Ruger Mini 14: Good AR alternative?

[Snowbandit]

I got rid of my mini-14 years ago, had a stainless one that shot 4-5 MOA. For the guy that just wants to make a bunch of noise and splash lead over the hillside a mini is fine. If you actually want to hit anything get the AR.

 

[Kendal Black]

A Person, if you're still tuned into this station, be aware that the Mini's bad rep for accuracy is deserved in part: The older models shot about like M1 Carbines, which is to say, only well enough to get by.

As of the 580 series Minis, Ruger took ear to what people were saying and tightened up their production process. A well made AR-15 still beats the new Mini slightly; the AR is one of those nice designs that just wants to shoot straight.

The Mini beats the AR for reliability in harsh field conditions: It is, in essence, a Garand. As I said above, I prefer the Mini's ergonomics. However you sort this out, a newer Ruger Mini or a decent AR-15, you'll have a more than okay rifle.

 

[MCMXI]

One of the biggest problems with the Mini-14 in terms of accuracy is the trigger. I haven't put much effort into working up a load for my 15 year old Mini-14, ok, no effort, but if I were to do that, I bet I could come up with something that could easily hold inside 2 MOA at 100 yards. As it is, here's a target shot with the crappy iron sights and the crappy stock trigger.

Here's a target shot with a scope mounted using a load that didn't shoot particularly well in any of my AR-15s. I found "the" load for an AR-15 and was using up some ammunition that was part of load development. Considering the twist rate , the 77gr SMK, the lack of load development, and the crappy stock trigger, this isn't that bad.

 

[Magog]

It is insane, that people think that the MINI 14 today is anything like the old ones. The newer mini 14's with the hammer forged heavy barrels are very nice solid 2 MOA rifles.

Now with the piston sliding back and forth it will affect accuracy, but because of that beefy M1A grand op system the machine will never fail you like AR jam-o-matics.

Same with AK's, that op rod is a big piece of metal, and AR's are the closet thing you can get to a free floating system...

People have to dump a lot of cash into their AR's to make them sub MOA's, and for an all out battle rifle that will never quite for only 600 bucks the Mini 14 can not be beat. Mags do cost money but that only adds to the uber reliability of the Mini 14 system.

 

[Magog]

The cheap 700 buck AR's are only 2 MOA rifles as well. DMPS sub part kits made in some losers basement trying to be a smart frugal shopper has nothing over the new Mini 14.

Check out Nut-n-fancy's youtubes on the mini. True the new minis are just 2 MOA rifles at the bench, but they beat the pants off the AK74, and Rock river arms rifles in simulated battle fire fight drills.

Oh yeah, did I mention the MINI 14 can not be beat in reliability. When was the last time anyone said that about an AR other then top of line Colts huh??? You like spending 1500 bucks when you could had gotten a MINI 14 for 600...

 

[Magog]

Everyone who says the New mini 14 suck vs AR lets see your videos proving that. NutNfancy has done a fine job putting the MINI 14 up against both AR and AK and the MINI 14 won the day.

 

[mortablunt]

@ ugaarguy

Minis are still the same price as entry level ARs. AR prices have come down much more than Mini prices have. There's no reason to spend the same money on an inferior rifle which takes expensive proprietary mags. If you want to use expensive proprietary mags .223 Saigas are $350, and will use sgm tactical mags.

I am referring to those sold at gunshows. I don't buy from retail.

 

[benEzra]

Now with the piston sliding back and forth it will affect accuracy, but because of that beefy M1A grand op system the machine will never fail you like AR jam-o-matics.

I believe that a properly assembled AR is about as reliable as a mini, and I suspect both designs are somewhat more reliable than the Garand, assuming good magazines. By most accounts, Garands really like to be greased and can jam on modern full-power .30-06 loads.

The standard meme that AR's jam if not kept clean is as much bunk as the meme that AK's can't hit squat at 200 yards.

FWIW, I owned a mini for over 20 years and never had a failure that wasn't the fault of bad ammo or bad magazines. Nor have I had a failure of any kind with my AR, and I shoot local carbine matches with cheap steel case Tula.

Oh yeah, did I mention the MINI 14 can not be beat in reliability. When was the last time anyone said that about an AR other then top of line Colts huh??? You like spending 1500 bucks when you could had gotten a MINI 14 for 600...

Again, having owned both, I'd assess the reliability of a properly assembled, 5.56mm-chamber AR as on par with a mini, and you can get very good AR's for under $1K. BTW, there are a lot more top-tier manufacturers besides Colt, e.g. Noveske, Daniel Defense, LMT, BCM, and such.

 

[Panzercat]

I'd submit that an SU-16 is a far superior product, but availibility continues to cripple purchasing ability. It's also driving up the price into the $600s.
In either case, buy something else. Ruger doesn't deserve your money.

That said, apparently our local walmart decided to start carrying them and 10/22s here in AZ. Was kinda surprised.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Accuracy to one side, my experience with Mini-14 rifles has been that they are unreliable and prone to small parts breakage when they get hot. I would say that a tier-1 AR will generally be more reliable than a Mini-14, especially if you plan on shooting it in classes or 300+ round practice sessions.

-C

 

[smle41]

"The standard meme that AR's jam if not kept clean is as much bunk as the meme that AK's can't hit squat at 200 yards."
I must be cursed. Each and every M16A1, M16A2, M4 and all AR's I've had were (are) sensitive critters. My M4 seems to believe in the adage 'cleanliness is next to Godliness'. I know it is not PC to say so, but, 'memes' come from somewhere...
But, each gun, even of the same brand or even next to each other in serial number, has their own quirks. There are ARs that love lots and lots of lube, and M16s that run better dry. And, then, there is the factor of what Private Joe Snuffy did to that weapon before it was issued to you, and, some guns like to shot a lot before they 'break in', some guns, if you shoot them a lot, they 'break down'.
I'm glad someone else mentioned that the cost of magazines comes to par when one considers quality to quality. Several soldiers buy their own quality magazines and swear by them, I wonder if the main weakness of the AR is that the military went with 'cheap' and lesser quality magazines.
So, if the OP is wondering if the Mini is a viable alternative, I say yes.. as accurate in the field as necessary, handles well, reliable...
Someone mentioned the operating rod handle.. to me, I have to agree that it's placement is 'natural'. I 'grew up' on a Lee Enfield and the smle is still my favorite rifle, so having the handle where it is, instead of a two-finger, wrist-bending motion and then tapping a forward assist, versus using the edge of my hand to the side of the gun and backward.. maybe it's the 'bolt gunner' in me, but it seems more 'natural'..
Oh, yes.. ugaarguy.. buy that police trade in mini.. Shoot it, they are fun guns.

 

[ugaarguy]

Price an AR10 magazine lately?

Do the $18.99 PMAG LR magazines for my LR-308 count? I also wasn't aware that Ruger is making the Mini in 7.62 NATO / .308 Win.

I am referring to those sold at gunshows. I don't buy from retail.

Okay, get a S&W M&P15 Sport at a gun show, just like you buy a Mini at a gun show.

The cheap 700 buck AR's are only 2 MOA rifles as well. DMPS sub part kits made in some losers basement trying to be a smart frugal shopper has nothing over the new Mini 14.

I bought a S&W M&P15 Sport for under $600. I'll take it over a Mini or a DPMS AR-15 any day. If DPMS built their AR-15s to the same standard they build their LR-308s I'd take a DPMS over a Mini.

Oh yeah, did I mention the MINI 14 can not be beat in reliability. When was the last time anyone said that about an AR other then top of line Colts huh??? You like spending 1500 bucks when you could had gotten a MINI 14 for 600...

See above.

The newer mini 14's with the hammer forged heavy barrels are very nice solid 2 MOA rifles. ... People have to dump a lot of cash into their AR's to make them sub MOA's, and for an all out battle rifle that will never quite for only 600 bucks the Mini 14 can not be beat. Mags do cost money but that only adds to the uber reliability of the Mini 14 system.

Yes, but I didn't have to put any money into M&P15 Sport to make it sub 2 MOA. That Nitrided 1:8 twist 5R T/C Arms bbl. is nice . If a hammer forged bbl. only gets a Mini to 2 MOA then you've proven the point. My USGI mags with green followers of MagPul anti-tilts are uber reliable too. I can say the same for the PMAGs. It doesn't take tons of cash to make an AR sub MOA either: It just takes a good barrel, and a simple free float tube.

 

[Art Eatman]

Y'know, since TFL got going in 1998, and then THR, I've yet to see one of these threads have anybody jump up and say, "Hey! I've changed my mind!"

Enough. Rest assured, somebody will bring it up again and folks can vent and rant and not change anybody's mind...