All of you have good points. I have sold and stock both PCs and Ranch Rifles. On the point of accuracy, it is my understanding that the Ranch Rifle has a different "twist" in the barrel, compared to a Mini-14 and is supposedly more accurate than the Mini 14. I stock only Ranch Rifles, as they come with the rings. If someone wants a Mini, I can order it OR I can sell them a "Rancher" without the rings. I always have a market for rings. Should they want to "scope" their gun later, all they have to do is come back and get the rings! What a deal!
hammer...I really think it would be a good idea to get BOTH a PC and a Ranch Rifle or Mini. With PCs being discontinued, I only feel that they will go up. Look at what happened to the .44Mag carbines! And for the Minis or Ranchers...a .223 around here is a great coyote gun! Not accurate enough for "prairie dogging" at 200 to 300 yards, but fun at closer ranges.
I like the PC "rubber" feeling stock compared to the "plastic" feeling stock of the synthetic Ranch Rifle. I have contacted Ruger previously in regard to considering the "rubber" feeling PC stock for the Ranch Rifles, but so far. no changes.