My Mini-14 shoots sideways too!

G

Glock_Racer

New member
And it fires brass!

Seriously, a scary thing happened at the range today. I was shootin' the ol' Mini-14 today, making sure there was a shield on my right side as I know the Mini-14 is infamous for spitting out brass at high velocities. Well, after a couple of groups, and in the middle of starting another one, I fired a shot, and the guy next to me yelled and cussed and I turned around. He was crouched over the ground, holding his forehead, and I knew one got him good. I went over to look and he got cut and it drew blood. One got him good over the eye and the wound was crescent shape. Well, I apologized, and saw that he was okay, feeling bad about it. First time, this happened to me. Anybody ever had the same thing happened to them?
 
It isn't just the Mini 14. I think it is the 223 Rem round. It is a hot little booger. I am nto aure where, but some time ago, I remember seeing a pic of a structure that they had a law enforcement/swat training session in. It was either an AR15 or an M16 that shot a chunk of brass into a 2x4 and it stuck. It was in pretty deep too. I would hate to see what that would do to someone's head.
 
I think the Mini-14 (or, specifically, the Ranch Rifle-since that' what I have) is worse than AR-15s in this respect. I took some Boy Scouts on a campout this weekend, and, among other things, I let them shoot my new Ranch Rifle. I was trying to gather up the brass for reloading, but I think I only got about 30% of it. That rifle threw the cases about 25', and pretty randomly. Shooting out in the woods, with leaves and forest debris on the ground, it was about hopeless finding the brass unless I saw exactly where it landed. I'd hate to be the guy on the next bench at the range. Maybe it's that the Ranch Rifles are designed not to throw the brass into the scope (which I don't have yet) - mine sure launches it far to the right.

Doug
 
Another advantage of the mini over the AR...

Very handing for keeping rioters who would try to flank you at bay....

Bowser.
 
I still have the scar (3 years ago)on my neck where a hot case hit me from an AR15 during an urban rifle class. What a stupid design to spit cases sideways onto people right next to you. This is reason #372 why the AR sucks.

Garand had the brains to make sure the brass goes forward.
 
I was next to a guy the other day with an AK variant (Chinese?) that was spewing brass a good distance and at a good velocity. It sucked being next to him.
 
You should see what a Ljungmann AG-42B in 6.5x55 can do; these things LAUNCH empty cases a good 30 yards forward and to the right, and I've seen empty cases stick into wood firing-line stakes.
 
My AR15s don't throw brass very far. The Mini14s I have owned have been a lot worse. My brass throwing prize, however, goes to H&K. The SR9T (HK91 based) 308 rifle I had would throw brass in distances not measured in feet, but in yards. Forget about recovering your brass. Best. Watch-Six
 
The ranch rifle ejects right very forcefully. This more right movement is done to eject the case away from a mounted scope.

The Mini-14 (non ranch) ejects it more up and to the right, avoiding this more sideways projectile.
 
I learned my lesson a while back when shooting my Ranch Rifle to always go for the furthest right position at a range (or put up a portable barrier I now carry with me). A couple of years ago was the only time I got yelled at and it was from the shooter 4 positions over! He got hit in the head after the brass sailed over the heads of the 3 shooters in between us. Fortunately, his head shot didn't draw any blood. I guess the velocity was below 300 fps by the time it reached him. :)
 
Ask K80Geoff about how a SARII throws its shells. Without realizing it I gave a good coating at W&W.
 
ouch!!!!!!!!!

My buddy and i went out to the range I always take far right on the range , I fired twenty rounds or so then we set up some clay birds at 200 yds. I popped a few then I told dave to git some, I didn't think about it at the time he settled down with the bushmaster, Dave is left handed. Yup you guessed it I never seed anyone move that fast before,the case went right down the back of his shirt. Elvis would have been proud. I felt bad the case did burn his back. but now we're aleeetle bit careful.:eek: hotdog
 
Not Just the Mini-14

I had Stainless Ranch Rifle (and will soon again, Lord and Wallet willing), and it also had a tendency to kick the brass. But as well, while stationed in Europe in the early 80's,l I saw a Fabrique Nationale' (FN) FNC kick brass 20' to 30' feet. It kicked it so hard that I found dented casings from it. I think part of it is that it IS a hot little round...

JBB

On a footnote, I fired the FN FAL as well (on a Belgiuqe Military Kaserne), and LOVED IT. Superb 7.62 weapon, and you'd better not be within 200 yards with IRON sights.
 
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