Let me lay the groundwork on this quandary. I'm kinda old school in my tastes, perhaps a bit on the fuddy side. I prefer 1911's to Glocks, M1 Carbines to M4 Carbines, wood to polymer...for the most part. A couple of years ago I bought a S&W M&P 15 Sport II because, you know, 'Murica. It's good, don't get me wrong, hasn't missed a beat or given me a lick of trouble. Runs like sewing machine...like a soulless, nondescript sewing machine.
I see today someone nearby has a 1982 Mini14 in stainless with a walnut stock, the stock has seen better days. He'd like to sell or trade for an Ar15. I think I'd like a Mini 14 with a wood stock, but from what I've heard the older 14's are less than stellar. I'm not looking for a sub MOA tack driver, or something to do mag dumps with, but something that's fun at the range that I can also take on a hog hunt. I shoot my M1 Carbine better than the AR15, but would like something with a bit more punch than 30 carbine, and a bit more personality than the AR15.
So, what say you? Would you trade an entry level Ar15 for an early 80's mini14?
I see today someone nearby has a 1982 Mini14 in stainless with a walnut stock, the stock has seen better days. He'd like to sell or trade for an Ar15. I think I'd like a Mini 14 with a wood stock, but from what I've heard the older 14's are less than stellar. I'm not looking for a sub MOA tack driver, or something to do mag dumps with, but something that's fun at the range that I can also take on a hog hunt. I shoot my M1 Carbine better than the AR15, but would like something with a bit more punch than 30 carbine, and a bit more personality than the AR15.
So, what say you? Would you trade an entry level Ar15 for an early 80's mini14?