mini-14 vs. ar15 for HD same as the great caliber debate?

[JMP]

So you tend to see functional but somewhat obsolete weaponry linger a while longer than it otherwise might in some departments. Look at Sac County Sheriff's and other LEA's around the state... they are toting AR's. They wouldn't have spent the money on guns and training if it weren't warranted.

The AR platform is older than a Mini-14, and in its traditional form, which is still most common, it's pretty obsolete. The AR-15 is not an easy weapon to learn how to use. The simplicity of a Mini-14 does have some advantages for a casual sporting shooter.

[Garandimal]

I've shot an AR...only thing I don't like is how compact they are. I'm used to shooting regular rifles and shotguns. I wanted to the the FN-15 at my AR with the fixed stock and 20" barrel. Guess I could get a 16" upper for that can call it good. I need to get my hands on a mini-14 to see how it feels.

As executed, they are a little long in the Length-of-sight and pull.

I cut mine's LoP down to 12.5", and it made a big difference.

Now? A very handy carbine indeed.










GR

[TMB 1]

As executed, they are a little long in the Length-of-sight and pull.

I cut mine's LoP down to 12.5", and it made a big difference.

Now? A very handy carbine indeed.








GR

Nice looking Mini!! Now all you have to do is put a M1 Carbine mag pouch on the stock and it'll be like an M1 carbine.

[ElvenSoul]

Caliber debate your talking .264WinMag vs .257Wby right?

[roushstage2]

If you are going for minute-of-man, either will work fine IMO. At 100 yards standing, kneeling and barricade shooting with iron sights, my 16" AR gets the same job done as the newer Mini-14s (including the one I just bought last year). That's shooting about a round per second. All of my shots land in the "coke bottle:"

[GM4spd]

[ramathorn]

When you get down to it the AR and the Mini-14 are inferior to a shotgun for HD purposes. Next time you're at the range pull your AR or Mini trigger once and see what kinda damage it does. Probably a nice little hole, and you took your time and put it right where you wanted it. Nice job. Now test out a 12-gauge with 00 buckshot and compare the targets. Lastly consider the undeniable fact that in a HD situation you'll likely have little visible light to see your target, you wont be totally prepared for the situation that you just found yourself in and you may be shooting from the hip. One round of 00 buck (depending on the ammo) is the equivalent of nine pistol shots. There is no comparison for a real HD scenario - especially if its up close inside of your home.

Now that the rant is over... AR15 over Mini-14.

[saudadeii]

[Click Boom]

Mini is OK as a $300 lead slinger, but isn't worth the $700+ asking price at most shops.

The Mini-14 is better than before and it can be accurized. However, it's easier and cheaper to improve an AR than it is a Mini. Rebarreling (if necessary) a stabilizer, bedding and trigger job all cost gunsmithing expenses. It's not cost effective.



Proof positive that the Mini is far more accurate that some mistakenly claim.

Consider this: The members of the A-Team were all highly-trained Special Forces Vietnam combat vets. They knew how to shoot accurately. Murdoch, the pilot, was presumably trained by them to shoot well.

Now, given the fact that as a renegade outfit, the A-Team did NOT want charges against them of wounding and/or killing anyone, so as to reduce the interest of civilian police. they already had the Military Police chasing them; no sense in adding to the problem.

Given all the shots fired by the A-Team, and given that nobody was hit, it stands to reason that they were deliberately missing the people. Can't do that with an inaccurate rifle, right?

It's like getting a True/False test 100% wrong. Can't do that unless you are expert enough to know all the answers.

This is the best.

[Tekkno]

Ruger Mini-14 = still good enough for the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department

Bad *** photo. they should use this photo to recruit new officers

[Lightstrider]

Saiga 12 -> Featureless AR with two uppers -> M1A.

[Cali-Shooter]

I want an AR with a 20" barrel so I can reach out and touch someone. I also want(ed) one with 16" barrel for more of a HD weapon. I've been reading a lot that in Kalifornia that a mini-14 might be better because it's not as 'scary' looking and riddled with BS sanctions.

Mini 14 tactical with 16" barrel is 'entry' level AR pricing. Maybe one of each?

I've got an AR with a 20'' barrel, and it fits the same role as a Mini-14 could, with the following advantages:

-Uses cheap and commonly available AR magazines.
-Widespread aftermarket parts availability.
-I can swap the upper out and put a carbine upper (or any other upper) on.
-Direct impingement gas system, which is inherently more accurate than the Mini's fixed piston gas system.

None of these features are possible with the Mini-14. Unfortunately, it is an outdated relic when it comes to the AR vs. Mini debate. Like others have mentioned, I would still own one if the price was right ($300 for a Ranch Rifle would be good), but AR-15's are exponentially more popular than the old mini for a valid reason, modularity and customization.

Here is my AR (I don't need no stupid bullet button).



FYI, idc about the 'scaring looking' aspect, because legally, this gun is the same thing as a mini-14, it lacks a pistol grip, has a fixed stock, and has no flash hider. AR-15's have become so mainstream, the old fear of only sticking with "civie" looking firearms that are not "evil black rifles" is (rightfully) dwindling away, if not already all but gone except in the far most conservative of gun owner circles.

[funk_drum]

My comment about the 'scary' looking was because of all the sanctions the lib-tards put on AR's because of how they look. I think yours is awesome! I'm all about that stock. I'd like to hold one with the wrap to see how I like it. That's why I want the FN-15, love that look.

[tuna quesadilla]

When you get down to it the AR and the Mini-14 are inferior to a shotgun for HD purposes.

A shotgun is an absolutely terrible weapon compared to a carbine for home defense in 2014.

You missed your first shot; you have to reacquire a sight picture and fire again. Go.

You successfully struck the target but he is high on adrenaline and PCP, and the overwhelming damage to his torso still isn't stopping him from shooting at you. You need to keep firing until he is dead. GO.

You fired your weapon dry; you are still facing threat(s) and need to reload to full capacity again. Go.

You're a 90lb woman and your husband has just been shot by the burglars; now it's up to you to take your incapacitated husband's firearm and successfully stop the threat. Go.

In every single way, in every one of these scenarios, a carbine dominates a shotgun. There's no debating it. It's over. The shotgun's era has passed. Anybody who still champions the shotgun as an HD tool when semi-auto carbines are available is a fool.

Get with the times.

Here's a fun video.

[gotshotgun?]

A shotgun is an absolutely terrible weapon compared to a carbine for home defense in 2014.

You missed your first shot; you have to reacquire a sight picture and fire again. Go.

You successfully struck the target but he is high on adrenaline and PCP, and the overwhelming damage to his torso still isn't stopping him from shooting at you. You need to keep firing until he is dead. GO.

You fired your weapon dry; you are still facing threat(s) and need to reload to full capacity again. Go.

You're a 90lb woman and your husband has just been shot by the burglars; now it's up to you to take your incapacitated husband's firearm and successfully stop the threat. Go.

In every single way, in every one of these scenarios, a carbine dominates a shotgun. There's no debating it. It's over. The shotgun's era has passed. Anybody who still champions the shotgun as an HD tool when semi-auto carbines are available is a fool.

Get with the times.

Here's a fun video.

LOL