Benefits of an AR Over a Mini 14?

[BowVista]

I have this...



So I have the ability to add some stuff to the rails. I'm just wondering what the benefits of an AR over this gun would be. I know you can pick and choose parts on the AR, but I'm not really a mechanics kind of guy, so I'm not sure I'd ever feel 100% safe with a gun I built by hand.

I have 30 round mags for the Mini 14, so shot capability should be about the same I'm assuming.

Is there any reason I should still want an AR?

[Gargantuan]

I'd say mostly just accuracy is better with the AR platform

[Ecoboost]

If you are comfortable with it then there is no question... Keep what you got and shoot the crap out of it! IMO you will gain nothing by switching.

[TX_H-F]

Minis have a sweet look to them but I havent seen one as accurate as the ar

[BowVista]

When you guys talk about accuracy, are you talking <300 yards or what?

We talking about 2" groups at 100 vs. 1" groups? I haven't shot the Mini very much yet, so I don't really know what I'm in for.

[okrattler]

Unless you spend the money to accurize the Mini 14 it won't group as well as an AR out to 100 yards but they are reliable so no worries there.For shootin hogs and stuff like that it should do just fine.

[.270_Maniac]

I have both. Accuracy even at a 100 yards is better with the AR. Adding accessories to the AR is better and easier IMO. Once the barrell on my mini is hot it starts slinging rounds all over the place. ( Might just be mine). My mini jamms alot more often than the AR.( i clean all my guns everytime after i shoot them) All in all, fcomfort, accuracy, and personalizing the weopon i favor my AR. Again just my experience and my oppinion.

Side note-- There is a reason why the M16/AR is the number 2 rated military weopon of all time!!

[In-Yo-Grill]

I have both and accuracy leans toward the AR. My Mini-14 is a Ranch rifle and it's really good for just that. I can be a hog killin' machine and just a fun overall gun since it's very reliable. I love the way they look...Still the AR is TactiCOOL and there are so many ways to personalize it.

I can't imagine why you wouldn't want both...

[tvc184]

If your Mini will do what you want it to do then the AR is no better and offers no advantages.

The AR is simply a better built, better functioning, more accurate and more modular platform.

It is like a guy that only wants a handgun that fires a couple of rounds from close range so he can shoot and run away if something happens and he doesn't want to practice with it. The guy then buys a Rossi .38 Spl revolver for $275 new at Academy and keeps it in his pocket with no holster. Another guy has a tricked out $2,500 STI 1911. For the first guy the expensive 1911 might be an awesome firearm but for him, it just isn't needed and a waste of his money. The Rossi that cost more than $2,000 less is equal to "his" task.

So it is with the Mini and AR.

[Texastaxi]

Once the barrell on my mini is hot it starts slinging rounds all over the place.

It's not just yours, mine does the same thing.

[Dave]

For me it comes down to the Mini14 being not as easy to operate unless you practice a lot. Loading mags takes hitting the mag well just right and the mag release is not as easy to hit. You have to take your finger off the trigger to operate the safety. Again something that can be overcome with practice.

The newer Mini's have a heavier barrel that helps with the barrel heating up. An AR with a pencil thin barrel will have similar issues, there just aren't many of them. You can put an Accu-strut on the barrel that both helps with the heat and prevents the barrel from flexing as much. That of course messes with the barrel's harmonics but removing the barrel flex helps more than the harmonics hurts.

As far as reliability I have never had an issue with my Mini14 and the Garand style action is bullet proof. It goes bang every time I pull the trigger and I have total confidence that it will every time.

[large car]

The great thing about an ar15 is they are like Legos. You can swap or replace every single part of an ar15 at home with simple tools and a vice. If your barrel gets shot out replace it or the upper. It's just way to easy to work on a ar. Jmo.

[hammackc]

Yes, tack driving accuracy is the difference mostly, 2 inch groups for my mini is good, but I have never, not once, had a jam, they go bang every time! If you want excellent accuracy, go to AR, if your happy with decent accuracy, and already own a mini, your good to go like me!

[BowVista]

Hmmmmm. Now you guys got me wanting an AR again.

[tef]

I had a stainless mini in 6.8, loved the rifle and the caliber. It initially sighted in well and held a good zero. However, after a while it began to sling shots all over the target, really bad. I sent it in to Ruger and after them testing it they decided it could not be fixed, they don't even offer the 6.8 anymore. They swapped it with the sr556 AR (.223). I enjoy it alot more than the mini14, it;s heavier but I don't mind that. It's a tack driver, never jams, and it's my go to pig slayer!