Mini30 is better
Then again, save money and get a LRB M14 (say no to SA M1A, they are traitors)
No AR15 has a cold hammer forged barrel?
Ruger makes very high quality products. Much better choice than a AR.
I like the mini in all stainless. Plus you get the added bonus of not having to guess if you punched the same hole in your paper target twice. You may have missed the target completely, but it’s easier to count the number if hits when the grouping is spread out like that.
I agree. The Ruger Mini 14 is a better gun than the CAR-15. But if both were select fire weapons, the AR-15 would win hard down if it has a hardened, tempered barrel.
In Cabada the CAR-15 has been moved to the “restricted firearm”classification, simply for the reason it is now “politically incorrect” , since it has been summarily decided by “regulation” ( not law) that it’s design purpose is to kill human beings in large numbers. This is patently not factual, but none the less , the Cnadfian Giovernment and provincial fire-arms officers have foisted this new regulation on the Canadian Public.
If you want to see a draconian firearms system, just look at how canada continues to follow a policy of whitlingdown the so called priveleges of an ordinary citizen to posses and use firearms.
Why , do you ask?
Because both provincial and federal governments are run by social elites who are deeply fearful of the people themselves, and so they have a continuous campaign of propaganda and fear mongering when it comes to private citizen firearms use.
Its so bad in Canada that off duty police officers in most jurisdictions in Canada are not allowed to conceal carry a handgun. So if there is a public attack, the right of self defense to deadly force cannot be reasonably exercised.Secondly the training for such self defense is very, very difficult to organize in Canada. Many Canadians travel to the USA to get it.
So if you want to take a look where these leftists in the USA want the 2nd amendment to go, look no further than Canada. Its actually a lefty government created administrative , costly nightmare to own a “restricted weapon” in Canada.They make permitting process hard on purpose so that only the most dedicated people with enough money can run the administrative gauntlet every 6 years to renew one’s restricted firearms permit.They under serve the course demand, for example, forcing ones permits to expire.
That’s what the left wants for the USA. Avoid it at all costs.
My concern is that the Mini -14 will be the next “assault weapon” to be vilified as politically incorrect. Soon private ownership of the CAR-15 will likely be toast.
But then we all can buy beautiful stainless mini-14s to make sure that self defense skills can be learned and passed on by ordinary citizens so that the right of self defense can remain alive.
I think that the AR is way more badass looking. Scares people easier than does the Ruger.
I love both - AND the Mini-Thirty.........too bad they fell out of the canoe into the river years ago........
Remember a great article surveying combat veterans on their opinions on the AR-15 vs. the Mini-14.
For urban warfare, the winner was the Mini-14. For all the reasons stated here.
For warfare where targets were over 25 yards - the winner was the AR-15 for the obvious reason - accuracy.
“gast piston” - is that some proprietary Ruger technology?
I purchased my mini-14 in 1975 for $299.
It still looks like new. It’s worth considerably more now than when purchased.
It was a good investment that has undergone lots increase in value.
Great thread and discussion. While I am sure that many posters will argue for the virtues of both the Mini 14 and the AR 15, that is both good and proper. I saw a picture of a survival backpack that incorporates a ranch rifle. Neat piece of kit. I’ll see if I can post it.
I'll admit to not knowing much about guns, but I thought part of the attraction of the AR-15 is that it looks like a bad-ass weapon.
I’m really surprised to see the Mini-14 love in this forum now !
about 10 years ago such a post would almost be zotted !
Here is my 2 cents:
Barrel deformity. You may have a crummy barrel on your Mini-14.
The looks of it are less “scary” which is great for capitulating with the government, the liberals and being a good little boy for the state. You don’t want to offend your master and overlord, do you ?
Longer sight radius ? Yeah great for the 20th round of that thing where the barrel is so hot and off-true that you understand why people put sub-$120 scopes on their Minis.
Sturm and Ruger were SOooooooo helpful to the US citizens during their lives... what with protecting us from evil 10+ round magazines, pistol grips and guns NOT marked “For Law Enforcement Only”.. (Feh.. for that reason alone I don’t do Ruger)
Their P80,85,90 and 95 were such great guns. So great in fact they had to be as large as a VCR to contain all the greatness. And Jamming is just god’s way of telling you to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Same for the MarkIII target pistol - A pistol that accepts totally different ammo everytime you take it apart to clean it. That spring on the back strap sets differently EVERYTIME and this time it may require thunderbolt remingtons, next time it may require Hornets. You know, god’s way of telling you to mix it up a bit.
I own a few Rugers - Because I do like them. Their quirks and all. I have a Mini14 that I learned on, and I’m pretty good with. But even after my own resistance to the AR15 I’m now on board.
Ruger makes a fine pistol, but when measured against the S&W and other brands, you’ll find that the price cleanly reflects the quality. My daily carry revolver is actually an SP101.
So you see, while I’m not a dingus on the topic, I must point out that Ruger isn’t that great of a company and they don’t make that great of a product. They are right where they need to be in price point - but so is Charter Arms and Hi-Point.
I’ll attack the easiest ones:
Stock Trigger – Meh. I can get DOZENS of aftermarket triggers that are match-quality. That term has never been used with the Mini-14 and just try to get a trigger lightened and shortened. No comparison at all here.
Longer Sight Radius – That’s nice. Almost any “A3” AR receiver can reliably take THOUSANDS of different optics in hundreds of different mounting configurations. The Mini-14 Ranch rifle can barely hold zero with it’s shitty bases.
Accuracy – The nerve of the author to even try this argument. The Mini-14 has never been and never will be on par with AR accuracy in any way.
All Stainless– When the AR is mostly plastic and aluminium, a heavier stainless rifle just doesn’t hold that much allure.
During the recent and numerous muslim uprisings in France I noted many French Police carrying the Mini-14.
What the article lists might be favorable features of the Mini-14, but none of which makes it superior to the AR.
The author is trying to get laughed at. No professional would agree with him.
My younger brother had a Mini-14. He loved it most of the time but it would consistently jam in cold weather. He had it in the shop three times but no fix. He finally (reluctantly) sold it.
Mini 14’s are an inaccurate POS. Mr. GG2 had one for awhile and finally gave it away.