Mini 14GB or AR

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J

JHK94

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So, I've been itching for a 5.56 rifle for a while. I like how the mini-14s look and everything, but I figured I could get an AR for just a bit more.

Now, though, I've seen some of the police trade-in Mini-14GBs out there for ~550. Compare that to the 800 or so that I had figured on for the AR configurations I would want. That's a pretty big price difference for me, plus I like the look and feel of both of these rifles.

I guess my question is, does the GB model of the mini offer any improvements over the normal Mini that would make it particularly better, or more comparable to an AR? Is 550 a decent price one one?
 
Price is about right for the GB. It can pull a little more than that if it is stamped with some form of Gov or LEO stampings. That said, typically, the older minis don't shoot too well once warm. Good for the first couple shots but then it turns to at best hunting accuracy if not side of barn accuracy. I personally would only buy one of the newer minis or one that I have seen shoot well in person first. After that, I would pick what floats my boat more.

It is a fairly decent price difference between the two but I think you will see a bit of performance difference between them as well. In the end, pick the one that you like more and can justify the price. If the extra money for the AR isn't going to get you personally anything the mini won't give you for a bit less, get the mini. If the features of the AR justify the price increase, buy the AR. I like the AR better, but it isn't my money being spent. Pick the one you like best.
 
I like the mini better, but the accuracy of the AR-15 is unquestionably better. It really depends upon what you are looking for. If you are looking for a fun plinker, the Mini, if a target gun or varmint rig is what you seek, the AR is the better choice IMO.

:)
 
You can buy the newer, updated Mini-14s for right around $600. No reason to buy an old beatup police tradein.

As far as AR vs Mini, buy whichever feels better in your hands, unless you plan on adding optics, then definately buy the AR...
 
Personally, if I were in the market for a mini, I'd go with one of the newer 580- series, not the older ones. I owned a 188-series Ranch Rifle and the accuracy was no better than my 7.62x39mm AK shooting cheap Wolf and Norinco.

I much prefer the AR platform, though. I think it's a better rifle all around.
 
unless the police trade in was with a ruger factory folding stock i would buy right away. these usualy go for more. if it is just a regular gb. i would go for one of the new ones. i think i would go for the 16" with the flash hider. my ar is more accurate then my mini but i still like my mini more. ps just stick to factory mags with the mini.
 
I have a factory Police folder and its got the pistol grip and bayo lug -- if it is the same one, as previously mentioned, just for giggles and bragging rights, and if you got the money, the itch, and no need for long range accuracy I'd get the Mini as a fun-to-have shooting toy. Hey, its a .223 but only as accurate as an AK -- the best of both worlds! When you want a rifle, come back and get an AR.
Al
 
I would and did go with the AR. They are legos for big boys and can take down a coyote at 400yrds+. My dad likes the minis. They are sort of a scaled down M1. Shot both and like the AR M4. Less recoil with the AR also.
 
I have 3 AR's and 3 GB Mini's. If TSHTF I would feel just as good with one of the Mini's, with factory magazines they will tallywack! They might not shoot a one inch group but do they need to?

J.B.
 
They might not shoot a one inch group but do they need to?
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I don't know, but a four inch group would be nice. Or even a five inch group.

My 188-series Ranch Rifle shot a best-ever group of 5.5" at 100 yards, from a rest and rear bag, although mine may have been something of a lemon in that regard. It was certainly reliable enough, but the accuracy was abysmal. I finally sold it when it wouldn't group consistently enough to zero a 2.5x shotgun scope to my satisfaction.
 
Funny. I sorta drifted away from five-shot groups to three-shot groups in my sight-in and load testing for hunting rifles, maybe thirty or so years back. The result of that was that I never had a problem sighting in a Mini with a K4 on top. Generally, around 1.5 MOA for the four Minis I messed with.

But, I wasn't interested in paper punching. Either hunting for coyotes or jackrabbits, where the first one or two shots are all that are important, or just plinking at tin cans or rocks. For those uses, the Mini is as good as any other .223 of whatever sort. The first shot always went to the same place, so I quit worrying about it...
 
Art, my first shots rarely went to the same place, either. Mini's aren't known as tack drivers, but mine seemed exceptionally bad even for a mini. I think it had to hold some kind of kinetic energy record for case ejection, though.
 
If you want accuracy buy an AR
If you want reliability buy a Mini
I own one Mini and zero ARs..............
Click to expand...

So, how did you arrive at that conclusion if you don't own any ARs? My AR is very reliable. Maybe a cheap AR will have malfunctions, but a quality one will be reliable and accurate.

To the OP: good ARs cost money, sure you can find a sub $800 ARs, but you get what you pay for. If you're concerned with spending too much money, get a Mini, if you want accuracy and quality, be prepared to spend $1200 or more on a top tier AR.
 
well, i bought a mini for my .223.... i LOVE it...
but decided i wanted something that is really accurate too, as in sub MOA... so i am building my own AR now (its not comparable to stock AR rifles because i am going to have around 3 grand in it when i am done)
so i say buy a Mini, i think the operating system on it is fantastic and it is one of my most fun guns to shoot.
then if you want to later, you can build yourself an AR. you dont have to go all out like i am doing. you could probably build one for about 800 bucks or so

now i have shot both AR rifles and minis and i cant say that i like any one better than the other.
i got the bug, i got to own them all. i enjoy shooting guns for their unique characteristics; for the experience of shooting them.

just warning you, you might want both.....

GB Minis are more accurate than Ranch Rifles,

AR Rifles seem to be more accurate for me to shoot than any Mini, i accredit this to the sights, smaller peep and closer to the eye.... thinner front sight
 
It is not the sights. Wish it were. Improved sights and even a trigger job do little on the sloppy-action light-barreled mini. I still wouldn't pass up a folder for the right price.
Al
 
But, I wasn't interested in paper punching. Either hunting for coyotes or jackrabbits, where the first one or two shots are all that are important, or just plinking at tin cans or rocks. For those uses, the Mini is as good as any other .223 of whatever sort. The first shot always went to the same place, so I quit worrying about it...
Click to expand...
Thats all fine and well if you only plan to shot a rifle two or three shots. A few of us enjoy shooting a few more than that at a time without waiting on a cool down though.
 
you can buy a smith flat top ar from cdnn for 600. I prefer the ergonomics of the mini, but I don't think they're equal in value to an AR. now if they (mini's) were $400 and the keltec's were 300-350, then it would be a harder choice.
 
I once had a Kimber 1911 , and shot so bad I couldn't keep it on the damn silhouette at 10 meters ...
I once had a 10/22 and would jam every at least once every mag , every time ....

Therefore all 1911s are inaccurate bricks , and all 10/22 s are jamomatics ? Really ? :scrutiny: Not all Minis are inaccurate tomato stakes and not all ARs are unreliable Mattel toys . The 1911 needed a re-crown and the 10 22 needed a new extractor .

The GB Minis seems to be more of a collectible , than a shooter . Are you going to use it or is it gonna be a safe queen ? Some of the Mini GBs , if they are department retirees can be pretty used up , just a thought . The older Minis CAN be made to shoot very well with just some very basic tweaking . The newer 580 and 581 Mini models are much better out of the box and will go 2 inches with no real modifications , and 1 inch with some loving and hand-loads .

Compare the AR platform to your erector set , You can build or buy what ever your heart desires , and the sky is the limit . You can be as tacticool as your wallet permits . Pricing has come back down to earth in recent months to an affordable level , along with availability . Some real values out there now .

You really need to handle and spend some time with both if you can , and then decide what fits you and your desired ' Mission ' with this purchase . I like both and appreciate what both these weapons have to offer . The Mini is just plain big fun to shoot and fits like a comfy pair of sneakers . The AR is big fun also , and when I want to play benchrest with a autoloader , is now the one i grab .
 
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benzy2, a bunch of us Internet types have for years been hollering that if you want to punch paper and get tight groups, DON'T try for it with the earlier Minis. (I'm not talking about the worked-over varieties, and I've no experience with any of the new production.)

Paper punching? Sure, I'll go AR. I have a box-stock Colt that with irons I can get three-shot one-MOA groups, even with my ancient eyes. I had a Bushie Match Target that was half-MOA most any time...

I dunno. I just figure a Mini is mostly a huntin' gun, and it carries nicely with a ten-round mag...
 
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