I own both a Mini 14 and an AR. For fun time at the range, plinking cans and low volume shooting the Mini is great. For competition or high volume shooting and hard use I take the AR. Both are fun but both have a different use, at least for me.
hello, i'm looking for a new carbine primarily for home defense and occasional plinking/fun. it will be taken care of/not neglected but i dont wanna fuss over it or have to deal withfinicky parts, feeding or extracting. it'll spend 95% of it's time in the safe and 5% at the range (hopefully no % in actual defense of my family).
i am pleased with my 870express (so for my amount of shooting and care ive been happy with it even though i have several wingmasters so looking for something as a tool not a bragging right) and myS&W .357s that round out my defensive choices.
as an armchair researcher my basis is in the sub$700 the ars coukd be a bit more maintnance/deliberation whike returning better accuracy and more options to customize whike the mini was more robust/forgiving action but with less accuracy and pretty much stuck with how it is outta the box.
for my stated uses for a similar orice would you opt for a sporter style ar (no forward assist/dustcover) like the S&W or a mini14?
thanks
Excuse me if I'm telling you something you already know, but ...Ok, so I bought a mini and the mad wont seat! That is not good! Price? $850 for gun and 150 for ati stock i foolishly bought separately.
That article was written by someone with an axe to grind, BTW, and actual research has proven the author's "findings" to be inaccurate and the failure rate of the M4 was rather grossly overstated. The article is filled with anecdotes and opinions, neither of which constitute data or facts. The DoD is not actively pursuing a replacement for the M4 because the M4 works, very well."The M4 received a number of strong requests from M-16 users, who liked its smaller profile. Among M4 users, however, 19% of said they experienced stoppages in combat – and almost 20% of those said they were “unable to engage the target with that weapon during a significant portion of or the entire firefight after performing immediate or remedial action to clear the stoppage.” The report adds that “Those who attached accessories to their weapon were more likely to experience stoppages, regardless of how the accessories were attached [including via official means like rail mounts].” Since “accessories” can include items like night sights, flashlights, etc., their use is not expected to go away any time soon"
In other words, the m-4 jams when dirty but it is more accurate. The new mini has 2-3 in groups and you can hit a deer or man at 300 yards.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-usas-m4-carbine-controversy-03289/
I've never had any problems with my AR's. Even though I like the feel of my mini, I will also have an AR in the safe. I think the only way to critique either of these rifles is to own them both. BTW get yourself an AK also. Who on here thinks they own enough rifles anyway. Not I!"The M4 received a number of strong requests from M-16 users, who liked its smaller profile. Among M4 users, however, 19% of said they experienced stoppages in combat – and almost 20% of those said they were “unable to engage the target with that weapon during a significant portion of or the entire firefight after performing immediate or remedial action to clear the stoppage.” The report adds that “Those who attached accessories to their weapon were more likely to experience stoppages, regardless of how the accessories were attached [including via official means like rail mounts].” Since “accessories” can include items like night sights, flashlights, etc., their use is not expected to go away any time soon"
In other words, the m-4 jams when dirty but it is more accurate. The new mini has 2-3 in groups and you can hit a deer or man at 300 yards.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-usas-m4-carbine-controversy-03289/
A Mini for $400? Not gonna happen, I'm afraid. I think $500 would be a more realistic price point. If you shop around, you can find a nice one for not much more that that.At current prices, AR. If the mini cost $400 new (like it probably should) they would a) recover their reputation, and b) sell millions of them. But at almost $700...why not get the M&P Sporter? More gun, more options, etc. Or even a full-featured M&P or Stag or something for just a little more.