Posted on 06/13/2017 8:35:33 AM PDT by CodeJockey
My son is finishing up his two week National Guard training and I'm going to get him an AR15 as a token of my appreciation for his service.
While shopping at the local gun shop, (I'll wait until he is back before purchasing) I noticed a couple of Ruger Mini-14's. Ranch style and tactical.
I was drawn to the ranch style version. Something about the hardwood stock. Really liked the feel and the size of the rifle. 5/20/30 round mags are available.
We currently have no .223/5.556mm in our collection and gun shop will give a generous discount on a purchase of both rifles, especially with cash.
Comments/opinions on the Ruger Mini-14? I'd ask about an AR too, but I'm going to let my son make that decision.
Hard to go wrong. Great if you can get a discount as they can be a bit pricy at full list, but the ones I’ve seen had nice wood and good overall fit and finish.
Please thank your son for me.
Good choice.
I like my stainless though.
Get the AR. Mini-14 not as accurate...and he was trained with an AR.
I know about 20 years ago people complained that the mini had a thin barrel that would get increasingly inaccurate as the barrel heated up - I believe Ruger has remedied that. One thing to note is that they have proprietary mags and cannot use a standard AR Pmag. If you like a bunch of magazines it can add to the price significantly.
As usual, the mission dictates.
My son has had one for many years (10 round magazine) and it shoots accurately, and can take a beating. Highly recommended!
P.S. how many rounds in the mag pictured?
I owned 2 Minis in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. The first one was just a plain old Mini-14. Reasonably accurate for the first few shots, then started putting them all over the place (5” or more at 100 yards). I got a Ranch version and installed a scope, thinking that it’d solve my problem...which it did not. Even a good friend of mine who shoots 50,000 or more rounds/year tried it and told me to sell it and get an AR. The AR is a bit pricier (though not so much any more, with all of the competing brands out there), but very accurate with a decent barrel and trigger.
Yeah, the Ruger looks better. Yeah, it comes apart and reassembles easily. But that’s all (at least in my experience). I know that Ruger has tried to address the accuracy problem with heavier barrels...but they’ve also been at the forefront of trying to limit magazine capacity. So, for me, I will never buy another Ruger product.
Just my $0.02.
oh...and ghost ring sites on an Mini-14 suck compared to a good A2 site.
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I have an older ranch style and I love it. It feels right at home in the safe beside it’s grandpa my M1 Garand. The early ones had a bit of barrel flex, but I think that has been taken out with heavier barrels now. Mine is still more accurate that I am. LOL
Yes, they are a tad pricey. Seeing abound $800 as a median price on the net. If the gun shop will give us a price break on two rifles, I may jump.
I’ve read some that gun prices have dropped a little recently, but I guess that depends on what your looking at.
Seems that AR models are all over the place price wise, as there are so many out there.
A couple of Parisian terrorist attacks ago I noticed French police carrying them.
Is that an endorsement or not? :^)
I believe that would be the 20 rounder
Good rifle, get both the mini and the AR. Just to pi$$ of all the right people.
my vote, mini 14.
Was the best hunting rifle (with good scope) I ever owned. Got it from father for my 9th BD present :)
Anything from rabbits up to deer.
If I ever get back to the states, it will probably be the first rifle I get.
I’d go AR in a heartbeat, for a variety of reasons. ARs are often very accurate, especially if you go with a proven manufacturer. Mini-14s, even the modern ones, generally won’t shoot MOA - ARs often do 1/2 MOA. It’s also nice being able to mail order uppers in various chamberings with no paperwork... There’s also no beating a rail for mounting optics and accessories.
One thing that greatly improves a stock AR is an aftermarket trigger. There are many good ones that aren’t too expensive.
For fun shooting, you cannot beat a Mini-14 - newer ones are better.
For in-close urban shooting, many former military prefer the Mini-14.
For 100yds. out accuracy, and/or combat, you’ll want an AR.
Get in stainless.
Then put a Hogue rubber stock on it and you’ll love the grip.
Five Reasons To Reconsider The Ruger Mini-14 https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/3/22/five-reasons-to-reconsider-the-ruger-mini-14/
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