Apropos the commentary about Minis at carbine classes, I found this thread, which reflects quite favorably on the Mini.
mini14 improved?
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ArfinGreebly
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GunTalk
I was listening to Tom Gresham's GunTalk a couple of years ago when he had one of the Ruger honchos on the show (could have been the pres or vice pres, I don't recall).
The Ruger guy made a point to telling Tom that they (Ruger) had junked all their Mini-14 barrel equipment and replaced it all with new stuff.
All the Mini-14 barrels made since that time are supposedly MOA-quality in the target version, and 1.5 to 2 MOA in the Ranch.
It was only after this change that they began selling higher-capacity mags for the Mini-14 as routine.
I really wanted to get one last Christmas, but the mags were evidently pressed from solid gold or some other precious metal, 'cuz you just couldn't get them.
At that time, wanting to ensure mag availability along with capacity in that calibre, I picked up another SU-16 instead.
When It comes bonus time this year, we'll see if I can score a Ranch Rifle and a fistful of the more capacious mags.
I was listening to Tom Gresham's GunTalk a couple of years ago when he had one of the Ruger honchos on the show (could have been the pres or vice pres, I don't recall).
The Ruger guy made a point to telling Tom that they (Ruger) had junked all their Mini-14 barrel equipment and replaced it all with new stuff.
All the Mini-14 barrels made since that time are supposedly MOA-quality in the target version, and 1.5 to 2 MOA in the Ranch.
It was only after this change that they began selling higher-capacity mags for the Mini-14 as routine.
I really wanted to get one last Christmas, but the mags were evidently pressed from solid gold or some other precious metal, 'cuz you just couldn't get them.
At that time, wanting to ensure mag availability along with capacity in that calibre, I picked up another SU-16 instead.
When It comes bonus time this year, we'll see if I can score a Ranch Rifle and a fistful of the more capacious mags.
briansmithwins
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Mini shooter with factory mags and stock gun outshoots a bunch of AR guys with optics out to 200 yards?
Not saying that's impossible, just unlikely if (big if from the sounds of that thread) the AR gunners were as experianced as the Mini gunner.
Optics alone are a BIG advantage when the targets move out to 200 yards. A really good rifleman will get more hits with irons than a novice with optics in that situation, but given equal skill levels the gunner with optics has a big edge. BSW
briansmithwins said:
Optics always help, but if introduced too early they can act as a crutch and inhibit development of good fundamentals. I find it believable that someone who shoots exclusively with irons, in order to get acceptable groupings, must develop good marksmanship fundamentals--and that these established fundamentals will ensure more consistent performance under the stress and novelty of shooting in a carbine class.
Years ago Ruger outsourced their barrels from a European company that made cold hammer forged barrels. Years ago they bought their own Multi-million dollar machinery to do so themselves, the barrels are much improved.
After shooting the mini for many years I can tell you that the beat up M-16A2s we used years ago were far more accurate in the hands of a trained shooter than any mini-14 could ever be. Its was easy to hit targets at 300-400 meters with open sites on the M-16A2.
If you tried that with the mini-14 it would work better with open sites than a scope unless that scope was set for that particular distance only.
Aside from stainless steel barrels on a mini-14 the rifle is nowhere near as durable as ther AR.
Either of my 16 inch AR carbines (one is an upper only) are far more accurate at 25,50,75,100, or even 300 yards than any mini-14.
There are many reasons Ruger now makes AR rifles, one of them is the AR is a much better military/LE design, far more durable.
The min-14 is simply a ranch rifle regardless of what is attached or what stock is on it.
By the way I bought one of my ARs for $539, lets see you find a new or like new/used mini-14 for that price. Regardless of price, when comparing new rifles among these, you will pay for what you get.
After shooting the mini for many years I can tell you that the beat up M-16A2s we used years ago were far more accurate in the hands of a trained shooter than any mini-14 could ever be. Its was easy to hit targets at 300-400 meters with open sites on the M-16A2.
If you tried that with the mini-14 it would work better with open sites than a scope unless that scope was set for that particular distance only.
Aside from stainless steel barrels on a mini-14 the rifle is nowhere near as durable as ther AR.
Either of my 16 inch AR carbines (one is an upper only) are far more accurate at 25,50,75,100, or even 300 yards than any mini-14.
There are many reasons Ruger now makes AR rifles, one of them is the AR is a much better military/LE design, far more durable.
The min-14 is simply a ranch rifle regardless of what is attached or what stock is on it.
By the way I bought one of my ARs for $539, lets see you find a new or like new/used mini-14 for that price. Regardless of price, when comparing new rifles among these, you will pay for what you get.
Maverick223
Member
Personally I feel the Mini-14 to be a superior LEO rifle due to the ease of maintenance, reliability, and acceptable accuracy (the average LEO hasn't a need for a 300yd. rifle).
1KPerDay
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Regular cleaning perhpas. Detail cleaning the AR takes a bit longer because you can easily disassemble the bolt carrier/bolt and clean it. And I do.
Mini I basically just clean the bore and wipe everything else down... maybe some grease in places.
Mini I basically just clean the bore and wipe everything else down... maybe some grease in places.
mistersunday
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Back in the mid '90s I had a ranch rifle that shot bad enough that I refused to buy any weapon that was chambered in 5.56/.223 until recently. The only thing that changed my mind is a buddy of mine let me shoot his Bushy this last year. Then I saw the Para TTR, did a little research, found out it was based on the ZM LR-300, couldn't find any of them for sale, and figured it must be a good gun.
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