Is the mini-14 worth it (in Kalifornia)?

T

TCW

New member
In Kalifornia if you want a semi-auto defense carbine (2 and 4 legged creatures at 150 yards), you're basically stuck with a 5-round mini-14. Given all the problems with this rifle (accuracy, crappy aftermarket mags) is it even worth the $500.00? Should I just learn to work a bolt action really quickly? I was thinking of buying a mini but just can't seem to bring myself to do it due to the numerous complaints about the gun.

What the heck is Ruger's problem! Make some 10 round mags and install a real barrel! :mad:

Thanks,
TCW
 
Most of the complaints you will see are AR15 vs Mini 14 rants, just like the Glock vs 1911 rants you will see in the semi-auto handgun forum. Many of us love our Mini 14's. If you are looking at defense more than a target gun that has to put 10 rounds through a dime in 3 seconds, a Mini 14 will do you just fine. Keep in mind also, not all aftermarket mags are bad. A friend of mine had somewhere around twenty 30 round mags made by USA Magazine and each function flawlessly. I am sure you can get a few ten rounders to work very well.
 
i have both a mini 14 and a bushmaster ar.both are fine guns for their intended purpose.
the mini-14 is a fun little carbine and i have many 40,30 20 round mags that are no name after market jobs and they all work just fine.
 
No. Move to arizona!:(

Other than that get a 1968-70"sneak" finnish M-39 from www.gunsnammo.com put a PO scope on er' and a bipod...

Then use the only means at hand...become an accurate as hell shot...thatl' teach the Natzi's.
 
I also live in California and I recently bought a Mini-14. I also have some AR-15s and AKs that I got before the ban. I had the same concerns as you before I finally got the Mini. I'm very happy with it. It hasn't jammed yet using USA and other brands of 20 and 30 round magazines I also bought before the ban. I plan to get some 10-round mags soon - I think I may actually prefer them to the larger mags - I do prefer the 20s to the 30s.

I got the Ranch rifle because I plan to install a red dot sight on it. If you have the itch for an "assault rifle" in California, this comes pretty close. A stainless Mini-14 with a black plastic stock and a 10-round stainless magazine is a handy, reliable, durable, quick shooting rifle that will probably scratch your "evil assault rifle" itch. I still like my ARs, etc., but the fact that there are no legal restrictions on where I can use the Ruger (more than any other sporting rifle), and no registration requirements, means that I'll probably wind up using the Mini-14 a lot. I also like knowing that I can replace it if it is stolen - something that always worries me about my other now-banned semi-autos. I think the mini makes a great gun to take camping, etc.

Doug
 
Many of us cannot move, many of us do not like or want to move. Whatever the reason is, why move. Why let them take-it without action or struggle. If you are skared to die and government, then say you are skared(or scared). Anyways. Screw the Mini-14, AR-15, AK-47. Your best bet right, right now is a M1A(superior rifle than the Mini's, AR's, and AK's). Your other bet is the SKS in either Russian, Chinese or Romanian. I have one of each, I like my Chinese parkerize better, plus believe it or not, my ChiCom milled SKS is more accurate than my AR, AK, Mini and Russian and Romo SKS's. But the Russian is a little better built, but accuracy on SKS's depend on the treatment they have receive before and treatment still receive know. Accuracy also mostly and mainly depend on how accurate or good-shot the shooter is. You can built a custom rifle with all the gizmos and works; But if you are a bad shot, the rifle will not work for you, with $500 or $10000 spent on it. If you do not like the ten-shot SKS or the magazine fed(5, 10, 20, 30-round)M1A. Get a good, decent bolt-action Remington 700 or Savage 10FP in .308 Win. I have one of each, my Savage is more accurate, but I love my Remingtons. Savage 10FP are $300-$400.

Your non-skared friend, Ed Hellison Chavez of East Los Angeles, California Republic. :p
 
M1A

I like my Mini-14 but I bought it because it was realtivly cheap. But my dream semi-auto is a Springfield Armory M1A. One of these days.
 
Ed H. Chavez, let's go shooting. I find your ideas intriguing.

Do you have a newsletter? ;) I live an hour and a half north of you, in Carpinteria (between Ventura and Santa Barbara). Is Burro Canyon back open? email me. We'll take our M1A's.

I just sold my Mech Tech CCU and when the check comes, I'm gonna get me one of them stainless ranch rifles. On July 9, to show the U.N. how much I respect their authoritah!

Cartman Ledbetter
 
Ed Chavez got it. If your going to put out the cash for a new rifle get the M1a, or a decent bolt action in .308. An SKS will do everything a mini 14 will do, only its cheaper and (in my case) more accurate. Also, don't rule out the M1A carbine.
 
I second everything ED CHAVEZ said. M1A for more punch, SKS for budget (over the Mini14).

I got a beat up Rom-SKS that works well, and an M1A loaded thats supurb- and an FP10 i took out for the first time and had .5" groups at 100yards. Not only did it group well, but also hit point of aim every time (its in great tune).

Ledbetter- Im in Santa Barbara, and hit the range pretty often- drop me a line.
 
TCW,

The Mini 14 is not a crappy rifle, I would not hesitate to use mine for self defense. It tends to be as accurate as an SKS or AK47 and with the right mags is VERY reliable.
 
i think you oughta move from california...just as i did after 13 years of bs. then you can by ak's and sks's with hi-cap mags without a worry. im now living in colorado. i think and ak is far more cost effective than a mini m-14
 
Buy one and turn it into this:

miniassault.jpg


Will they ban it now?

BTW, you can get some decent 10rders here http://www.johnmasen.com
 
Glock_Racer, did you see any noticable difference in accuracy with that Clark barrel stablizer thingy? Was thinking about getting one but wanted first hand info on weather it works or not. Thanks for any info.
 
I ain't skared...just don't like California. The place just feels weird..that was back in 89 when I visited.

It's good advice to leave, I know most of us folks dont like "strategic retreats"....but that's the diffrence between suicidal maniacs and proffesionals;) I admire Bezerkers ( if that is what you realy are), I hope you enjoy taking on the state and by default the "Federales", cause they will take you on eventualy. ( I am not saying it won't happen in my state...)

If you plan on serios combat, I do suggest you dump the idea of the Ruger. It's a civilian arm, and a poor one at that.
 
Glock_Racer, did you see any noticable difference in accuracy with that Clark barrel stablizer thingy? Was thinking about getting one but wanted first hand info on weather it works or not. Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...


Yes! Before = 2 - 4" 100yd group using American Eagle HP 50gr
After = 1 - 2" 100yd group using American Eagle HP 50gr

I'm still trying to find the ammo it likes so it can fire the nice 1 MOA's consistently. BTW, I also had Clark Custom's http://www.clarkcustomguns.com standard trigger job done, it helps too!
 
Everything not familiar looks weird to anyone.

We are ready for them legally and the other way. I ain't worry about them, it could be a million for all I care. I'll take many with me as I can :D. Anyways.

The Ruger Mini-14 ain't a military weapon, never was, never will be. The Mini is for hunting, hiking and fun shooting. I got plenty of others firearms that can beat circles around any M-16 clone(AR's) :p Do not get me wrong, I like them clones, but that rifle ain't a military rifle either it is just a clone, but it gets the job done, to a certain degree.

Later-on.

Izzy wrote:
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I ain't skared...just don't like California. The place just feels weird..that was back in 89 when I visited.

It's good advice to leave, I know most of us folks dont like "strategic retreats"....but that's the diffrence between suicidal maniacs and proffesionals I admire Bezerkers ( if that is what you realy are), I hope you enjoy taking on the state and by default the "Federales", cause they will take you on eventualy. ( I am not saying it won't happen in my state...)

If you plan on serios combat, I do suggest you dump the idea of the Ruger. It's a civilian arm, and a poor one at that.
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BTW, in case it was never said, Ruger does not make their own barrels for the Mini14. They have only 4 hammer forging machines and some older rifling machines. This does not meet their production needs so they have contracted out to Green Mountain to make their Mini14 barrels for them. It's been that way for years.
 
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