Im with rickyrick some of you people dont have a clue. AR fanboys for sure. Some of the stuff jmr40 posted was just flat out lies.
Yep no clue at all right here... I just get paid very nicely mind you.. to spend my days behind a firearms counter... hanging out with gun smiths, and get paid to shoot.. also get paid to go to test ranges to try new products with companies.. one of whom is Ruger.
hkfan you obviously didnt even look at the pictures in my linked thread in the OP. its not a ranch rifle by any means except the action is the same. when's the last time you saw an AR with a folding stock? you cant because of that tube sticking out the back. score one for my mini. mine was 600 bucks new and at the time inexpensive AR's were $1000. score 2 for my mini. the ATI stock that came on my mini from ruger has rails on it for the things i wanted to put on it, its not an expensive aftermarket foreend like you would put on an AR. score three. i get 2" groups at 100 yrds with cheap steel cased ammo after 1500 rounds without cleaning using a 1X reddot. put a 3-9X40 on it with good quality ammo and it would be alot better. now, this isnt supposed to be a debate, just info about the value of the 2 rifles mentioned and pros and cons. not your vendetta against me and my Mini. to those of you who read, understood, and responded appropriately i thank you very much. looks like i will make the trade, mostly because it will be easier to handle for my wife and 97 lb daughter. i will admit my mini is a little heavy for some.
EVERY mini-14 was designed to be a basic "ranch rifle" not just the ones that have it in their model name. -1
Ar's can come with folding stocks now.. thanks to gas piston conversions.. although I can't remember the last time I needed my stock to fold while running kill houses.. but if that's your thing.. is CAN be done to an AR.. -1
You don't need "expensive" quad rails for an AR to mount accesories... you can purchase rails for about $10 a pop that mount onto the existing holes of the forearms on the AR. Then again.. other than a flashlight... I personally have no use for a laser.. a bipod (on a light weight carbine) so I might not need as many rails as you sir. So again -1
I have shot sub-MOA groups with my BCM AR with a 14inch barrel after 1500+ rounds in one afternoon using an EOtech (non magnified) and bulk pack cheap ammo. -1
Adding a scope does not make a gun more accurate, nor the shooter.
AR's have the corner stone on any accesory you might need. -1 for mini.
AR's have a more solid base for mounting optics. -1 mini.
AR's best mag you can buy cost you $14 and hold 30 rounds. -1 for mini.
AR mags can even be had in 40-60-100 rounds. -1 mini.
AR you can fire and reload with out having to move your hands from the fire controls. - 1 mini
I can keep going... but I have somewhere to be...
In short.. Yes your right.. I have a vendetta against a rifle I used to own. The thing is I can rationalize and be ok with my purchases. I have bought guns for $10 before and had friends family and co-workers laugh at me, I don't care I had my fun with them. However there is no question that dollar for doller the AR is superior, and I would take the trade in a heartbeat.
I am young, and not married.. and my G/F likes spending money on guns as much as I do... think I created a monster. Anniversary we each got each other custom engraved 1911 grips. I understand you might not have the cash to go out and blow big bucks on guns... I have student loans to pay so trust me I know.. but really... you can build a mil-spec AR cheaper than you can buy a new Mini of the shelf... I have owned two mini's in my life.. one was a gift.. one I paid $200 for still in the original box... I just don't see the point of one all tactical'd up when vs. an AR.
I also aplogize for YOU asking our opinions.. and since MINE differs from yours you got offended... no sense in asking questions you wont like hearing the answer to I always learned... and I'm not even married... shouldn't you married guys know that better than I?