The best for defense: Ruger PC carbine or mini14?

Been a lurker here for a while now but I just had to pipe in on this one. First off I wouldn't be using my mini for home defense, period. I live in your avarage housing development in Tucson. Most of those houses are made of stucco over styrofoam, can you say overpenetration? I'd never really thought about a pc9 for home defense because in tight quarters I'd rather have a handgun anyway. In the distances you'll be working with in a home invasion I think any long gun would be a liability. JMHO on that.

Now for those that haven't found a reliable aftermarket mag for your minis, I've been using Precision mags in mine and I've never had a misfire with them yet. The dealer that I bought my gun from told me they are equal to or better than factory mags. USA mags suck in mine, so I don't bother with them anymore. I can pick up USA misfires, stick them into a Precision mag and have them go bang. Now I've heard of one or two that have had a problem with them, so flame away if you must, I've got big shoulers and can take it. ;)

[This message has been edited by Rivrrat (edited October 29, 2000).]
 
Let me echo what Swatman said about .223 penetration vs. 9mm or 40 S&W or the like. The weight and shape of the .223 may result in less through and through penetration. At Thunder Ranch, Clint Smith sometimes displays a section of a sheetrock and stud wall/corner dummy that has had several handgun and rifle calibers fired into it, and you would be surprised at what does and does not come out the other side. Some of the handgun rounds do better than the .223. As far as the comment about more velocity not being of benefit in a civilian defense situation, I disagree. If you are legally and morally justified in shooting someone, I personally would prefer that it have the desired effect (to stop the threat), and I think most would agree that most rifle cartridges are much better at this than almost any pistol cartridge.
 
Now for those that haven't found a reliable aftermarket mag for your minis, I've been using Precision mags in mine and I've never had a misfire with them yet. The dealer that I bought my gun from told me they are equal to or better than factory mags. USA mags suck in mine, so I don't bother with them anymore. I can pick up USA misfires, stick them into a Precision mag and have them go bang. Now I've heard of one or two that have had a problem with them, so flame away if you must, I've got big shoulers and can take it. ;)

Rivrrat,
I to have gone threw the bull with USA I have 4 Stainless Steel mags that look nice but throw live rounds out of them. I finally found some PMI and Don't have any problems. I think the main reason I would want the USGI mags to convert to my Mini would be that there cheaper and easier to come by. Its hard to find Mini-14 PMI mags for under $35 plus shipping because I never find them at GunShows.



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"Bring 'Em on.... I prefer a Straight Fight to all this sneaking around"
Han Solo
 
Edmund, they're a tough find, but worth it when you find them. I usually grab one or two when I run across em, but they are pricey, expect to pay 40-50 bucks+ for a thirty rounder. The last time I saw some was about a month ago at a gun show, but I didn't stock up, and they had the mother lode there, maybe next time. Good luck if you go after some.
 
Why a pistol round long arm for home? You get the disadvantages of a long arm and none of the power differential. 223 ammo that is not overpenetrative exists.

Also, you can find few cases of the mag interchange ever being done. Who cares about it in the real world.

In most long arm shootouts, you want rifle rounds or shotgun power. Silly guns for the PC police department - marginally better than pistols but not anywhere near a real rifle.
 
Another lurker with his 2¢...

First some simple questions:
Do you live in a rural area? Suburban? Or Urban?

Are you the only occupant? Only you and the wife? You, the wife and children?

Home defense? Inside the house a 12 ga pump using #4 buck, more pellets or low brass 2~3/4 bird shot. Hopefully it wll not penetrate walls and performs amputations at close range.

To those that plan on using 5.56 or anything that will not only penetrate but exit the house and enter another's home?? Plan on receiving fire yourself.

Just ask one simple question. What would you do if a bunch of bullets came flying in your front window??



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De Oppresso Liber
 
I'm curious as to all the alarmist comments about .223 going through a dozen walls and then killing the neighbor's cat are coming from. From a number of tests I've seen published around the net, as well as shooting my AR's and pistols at various types of materials, I don't see the .223 as a super penetrator. I will bet big money that a perp that is shot with the .223 vs. a 9mm out of a carbine will be much more likely to stay shot and cease to be a threat. If I'm in the line of fire, I want to respond with the most effective round, if we're comparing pistol carbines and the .223, that's an easy choice.
 
.223 has greater wounding ability and LESS wall penetration risk (penetrates less material and retains less wounding ability after doing so) than any pistol caliber. The Mini is only slightly larger and heavier, and it holds more rounds.

This one is a no-brainer. Pistol caliber carbines are a cute concept, but why carry a shoulder arm that shoots a pistol round?
 
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