[circlecity]

I have a question for my more gun savvy FR brothers. I started shooting again about 6 months ago when I purchased a Sig Saur 9mm pistol on the advice of several here on FR. (I love it). I practice regularly at the range with a friend who also brings along his Rugar Mini 14 rifle. I really love shooting the Mini 14 and I am considering getting one but I know the AR style is all the rage. What are the advantages of the AR style and is there any compelling reason to choose that over a Mini 14 (I’m not concerned about price differences, I can afford either).

[RoosterRedux]

Check the specs, but I think the Mini-14 (a fine rifle BTW) can only shoot the .223 cartridge and not both the .223 and 5.56 NATO.

[Charles Martel]

What are the advantages of the AR style and is there any compelling reason to choose that over a Mini 14...

The AR pattern rifles enjoy a much larger market of parts and accessories. I like the Mini too, but earlier versions were known for accuracy problems - particularly as the rifle heated up. I think the current version has had most of those problems dealt with, but the AR is so much easier to work on, like a snap-together model. Magazines for the Mini-14 tend to be more expensive (for good ones that work) and in shorter supply. They do not interchange with the AR-15 mags.

If you're only going to buy one, I'd recommend the AR. Have a look at Windham Weaponry; they're the same people who started Bushmaster.

[ßuddaßudd]

I suggest looking onto the Mini 30 that has little more bang to it,,,, jmho
Enjoy !

[MasterGunner01]

If you want a gun that is reliable, quality parts are plentiful and relatively cheap, then an AR clone is the way to go. If you want a rifle that has reliability problems without continual maintenance and you cannot buy certain spare parts without sending it to the factory, then the Ruger Mini-14 (or Mini-30 or Ranch Rifle) is your gun. Ruger will not sell you certain spare parts without sending the rifle to Ruger for installation: hammer, trigger and sear, extractor, firing pin, to name a few.

The Mini-14 is essentially an M14 action shrunk down to .223 Remington with a different gas system than its bigger brother. I was taught, as part of rifle maintenance, how to disassemble the trigger housing group and bolt assembly of the M14. This is something that Ruger will not allow and they require the rifle to be sent to them for installation of replacement parts. Ergo, I cannot recommend any Mini-14 based rifles.

[Myrddin]

Unless you spend some money to "accurize" the stock Mini-14, the light weight barrel has a tendency to heat up and "string" the impact points vertically (downward) as you continue shooting. It has a very "woody" thump with each round as well. Adding the buffer (an small plastic bumper) to cushion the impacts is helpful. It's a fine rifle for light duty shooting.

[Dogbert41]

Go to a nice sized gun store and handle the minis and various versions of the AR. Talk to knowledgeable sales people and have them answer your questions fbefore you make a decision.

If you’ve never served in the military, have little firearms training, the mini is pretty simple. On the other hand, few that shoot hard and hunt hard use the mini. ARs are everywhere now for a lot of good reasons.