Which would you buy?
- Thread starter USNRet93
- Start date
Mini 14
You already have ammo to feed the AR, so that's a big plus, ammo commonality.
IF you want a "piece of history" that's still fun to shoot, then the GI carbine in any functional condition.
No mention made of hunting, self defense, or other, so not taking any of that into consideration.
I've had AR, still have an old Mini-14. Never bothered with the M1 carbine because the round doesn't do anything I don't already have well covered, when they were cheap and since now they aren't even remotely cheap, my interest is even less.
Thinking that's the way to go..Mini-14..I shoot a lot so ammo $ is a consideration..yup, outdoor range, 25-50 yard plate and paper target shooting..NOT HD or hunting..
Plus pretty easy to find one used and I think a used Mini-14 would be generally more reliable than a 'used' M1 carbine..
Given the choices, If money were no object...
1- Fulton M1 Carbine
2- USGI M1 refurbed by Fulton
3- Mini-14
4- Mini-30
The M1 is one of the most "fun" firearms ever made, an utter hoot. USGI Carbines have skyrocketed in price but are often in need of refurb to help them become reliable, so given the cost I would just pick a Fulton built modern one and be done with it. The other current production ones are spotty at best, junk at worst, Ive wasted money and time on them... don't waste yours.
As for the Mini, I have never owned one in my entire life (not sure how that happened) but always wanted one. I finally picked up my first 14 last summer and have been having fun with it (I was planning on posting about my experience), basically beefed up & modernized M1 Carbine.
If funds didn't allow for a Fulton, I would have no hesitation about buying a Mini.
My family had an original M1 Carbine and it was a BLAST! It was accurate and reliable, using only military ball ammo. All the rifles you mentioned could be fun, but the .30 carbine cartridge is a pistol round, so not a great 200+ yard shooter or hunting round, so go with what meets your long-term needs and ammo availability.
Should you ever want to scope it, the Mini 14 might be a better candidate.
Should you ever want to scope it, the Mini 14 might be a better candidate.
aidenohara
Inactive
I will get the Mini 30, provided money was no object. Why? I'm primarily geared as a hunter and outdoorsman, and I see the 7.62x39mm cartridge as more versatile than the M1 .30 carbine, or the (gasp) .223. Given the degree of accuracy available from most Mini's, your not giving anything up much in terms of range, even though the .223 is faster and flatter. auto clickerhttps://mouseclicker.net
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I am not a "piece of history" sort of guy, I like stuff that works, unique is good, but history doesn't add anything.
For me the most practical and coolest model out of those is a mini 14 in the "LE" version (which is just a name, it's not only for LE).. They have a non threaded 16 inch barrel with a simple stock, in stainless. Very handle short rifles, you do see a flash out of them w/ 5.56 minus a birdcage, but they work well and are not all tacticooled out..
Mini 30's are great just they don't make a 16 inch stainless model without a threaded barrel. Nothing wrong w/ a threaded barrel just I think it's nice to have the sight right at the end of the barrel without any extra stuff, as short as you can legally own them, at least for a change of pace in rifles.
For me the most practical and coolest model out of those is a mini 14 in the "LE" version (which is just a name, it's not only for LE).. They have a non threaded 16 inch barrel with a simple stock, in stainless. Very handle short rifles, you do see a flash out of them w/ 5.56 minus a birdcage, but they work well and are not all tacticooled out..
Mini 30's are great just they don't make a 16 inch stainless model without a threaded barrel. Nothing wrong w/ a threaded barrel just I think it's nice to have the sight right at the end of the barrel without any extra stuff, as short as you can legally own them, at least for a change of pace in rifles.
HistoryJunky
New member
I would go with the Mini-14 or 30. I wish either of those rifles was compatible with AR or AK mags though.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
One thing on Mini's is you basically gotta run factory 20 round mags. An aftermarket model or two exists that might work well, or can be made to work well, but it's not worth the headache. Mini 14 30-round mags are available but my experience is similarly not great.
This is no different than most other guns. A mini is not a spec based AR, just means you spend more on mags, on the flip side they are good quality mags.
Kreyzhorse
New member
I'd buy the old M1 unless you needed a full time shooter. I'd expect them to be priced a bit high at a gun show but you never know.
Bought the Ruger mini-14..GREAT shooter, GREAT fun...
YMMV and all that. I prefer it to my other son's Ruger 556. Very easy to shoot well, reliable, lotsa fun..don't get the 'lawnboy' reference.
'Ride out the semi auto wave'??
Don't get that one either..Wait for what?
YMMV and all that. I prefer it to my other son's Ruger 556. Very easy to shoot well, reliable, lotsa fun..don't get the 'lawnboy' reference.
'Ride out the semi auto wave'??
Don't get that one either..Wait for what?
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thanks
The only rifle that I am particularly happy with is the AR, and you said that you don't want them. The M1 carbine has usually been described as a fun little gun, not a serious weapon. The mini, when I fired it, was a clattering, slamming, inaccurate thing with an abominable trigger. I've seen enough of the AK and variants that I just can't be impressed.
So, I have, as I said, ridden out the semiauto wave. I wouldn't buy anything but an AR, which I have had good experiences with, and the prices of getting a suitably equipped one can do a lot of work on my ongoing home renovation.
I apologize for any lack of clarity.
So, I have, as I said, ridden out the semiauto wave. I wouldn't buy anything but an AR, which I have had good experiences with, and the prices of getting a suitably equipped one can do a lot of work on my ongoing home renovation.
I apologize for any lack of clarity.
Usn:
The lawnmower reference was regarding the feel and function of the mini. It was unpleasant to shoot. Where most of my other guns are like a ride in a cadillac, the mini that I fired was like running a riding mower over mole hills.
As you yourself said, YMMV. the mini that I fired, in blk, didn't function as well as I thought a rifle that approached $1,000 should.
As far as riding it out? That's really too simple. I'm not getting them. I'm not waiting for anything.
The lawnmower reference was regarding the feel and function of the mini. It was unpleasant to shoot. Where most of my other guns are like a ride in a cadillac, the mini that I fired was like running a riding mower over mole hills.
As you yourself said, YMMV. the mini that I fired, in blk, didn't function as well as I thought a rifle that approached $1,000 should.
As far as riding it out? That's really too simple. I'm not getting them. I'm not waiting for anything.