Opposition to so-called “assault weapons” is often the result of an emotional reaction rather than a logical one. Show someone a typical AR-15 and today’s snowflakes break down crying at how dangerous it looks. But show them a Ruger Mini-14, with its blued steel and wooden stock, and no one bats an eye. Many people just assume it looks like a hunting rifle and fail to understand that there’s no difference in function between it and an AR-15.
First produced in 1973, the Mini-14 was so named because it resembled a scaled-down M14. While its bolt design shares similarities with the M14 and the M1 Garand, its gas system was simplified. The rifle featured Ruger’s trademark investment-cast receivers and was chambered in .223 Remington.
The Mini-14 competed head to head against the AR-15 for civilian sales, and was often referred to as the poor man’s AR-15. Because of the reputation for unreliability that the AR-15 had acquired in Vietnam, and because the Mini-14’s traditional looks didn’t scream “assault rifle,” the Mini-14 became a popular patrol rifle with police departments across the country.
The popularity of the Mini-14 continued to grow throughout the 1980s as it became the primary rifle used on the television series “The A-Team.” Over a million Mini-14s have been produced over the nearly 50 years of its production. But since the advent of the Global War on Terror and the growing popularity of the AR-15, the Mini-14 has begun to take a back seat to the AR.
Advantages of the Mini-14 Rifle
1. Flies Under the Radar
With its traditional looks, the Mini-14 won’t attract notice like an AR-15, AK-47, or other similar rifle will. While it is still specifically named in some assault weapons ban legislation, it’s still less likely to be banned in certain areas than AR-15s.
2. Cleaner Gas Operation
With its gas piston operation, the Mini-14 is inherently cleaner than the AR-15’s direct impingement system. That should translate to less carbon buildup and fewer jams from gas getting back into the action.
Disadvantages of the Mini-14 Rifle
1. Proprietary Magazines
While Mini-14 magazines aren’t super expensive, they’re still more expensive than AR-15 magazines and proprietary to the Mini-14. That makes it a lot more expensive to stock up.
2. Bolt Open to Dust
Like the M1 and M14, the top of the Mini-14’s receiver exposes the bolt to the atmosphere, potentially allowing dust, dirt, water, and other debris to fall into the action. That could result in jams.
3. High Cost
With an MSRP around $1,000, the Mini-14 is far more expensive than most AR-15s. Even a used Mini-14 will set you back $500 or more, for which price you could easily buy a brand-new AR-15.
4. Lack of Customizability
Most major firearms accessories manufacturers produce accessories for the AR-15. Given the extensive use of Picatinny rails and M-LOK and KeyMod attachment systems, the AR-15 is easily customizable to suit individual shooters. Not so with the Mini-14. Even the tactical versions of the Mini-14 feature few attachment points for lights, lasers, and foregrips.
5. Only Chambered in a Few Calibers
The Mini-14 has been chambered in .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, and .300 Blackout. Compare that to the AR-15 which has been chambered in dozens of cartridges and which can be switched from cartridge to cartridge merely by changing the upper receiver group.
Image: Fugutaboutit
