AR-15 vs. Mini 14 for Home Defense?

4V50 reminds me of another good point. In concealed carry classes I've heard instructors recommend having 2 of whatever your defensive handgun choice is. The point being, if you ever have to use it, you'll lose it for the duration of the investigation, and you don't want to be unarmed during that period (i.e. revenge from friends, family members). The idea is that if you give up your primary, your backup doesn't have less familiarity than your primary.

You can easily get two mini's for the cost of a good AR with accessories. You'll then have your backup, as well as immediate access to spare parts.

It all boils down to the intended use. If that is self defense (i.e. not Mad Max, not shooting prarie dogs at 400m, not match shooting, etc.), the mini is the clear winner to me.

I still like the AR, I just can't get past the price. I can afford one, but for $800, there are too many choices that I can get 2 of for the same money...(2 mini's, 2 AK's, etc.), that are just as good or better...
 
I can't imagine why people are so worried about losing the gun! The actual chance you will be involved in a shooting with your defensive weapon is very, very small. I hope folks here aren't that paranoid about all their decisions in life! I guess I shouldn't drive my car, since it has $500 deductable collision insurance, and I might have an accident. In point of fact, that's a lot more likely than my defensive rifle being confiscated.
 
George: Your inability to properly load and fire AR's is well documented. Have you considered signing up for one of the classes offered by a certain former SEEL??
Click to expand...

Yeah, My Airborne Ranger Drill Sargeants were all SEELs.
 
ReserveCop,

For range work or lots of tactical training, I'd probably give the edge to the AR (I'd really like a pre-ban carbine with collapsing stock :)). But for inexpensive home defense, I give the nod to the Mini.

We had this discussion with Mas Ayoob a couple of years ago at LFI II. He suggested the Mini for folks who were recoil shy (i.e., didn't like the 12 gauge shotgun) and who didn't want to put the investment into an AR-type rifle. I don't take all Mas says as gospel, but I thought this made sense.

Home defense isn't "combat" in the sense that you need scads of ammo in dozens of preloaded magazines. A standard Mini with two PMI 20 or 30 rounders is probably all that's necessary. You may have to tinker with mags to get a couple of reliable ones, but when cost is a real consideration, we tinker. Someone once said, "There's joy in the hunt!"

Finally, I think there is merit to considering the "look" of the thing. If "defense" is the purpose here (all other things being equal) I'd prefer the less "military" looking rifle in favor of the one that looks more "sporting."

YMMV
 
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