Mini-14 what would you do

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bullfrog99

New member
I've stumbled accross some mini-14's at a local shop for sale, blued stainless, standard sights ranch rifles they have all types way below standard costs. rivaling SAR rifles. it is such a good deal that I am not sure if I should pass it up. I'm not entirely sure what i would use it for though. for those of you who love em, why and what do you use em for. for those of you who hate them, why. Talk me into(or out of ) buying one of these things.
 
mini

Why people hate them I have no idea. I have had my mini 14 for twenty years and have no problems with it. It feeds good shoots good But I haven't tried it out at more than 100yds. fun to plink with also. Easy to clean. Now you tell me what you think. luck hotdog:D
 
I've owned a couple over the years. I really liked them alot. Not tack drivers but a super fun gun that is stone cold reliable. Honestly, of all the thousands of rounds I sent downrange I don't recall one malfunction of anykind.
They'll say inaccurate. Who cares! You want accuracy get a bolt action. I can pepper a silhouette at a hundred yards, no problema. They'll say the barrel gets hot. Well, if you pull the trigger and empty that thirty round mag, well yeah it'll get HOT.
At the price you're talkin' about it's a steal. It's been one of the most popular rifles of the last twenty years. It's Achilles is the magazine situation. The only hi-cap mags I trust are PMI (Precision) mags. There're still out there but get while you can 'cause there're drying up.
The Mini-14 is a sweet little rifle and don't let anybody tell you different. :) Good Luck, J. Parker
 
I got one a few months ago and am very happy with it. Of course, I live in California, so my options are now pretty limited. But I do have some ARs, AKs, and an FAL, and I still like the Mini just fine. I like the stainless and plastic version - that's something you can't duplicate in the AK/AR rifles. I also use it mostly for plinking, and find it very reliable - even with U.S.A. magazines. I haven't really tested it for accuracy, but the consensus is that I can't expect too much. I have ordered a red dot sight for it - when it comes, I'll see just how well I can shoot it. By the way, I got the Ranch rifle, which is supposed to be the best choice if you plan to install any kind of scope.

Doug
 
Since I don't like ruger, the only way I'd buy them is if I were to reselll them at a higher price. Then I'd used the money I made to buy a rifle I really wanted, like an ar-180B.
 
You can find a lemon or two in just about every brand/type of product line. Those who have had problems with a Mini most likely were cursed with a bad magazine, too little patience, unreasonably high expectations, or maybe just got a "friday production" unit. Mine put 3 shots in 3 inches at 200 yards straight out of the box (sandbag rest, prone), & has never malfunctioned even with "cheap" hicap mags of several brands. That rifle put 13 more experienced shooters w/AR's to shame all weekend long in an aggressive rifle course. (Oooops, one of'em was a Styer Scout, he was disappointed about the money he dropped on his rifle, although he did get it to group 11" at 200 yards) What's the price tag on these Mini's look like up close?
 
If you want decent accuracy (but don't expect AR-15-type accuracy) in a short, lightweight rifle, I don't think you can go wrong with a Mini. I've got one in stainless, and I love it. The one problem that does keep popping up about them is that if you get a bad magazine, it will make your experience with the rifle a bad thing (which is why I think a lot of their detractors now spit whenever they hear "Mini-14"). If I do my part, It'll keep all my offhand shots in a basketball at any range that I'd care to use it at, and that's all I'm looking for. If I need accuracy or long-range performance, that's what my bolt-actions are for.
 
I had a Mini about 20 years ago and with was very realible. I agree with J. Parkers post as to accuracy etc.

Conerning mag. I'd take mini with a 10 round mag over an SKS with a 10 round mag.

Turk
 
Within it's limitations, the mini-14 is a good rifle. If you want a light, reliable carbine, and don't expect sub 3" 100 yard groups I think you'll be pleased. My only gripes are magazine availability and the tilt/insert/rock drill required to install the mag. Yes, my AR, bolt actions and single shots are more accurate, but the mini has a very appealling handiness and still gets used quite a bit. BTW, I have not had and mag related problems with my PMI 20 or 30 round mags, never tried any of the others. If you are going to scope it, get the ranch model. If open sights (my preference for the mini), go with the standard model.
 
My major gripe about my mini 14 is barrel heat. After a 20 or 30 rd mag, the accuracy totally goes to hell. Sometimes I can get a better group by throwing rocks. True after 30 rds any barrel will get hot, but my AR is not affected at all in the accuracy dept with an extremely hot barrel.
 
Comparing my old (c. 1976) Mini-14 with my Bushmaster AR15 clone:

Mini is MUCH lighter.
Mini is MUCH cheaper.
Mini barrel heats up faster.
Mini works with - wait for this - USA-brand 30 rd. mags. (GASP!)

AR is much more accurate. (AR = <1 MOA, Mini = 2+ MOA)
AR has MUCH better trigger. (aftermarket Jewell)
AR doesn't heat up as fast as the mini.
AR can be accessorized/customized, to any level your budget will stand.

Reliability is a wash - neither has ever jammed. (Of course, I do maintain them properly.)

If you want a reliable, low-cost plinker, suitable for varmints (4 & 2 legged) out to 200 yards, and the price is right, go for it!
 
DougB,

I am afflicted with the same disease as you (Californiaitis) and thus, I too had little choice but to go with a Mini Ranch. I'm still waiting for the bloody 10-day hostage period to expire so I can collect it from the dealer.

How do you plan to mount your red dot optic? I have a Busnell HoloSight II lying around just dying to be mated to my new Mini.
 
I consider the Mini 14 to be an updated M1 Carbine. Not quite as small, but shoots a better round. My Mini 14 is a fine plinker, and I wouldn't hesitate to use it for a home defense gun.

Most people rag on the Mini 14's accuracy, but mine shoots as well as the AK 47s that I've shot. If 3 to 4 inches at 100 yards is acceptable then so is this rifle...
 
Affordable and reliable gun. However, the bane of the Mini-14 lies in the scarcity of high capacity magazines and it's relative inaccuracy when the barrel heats up. Remember though, while it's not tackdriver like a heavy barrel AR-15 type gun, it's good enough to render the Honors of Combat at 100 yards.
 
Gino, that's a fair comparison...but based on the ones of each I've owned, the Carbine will be more accurate, unless its barrel was routed out by someone with a sectional steel cleaning rod.
 
AR15

I have owned both riles, and the only weapon I have ever have traded is the mini-14, there is no connection...I had a friend who would tell me the mini-14 was more accurate than my ar-15a1..... at the 100 yd mark. With iron sights, I shot better than him with a scope.......he still has his mini-14, but he does not shoot it.....but he has almost 40 weapons.....so what can he do.......

thanks chris :cool:
 
I'll issue the normal standing challenge, anyone that wants to bring a box stock Mini-14 to SE PA, I'll shoot against it with my box stock Colt HBAR. You can pick the stakes. :)
 
(Don't know why I'm responding, must be bored. Don't usually waste my time on someone like this)

Absolom:
Do a search, pal. Know who you're talking to before you cram both of your feet in your mouth up to the knees. :D
 
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