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From what I've seen the mini14/30s are ROBUST. I've put countless rounds of .223/5.56mm ammunition down the tube of the mini14 before I opted for my first AR15. The downfall to the mini14 is the availibility of affordable large capacity magazines. In highschool (before I owned an AR15) I would always take the little ruger with me on camping trips. My specimen is a tough little bugger. Dropped it in sand. Worked. Dropped it in a river. Worked. Tree sap in the action (don't ask how tree sap wound up in there, because quite truthfully, I don't know myself). Worked. Maybe it's just me, but the mini14 seemed fairly reliable. If that isn't reliable, then I am absolutely clueless.
My experiences with the AR15 are also positive albeit less than the mini14. The very first time I took the AR15 to the range I dropped the magazine in some loose sand. Although not a serious torture test I decided that if I were to trust the rifle it had better work with a gummed up magazine. The very first 10 shots fired from my first AR15 were from a cruddy magazine. No hiccup. I have put numerous rounds down the tube of my AR15s without a hiccup. Actually, that's not true. A friend of mine's 20rd magazine was causing it to jam, diagnosed as weak magazine springs. Other than that one magazine related incident I have never had a problem with failture to feeds, double feeds, jams or even the use for the forward bolt assist. Also, please keep in mind that my AR15s have never gone on a wild camping trip.
As for accuracy, MY (keyword here is "MY") mini14 leaves a lot to be desired at 100yds. Sandbagged the rifle would produce 5" shot groups. My lock-stock and barrel Bushmaster 20Hbar has printed out groups of less than 2" and my service rifle rig has produced groups of 1-inch. Keep in mind that the service rifle IS NOT a fair competitor. Lots of $$ spent on an upper SHOULD produce good results. Nonetheless I believe that the bone-stock mini14 and Bushmaster 20Hbar is more of an equal match. Am I confident of hitting the black of a 100yd NRA small-bore target at 100yds with the mini14? Yes, I am.
My gripes concerning the mini14. Lack of match-grade accessories such as heavy barrels. However, Clark's Custom Guns, and a few others do specialize in making the little mini14 more seductive for paper punching. Let me add that I have seen the product of such a gunsmith (not Clark's) and was not impressed with the accuracy at 100yds. My bone stock 20Hbar could outshoot the "customed" mini14 with Douglas barrel, glass bedded Bell & Carlson stock and Leupold 3-9x40mm scope. Could've been operator error, but I saw the results with him behind the wheel of an M1A...sub moa. My experiences (not with my mini14 because it's a standard) with the ranch rifles is the inability for their scope mounts to hold zero. Reliable mini14 magazines are a hit-or-miss issue.
My praises concerning the mini14. Short, handy and light in weight. Very easy to manipulate and comfortable to bring on long hikes. Reliable. Last but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST...AFFORDABLE.
My gripes concerning the AR15. Gas system. Need I say more? The weight of the 20Hbar (this does not include the A1 barrels, carbines, or the A2 gov't profile) is ridiculous for a rifle of that caliber. Eight pounds for a .223/5.56mm rifle? C'mon... However, let me add that it is also ironic that I would weigh my service rifle down to a little under 16lbs. Go figure... The AR15s that I've seen are also magazine finicky. The need for a forward bolt assist seems to be a moot point. If you're going to slam the forward assit home with stubborn bullet, I certainly wouldn't want to shoot it. Mind as well rack the charging handle and clear the jam.
My praises concerning the AR15. Most that I've seen are VERY accurate straight out of the box. I just suck at shooting so someone please drive my AR15s and see what they can do. AR15s are very ergonomic for my tastes. The AR15 is probably the most versatile rifle in existance.
Personally the one design that I've seen that has really left a good impression is the HK G36/SL8-1 design. Modified AR18/180 gas system?? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Nonetheless, I believe that this is probably the most robust design. Yank out the bolt assembly of an SL8 (or a G36 if you're that lucky) after 1k rounds and you'll see what I mean.
In conclusion, I like both the Ruger Mini14
and AR15 rifles. Please take my "2 cents" with a grain of salt. These are my experiences and opinions and should be taken as such. I have never seen combat, and am not claiming to be an expert.
Happy New Years!
Jim
, Art