Walmart AR's and mini 14

[sirgilligan]

A few other reasons Mini's make good truck guns:
- The stock is solid. If it falls in the floor board or out the door or such it shouldn't break the stock. Mini has the synthetic stock, which I recommend.
- Factory mags are steel and make me believe they are tougher than my aluminum AR mags. I don't have the flat 5 rounder yet, but that would be even more handy, if you can't get the varmint in 5 shots... well, reload I guess.
- Iron sights are tough and can take getting bumped about too. I think open sights are the way to go, but if optics are your thing, they come with scope mounts (mine did anyway).
- Practical accuracy, which I will define as off hand shooting while standing next to your truck, tractor, etc., is just the same as my other two 5.56 rifles that I have owned (one gone, one still with me).

If you want to shoot the heaviest .223 ammo then I would look for a 1 in 7 twist setup, the Mini is 1 in 9. If the common 55 grain stuff is the diet then 1 in 9 twist is fine.

I do not own an AR 15 rifle. Never have. I have had three 5.56 rifles, all different.

One day, maybe an AR 15, but for now, that money can go to ammo, optics, mags, fees, etc., for my other firearms. If I were getting an AR 15, and I always do my homework, I would probably go for the popular and easily found S&W rifle.

If parts are different in guns because they are in a "big box" store, then I would not want to save $50.00 for the lesser parts. I think there are gun manufacturers that live and breath on the fact that most guns get shot within two months of purchase and then shelved (and yes that is my empirical stat and comes from no formal study). A weapon isn't tested until 200 rounds is fired, IMO.

The expense of most any common weapon will be ammo, storage, cleaning, etc., and the initial cost of the weapon will be long forgotten in a couple of years. I always say, save and get what you want and want what is quality. Being too cheap is usually very costly.

 

[jmr40]

It is no secret that many gun companies have made special runs of guns with unique features just for Walmart. They do the same thing for companies such as Sportsmans Warehouse, Gander Mountain and Cabelas. It is a myth that they are lower qualtity than a comparable gun sold elsewhere.

A Mini-14 is a great gun....at around $300. I woudn't pay a penny more and I've owned several over the years. Walmart isn't the only place selling AR's cheaper than Mini's. It has been happening for several years now at many places.

I have 3 AR's, including one of the $500 DPMS rifles. It is 2X better than the Mini-14, for a lot less. I didn't buy mine from Walmart, but mine came with a hard case, two 30 round magazines, telescoping stock, cleaning kit, picatinney rail and a flash hider and I paid $650 OTD. The Walmart version should come with the same. Buy a Mini, the same accessories plus tax and you are looking at very little change from $1,000. And you'll have a less accurate, less reliable rifle. Mini-14 magazines are $40-$50 each vs $10-$12 for AR magazines. I've never seen an AR that wouldn't shoot MOA with optics and quality ammo. The $500 DPMS is no exception. That is a rare trait with Mini's, even the new and improved versions.

 

[wally]

I know for a fact that some gun makers produce firearms differently (cheaper) just for walmart.

"For a fact" you say?

Please do prove this. I have seen this repeated 1,000 times on the internet, but nobody ever shows any kind of documentation.

I can't really "prove" anything but there was a Ruger 10/22 stainless with a funky "boat-oar" black polymer stock that I've never seen offered for sale anywhere but Walmart back in the nineties. It was a good bit cheaper than the "standard" 10/22 of the time with the wood stock which every gun shop seemed to have.

 

[sirgilligan]

Well, I am going to just have to get me an AR-15!

BTW: My Mini-14 is the tactical, with the 16" barrel, black synthetic stock, flash hider, etc. $670.00. I got a 30 round mag at the store that day for $43.00 and can get them online cheaper.



I wouldn't pay $1000.00 today for a Mini or an AR-15, but that is because I already have my "go to" carbine and the other purchases are "wants" and not "needs".

Now the reason I got the rifle... my wife knew I liked the looks of them, and she went and got it! So, first, get a good wife.
Look at it.... it is just a cool looking rifle. At least I think so. And it shoots just fine.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got a mini 14 tactical and it is all as advertised, accurate as ever, dependable, bit pricey, but I think it is a great weapon,.

 

[Art Eatman]

Of the OP's listed rifles: "...what would be a good deal for close quarter (under 100-125 yard) coyote, pest control, truck gun."

This is the subject, not WalMart gun sales.

 

[CZguy]

OP

I just noticed within the last few weeks, our local walmart is carrying Panther Arms AR rifles and Bushmaster Cruiser carbines. The Panther is in the mid $500's and the Bushmaster is in the mid $800's. They also started carrying the Ruger mini 14 with the larger (20 round?) Magazine for a little over $600.00. With those being my price ranges, and I know none are top of the line, what would be a good deal for close quarter (under 100-125 yard) coyote, pest control, truck gun.

Would you consider thinking out of the box about a bolt action rifle in .223?

 

[wwace]

I shop At Wall Mart, but I cannot say I would buy a firearm or ANY other piece of equipment that was over a couple of hundred bucks, especially any computer or TV as I have seen first hand Pc's containing recycled/refurbished drives with no mention of such on the packaging. I understand firearms are different and that they should be exactly the same no matter where you bought it but frankly the guns I have seen at my local WM have not been that great of a deal cost wise. I would go the my LGS and have them price match.

Oh yeah, buy the mini if you just want a truck gun, they are great! You can always buy an AR later, I did, twice.

 

[RinkRat]

Gad I wish the WW down the street had handguns too. All they have is long-guns. I'll bet they'd have the new S&W-M&P shield for about $300.

Saw a Colt LE6920 there for $895. and I almost bought it but such = sez my wife

Get an AR their more versatile lots of additives and parts are less

Oh ... so the shampoo I get thar at Wally's ain't the same as I get at Piggly Wiggly

 

[DAdams]

If you want something to "fiddle with", change sights, stocks, grips, add lights, lasers, scopes, change out triggers get the AR.

For a truck/varmit gun I would go the Mini route. I have them both.

Our local Wally is getting some different rifles these days (for WalMart) but I haven't seen any Minis show up yet.

 

[Dr. Sandman]

To the OP: Truck gun is a matter of personal preference. Ask 100 people and you will get 100 different answers. I like the Marlin 336A lever action 30-30.

As for Wal-Mart vs LGS guns, here's my story...
I bought a Remmington 870 at my LGS, it had problems from the get go, rounds would get stuck in the chamber after you fire, you couldn't work the action. I took it back to the LGS where I bought it. They did not remember me and they said something like "Oh, you bought this one at Wal-Mart, they make them cheaper for Wal-Mart and you get problems like this" I wish I had bought it at Wal-Mart in the end, it might have worked and been a lot less messing around. I do not believe that identical models bought at different stores are different.

 

[Art Eatman]

Looks like the OP has learned more than he ever wanted to know about Wally, and nowhere near enough about the question he asked.

 

[RinkRat]

Well OP …

If you’re just lookin for a car bean to bounce around behind your truck~seat and too have to pull on that elusive yote a-twill than; I think a mini-14 will/may take that abusive treatment better that an AR15

But if your intentions are for better performance, better accuracy, and you will take somewhat decent care of it by not having it reside under your truck ~seat, keepin it tidy, and juiced then; get an AR15

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

The OP is very appreciative. I've read and actually appreciate all the responces. I have a 336 in .35 Remington and a good Rossi .45 I use leverevolution in, but I was just looking for something auto with some quick followup shots that was accuare and the ammo didn't cost an arm and a leg. I was emailed that the mini thirty actually was less costly on ammo, just not as flat shooting. I love my lever guns, but you know how it is when you get a new itch...

The question about walley world was just 'cause I saw them cheaper than my regular gun store, but I didn't know much about Panther Arms and they were the cheapest (price) ar I've seen. It was just an off the shelf question for a good gun rack rifle that was something new for me.

 

[Mr. D]

Saddlebag Preacher, how are the laws concerning guns in vehicles in your state? For example, in PA, I can only have a long gun in the vehicle if it is unloaded, so the only practical way to do a truck gun would be something fed from a detachable mag. If this is not the case in your state, the 336 would be a really viable option, IMHO. However, it seems like a lot of guys (you included, perhaps) really prefer semi-autos for their truck gun, which is completely understandable.

~D

 

[gunnysmith]

Here's my "cheaply" made Wallyworld special offer, I added the sights to make it look more expensive. LOL