Remington 7615 or Ruger Mini-14?

[FourNineFoxtrot]

I would very much like to buy an AR-15, but, alas, I am a Californian...

Looking at my options, I've come up with two choices that fit, more or less, the overall profile of what I want. Basically, I want something as close to the functionality of an AR-15 as I can get: A .223 rifle with the highest possible capacity options, reliability, accuracy, and rate of fire.

I like the Remington 7615 because it takes the ubiquitous AR-15 mags. It's pump-action, which is kinda cool (but semi-auto is, of course, better). I haven't heard much about its accuracy or reliability. A fellow at a local gun store (one of the bigger ones in the area) said that the 7615 is less reliable/accurate than the Mini-14. I don't know if I should believe him. I can get a 7615 with rifle sights and a pistol grip (they're on special) for $695.

I like the Ruger Mini-14 because it's semi-auto, which is a HUGE plus. However, I'm concerned about mag availability, and accuracy. I can get a Mini-14, stainless, for $710 or so.

Which is the better option, and why?

 

[R.W.Dale]

I own a rem 7615 and I don't know what that guy at your gunshop has been smokin but with my pump I can shoot with the best AR's never mind a mini. I have no problem being competitive in our 200 and 300 meter matches with my 7615. Benched goups WITH SIGHTS run right at 2MOA.

Even if they both took the same magazines I would choose the Remington over the Ruger every time just on accuracy alone. I don't think there's anyone in the history of Mini14's that has been happy with their accuracy. Mini owners say things like "it's accurate enough for what I use it for" meaning they wish it had a bayonet lug.

The fast twist and heavy free floated barrel of the Remington has distinct advantage over the ruger.









HOWS THIS! for free floated

 

[Samuraigg]

To me at least, the Mini 14 is a few hundred bucks too expensive. I would go with the Remington.

I wouldn't consider the pump action to be such a bad thing. Seems to me like you could still fire at a really quick pace. Someday I want to pick up a 7615 myself.

As an added bonus the 7615 is a very ban resistant rifle.

And yeah.. a pump action is just plain cool.

 

[Quiet]

Go with the Remington.

Get a Kel-Tec SU-16CA before you get a Ruger Mini-14.

 

[miko]

I have Mini-14. It's a nice gun, but I would go with a Remington now. It should be more accurate and versatile.

Mini-14 is the american analog of an AK. Mini-14 has many attributes, but accuracy is not one of them. 4MOA is considered standard. $30-50 of self-applied gunsmithing can drop it to 3MOA. Anything over that is way too expensive.

miko

 

[ECVMatt]

I have a new 580 series Mini and it is great!

It shoots 2 moa all day long. If I need more than that I will got to one of my bolt guns. Keltec are too plasticy for me and the Rems are just a bit too goofy.

You migh look into Off List Lowers if you want an AR. You can build one up and get real close to the original AR. I just bought and AK today that is from on Off List Company. It is the real deal minus the pistol grip.

If you life in the LA area you should check out Ammo Brothers, they may be able to help.

If not, go to calguns.net for the latest info on Off List guns.

 

[nemoaz]

It shoots 2 moa all day long.

If so, you have the only National Match Mini14 I've ever heard of. 4-5 is what I've seen. Never even heard of anyone claiming better than 3.5. A friend used to work for Ruger and said 2" at 50 was their internal guidelines. They just don't put any extra time in machinine the bolt faces or setting the tolerances. (He still loves Ruger of course and says the Mini is as accurate as an AK or SKS.)

 

[AStone]

If I was going with either
of the two main options,
I'd go with a Rem 7615.

Looked at it long and hard.
Would have matched the 870P.

But now, I've gone lever.

So, I'm one of the "other" voters.

Marlin 1894C in .357M.

It's what's next for me.
Will complement the 65.

 

[bg226]

The Remington 7615 hands down.

 

[wdlsguy]

A Saiga is another option, assuming they are legal in California.

 

[rantingredneck]

You guys have got to stop making 7615 threads. I'm eventually going to do something like buy one of these things if I keep reading about them and seeing pictures. You really don't want me to have to live in my shed an sleep under my new reloading bench for the next month do you?


Even though I am a Ruger fan and like the looks and handling of the Mini, I would go 7615 first based upon what I've read, heard, and felt when handling both in the store.

Though I'm also a Remington fan too.

 

[ECVMatt]

I don't think mines an exception..

It seems like lots of guy are getting better accuracy with the newer version. If you check out perfectunion.com you will find lots of info on the new mini. One guy's shoots just over 1moa with factory ammo.

For whatever reason people here seem to be irrationally anti-mini. It is not a perfect gun by any means, but it is decently accurate, ultra reliable, pretty compact, and very fun to shoot. It also has tons of add on stuff if you are into that.

I still think the best gun for the OP is the one that fits him best and he feels most comfortable with. However I would not just immedately discount the mini due to internet hysteria.

Matt

 

[glockman19]

Why not get a CA legally configured AR? I have two. One with a pistol grip and fixed mag and the the other with a monsterman grip and detachable mags.

Contact:
http://www.lanworldinc.com

Talk to Chris, he's a great guy with good prices. He'll help you configure what you want.

Otherwise get the mini-14

 

[Il Duca]

I am a Mini guy but I have to throw my hat at the Remmie on this one.

 

[Ash]

What about durability of the Remington? The Mini-14 almost certainly is a much more rugged design than the Remington. That may not matter, but commercial designs rarely end up as durable, especially considering the Mini-14 was originally designed with military applications in mind.

Ash

 

[rantingredneck]

Since the Remington is largely based on the 870 and 7600 lines I would think durability wouldn't be an issue here. Also given it's pump action vs. semi that ought to translate to fewer moving parts and less things to possibly break in general. Not knocking the Ruger's durability by any means. They are tanks in whatever model and configuration you buy. I just don't see durability being an issue with the Remington.

 

[Ash]

Not fewer moving parts. They both have action rods/bars, just one lacks the gas-sytem, in which there are no moving parts. I have an 870 and it is a rugged shotgun, but I have seen action bars dismount from the bolt before at a bad time. I have also seen the lifter break. Now, certainly folks have seen parts break on the Ruger, but as a general rule, commercial hunting actions are less durable than military actions.

Ash

 

[JESmith]

I own both a Ruger mini in 7.62x39 and a Remmington 7600 in .35 rem. Reliability - I give them both high marks. Accuracy - it's the Remmy hands down.

 

[ArmedBear]

It's important to remember that the .223 isn't really good for much, and what it truly IS good for, neither of those rifles is. At least in California, where it's illegal to shoot coyotes from your car window...

That said, I have a Mini-14, but wouldn't mind having the Remington also. I like my 870. .223 carbines are fun toys, though they were more fun when the ammo was cheaper.

Next gun? Marlin 1894C, just like Nem.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

mini-14 for me, all i can afford $400 for a nice .223.

i ve brought mine out to 200yds with a 3-9x40 leupold and it can shoot groups the size of a tennis ball (3").

 

[Mike U.]

Saiga!
I've been doing a lot of research on this brand recently and can scarcely find anything negative about them, but, I find a lot of folks have very favorable things to say about them. I'm impressed enough with what I've found that my next THREE firearm purchases will have Saiga stamped on them.

The only caveat is magazine availability. I believe that is a short term thing so I'm not overly concerned about it. It just needs to be said.

 

[ArmedBear]

Saiga can be converted to AK magazines easily and cheaply.

 

[bhk]

I have a new 580 series mini, and it shoots cheap ammo into 2.5 inches (5 shots and 100 yards) quite easily. It is much more accurate than my old one. Some improvements have been made in the new series. Neither of my minis have ever jammed.

Saying that, I would be interested in trying the 7615. Many complain about the mini being too expensive, but it is still cheaper than the Remingtion in all the shops I have seen. I also seems quite heavy to me. I do hope (and expect) the Remington prices to drop, though.

 

[ArmedBear]

Agreed on the 7615 being heavy and expensive.

Strange, too, since the 7600 is a pretty light gun for a steel centerfire repeater that handles full-length cartridges like the .30-06.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Strange, too, since the 7600 is a pretty light gun for a steel centerfire repeater that handles full-length cartridges like the .30-06.

I think it's largely due to the fact that you still have the same barrel contour of a 7600 in 30-06 but with only a .224 diameter hole in the middle. Kinda makes for a pseudo bull barrel.

Also note that the 7615 is built on a different SHORTER receiver than a 7600, according to some sources the 7615 receivers start out life as 20ga 870 receivers. Also the trigger group and mag well are made from aluminum unlike 74-7600s