MOA Ruger Mini-14 VS AR180B

[teclaydon]

"...A rifle just as accurate can be bought for significantly less..."

If accuracy had everything to do with people's choices in firearms and how they customize them, I could see your point ...but we both know that isn't the case.

The reality of the Mini-14 is that it continues to be produced with only minor changes to the original design after more than 30 years ...which wouldn't be happening if it was 'laughable'. It might not happen to be your choice in a non-restricted semi-auto .223, but that doesn't make the choice of someone who does own one - stock or modified - any less valid.

For many gun owners, it's the right tool at the right price for whatever use they purchased it for.

 

[Doc911]

Exactly.
Any feedback on some of my questions...?

 

[teclaydon]

"...Any feedback on some of my questions...?"

Here y'go:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1570633#post1570633

 

[Doc911]

Perfect!
Thats the thread I was looking for!

Now for the big question....
Who do you use for the import on 'parts over $100...'?
I'd be hoping there is a dealer with a line on this good stuff, but I sure as h**l can't find it on anyones website...

 

[teclaydon]

"...Now for the big question....
Who do you use for the import on 'parts over $100...'?..."

If you sniff around long enough (and hard enough), you can probably find most of these items already sitting in Canada ...some are just less common and more difficult to root out than others. It took me months to locate and acquire all the pieces for my own rifle.

 

[ilovepotatos]

If accuracy had everything to do with people's choices in firearms and how they customize them, I could see your point ...but we both know that isn't the case.

The reality of the Mini-14 is that it continues to be produced with only minor changes to the original design after more than 30 years ...which wouldn't be happening if it was 'laughable'. It might not happen to be your choice in a non-restricted semi-auto .223, but that doesn't make the choice of someone who does own one - stock or modified - any less valid.

For many gun owners, it's the right tool at the right price for whatever use they purchased it for.

Alright...Im curious now. Why tne Mini-14? Do you also have kitted up AR15s and wanted another black type rifle? Or is there something special about it for you?

 

[Doc911]

Terry:
Why did I KNOW you were goin' ta' say that...?
Thanks for the links on the other thread...PM me if you decide to take pity on a noob...

Thanks.
CM

 

[P0WERWAGON]

I've yet to have anyone laugh at my Mini...

 

[Doc911]

Careful....
That puppy looks scarier than any real life 'priest' I've seen....least since WW II...
No pic attached for the SP 105...

 

[ian_in_vic]

There is a gunsmith in the states who makes oversize gas blocks for the mini-14, so that you can use a full profile heavy barrel, can't remember who it was, but they also had a neat 3 point mounting system to stabilize the action in the stock. I'd love to be able to like the mini, but I just can't as it stands.

 

[Rotek]

Ian in Vic
I think your talking about Accurcy Systems.
But Lyle of Ultimate Accuracy(??) here in Manitoba does a very similar conversion.He uses Accuracy Systems Gas block and gets a Gaillard HB
and then beds it and works his magic and prouces 100 yrd 3 shot groups that
are touching.I dont want to be quoted on this because Lyle would have to give you the final price based on specifics but I believe it was somewhere
in the $800-900 range.(you supply the gun of course)
but thats about the same as you would pay for having a Bolt gun rebarreled and an accuracy job.

regards

 

[ian_in_vic]

that does lend credence to the idea that the mini's main problem is the drink straw tube they stick on it. I think you're right about it being Accuracy Systems, they seem to have taken a thinking man's approach to fixing what's wrong, good to know someone here is working the same way.

 

[teclaydon]

"...Alright...Im curious now. Why the Mini-14?..."

...well, for starters - and this is the big one - it's non-restricted, which leaves a lot more options open that you don't normally associate with most semi-auto .223's (I realize the 180B comes in non-restricted trim as well). I have a restricted PAL, but the Mini-14 lets me head up to the cottage rather than going directly home after spending an afternoon at the range (if that's what I want to do). The rifle uses the M14's breechbolt locking system and a gas system based on the M1 Garand ...both of which are simple, time proven, rock solid and not tempermental when it comes to dirt. The rifle has been around long enough that there's a ton of options and accessories available ...one or two of which I've apparently taken advantage of.

Although it may not have the 'off the rack' accuracy of a typical AR, it's still accurate enough (2-4 MOA) to be fun.

To be perfectly honest, if AR's (the non-180B variety) were non-restricted in Canada, I would have probably invested the money that I put into my Mini-14 into something that had its origins on Mr. Stoner's drawing board ...but that's not the reality we live in. Besides, the Mini-14 that I've built has a tendency to turn a few more heads at the range than the average AR (180B or otherwise) ...and - for most gun owners - that in itself is 'value added'.

 

[ilovepotatos]

Alright. So the Mini-14 is a bit more rugged than the AR-15...I can buy that.

However, I myself would also get a 180b than the Mini-14, if I was to kit it up. But its definitely a nice rig.

 

[(Ronin)]

Doesn't the 180 have a plastic lower?? that would turn me off right there..
The new mini 14 is supposed to be a pretty accurate gun,i'd go with that

 

[Matt_P]

^yeah plastic receiver.

Isn't there some stamped sheetmetal on the gun too?

 

[Ljungman]

Mini's are crap, and they always will be. Get an AR180B. Learn from people (like myself) that have made the mistake of taking a chance on the mini and regreting GREATLY later.

Also, there's nothing wrong with the "plastic" or sheet metal on the AR180B. For the price it's actually a pretty solid little rifle. And it's really light so long hikes are easier.

 

[Armedsask]

Doesn't the 180 have a plastic lower?? that would turn me off right there..
The new mini 14 is supposed to be a pretty accurate gun,i'd go with that

Do you own a Glock? What about a newer vehicle? You know airplanes are plastic, right?

The AR180B has a steel tub surrounded by a thick polymer body. The whole "plastic is weak" argument has been proven false. Sure, a handful broke mostly due to user #### ups, but on the flip side billion dollar space shuttles blow up on occasion.

 

[(Ronin)]

Do you own a Glock? What about a newer vehicle? You know airplanes are plastic, right?

The AR180B has a steel tub surrounded by a thick polymer body. The whole "plastic is weak" argument has been proven false. Sure, a handful broke mostly due to user f**k ups, but on the flip side billion dollar space shuttles blow up on occasion.

Well modern polymer is quite different than '70's plastic...And i don't hold space shuttles or airplanes loaded with ammo mere inches from my face..

 

[Hitzy]

...well, for starters - and this is the big one - it's non-restricted, which leaves a lot more options open that you don't normally associate with most semi-auto .223's (I realize the 180B comes in non-restricted trim as well). I have a restricted PAL, but the Mini-14 lets me head up to the cottage rather than going directly home after spending an afternoon at the range (if that's what I want to do). The rifle uses the M14's breechbolt locking system and a gas system based on the M1 Garand ...both of which are simple, time proven, rock solid and not tempermental when it comes to dirt. The rifle has been around long enough that there's a ton of options and accessories available ...one or two of which I've apparently taken advantage of.

Although it may not have the 'off the rack' accuracy of a typical AR, it's still accurate enough (2-4 MOA) to be fun.

To be perfectly honest, if AR's (the non-180B variety) were non-restricted in Canada, I would have probably invested the money that I put into my Mini-14 into something that had its origins on Mr. Stoner's drawing board ...but that's not the reality we live in. Besides, the Mini-14 that I've built has a tendency to turn a few more heads at the range than the average AR (180B or otherwise) ...and - for most gun owners - that in itself is 'value added'.

The Mini's gas system is unique to that rifle, nothing like the M1 Garand or M1Carbine or M14....it's a direct gas impingement onto a sloppy oprod that is held in place by the stock. Terrible system that I think is the other 1/2 in the inaccuracy equation....pencil barrel and sloppy gas system. I had a Rem 870 shotgun that would shoot 4moa with rifled slugs...I expect much more from a rifle.