[ANSWERED] Mini 14 Tactical

[ChuckDizzle]

What is the best "bang for the buck" in a factory made AR15?

I'd say a basic Colt, DPMS, Delton/DTI (my preference), or Smith and Wesson Sport II.

All of them will shoot circles around a Mini 14.

The true best value is to build a mil-spec lower on the cheap and buy a complete upper. You can get a heck of a rifle for $700 on that route.

[blueman]

The most documented complaints pertaining to the Mini 14 (internet or otherwise) pertain to its accuracy. It is not inherently as accurate as an AR-15 type rifle would be. Until the end of the year, if you can find a reputable AR-15 for less money than a Mini 14 than I would purchase that. However, if you are concerned about registration and or cannot procure an AR-15 rifle by the end of the year, then a Mini 14 is not entirely a terrible option. They are reliable, just not accurate at distance. However, the purpose of a carbine type rifle is probably more advantageous at closer distances anyway, so that may be a moot point. Another negative aspect of the Mini 14 is that it primarily takes proprietary magazines, with the exception of a few after market types with questionable reliability. There are no inexpensive Magpul mags made for this rifle. Lastly, the Mini 14 is expensive for what it is. Usually the retail price for a brand new Mini 14 is around $850 at most online and gun stores. I wouldn't rule out a Mini 14 entirely, but I would look for a reputable AR-15 first.

[strongpoint]

Are there other good rifles like the Mini 14 that aren't $1000+?

You can find Mini-14s for around $750 new.

[NOTABIKER]

Mini 14s suck. I'm not even going to church it up.

An AR 15 does everything a Mini 14 does better for less money.

They are inaccuracte, unreliable, and expensive.

No they do not suck,plenty of us like them. I do and will always defend them.
People love to jump in on mini posts and slam them. My OLDER mini 14 has a 100 % record for never miss firing or jamming.

[ChuckDizzle]

No they do not suck,plenty of us like them. I do and will always defend them.
People love to jump in on mini posts and slam them. My OLDER mini 14 has a 100 % record for never miss firing or jamming.

Have you considered something you like might objectively suck?

My Mini (a 581) had reliability issues. The extractor would rip the rims off cases. Ejecting brass would often ding the scope and sometimes jam between the op rod and scope ring.

And of course it could shoot no better than 4 moa.

[tonyxcom]

With the original aw ban, you could only shoot your aw at a range and not on BLM land which is where I go.

You can always shoot RAW on BLM.

[jimmykan]

Hawkman,

What you see is what you get with the Ruger Mini-14.

It really is a miniaturized M14/M1A in so many respects:

• Gas operated, rotating bolt
• Magazines that rock and lock into place
• 2-stage trigger with trigger guard safety
• Traditional stock that works best with iron sights
• Scoped solutions exist, but are sub-optimal

So the Mini-14 Tactical is essentially a miniaturized M14 EBR.

[brianm767]

I think the whole reason to own a Mini is to have a nice little featureless ranch rifle.

The tactical is cool looking, but if your going into RAW territory, and I'm a Mini fan, you can get a entry grade AR for probably less$ and it should out shoot the Mini.

[jeffrice6]

Have you considered something you like might objectively suck?

My Mini (a 581) had reliability issues. The extractor would rip the rims off cases. Ejecting brass would often ding the scope and sometimes jam between the op rod and scope ring.

And of course it could shoot no better than 4 moa.

So after you sent it back to Ruger for repairs, how'd she run for you?

[ChuckDizzle]

So after you sent it back to Ruger for repairs, how'd she run for you?

I sold it and bought an AR 15. If it needs repairs I'll send it to the kitchen table

[NOTABIKER]

some guns just bring out the haters.nothing will stop me from liking them. not everybody cares about target shooting accuracy.If i can consistently hit body mass at 100 yards that is good enough for me.
A good comparison of the Mini 14 would be a M1 carbine. Is a M1 carbine more accurate than a Mini 14 ? I have tried to like M1 carbines and just never thought the small 30 cal round was fun to shoot. I had a nice 1944 IBM and traded it off.
Many people just love the M1 carbine and i respect them ,No trash talk from me . just not what i want.

[danez71]

Have you considered something you like might objectively suck?

My Mini (a 581) had reliability issues. The extractor would rip the rims off cases. Ejecting brass would often ding the scope and sometimes jam between the op rod and scope ring.

And of course it could shoot no better than 4 moa.

Pfffftt.

2 MOA from my early 80's version with el-cheapo ammo and mid to mid-low level Bushnell scope.

Have you objectively considered that it might be you that sucks?

[ChuckDizzle]

Pfffftt.

2 MOA from my early 80's version with el-cheapo ammo and mid to mid-low level Bushnell scope.

Have you objectively considered that it might be you that sucks?

Baloney. I'll bet you $100 you can't do this in front of me. I'll even pay for your gas and provide you with ammo.

[ChuckDizzle]

some guns just bring out the haters.nothing will stop me from liking them. not everybody cares about target shooting accuracy.If i can consistently hit body mass at 100 yards that is good enough for me.
A good comparison of the Mini 14 would be a M1 carbine. Is a M1 carbine more accurate than a Mini 14 ? I have tried to like M1 carbines and just never thought the small 30 cal round was fun to shoot. I had a nice 1944 IBM and traded it off.
Many people just love the M1 carbine and i respect them ,No trash talk from me . just not what i want.

Well that's cool then. I appreciate your honesty. The guy I sold my rifle to is a dear friend who likes nothing more than to explode soda cans at 20 yards with iron sights. He's happy with it, so I'm happy for him.

I don't think it sucks that bad, but it sucks really bad at the current price point. $850 MSRP is ridiculous. I can see the guys who liked them in the 90's when you could get one for $400 or less.

[jeffrice6]

I sold it and bought an AR 15. If it needs repairs I'll send it to the kitchen table

It's disingenuous to trash talk a product when you didn't even give the manufacture a chance to make it right. You are publicly bashing a rifle that you have never owned (a working specimen)

Sucks you got a lemon ~ But Ruger would have fixed it for free.