It is worth noting that probably thousands (if not tens of thousands) of LEOs back through the years until today have used the Mini-14 (or 30) as a patrol carbine. I got my first, (a 180 Series 19776 bicentennial Model) in about 1982. From then on, until I retired in 2000, I carried either a Mini or M1 Carbine as a Patrol Carbine.
Even on my small 50 Deputy (not counting Jail and Corrections) Department in the 1990s, half a dozen or more other deputies also had Mini-14s. We had to qualify by shooting from a rest at 100 yards, and getting 7 or 8 of 10 shots in the head of a B27 Silhouette target. Not just in the black, but there was the area inside a dotted line that was about an inch in form the edge of the black. We all had "pencil barreled" Minis, an no one had a problem qualifying.
Remember, until well into the new Millennium, Colt was basically the only game in town, and was significantly more expensive at that. During that time, I also had an original Colt SP1 CAR-15, but was reluctant to carry it as a patrol carbine because it was worth too much money! Besides, I liked shooting the Mini and M1 Carbine more.
It was not until the massive proliferation of AR15s 6 or 8 years ago, caused by a glut of receiver makers and parts makers that the "erector set rifle " (AR-15) price dropped below that of the Mini and availability exceeded that of the Mini. Basic supply and demand economics had the AR15 price bottom out. You can build yourself a serviceable AR15 for around $400 dollars.
