AR-15 or Mini 14?

[71T Targa]

I have a chance to pick up a Mini 14. I've been looking at/for AR's, but it there any reason not to get the 14?



Thanks

[pwd72s]

Check it's accuracy first...but beyond that, I'm not rushing to buy an AR 15...and I do have a stainless mini.

[Shoepop]

Ditto pwd72s on accuracy check. The mini is notorious for poor accuracy compared to a similarly priced AR15. If acceptable accuracy is 4-5" 5 shot group at 100 yards the mini MAY do that.

[KarlCarrera]

I have both and love both. My mini is not as 'fancy' as that one though. With-out getting into alot of detail, look at the specific manufactures and decide what fit's you. I've never had a problem with either. They feed well (although my Mini seems to prefer the factory magazines)and are accurate. Mine are also very clean after use.

The Mini should be less $. Both are loud for the size and caliber

Karl
88 Targa

[aigel]

The big plus of the mini IMHO is that it isn't a black 'assault' rifle. You can take it plinking or hunting and it will blend in very well.

George

[MotoSook]

Is it more than this?

DEL-TON DTI-4 A3 .223/5.56 Rifle

New DEL-TON Inc. DTI-4 .223/5.56 semi-automatic Rifle. Features a 16" Chrome Moly barrel with M4 profile, 1x9 twist, 6 positon M4 stock, CAR handguards with single heat shields, and A2 Flash Hider. Includes a hard case, sling, 30rd aluminum magazine, and buttstock cleaning kit. Barrel: * 4140 Chrome Moly Steel * 16" Length * 1X9 Twist * A2 Flash Hider * Manganese Phosphated * Threaded Muzzle * M4 Profile Chamber: * 5.56 X 45 mm Bolt And Carrier:

Item Name Item # Each Qty
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5 available F1ATDELTONA3 $669.95

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by aigel

The big plus of the mini IMHO is that it isn't a black 'assault' rifle. You can take it plinking or hunting and it will blend in very well.

George

An AR or Ak isn't so rare at the range these days..nor on the hunting land. As a matter of fact, the last time I was at the range, the bolt actions and non- "assault" weapons were the minority.

[Rob Channell]

Life is short.

Unless it's just a great deal or you want it in addition to an AR-15 and it's not going to impede your other acquisitions I'd pass. Focus on what you really want instead.

Just my 0.02.

[KarlCarrera]

I'm not familiar with the Del-Ton rifle. With-out getting into specifics I paid less than 3.5 bucks for my mini (1992) and damn near a grand for the CAR-15 (1994). Imagine that...... Don't ya just love politics. Now the mini price is going up, and the AR price is coming down..

Karl
88 Targa

[MotoSook]

There's just a LOT of AR rifle builders out there....and they all got stuck with extra parts after the rush to buy last year.

There are plenty of good new AR's to be had between $700-$900. The Delton just happens to be one of the lower priced new rifles available. I've never operated a Delton, but like a lot of companies that build AR's they source their parts from the two or three places that every other company does.

Lowers and uppers are forged, bolt and carrier group is likely from the same place that some bigger name gets it from just without MP or HPT testing. Barrel is chromoly steel, non-chromelined - but how many folks can really wear out a non-chromelined barrel? And when you do wear a barrel out, you can just get a better barrel. Everything else is nearly identical to a more expensive rifle. The magazine is probably crap, but so is the mag that comes with some other higher priced rifle.

Reliability shouldn't be an issue, not anymore than some other factory rifle. If it's a problem...hell, they're easy to cure.


If you don't want to spend the 670 for a Delton, get a CMMG bargain bin rifle....chances are, you'll get a CMMG upper and lower...and other CMMG parts - basically a CMMG rifle with a few scratches on it.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

I have a chance to pick up a Mini 14. I've been looking at/for AR's, but it there any reason not to get the 14?



Thanks

That is one freaking handsome rifle. Ping Todd (nostatic) on Mini-14 details but I think the newer versions are much more accurate than their predecessors. The good part is that they are much more affordable these days. Just after Obama was elected a Mini-14 was selling (in Cali) for $1200. Now I see them back down in the $700 range.

[MotoSook]

Spend a little more ($950) and get better parts (it may not necessarily perform that much better than a Delton or CMMG BB gun), but the cold hammer forge barrel (a current "must have" trend), Spikes buffer, PMag, M16 carrier, etc are nice u-grades that you may or may not want/need...

The lifetime warranty is nice, but I find some may never need it as they'll change their rifle and it won't be stock. Besides, most parts are cheap and it may cost less to buy the repair parts than it would to send the rifle back to the factory...

ST-15 M4 Carbine [ST15 Rifle] - $950.00 : Spikes Tactical



Spike's Tactical ST-15 M4 Carbine


Upper Specs-

-Spike's Tactical M4 flat top upper receiver, Machined from a 7075 T6 Mil-Spec Forging with Mil-Spec Type III Hardcoat Anodized finish, T-markings, our logo and M4 feed ramps. Mil-Spec Dryfilm lube on the inside.

-Barrel is Cold Hammer Forged 4150 Chromoly Vanadium Alloy, M4 barrel extention, Chrome chamber and bore, 5.56mm Nato chamber, 1:7 Twist, Magnetic particle testing on every barrel, Phosphate finish.

-M4 profile with Carbine-length gas system.

-Barrel is Phosphate finished under the F marked A2 front site base.

-F marked A2 front site base is taper pinned to the barrel.

-The M16 carriers are Chrome lined with a Mil-Spec phosphate finish.

-Forged Mil-Spec carrier key, Chrome lined, attached with Grade 8 hardware and Properly staked.

-MP tested bolt, Each extractor is fitted with a Mil-Spec black insert and Mil-Spec Viton o-ring.

-Forged Mil-Spec charging handle.

-Double heat shield M4 hand guards.

-A2 Flash Hider.


Lower Specs-

-Spike's Tactical Lower, Machined from a 7075 T6 Mil-Spec Forging with Mil-Spec Type III Hardcoat Anodized finish.

-Mil-Spec lower parts kit.

-Stainless steel trigger and hammer pins with Black Oxide finish.

-6 Position Mil-Spec buffer tube, castle nut and Properly staked latch plate.

-ST-T2 Tungsten Heavy buffer.

-Mil-Spec 17-4 stainless steel buffer spring.

-Spike's Tactical M4 stock.


Accessories-

-Detachable Mil-Spec Forged A2 Carry handle

-Magpul 30rd Pmag

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[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Shoepop

Ditto pwd72s on accuracy check. The mini is notorious for poor accuracy compared to a similarly priced AR15. If acceptable accuracy is 4-5" 5 shot group at 100 yards the mini MAY do that.

1 1/2 inch 5 shot groups @ 100 yards with my mini...3-7 leupold scope...that's why I suggested the accuracy check. Rifles vary...not all minis group as poorly as you claim. However, if you like that macho "black rifle" look, the Mini 14 isn't for you.

[71T Targa]

The 'spoon' as pictured is $500 and I hope to get a little ammo thrown in. I'm not set on a black rifle, but liked the versatility. It looks like the mini would do that just as well.

I hope to look at it this weekend.

Thanks

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

The 'spoon' as pictured is $500 and I hope to get a little ammo thrown in. I'm not set on a black rifle, but liked the versatility. It looks like the mini would do that just as well.

I hope to look at it this weekend.

Thanks

Pick up a box of .223 Remington "Cor-Loc" ammo in 55 grains for your shooting test...not that this is the most accurate, but it is factory consistent...will give you an idea of how well the rifle groups. Maybe I lucked out with an exceptional mini...but I don't feel I'm playing second fiddle to those with AR-15's when it comes to group tightness.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Shoepop

Ditto pwd72s on accuracy check. The mini is notorious for poor accuracy compared to a similarly priced AR15. If acceptable accuracy is 4-5" 5 shot group at 100 yards the mini MAY do that.

I had 3 minis, the worst any of them shot at 100yds was 3" groups. The best was a tiny bit under 2" at 100yds. The ammo used makes a huge difference, some guns just won't group with some ammo. You have to try many different types of ammo to find what your gun likes the best.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by aigel

The big plus of the mini IMHO is that it isn't a black 'assault' rifle. You can take it plinking or hunting and it will blend in very well.

George

+1.

If you can get a AR for the same money as a Mini, go with the AR. I used to recommend Minis to everyone, but they used to be a LOT less money than they are now. What series is the mini? (first 3 digits of serial number)

Given that a new mini-14 goes for about $700 bucks, to me, you might as well just buy a nice used AR.

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

The 'spoon' as pictured is $500 and I hope to get a little ammo thrown in. I'm not set on a black rifle, but liked the versatility. It looks like the mini would do that just as well.

I hope to look at it this weekend.

Thanks

$500 is a good price for that- as long as it shoots OK. TRY SEVERAL TYPES OF AMMO.

[71T Targa]

SN is 195-579xx.

[m21sniper]

Series 195's are good weapons. I'd try to negotiate down to the mid $400's, but even at $500, in -today's- market, that's a reasonable price.

2-3 years ago you could've gotten the same gun used for about $350-400...

Here's some good mini-14 info:
http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?page_id=238

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Soukus

An AR or Ak isn't so rare at the range these days..nor on the hunting land. As a matter of fact, the last time I was at the range, the bolt actions and non- "assault" weapons were the minority.

If you ever had to use the gun in self defense or had an accident with it, you would look a lot better in front of a jury if they are shown a wooden stock that makes it look like gramps deer rifle. No, I am not planning on using my gun for self defense or on having a shooting accident, but just saying ...

George