AR vs. the Mini? The AR is more accurate (MUCH more). The AR has more adequate mags on the market, at better prices than the mini. Spare parts for AR's are everywhere. The AR is a modular weapon system, so you can use several different uppers for different purposes (16" carbine, 20" rifle, 7.62x39 rifle, .300 Fireball/Whisper upper, bull-barrel 24" flattop target upper, pistol calibers, .50BMG uppers, etc...). Not to mention all the gee-wiz add on stuff and accessories availible for the AR.
Not to mention the fact that Bill Ruger has done more to hurt the gunowners of this country than any anti could hope to do, by spearheading the "high capacity" mag ban to eliminate competition in the industry.
As for cost, the Mini costs what, $400+? One of my ARs, the first one I put together, cost less than $500, shot around 1MOA with good factory ammo, and never jammed on anything I ran through it (russian steel case, PMC, IMI, etc...). It was an
Olympic PCR lower and a
J&T Surplus kit. I downloaded the
military technical manual, grabbed a punch set at the ACE hardware, and put it together in under an hour. Now, J&Ts prices have gone up a little, but M&A parts still has kits for $400.
[This message has been edited by BB (edited August 02, 2000).]