the ARs are vastly more reliable, and are also more accurate. Plus even with a lousy standard trigger, they still have a better trigger.

Minis are susceptible to Rugers sporadic quality issues and general lack of meaningful QC measures.

Where does the Mini shine? It is slim, has good ergonomics (though not superior to an AR), and has a longer (superior) sight radius if you are shooting irons. The open top action is nice for beginners for chamber observation.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I've had a Mini-14 since 2009 and really enjoy shooting it. Its solid, 2" accurate at 100 yards, its a rugged rifle.

I entered the world of AR's back in August with the S&W Sport. I really like the ease of maintenance, the ease of field stripping and endless accessories you can put on them. The sport is only slightly more accurate than the Mini, 1.5" at 100 yards, but thats plenty good enough for me. With the pistol grip and the adjustable stock, the ergonomics are better, period.

If I were to do it all over again.....AR all the way.