this post was submitted on 07 Feb 2026
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Yeah, it's a pretty decent substitute. It can shoot 5.56 just as well as an AR-15, and there's a theory that it looks less scary (especially with wood) than all those all-black AR-15's, so it'll hold up better in court. An AR is just better though, a lot of those banned features like the pistol grip are good. AR's tend to be cheaper, since there's just so many parts manufacturers, some very focused on getting the price down so they can sell more. AR-15's have objectively better magazines, but it's not a huge deal. Tbh generally guns that are better than a Mini 14 are banned if you're in a state where the AR-15 is banned, so the Mini 14 might genuinely be your best option.
A handgun might be a good option instead, for two simple reasons. Pistol ammo is way cheaper, and you go through it slower, so you can spend way more time at the range. Prices fluctuate, but it's generally about half the price for 9mm vs .223/5.56. The other reason is it's way better for personal defense, since you can keep it a lot closer and pull it out quicker in your house, and unlike a rifle, you at least have the choice of carrying it outside your house. If you're in an AR ban state, concealed carry might be tough. There's some states where you can concealed carry as an inherent right, no paperwork or police visits, it's very cool. Pistols are also almost never banned, unless you're in California lmao. A Ruger 10/22 might similarly be of interest, for ammo pricing.
Consider training with Stop the Bleed and First Aid, and getting an Individual First Aid Kit from somewhere like North American Rescue. If you can make holes, you should be able to patch holes. Also, head over to your local gun store, you probably shouldn't tell us where you live, but your local gun store will know the good legal stuff.
I'm going to the range with friends in a few days, we're lucky enough to live in a state with decent gun laws. We've got AR's, shotguns, a bolt-action rifle, and pistols that some of us conceal carry. We can manufacture our own firearms legally and easily. It's awesome.
Thanks! I have a P320 Legion already (unfortunately). I wish I got something else, because on top of the obvious known issue of discharging on its own, the legion doesn't have any safety on it either.
I've also been looking at a Tikka t3x, but I figure the semiauto is probably going to be more fun/useful in general. Maybe ill get that one later.
bang
haha made you look
but no, fr, a Tikka would be fun too. I think it's really up to your budget though, how much do you want to spend on ammo vs on your rifle, etc?
Though if you're in a state where they've already banned a good chunk of semi-automatic rifles, you might want to buy the Mini-14 while you still can. Gun control folks won't be satisfied while there's still exceptions, and in lots of states the restrictions just keep coming, slowly, but eventually.
Great post.
Where can I read more about this?
guncadindex
there's also old books about making guns out of hardware store parts, e.g. the Luty, but don't go build a machine gun in your garage.
Exactly! I would have recommended r/fosscad, if it hadn't been banned. There's a Rocket Chat where there's a bunch of beta models that I'm in too.
3d printed guns, at least partially, are just so easy and convenient. It's also super easy to CNC a lot of 3d printed gun stuff, which is awesome. After all, most modern firearms are mostly polymer, and PLA+ is the common mans polymer.
The older make it in the metal shop is still possible, you can find a bunch of designs, books, and manuals on Odysee. There's even a number of modern newly designed metal shop guns. There's some hardware store guns that are new, and meant to be a little safer than the old models.