The Mini-14 is styled afterĪnd operates similarly to the U.S. Among the AR-15's major competitors in the civilianĪutoloading carbine market is the Ruger Mini-14. However, the AR-15 is not the only military style rifle Shooters and an entire cottage industry has grown up supplying parts and Service rifles, the AR-15 has become very popular with American civilian (I guess terrorists could beĬlassified as "varmints.") As has been true of all previous U.S. 223 Remington (5.56mm NATO) varmint cartridge. All three are based on the same basic AR action and shoot the military's select-fire M16 and M4Īssault rifles. The AR-15 is theĬivilian, semi-automatic version of the U.S.
"black rifle" in North America today is the AR-15.
Probably the best known and most recognizable civilian Dave is our Guns and Shooting Online computer security person and most of his experience, although he has been shooting for a long time, has been with handguns. All except Dave are experienced rifle shooters and have participated in a great many rifle reviews. Jim Fleck, Technical Assistant Bob Fleck and Technology Services representative Dave Cole. They are Owner and Managing Editor Chuck Hawks, Gunsmithing Editor Rocky Hays, Chief Executive Technical Advisor 223 Carbinesįive Guns and Shooting Online staff members were enlisted for this comparison article. There will be one less AR manufacturer, and that's always a good thing.AR-15 (CMMG M4 LE) and Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Carbines comparedĬompared: AR-15 (CMMG M4 LE) and Ruger Mini-14 Tactical. "Will it start a trend? I'm skeptical but it's progress. "Colt has a name associated with it and there is a history around Colt's firearms so I think there is a symbolism there," Patrick said. "With the timing, it makes you scratch your head and wonder if they're not serving the political winds around this issue," said Andrew Patrick, director of political communications at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.Īs far as what the company's decision means for gun control, Patrick isn't sure. While Colt insisted its decision was market-driven, the choice has some wondering if controversy around guns nudged them a certain way. "The increasing polarization about this issue has placed the gun industry in a sort of partisan camp, and every industry wants to stay bipartisan," Lytton said. But whether they like it or not, gun ownership has become political. They often fear backlash from the gun rights community. Major companies in the gun industry rarely respond to the social pressure on gun control, Lytton said. Then, earlier this year, it doubled down and stopped selling all guns, including hunting rifles. The announcement came in the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. In February 2018, Dick's Sporting Goods voluntarily pulled assault-style weapons out of its stores and stopped the sale of firearms to anyone under 21 years old. The company also, along with Kroger, is asking shoppers to refrain from openly carrying guns in its stores. Walmart said earlier this month it will discontinue all sales of handgun ammunition and sales of short-barrel rifle ammunition that can be used with military-style weapons. Recently, commercial retailers have reacted to social pressure from gun control activists.