Mini 14

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Hmm. Tell me more about this one. Small, auto, not overtly tactical. Hmmm:p
 
Fiddleback said:
Hmm. Tell me more about this one. Small, auto, not overtly tactical. Hmmm:p
Click to expand...

Mini-14s are pretty sweet. Loud as hell for a .223 because of the short barrel and absence of a flash suppressor. Built on basically the same Rolling Bolt design as the M-1 Garand, Carbines M-1, M-2, M-3, and the M-14. Takes down like the M-14 as the trigger guard is the handle for the lever that locks upper and lower receiver together. Factory mags now are only the 5 rounders but after market mags up to 40 rounds are out there...I prefer the 20 rounders which can be hard to find. There are a lot of accessories on the market for them. Cheap ammo is bad for the gas port. The the used ones often have weak springs from many rounds being shot through them and people "bump-firing" them, like cars it depends on who had it first and how many people. If you pick up a used one you may try to get a spring for an AC-556 for it. The AC-556 is the Military/L.E. select fire version and having full auto capability has a stronger spring...just not sure if they mate together the same or not...never got to break one down.

I liked mine a lot as far as shooting and accuracy...just really loud for such a small rifle and has more kick than an AR. I used to deer hunt with my first one down in Alabama years ago, shot several rabbits with it too. I had one up here too...but it got sold off to fund a custody battle.

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Works well/reliable.
Nimble/light/handy and the ergonomics are nice and simple
Thin barrel gets hot quick. Some newer models have thicker barrels.
Older models not so great accuracy.
Newer models much better accuracy due to change in manufacturing.
Expensive magazines.
Most used ones go for so close to new there usually is not much reason not to just order the one you really want.
I would rather have one than a stock AK or SKS assuming price was no object.


I'm more likely to trade for one than to buy one.
At $400-$500 I like them a lot. The further the price gets above $500 the more likely I am to save the dough for an AR.
 
parts are only available from Ruger. they don't sell them seperately, you need to send the rifle in so they can "fit" the parts... or at lest that's what i've heard over the years.

only factory mags, and i think one brand of aftermarket mags are reliable.

mags are usually more expensive than AR mags, and almost always harder to find in qty.

skinny barrel has a reputation for a wandering zero when you get it hot.


i've seen some people chop the barrel back to 16" and thread ti for a flash hider and heard of people getting better accuracy with the chopped down versions.

if you build an AR, only the receiver has to go thru a FFL, everything else is just parts.(tho there are different quality levels) you can build it any configuration you like. and run a drop in .22 conversion or a dedicated upper.

the mini 14 is fine if all you want is a "ranch rifle" with 5rd mags. if you want something for heavier shooting, the AR makes a better platform. if you want something that's cheap to shoot you can get an AR, or AR upper in 5.45 which is much cheaper than 5.56/.223

in short, i wouldn't bother with a mini 14, but i've got umm... many ARs. plus spare mags, spare parts and tools to rebuild them.
 
Fun :thumbup:

It's not a tack driver but it'll definitely get the job done. Factory mags are available in 5,10,20, and 30 rounds but pricey. You can also find mags made by others. There's lots of accessories to configure it how you want.

Since you just picked up an SKS you might want to check into the Mini-30. Same basic platform but it takes the 7.62x39 so you wouldn't have to mess with another caliber if you don't already have .223/5.56. Same accessory availability and factory mags can be had in 5 and 30 rounders.

Mini-14 GB :D
DSC05083.jpg





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The newer ones can be bought at wally world around here for just over 600. The ones with serial numbers that start with 580 and up are the newer generation. I just picked one up a few weeks back and love it! Not much bigger than a 10/22. I keep reading posts about mags being hard to find and expensive, But there are many,many sources for mags online and they aren't any higher than a quality 1911 mag. The aftermarket mags get good reviews and are cheap, But I haven't tried any. I did get a 20% off coupon for registering my warranty online with Ruger. I put it towards a 20 rd. factory mag. They say these newer ones will hold a good group at 100 yds. I've only got about a 40 yd. target, and I think the rifle will outshoot me . I'm needing a red dot or low power scope for mine with my eyes getting bad. I've had AR's and SkS's and an AK, But the Mini has a certain old school mil-spec feeling to it. Mine has excellent fit and finish. I would just go with a new model for just a little bit more than the older ones are selling for used in shops.
 
Good little rifles, but I like a quality AR better. If you get one, Brownells is a good source for mags, parts, etc. My dad has owned about 5 in all, along with one mini30. He liked them, but somehow they all got sold off and he runs a piston-driven AR15 now. Andy, you might want to look at the little carbines that CZ makes. Short, sweet little .223 and 7.62x39 bolt actions with 5 or 6 round mags, all steel, nice wood stock, set triggers, lovely little rifles. You can get different front sight inserts from CZ, including gold bead and fiber optic. I bet you would like 'em. As far as semi-auto goes, LWRC is the only way to fly. :) What's wrong with "tactical" anyway? ;) Fiddleback knives and suppressed piston guns - variety is the spice of life!

http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-527-carbine/
 
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Aside from AR platform, probably has the most after market parts for any specific rifle kind.

I have three... all shoot any 223 or 556 ammo i throw at them. Cheap corrosive russian stuff, no problem. Easy to take down, clean put back. I can beat the crap out of it. It does not jam when i have not cleaned it often enough.

Note, i am not accuracy kind of guy. My mentatlity is more of, if i pick it up after sitting for a while (and did i forget to clean it last time???) will it go bang. That is why even though i love the look and feel of my Sig 229, when SHTF happens i will take my glock 19. same concept for me.

Now dont get me started on the mini-30. i think they may have to pry that one from my dead hands.
 
Is there any way to make one a bit less tactical though? Is there one with a wooden stock?

I really hate the look of the AR 15. I'll likely just buy more SKS's and stick with that if it comes to having to have an AR 15.

Speaking of my SKS, I've got the stock all sanded down and it'll get a re-finish job this weekend.
 
I like the reliability of the Mini and the accuracy of the AR. So I had this made for me.
DSC_0229.jpg

This is at 100 yards... Who says Mini 14's aren't tack drivers...:p
DSC_0238.jpg
 
Andy,
Short answer is yes. Many things make them look less "tactical" and most enhance its accuracy potential. Plain muzzle, stainless barrel, free floating forend, flat top receiver with scope, 20rn mags which I prefer anyway,fixed butt stock vs collapsable. With your skill at fitting, no reason you could not trade work for parts and build your own. One thing that also helps is to change the color- people see "Black Rifle" and knee jerk. Desert tones are popular now and look less threatening.
2Door
 
The newer Mini-14's have a 1:9 twist rate, so stabilize heavier bullets better. they also have slightly heavier barrels, so are more accurate.
On top of this, Ruger finally figured out barrel harmonics and improved accuracy that way as well.
I like gas piston rifles (mini, SKS, HK 91, etc...) over direct gas impingement (AR's) largely because of their ability to tolerate adverse cleaning habits and "dirty" ammo.

The mags for the mini's will never be as cheap as the AR/AK mags, because AR's & AK's have mil-surp going for them. You can still get Ruger factory mage for a decent price from CDNN and other online vendors or aftermarket mags from LOTS of places. Yes, there are 40 rd mags available for the ruger.
 
1066vik said:
I like gas piston rifles (mini, SKS, HK 91, etc...) over direct gas impingement
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ummm... think you meant to say M1A, and not HK91, 'cause there ain't no gas system, or piston on the 91 or 93 (or MP5).

it's roller delayed blowback. which means that it makes a mess inside the receiver and mags.
 
1066vik said:
The mags for the mini's will never be as cheap as the AR/AK mags, because AR's & AK's have mil-surp going for them. You can still get Ruger factory mage for a decent price from CDNN and other online vendors or aftermarket mags from LOTS of places. Yes, there are 40 rd mags available for the ruger.
Click to expand...

NEW, not surplus USGI spec mags for the AR are $7 each, often less.

and the most aftermarket mags for the rugers have a reputation for not working.
 
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