sks or mini 14

I'd take the Mini in a heartbeat and never look back. I've had four Minis; they've all been two-MOA rifles. The cartridge certainly is more useful in most hunting, if you include survival, and particularly if you handload.

And with the wood stock, they're more socially acceptable, if the opinions of your neighbors have any weight.

FWIW, Art
 
Both guns have problems:
SKS = open iron slights, hard to scope well. Harsh recoil, unlike the AK which has a better (self-regulating) gas system. Stripper clip loading is a matter of preference: cheap, simple but I've had clips shed rounds while I was loading.
Mini14: fragile rear sight, accuracy falls off quickly, finding reliable magazines over 5 rounds is hard/expensive.

I much prefer the Mini14 operation and balance -- I got one to replace an full-length SKS. However, I was very unhappy with the durability of the Mini and replaced it with an AR15. Either AR15 (if you want .223) or an AK clone (if you want 7.62 carbine) would be vetter guns, IMO. YMMV.
 
Clarification on the "fragile" rear sight of the Mini. That's the Mini-14 Ranch rifle which has a flimsy rear sight. It can break by mere raising and lowering.

I'd go with the SKS since it has an integral magazine. I'd hate to pay nowaday prices for factory 20-30 round mags but with an SKS, all you need is a couple of stripper clips. It's also considerably cheaper than a Mini-14 too.
 
I've owned both, and have gotten rid of both. If I would have to go back and make a choice I would go with the SKS. It's a lot cheaper but functions just as well as a mini. Most of all I think the accuracy of the SKS is better than the mini. Maybe some people have been blessed with an accurate mini but mine would never get better than a 3" group at 100yds with a scope and reloads. I could shoot pop cans at 100yds all day with the SKS without a problem with the cheap ammo.

Why did I get rid of them both you ask? I traded the SKS for a bow and I traded the mini for a 45 and have had no regrets in either case.
 
In my experience owning both the Mini is way more accurate. If you get the regular mini-14 the rear sight is very durable. The Ranch rifle is made to have a scope don't buy one to use the flimsy folding rear sight. The SKS has a fixed magazine so strippers are an option. There are strippers for min14s also. I have a good supply of hi cap mags and see them regularly on sale still for less than $20. SKSs are very rough unlike the nicely finished Ruger. To me this is like comparing a Ranger pickup to a FOrd Super Duty. They will both haul but the Ruger will do it all better.
 
RugerCollector where do you find Mini 14 Stripper Clips ? I've never heard of them.

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"Bring 'Em on.... I prefer a Straight Fight to all this sneaking around"
Han Solo
 
Hands down! SKS You will save$$$$$ BIG Bucks over Mini-14. For $200.00 over the cost of a Mini-14 you can buy a AR-15. The WORST shooting AR still shoots better then a Mini-14. Plus, the cash you save on the Mini-14.You can buy a CASE of Ammo.(1000rds) For your SKS. Buy a SKS, Save your bucks up. Then buy a AR. I just wouldn't own a Mini-14, too OVER Priced!!!
 
i was wondering beacuse i have two sks rifles one takes the ak mags the other is a fixed maginze. i was thinking of the next purchase and upgrading along the same type of rifle"semiauto hi-cap magizine etc"
 
The SKS would be my choice over the Mini. If you know how to feed the SKS with it's clips, it is pretty fast! The SKS military models are easily AS accurate as the more expensive Minis. They are often more accurate (especially under sustained fire).

If I wanted to go economy, I'd get the SKS. If I wanted to spend more money, I'd get an AR or some other reliable and accurate semi- auto military type rifle.

Regards! DaMan
 
I would get the SKS//and you can still get fixed 20 round "unremovable" clips for them..easier to disassmble, more user friendly and IMO more accurate and better priced.

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"what gives a government that arms the whole world the right to disarm it's own citizens?"
 
My $.02

I prefer the mini-14, my good buddy (whom I compete with intensely in many arenas)likes his SKS. Both rifles are durable, reliable, easy to field strip, etc. Side by side, our rifles are pretty much the same accuracy wise. SKS's are often cheaper but if you look around you can find a good deal on a mini. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Try to shoot both rifles before you make a decision - I prefer the feel of my mini to an SKS.
 
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