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Ruger mini-14 or AR

kmaggy

kmaggy

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Kris
A buddy gave me first dibs on his 2019 Ruger Mini-14 (Ranch, hardwood stock), but I’m debating that versus an AR-15. This would just be a range toy and a collection piece. With all the AR restrictions these days, I’m leaning toward the Mini-14. Curious what others would choose and why.
 
Both are good choices for certain use(s). I suggest you first make a list of its various, intended uses (as written, its kinda in the "what kind of bike should I get" category).
 
You are questioning in the same manner as do I. Why have an AR-15, then stunt it to be legal in California. The Ruger Mini-14 with its stock, bypasses most of California's codified attempts to bastardize the .223 round. Was the choice of my relative Hannibal, though he couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it. ;)

While not as adjustable a platform, lots of aftermarket parts/accessories for the Mini.
 
I started with a used stainless, mini 14, came with a folder and flashhider.
Looking like "A Team" but only semi auto.
I also bought a Bushmaster AR,
Issues with Ca, where I bought them, I cashed out, and went RVing.
Bringing them back in Ca. to visit, has ME sweatin' bullets.
I kept the mini longer, it kinda had a look of a prosthetic leg/folding stock.
Black gun issues, I sold them both eventually, kept my Marlin Lever Guide gun in 45-70
 
I've been thinking about this exact thing past couple days.

From what I've seen, and it's been awhile, even despite the CA restrictions on ARs, the mechanics of swapping a magazine are not arduous (with the right mechanism, of which I couldn't say what that is). It's not quite as seamless as a push-to-drop release, but it's not taking the action apart with a screwdriver either. Probably an issue if you're in a 3 gun match (although, in theory, everyone else is having the same problem), but not anyplace else.

The benefits of that is you get a AR with all of that "box of parts" madness that ARs can do. Swapping, well, everything.

I know CA has recently qualified Other Parts as Have to Buy From FFL (though I'm not sure which parts, barrels, maybe? Uppers? Can you tell I'm up to date?), but, still, once you have a proper lower and the nonsense to deal with the magazine, it's an AR.

The Mini is a mini. They've got a lot better over the years, you can readily mount Stuff to them (scopes, rails, etc.) There's a few stocks available for them. Obvious you can't put a folder on it in CA.

I'm thinking of one simply to be less intimidating to my wife. The "rifle" shape is less off putting to strangers.

However, not locally pricing, but just looking at Rugers website, the Mini-14 is $1300(!!). Zoiks!

Pretty sure you can get an AR cheaper.

I don't really know of a good alternative either. Not interested in an SKS, don't like the Kel Tecs (I don't mind a polymer pistol, but not so much a polymer rifle). There is, of course, the M1A, which is, well, Bigger.

But there really not many semi automatic 5.56 rifles. "Why!?" when you have the ubiquitous and universality of the AR?

CDONA said:
Looking like "A Team" but only semi auto.
Click to expand...
A-Teams were semi-auto. Still couldn't hit anything with it.

If it's money and utility and versatility, the AR, by far, even in CA. But that said, there's nothing wrong with a Mini-14. Stainless in walnut are pretty.

Oh, and also, one benefit of the AR is that those machinations to bumble with the magazine Thing, if push comes to shove, you can fix all of that with a screwdriver.
 
I own both. Each one serves a purpose.
The AR is inherently more accurate off the shelf, even with the AR's 16" barrel vs. The Mini's 18.5.
After accurizing my Mini, and the time in developing a 52gr projectile hand load, I was able to make a MOA rifle out of it. I even became a Project Appleseed Rifleman using it. There are plenty of aftermarket parts through Accuracy Systems. $$$.
As a precision arm, yeah, it can be done, but it ain't cheap.
A California AR is a whole other animal. Rather than build my own, I opted for a Windham Weaponry model that came with a third generation Thordsen stock. Out of all the other CA compliant grips, I found that one too be the most intuitive. Thordsen no longer makes them, as the owner retired and closed the business, but people still sell them here and there.
"Evil feature" CA Magazine locked AR's with action breaks work, and don't slow the reloads down a whole lot with the right set up, but there are certain kinds of jams that can lock up the break action, ending your range day, sometimes requiring a gunsmith to fix the problem. This is why I didn't go that route; remaining featureless keeps the AR functioning the way it's supposed to.
Being an AR, it obviously has orders of magnitude more options to customize and make the gun "yours."
 
AR because im cheap haha but mini 14 for the style 100%. We've been under "featureless" law for a long time and people have come up with some really great stuff. The main crux is from pistol grip definition that you cant have the web of the hand from going across the grip :rolleyes:. But just hooking the thumb over the the side is considered fine and provides reasonable control

Juggernaut tactical featureless grip is good and I use a resurgent arms grip which looks stupid but works well. too bad they went out of business.
 
ar15

Check out Thordsen stocks. If you want all of the “evil” features - adjustable stock, pistol grip, forward vertical grip and flash suppressor…..check out compmag.
 
Tim-That CX Guy said:
I own both. Each one serves a purpose.
The AR is inherently more accurate off the shelf, even with the AR's 16" barrel vs. The Mini's 18.5.
After accurizing my Mini, and the time in developing a 52gr projectile hand load, I was able to make a MOA rifle out of it. I even became a Project Appleseed Rifleman using it. There are plenty of aftermarket parts through Accuracy Systems. $$$.
As a precision arm, yeah, it can be done, but it ain't cheap.
A California AR is a whole other animal. Rather than build my own, I opted for a Windham Weaponry model that came with a third generation Thordsen stock. Out of all the other CA compliant grips, I found that one too be the most intuitive. Thordsen no longer makes them, as the owner retired and closed the business, but people still sell them here and there.
"Evil feature" CA Magazine locked AR's with action breaks work, and don't slow the reloads down a whole lot with the right set up, but there are certain kinds of jams that can lock up the break action, ending your range day, sometimes requiring a gunsmith to fix the problem. This is why I didn't go that route; remaining featureless keeps the AR functioning the way it's supposed to.
Being an AR, it obviously has orders of magnitude more options to customize and make the gun "yours."
Click to expand...
Dang! Just saw that Thordsen is done. Crazy - glad I picked up one or two last year. Hope someone takes over the business.
 
www.sparrowdynamics.com

FEATURELESS GRIP for California Legal AR-15 Rifles

This is the best featureless rifle grip to make your AR-15 California legal. It allows you to wrap your thumb around the grip without it being classified as a prohibited pistol grip. It's safer than others by giving the shooter more control over their rifle. It also looks great on modern...
www.sparrowdynamics.com
 
I sold my AR & AK a few months before the bullet button ban took effect. Went without a centerfire self loader for a while, then about a year or so ago I bought a Mini-14. Bought it because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of dancing around having a featureless AR or some sort of magazine lock. The mini shoots just as good as my AR and I find it slightly easier to clean. The one down side of the Mini platform is the magazines. Factory magazines work flawlessly, but are expensive and sometimes out of stock. Promags seem to be pretty reliable. Everything else is a waste of money.
 
Living in TX, I can get anything that throws a bullet down range. I bought an AR Pistol (10.5" barrel) from a gun show within months of living here. The short barrel is a little obnoxious, and it's federally regulated if you put the wrong stuff on it (vertical grip, rifle stock, etc.)

That being said, I've always liked the Mini, simply because it doesn't come with the hassle of the AR in California. Heavier, but a classic, for sure. I probably would've went that direction if I stayed there.
 
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