My friend wants a decent gun semi auto like a mini 14 or ar 15.....and so on. He doesnt want to spend an arm and a leg to get a semi auto but he wants some accuracy in it. Anyone have some feed back?

Since you mentioned accuracy than there is only the AR15. Mini14 are only known for so-so accuracy. To make one shoot requires alot of custom work. KelTec makes the SU-16 semi that takes AR mags. I have no experince with that one. Do stake my life on the AR everyday in Iraq. Prices are coming down on ARs as I understand.

I'd take the AR over the Mini-14 anyday. Not that I have anything against it, I just have no experience with it and I have a lot with the M-16 and never had any problems with it, even under desert and jungle conditions. I think your friend would be very happy with the AR, esp. if he got one with the H-Bar.

I have both. The AR is much more accurate than the Mini-14, however, they both serve a particular niche. The AR is in the less-than-1 MOA bracket, the Ruger in about the 4 MOA bracket.
But, the Ruger goes in my jeep, i'd never do that with the AR.

That is a point that is not lost on me. The Mini goes in my truck where I would never keep an AR. The other aspect is that it does not look like an "assault rifle". I am not arguing the quality of shooting issue at all. My first shot goes where I want it too, and the coyote is toast. If I have many follow ups....? It is simply a tool, and most of the rest of my guns are for hobby use. My wife's comfort factor is with a non-assault rifle. I make her happy. :p :confused:

If really good accuracy is any criteria at all, that completely leaves out the Mini. If the only accuracy you need is pie-pan size at 100 yards, then the Mini can do that and maybe a bit better, but if you want quarter size groups at 100, go with the AR.

i have owned both, and with iron sights, i would prefer the mini 14, as the sights (or my eyes) are the accuracy limiting factor. i am comfortable with either and enjoy shooting the ar, but the mini gets my vote. with optics i'd get the ar (provided cost is not a factor).

monty

I've had 3 Mini 14's and still have one. It's the stainless version with the factory folding stock and 5 factory 20 rd mags. I also have 3 AR-15's, one is a Colt and the remaining 2 are Bushmaster's. IMO the AR is the superior weapon. It is more accurate, almost by an order of magnitude, and it is more reliable. I know alot of people will disagree with me on that score, but quality magazines are the key to reliability in any semi auto, and unless you want to limit yourself to 5 round mags, the Mini 14 can't compare. The only truly reliable hi cap mags that I have had in the Mini are the Ruger factory mags which are only available to Law Enforcement by Ruger policy. I have tried Triple K, USA, Eagle, and PMI, and the PMI's were the only ones that performed flawlessly. The stoppage rate with the other brands when loaded to max capacity was around 60%-80%. The drawback to the PMI's is that the feed lips on the mags were not hardened, and had a tendency to bend. The other drawback is that they are no longer in business.

The AR-15 on the other hand, is pretty much MilSpec, if you buy a Bushmaster, Rock River, Olympia, Armalite, or DPMS. Only the Bushmaster has a chrome lined chamber and bore, though I might be mistaken on that. The Colt's used to, but they stopped doing so for their civilian sales about 8 or 9 years ago. The importance of chrome lining is not high unless you want to shoot rapidfire and have decent barrel life, you desire a truly MilSpec weapon, or you want to shoot steel cased ammo. The availability of quality hi cap magazines for the AR is a huge advantage. New and used MilSpec 20 and 30 rd mags are available for between $15 and $30. Other accessories for the AR, from match triggers to hi speed low drag mag releases, lights etc. are readily available from a variety of sources. The ability to change calibers or configurations by changing uppers is also something that the AR has over the Mini.

IMO, the slightly higher price of the AR-15 is more than justified in light of the increase in utility and reliability over the Mini 14.

I would recommend a Bushmaster XM-15 with A4 (flattop) upper, 20" barrel, with front sight. This gives you the option of having a detachable carry handle, or a flip up rear sight such as the GG&G, along with the ability to easily mount an Aimpoint or regular scope, should you desire optics. Just my opinion, based on experience with both types of weapons.