I currently own a Ruger Mini-14 Tactical with regular synthetic stock and I love it.
My buddy is in the market for an AR-15 and he is telling me I need to get one as well that my Mini-14 doesnt match up for personal defense.
Any thoughts? Thanks
Just tell your Buddy to Google: Michael Platt, Miami Shootout. Michael Platt was the bank robber using the Ruger Mini-14 in .223. He also fired three shots each out of two .357 revolvers, but most of the carnage came from his use of the Mini 14. Conservative estimates say he fired a minimum of 42 rounds. Platt, himself, was killed after being shot 12 times.
The second robber, William Matix, was using a S&W M3000 .12 Ga, and fired only one round of #6. He was killed after being shot 6 times.
The event has been debated endlessly of course, on every different level imaginable. But the fact that Michael Platt took on 8 FBI agents with a Mini 14, chambered in .223, shot 6 out of the 8, killing 2 of the 6, all in less than 5 minutes, has never been in dispute.
The blame game, analysis of the events, policy changes that ensued, and the ultimate development of the .40 S&W & 10mm auto pistol cartridges, and the weapons that fire them, are all very interesting to read about & study. But what it brings to my mind, is the old CIA saying, "The Most Committed Wins".
The 8 FBI agents involved have to get the thumbs up for being "The Most Committed", because even though it was 8 against 2 bad guys, and one of the 2 was using a Ruger Mini 14, which is a great force multiplier, the Agents won the day & the gunfight.
The Ruger Mini 14 will get the job done just fine, if you know what your about, and are truly committed of course. There's always that.