QUESTION & COMPARISON

[williamlayton]

In the paper today---Cater's Country here in Houston.
DPMS .223 $700
RUGER Mini-14 .223 $730
Both have collapsible stocks and other goodies.
Which would you choose?
Blessings

[cjclemens]

Depending on the configuration, I'd go with the DPMS.  AR's are light, accurate, and (despite varying opinions) very reliable.  Dont get me wrong - the Mini's are good rifles, but in the process of making them accurate, they made 'em extra heavy.  I might pick the mini if I knew i'd end up dragging it through mud and sand, and possibly going swimming with it...but the AR is gonna be my first choice most of the time.

[Bart Solo]

Does the DPMS AR have a forward assist and ejection port cover?  DPMS entry level ARs don't.  What kind of barrel does it have?  I have one without the forward assist and ejection port cover (they are called slick sides) and a bull barrel.  Their entry level rifles are flattop carbines and don't come with any sights.  Most people don't find that a problem since there are a lot of optics available.   I put a scope on mine.  It is an extremely accurate rifle, but with the bull barrel it is pretty heavy.  I got mine for varmint shooting.  I think it is just about right for that. 
 If I was buying a rifle to carry into battle,  I would go a different direction, but don't be afraid of DPMS.  I read they worked with Remington to create the 30 Remington AR cartridge.  They are big into building hunting ARs.  They cut costs on their budget models not by cutting corners, but by cutting features.  They make good rifles and are pretty innovative
 DPMS  also has a similar budget model with a standard barrel.  I don't know anything about it except it is lighter. . 
All that said, having owned both a DPMS AR and a Ruger Mini 14 (some years ago for the Mini 14), I would think the AR is the better choice.  You would be happy with either.   
The real beauty of the AR platform is you can change them as easily as you change slippers.   There are loads of accessories and if I want to change mine to do a different job all I have to do is swap out the upper.   They are like legos for grown men. 

[Lloyd Smale]

Id take the ar hands down. Ive got a dpms sportical in both .223 and 308 and there both tack drivers with loads they like. My 223 sportical is probably my most used ar. I like it because its lighter then any other i have. It will shoot moa easy with good ammo and has been very reliable and probably has at least a 20k round count. As to the dust cover and forward assist ill say this. If i was going into combat id want a dust cover. As a civilian i can live without it. as to a foward assist personaly i think they should have been removed from all ars 20 years ago. they will cause more headaches then they will ever cure. I dont touch the ones on the ars i have anymore. All i can say is if your one that likes smacking them youd best have a rod at the range to knock out ammo. this all been said a mini is a good gun too. Ive owned a half a dozen through the years. I dont own one anymore as theyve all be sold. I just cant warm up to an inaccurate gun and NONE of the ones i owned would do any better then 3 inch at a 100 yards and some twice that. IF RUGER would come out with a redisigned one that would shoot even 2moa id have to have one again but until then ill stick with ars. there more accurate just as reliable and parts are everywhere for them.

[williamlayton]

I think---HUMMMMM- I think I thing that if I did an AR, it would be a beginning .22 upper----then maybe.
I have threatened an AR for so long without the impituse to do the deal, I am wondering if I will ever do it.
I have 3 .22's in semi and I do love them so, so what would be the point?
Blessings
 
PS---Am I begging?

[ratdog]

just get one they are sweet you only live once and they might not have them where you end up in the end.

[ironglowjr]

Get the AR... I cant begin to imagine why I would get the mini 14 if i was having accuracy in mind. Not to mention the ENDLESS configuratons you can put together on th AR.... Let us know what ya end up doing buddy.... But Iwould go AR if Accuracy is beeing considered.....
Ironglowjr

[John R.]

No contest, AR hands down. My DPMS AP4 carbine is sub MOA all day long with my handloads.