AR-15 vs. Mini 14

[Im Broken]

As seldom as I post I don't think this will have much weight, but here we go:

My M16 in basic training never had any malfunctions of any kind, and being a Cav Scout we shot quite a bit. This was with regular, but by no means "expert" cleaning.

The M4 I was issued once I was at my unit at Ft. Riley only ever had two failures to fire, both were bad primers and both were in Kansas not in Iraq. That M4 was run dry and dirty for a year of hard use, and was exposed to the elements all the time (it rode in the turret with me). No problems.

I have since built (and later sold, regrettably) one 5.56mm OLL, picked up a blowback 9mm AR, and just finished another OLL with no hesitation. My life counted on the AR platform and it was there when I needed it. I think there are two reasons why the AR has developed a bad rap: 1) malfunctions in Vietnam that were due mostly to cost-cutting measures, and 2) reports of M4s breaking in the "big sandbox" because spec-ops types are using them like SAWs. In the kind of use an AR sees outside of combat it's a piece of cake to keep them running, you have nothing to worry about.

As for the Mini-14, I have no idea so I won't speak on it.

The statement I made was kinda one sided. I've only fired one M4 and much to my luck was fully automatic. That was well over 5 years ago. So for me to say that its unreliable iskinda ignorant of me. I will build mine and see how it goes. Only after the build and test while I be able to comment it on it further. Till then ill keep my mouth shut.

[javalos]

The AR is more versatile due to its design. The new Ruger Mini-14 has been re-designed to be more accurate, compared to older models, the new Mini-14 has a shorter, thicker barrel. Whereas the Mini-14 was looked upon as a poor mans AR at one time, the new Ruger Mini-14 has a higher price tag to go along with the improvements. I personally would go with the AR design.