This is why the Ruger Mini-14 is better than the AR-15

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 6/28/2017 | K Felts

[w1n1]

James Reeves of TFB TV discusses 8 traits of the humble Ruger Mini-14 that actually best the infamous AR15. James also gives viewers a brief history of the Mini-14, including a discussion of improvements that have been made to boost the historic Mini-14's poor accuracy.

Production of the Mini-14 started in 1973 by Strum and Ruger. The rifle caliber is 223 Remington and is basically a scaled down version of the M-14.

Mini-14 has more of a personal feel than the AR-15. Maybe it is the wooden stock of the Mini that gives it more of a hunting rifle look and feel than the AR?

One of the negative thing about the mini-14 is the magazine has to catch on the front and then be pulled into position, similar to an AK47. Magazine changes with the AR are much easier.

Another cool feature with the Mini-14 is that the factory stock can be replaced with a folding stock. This makes it a wonderful compact rifle. See the Ruger Mini-14 vs AR-15 video here.

[DonkeyBonker]

I will stick with my AM-15 from Anderson Manufacturing.

[redcatcherb412]

I think the Mini is at it's best in the 7.62x39 caliber running iron sights

Totally agree, the peep sight is dead on accurate and great groupings. The tactical version took into account all the older version shortfalls.

[JamesP81]

I'll add something else about the Mini-30.

Ruger is doing it wrong on this one somewhat too. They do not recommend the use of steel case commercial ammunition, which is outstandingly stupid. It can be made to work with some hammer spring mods, but it's a poor design decision.

Steel case ammo made in Russia meets CIP spec at a minimum, probably meets SAAMI spec too. If your rifle can't reliably shoot CIP spec steel case ammo, that's not a problem with the ammo. That's a problem with your rifle, and Ruger needs to take note here, if your rifle is designed so that it can't use such ammunition, that's a problem with your design.

[AAABEST]

Yes I'm sure all the operators around the world would agree - the clunky, non-modular Mini 14s are much better than ARs.

Author sounds like he works behind the counter at a gun store.

[Garth Tater]

M-14 pictured below is an American selective fire automatic rifle

Mini-14s with serial numbers 176xxx and older can be converted to full auto in 5 minutes with nothing more than a file. Very popular with certain collectors and SHTF prepper types.

[clee1]

I own a couple mini 14s and several ARs....

I much prefer the Mini.

[Sequoyah101]

THAT is a fine fine weapon!

[LouAvul]

I've owned several minis and currently own several ARs: two AR 15s and an AR 10. The minis would throw the ejected cases into the next time zone, at best only gave minute of pie pan accuracy, and were very hard to field strip and work on. The ARs are a much better battle rifle in many ways.

As far as the "fun" quality? I still like my M1 Garand and my M1A. Something about the nostalgia factor? Although in bitterly cold weather, I'd hate to load/unjam the Garand w/frozen fingers.