Looking at AR-15s

[mpstan]

Hi all,

I'm researching AR 15s for the same reason most here are.... personal and home defense if things go to "mad max", and becuase I'm afraid that if I wait much longer I won't be able to get one.

Never owned one; right now I own a 12ga shotgun, 2 .270 deer rifles, and my favorite, a 6.5x55 Swede chambered Tikka deer rifle.

Because of my last selection, I started hand-loading. As far as AR-15s go, I'm thinking about the newer 6.8mm version, which should have better stopping power than a 5.56 but less recoil than an AR-10 with a .308.

If I'm not afraid to handload, are there other negatives to considering the 6.8mm?

Thanks!

[George Smiley]

That’s nothing.

I sold my Serbu BFG-50 last fall. I didn’t weep, but I came close.

[GL of Sector 2814]

We were shopping on-line for 6.8 and it is nowhere to be found in quantity.

I've been buying my 6.8 SPC 200 rounds at a time at Silver State Armory. No problem buying it as of a month ago.

http://www.ssarmory.com/

[Charles Martel]

This might be a great time to have a simple slingshot for squirrel hunting. Very quiet.

[NRA1776]

Thanks, I will pass that on.

[ExSoldier]

What they said.

[ExSoldier]

Until the 6.8 is adopted by the entire US military as the standard round, it will only be easily available to SOCOM. You wanna keep it simple: NATO standard rounds for handgun (9mm) and for long guns (5.56x45 & 7.62x51). You can stay with the 12 ga and the 270 and 500rds ought to last you the rest of your life for hunting. But you'll need a minimum of 1,000 rds each for each weapon in that caliber owned. I have two 45ACPs and I'll keep those since you'll still be able to find 45acp in every small town and 'burb forever. But I got rid of all my 40's.

My only exception is my choice of hunting weapon should I ever want to drop large dangerous game. I do love my new 460 XVR S&W. Aside from my M1 Garand and my Winchester M94 "TRAPPER" (30-30) carbine, that is the only thing I have capable of taking large game. I haven't hunted in over 20 years. But I may take it up again, once I retire.

[Shooter 2.5]

I’m with you on that. Or the clowns who post pictures of military artillery or naval guns.

So back to the subject. Stay with military calibers or get out the checkbook and buy a couple of thousand rounds of that exotic ammo.

My son is looking at the new 6.5 Creedmoor for his AR-10 if anyone is looking for a great wildcat round. The American Rifleman has a good article on it. It appears to be a better cartridge than a 6.8.

[mad_as_he$$]

With all due respect South I have lived through three major natural disasters all in the lib mecca of Kalifornia. The most notable was the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Within 48 hours society was coming unhinged. There was no more food in the grocery stores and there were near riots, the worst of which was over the rescue personnel refusal to enter a building to recover a body. The veneer of society is very thin and the most fragile in liberal areas. If you live in or near one of those count on society falling apart in short order and at a rate you will not believe.

[bmwcyle]

RGUNS.NET

[I Buried My Guns]

Here is a photo of my cat:

[Shooter 2.5]

The Mini is based on the M-1 Carbine.

[El Gato]

Our great nieces would love it. Except for that horrible California grip.

At least the Kitty has a "real" AR. :)

[Who is John Galt?]

The Mini is based on the M-1 Carbine.

That's why they call it the Mini-1, right?

;>)

[Shooter 2.5]

Outside looks can be deceiving.

Take both apart and see for yourself.

[Who is John Galt?]

Outside looks can be deceiving.
Take both apart and see for yourself.

So, you're suggesting the Mini-14 uses a "tappet" type gas piston, like the M-1 carbine? That was the only unique aspect of the carbine's design that I'm aware of. How about the Mini-14 fire control group - is that 'carbine,' or is it 'Garand?'

;>)

[Lurker]

That shocked the heck out of me, too. The Mini-14 has a lot more in common internally with the M1 Carbine than it does the Garand or M14.

And I'm one of those people who think the Mini-14 is a fine little all around carbine as long as you respect its inherent limitations.

I got lucky picking up a used Stainless Ranch model about 12 years ago for $200 or so IIRC.

It's no tack driver, but it was never meant to be.

L

[Shooter 2.5]

The Mini’s trigger group is based on the Garand just like all the outward appearances of the receiver.

Now take a look at the operating rod on the M-1/M-14 and compare it to the Mini/Carbine. That’s where the difference between the two actions really appear.

About ten years ago, I tried to accurize the Mini without going to a lot of expense. I thought I could help a lot of people correct the horrible groupings they had. At that time, I had a bad argument with someone when I said exactly what you are saying. The other guy was correct and I was wrong. Now, I have all three examples and can see the differences in the designs.

I did find out that the Mini actually has two problems with accuracy. The first which the company created with the flimsy barrel and the unfortunate gas block. The other is created by unknowing owners who change out the wooden stocks for something else. It’s possible to choke the barrel by overtorquing the 10-32 screws that hold on the gas block. Those screws despite their large size should only be torqued to 14 inch pounds. If you can’t tell, just finger tighten them and LOK-TITE the screws.

[Who is John Galt?]

That shocked the heck out of me, too. The Mini-14 has a lot more in common internally with the M1 Carbine than it does the Garand or M14.

Really? Did you actually look at the hammer/trigger/disconnector?

;>)

[Lurker]

Sure did.

L

[Who is John Galt?]

Now take a look at the operating rod on the M-1/M-14 and compare it to the Mini/Carbine. That’s where the difference between the two actions really appear.

So, you're saying the Mini-14 is based on the M-1 carbine rather than the M-14, because you think one part (the op rod) is similar? Give me a break. In fact, the Mini-14 gas system (fixed piston/moving cylinder) is different than either the M-1 or M-14. But I'll be generous, and give you that one part. The Mini-14 fire control group (multiple parts) is, as you admit, "based on the Garand [M-14]." The Mini-14 mag release (multiple parts) is also "based on" the M-14 (or was I hallucinating when I saw - and used - a push-button mag release on my Winchester M-1 carbine?).

Bottom line - there are a lot more similarities between Ruger's Mini-14 and the M-14/M1A, than there are between the Mini & the M-1 carbine. Heck, at the time the Mini-14 was introduced, the M-1 carbine was a lot more popular with (and familiar to) American shooters than the M-14/M1A - if Ruger could have named their firearm after the M-1 carbine, they probably would have done so, just for marketing purposes...