I want a .223 carbine - AR15 or Ruger Mini-14?

[XD_Hokie]

Have done some talking and thinking of SHTF gun to have for quick exit for who knows how long. Obviously will have my handguns and that is basically my arsenal for now. But have read some discussion on shotgun vs rifle vs carbine and have decided for me the carbine is my choice of the all around long gun for this purpose.

Now, was talking about this with my wife who just got her CC permit a couple months ago and has begun reading some of my CC Magazines and NRA First Freedom magazines and learning about some of the issues and discussions on firearms.

I was showing her the pics of both an AR-15 and a Ruger Mini-14 and telling her what I was thinking. She quickly said, but the AR-15 will be seen as the evil black "military" style rifle that may be seen as excessive.

Hum!! Good to see she has been reading and thinking, so now I ask you for a SHTF carbine any advantage of having a high-cap .223 that looks like a regular rifle with wood furniture just like ole' hunting rifles for the non-gun owner persons to see over the well publicized evil black "military" assault rifle? pros & cons of both platforms for this purpose?

Thanks of any insights.

[billbrasky]

which AR ?

heavy barrel mini 14 would be a good option probably the equal or better than a real budget ar 15 like an olympic. But for just a few hundred more in the $900-950 range you can get some sweet ar 15's that i dont think any m14 are the equal of. really boils down to the price and what you want out of it. Post a want ad on craigs list maybe someone hard up for money will get you an mini 14 that has been collecting dust for 10 years for a song. If were are talking new versus new whats your price ceiling?

it doesnt matter what other folks think if you already own it. I doubt they will come get my black mean ole military rifles, and if they come and try it will be a war scenario with tens of thousands of other freedom loving americans. So i say if you like the ar get it, its still legal, and will grandfathered in, in the event of another ban. Who cares what are commie liberal media says, you already own it and a few thousands rounds of ammo.

[Tattooed Bard]

yeah I missed one at an auction last night (mini -14) that looked great and only went for 150

[Kaboom]

Your only chance of dodging a ban with the 14 is if the only criteria is pistol grips, the rest of the details about the 14 are the same as an AR. The mini-14 has a long history of troubles and reliability, get an AR, in a SHTF scenario parts will be much easier to find for it.
Why would you care about neighbors seeing it?

[MagicPie]

Every person should own at least one AR. It's the perfect go to gun for when the SHTF.

[Hedshot]

I own a Mini and my brother in law owns an AR...........I prefer my Mini for the simplicity and reliability. The AR he had jammed a couple times while I was shooting it but my Mini has yet to malfunction. I did not like the "charge handle?" on the AR when you "cock" it

[crpadiem]

As far as the AR being seen as the evil military rifle, if the SHTF with gun control ALL guns that are not strictly for hunting will be seen as "assault" weapons. Yes the mini may not be looked at the same by us, but to anti-gun jerks any firearm that doesn't look like it belongs in a museum is an assault weapon. I like the 14, wish I had kept mine, but I would not trade my AR in on one ever. Plus with an AR, you have an investment. As with the last assault ban, even if a new one comes out the chances that any of our guns(other than fully automatic) will be taken away are very slim, if not nil. So if you get the AR now, you should be safe. I was a fully licensed FFL when we went into the last ban and the bill that was proposed was nothing like what was passed. My vote would be the AR, nothing against the 14 as I like them, but the AR is a better investment unless you do run across a cheap 14, then get the AR soon after though IMO.

[nsnate02]

Mini's have a lot of reliability issues, go for the AR. If you really want to be evil get an AK! Seriously, if you have to use the AR defensively I think what the weapon looks like will be the least of your concerns.

[hikeeba]

I think this debate is up to personal preference. Really, what you should do is shoot, or at least handle, both guns and see what feels best. Each platform has its advantages and disadvantages. I like them both, but I can't exactly weigh in on both. I have a Mini and an AR, but it isn't a 5.56 AR. If you're interested in the Mini, check out the NRA edition with the 16" barrel.

[jnclement]

I'll bet money that the average AR will outshoot the new Mini-14s every time.