[sea_chicken1]

AK if it was only those two.

[bigb831]

i like the mini 14. the only down side 223 is only good for putting holes in paper targets.

[gunadvocate]

^ Yea cause its paper targets we've been shooting at in conflicts throughout the last 40 years

[pico]

I wuld opt for the AK between those two, but mould much rather a battle rifle like an HK 91 or M14.

[LarryO1970]

... I would chose the AK variant. Frankly, I'd be very interested in which one was more accurate, however replacement parts for the AK are bound to be more available than the Ruger.

... aside from this choice, I'd take my M14 and CAR-15.

[gunadvocate]

if we're going away from the limited two choices- I'm bringing the AR15 and a glock 9mm

[Nam62]

I'll take my Ruger SR-556 & Springfield Armory 45ACP.

[big shrek]

The AK-47 by far.

.223 is good for Coyote, that's about it.

Mini-14's accuracy is about the same as an AK's...lousy. So with the precision being about equal, I'd opt for the Bigger Bullet.

.30 caliber should be the least anyone uses to go after humans...or deer, IMHO.

[sea_chicken1]

If we are getting away from the two choices I would take my M&P15 and my XD40.

[Kaybe]

The AK is better. The heavier bullet destroys more. Destroying more is good. If it needs destroyed, don't go half way.

[Kentucky Fan]

Well the .223 round kills people just fine all the time. But either way I would just take my 12 Gauge lol.

[sniper1958]

Quote:       Originally Posted by wideym

Both are excellent choises with many of the same attributes (decent accuracy, super reliable, common ammo), but I would go with the AK. The AK has a more menacing appearance (great for keeping sheeple at a distance), cheaper start up cost with lower priced mags and ammo, easier to repair in the field/parts swap out with out much of a problem, and wider assortment/cheaper upgrades.

+1! The mini is good, but the AK is better "bang for the buck." [pun intended]

[Cyrano]

If it's a choice between those two, the AK wins hands down. It's designed for an environment where abuse is the norm, but where the gun must still function. The Mini-14 simply isn't built for that, no matter how you trick it out.

But if I had my druthers, I'd still rather have an SKS than either of the above. Fewer moving parts and easier to maintain.

[MHbushmaster]

Depends on the specific SHTF type event:

IF I'm staying put, I'll rely on my FAL for vehicle/light armor penetration. I'll keep the M4 handy cause its light and portable with the Blackhawk sling.
My wife can keep a Saiga 12 or x39 handy/nearby as she goes about her post-shtf daily routine at home. The saiga-12 is loaded with alternating Federal Truball Slugs and Federal 00 buck with flitecontrol wads.
Nothing says, "Wrong F-ing home looters!" like a 6' tall blonde marathon runner mommy weilding a Saiga 12 with a 10rd mag dumping buck and slugs at bad guys!

I can keep an OWB handgun on due to not worrying about broadcasting my "armed" status. I'd opt for my SW 1006 or SW 4506 for large semi-auto handgun duties. My wife is fond of her J-frame as well as a 6" S.S. Ruger .357magnum.

For foraging around the home, I could take my PSL for magnification as well as potent portability. I've got 10 mags for it, I keep some loaded with SP, some with Steel core, and some with just light ball. It is AK reliable and accurate enough to put a bad guy down from 500+ yards away.

My wife likes the GSG-5, she can plink squirels and other varmints to keep meat in the pot, she also like the .22lr conversion kit in our many AR15's.

I guess the point I'd like to make is that life, either now or during shtf is a dynamic situation and no one "tool" is going to be the everything solution. Most rifles will work in whatever situation you use them for; I choose to have many tools to best use the correct one depending each individual situation.

There are some constants however: My Glock 19 with night sights. I always have it unless I'm in the shower, and then its not far away. My surefire 6p light, it tags along with me everywhere. My Gerber paraframe is always on/in my pocket.

[okiediver72]

I'd grudgingly have to say the AK just for ease of maintenance and reliability. I've never really heard anything about the reliability of a mini, but third world militias everywhere have the AK, and you know those clowns don't spend much time with cleaning or maintenance. Also, I've heard that while the AK had decent tolerances, a part from one AK will fit any other AK, regardless of country of origin. I don't know if that holds with all of the variants or just for the basic standard design. Though, I also read an article extolling the virtues of a pump action .308 as a reliable Bug Out Gun with easily available ammo.

[ArkansasHunter]

I wish you would had included AR-15's My choice would be an M4 version.

[deadzero]

The AK wins hands down.

I can drop it in swamp mud, rinse it out with creek water and it will function just fine, while looking for a vehicle to pull the dipstick on so I can throw some lube to it.


even so, I still like the AR format.

[White Rook]

I haven't seen the "Supremely Viable" 10/22 or a .410 with slugs mentioned. I'm sorry I couldn't help it....

[Doc Jones]

I've been reading Boston's Gun Bible (which all of us ought be reading if we haven't already).

He makes an excellent point. The people you will be fighting when TSHTF will almost certainly be armed with assault carbines (AR-15, AK-47).

If you want to win that conflict, get a .308. Better range, serious penetration of typical "cover" and bigger holes in the BGs will give a decided advantage.

Just sayin'....

Between the two you mention (to keep in my car to fight my way back to a .308) I'd get the AK. At close ranges, I'd always pick a bigger hole. At the ranges that the bullet-drop difference between AK and .223 starts to matter, I wouldn't want either.

I only have a .45 colt lever action for this niche. Now that's a BIG hole...levering is probably too slow for a serious fire fight though. The cheap and available AK ammo is a plus. Maybe I'll get one too.

For those saying the .223 is a great BG killer because the world's armies use it, the reason it's so widely used isn't based on it's power, but rather its weight. A grunt can pack a lot of .223 cartridges. This is a good thing because it takes a lot of .223 cartridges to kill enemy soldiers. The Gummint gives the poor suckers 9mm handguns for the same reason.

Doc

Disclaimer:

I may have no idea what I'm talking about. I've not been at the gun thing nearly as long as manyof the other fellows that have responded. Correction of errors is welcome if I've made any.

[jmp8927]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Cyrano

... But if I had my druthers, I'd still rather have an SKS than either of the above. Fewer moving parts and easier to maintain.

Actually the SKS has more moving parts, especially in the trigger assembly. In addition you have the extension rod. The SKS bolt/carrier is a lot simpler and easier to clean though.

As for the choices mentioned, you won't beat an AK-47 variant. Just not possible given the two choices.