To it's credit, it ran like a top with what ever we fed it, using factory mags.
Which is what this thread is all about.
To it's credit, it ran like a top with what ever we fed it, using factory mags.
I think that for many casual shooters the less accuracy of the Mini will never be noticed anyway and the modern Mini is much better out of the box than the older versions. My 185 series will do the 9 ring at 100 yards just fine with my 68 year old eyes. My ARs shoot tighter but both deliver consistent hits in the important zone.I've shot all three, own two of the three, and the one I don't own, I have regular access to. All three are fine for reliability, so just pick one and roll with it. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I do think that of the three, The AR will be more accurate than the Mini 14 over a longer period of shooting/engagement, because the thin barrel of the Mini 14 does not lend itself to sustained fire. But the Mini 14 is really handy because of that lightweight barrel. So if you want to take more than five or ten shots quickly? Probably want an AR or AK over the Mini 14. But otherwise? All three are great, proven rifles.
I most definitely agree. The handiness of the Mini-14 is its greatest attribute, and barrel metallurgy has definitely improved in the past few decades. It may not be on the "fighting carbine" level of the AR or AK, but for the average person shooting on a flat range for fun, they aren't going to notice a substantial enough POI shift to make the Mini-14 not worth buying over the others, if they just want a Mini-14 for its own sake.I think that for many casual shooters the less accuracy of the Mini will never be noticed anyway and the modern Mini is much better out of the box than the older versions. My 185 series will do the 9 ring at 100 yards just fine with my 68 year old eyes. My ARs shoot tighter but both deliver consistent hits in the important zone.