[sell33]

I would take a mini for reliability. when the shtf i don't need to punch dime sized groups on paper. and a mini is plenty accurate for self defense and short range hunting.

[andrew cochran]

I'm going to be buying a Mini-14 soon. I think they are one of the most solid rifles avaible for a survival rifle.

FMJ for small game like rabbits, and Expanding soft point bullets for larger game.

[MHbushmaster]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Rex in OTZ

OEM Ruger parts have been available through (Brownells very back of the book in the Ruger parts section) and (Numrich Ruger chapter) for years I thought???? did they stop carrying them?????

They sell certain small parts, but by no means a comprehensive list of parts. Lots of small springs and rear sight assemblies, not a trigger group, bolt or barrel among them. As I implied, if something goes wrong with your mini-14 or mini-30, plan on sending it back to Ruger. On an AR15, you can fix it with simple tools and you can buy every part from bolts down to detents at almost any online vendor and at almost any gunshow.

Magazine price is my other issue, Ruger mags cost 2x-4x the amount of AR15 mags. Ruger still insists on sending low cap mags out with their rifles and Bill Ruger sold us all down the river back in the early 90's with his tacit approval of the Fed AWB/outlawing new "hi-cap" mags from 94-04'.

I've had a Ruger mini-30, biggest POS rifle I've owned. Thin barrel would heat up after 3 rounds and throw the POI on the target all over the place. Only the included OEM 5rd mag was worth a grain of salt, any 10rd or even 30rd mags that I found were horribly unreliable...The sights on the ranch rifles were hideous and scoping it was a joke due to the 4-5moa accuracy potential with very slow benchrest type shooting habits.

Was 4-5MOA at 100 yards acceptable to hit a bad guy, sure. What if they were at 225 yards? that is over a foot diameter area of where the bullet could strike, and that was a best case scenario.

I traded it for a WASR-10. Best deal I've ever made. My WASR is easily 2-3 MOA and finding reliable mags that works is cheap and easy. Even replacement parts are a cinch with the AKM design.

Reanswering the OP's question, the AR15 is head and shoulders above the Mini14 for reliability (mags are way more reliable and affordable: most jams in semiauto firearms are magazine related, not a cleaning issue). The fact that the AR is more accurate is just icing on top of the cake.

Heh, remember the A-team, they couldn't even get a hit with their full auto AC556's (full auto/select fire Mini-14)

[shtf123]

I don't think you should pick either of the two.
1'st: AR-15 although more accurate than the mini-14, too many parts just too complicated, and too the guy who said that the military uses them so they must be good, not true, the special forces laugh at the AR. they typicly choose a m14.
2nd: mini 14, although good caliber, bad accuracy and too short of range.

personally i take an sks with a light weight folding stock. Much better range good accuracy, nice flat shooting rifle w/ very little kick. a more effective range of up to 400 yards vs. the mini14's couple hundred.

[Dragunov]

Quote:       Originally Posted by shtf123

I don't think you should pick either of the two. 1'st: AR-15 although more accurate than the mini-14, too many parts just too complicated, and too the guy who said that the military uses them so they must be good, not true, the special forces laugh at the AR. they typicly choose a m14. 2nd: mini 14, although good caliber, bad accuracy and too short of range. personally i take an sks with a light weight folding stock. Much better range good accuracy, nice flat shooting rifle w/ very little kick. a more effective range of up to 400 yards vs. the mini14's couple hundred.

Same here. I'll take an SKS over either any day. I'll take an SU16 over either anyday. I have experience with all the above and even though I still have my AR at my Dads house, I no longer have the Mini.

[don5544]

For a truck gun that just stays behind the seat or the floorboard the MINI is great.

If you are going to be in a fight the AR is the only way to go. The AR sights are better and it will hold up to sustained fire a lot longer.

Mini 14's are cheaper. But I have also inadvertantly dropped the firing group when I was trying to change the mag out fast once. It was in a competion and they were laughing. I'm standing there trying to reassemble the gun while the SO was saying move move.

[MosinRuger]

I will eventually get a Mini14. arent they about $300 less at around $500 compared to ~$800 for AR's? you could buy alot of .223 rnds for $300

[the_harbinger]

id like to ssay mini 14 but i already own a mini 30

[BarryHalls]

Saiga in .223. $350, even less than mini 14, more accurate than many mini's and more reliable than either.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=155006705

available used even cheaper.

[IronHorseman]

Ar-15. Why? Accuracy and in a SHTF situation there will be AR magazines and accesories laying in the street.

[wideym]

I bought an old Mini14GB awhile back that had the top part of the gas block replaced with a scout mount type gas block and I wanted to change it back to original configuration. Ruger will not sell gas block parts, barrels, and some other parts. Any replacement or repair requiring those parts, the rifle must be sent to Ruger and you will not get your old parts back.

I actually lucked out and found a company that made/sold Ruger parts including barrels and gas blocks, they were also much cheaper than Ruger.

I have several ARs and a few Mini-14/30s, and I would choose an AR for SHTF everytime. ARs aren't really that expensive if you put them together yourself. RGuns sell a stripped lower for $55 and an M4 parts kit (everything but the stripped lower and carrying handle) for $525, shipping is a flat rate $20.

[zmanfury]

Quote:       Originally Posted by BarryHalls

Saiga in .223. $350, even less than mini 14, more accurate than many mini's and more reliable than either. RAA SAIGA .223 16.3" 223- NIB : Semi-auto at GunBroker.com available used even cheaper.

+1 yup go with the saiga , it use ak mags and if you mod it can use ar mags .

paid 328 for mine yesterday , might wanna shop around .

[stinkybriches]

i was under the impression that saiga did not use ak mags.
but backing up, ruger supported the assault weapons ban!!!
i was thinking about buying a ruger product , but they can stuff it.
i choose an ar myself, dpms. i thought the price was right.
if an ar wasnt an option for whatever reason, id go with a saiga,
or an ak.

[MosinRuger]

Dang, i didnt realize saiga's were so affordable, ive never really paid much attention to them. are they as reliable though? as say an AR or mini 14

[zmanfury]

some guy got his too take ak 74 mags some how . and you can use galil mags and some other mags for a saiga .223.

[rascaldog]

I'd go with the AR anytime. While I have tried to like the Mini, and have owned a couple, I am not satisfied with the accuracy. As a heads up Buds has Doublestar HB flattops now for 649.00. Standard blue Mini's for 641.00. From a strictly trading value standpoint the AR will bring 200.00 to 300.00 more than the Mini.

[BarryHalls]

Quote:       Originally Posted by MosinRuger

Dang, i didnt realize saiga's were so affordable, ive never really paid much attention to them. are they as reliable though? as say an AR or mini 14

MUCH more relaible than either. Mini's don't come close and to get an AR that even comes close to a saiga you're looking to spend $1k+

Reports on this sight suggest that saiga's are more accurate than AR's excluding ones that cost over twice as much.

Frankly, If you spend less than $400 on an AR it's utter crap, at least I haven't seen any decent ones for less than $600 MSRP, where as a used saiga for $250 is SUPER reliable and just as accurate as the $600 AR's.

[Roper1911]

M1 Carbine, GLOCK 21 .45, folding .22, Why?
SHTF will more then likely be localized disaster or economic breakdown, I'll need food, water, and shelter, defense- Maybe, Think of it this way, How many times have you been in a life or death spot, Now how many times have you consumed food and water, (3.6X365Xyour age) Now tell me- are you more likely to need food or defence in a SHTF situation?

[BarryHalls]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Roper1911

M1 Carbine, GLOCK 21 .45, folding .22, Why? SHTF will more then likely be localized disaster or economic breakdown, I'll need food, water, and shelter, defense- Maybe, Think of it this way, How many times have you been in a life or death spot, Now how many times have you consumed food and water, (3.6X365Xyour age) Now tell me- are you more likely to need food or defence in a SHTF situation?

Well put. This is why I recommend that a shotgun be the FIRST weapon anyone buys. It covers both very very well.

[PAPA G]

Quote:       Originally Posted by bountyhunter24

Definitely the AR15. It is more accurate, easier to insert mags, and the safety is better placed for quick acquisition. The military chose it over the Mini14 for a reason.

well for one thing the mini14 was not around when the M-16 was developed and adopted for US service.

as to being rugged enough for combat, i do not know.