buelliganx1 Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 Like the title says I'm thinking of picking up a mini 14 and I'm just looking to educate myself on them. I was batting around buying or building an AR but I think the mini is more in my price range. I know the newer ones have a thicker barrel but is there anything I should look out for on a used one? I like the looks of the tactical one from Ruger but I'm not sure I'm sold on the looks of the pistol grip, I'd have to put my hands on one to see if I really like the feel of it. Anyways thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 an AR is far, far better lots of mini-14 horror stories out there You would be better off piecing together an AR, and by the time you tacticool a mini-14 out its the same kind of money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty2Hotty Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 Same basic principle as the M14/M1A rifles. Gas piston operated, with a bolt system very similar to the M1/M14 family. I think they're great rifles, with a very proven operation. I've been eye fucking a Mini-30 for sometime due to my dislike for Commie rifles, but the admiration of the 7.62X39mm round. I'm sure it's still true, but the cheap non-factory Mini-14 mags suck. That will be the demise of that rifle operating like it can. Ruger finally started making good quality 20 round mags. Other than that, I'd probably stray away from MILSPEC 5.56 due to the chamber pressures. Always shot 55 grain and higher .223 with no issues in a factory mag. IMO, it's a great rifle. It's Apples to Oranges if compared to an AR. Those are 2 completely different rifles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 What are you looking to do with it? It's not my choice for go to weapon. The horror stories are out there, but I have not encountered any issues. I put a retarded scope on one, 6X24X50 Nikon Monarch, just so I can test and mess around with range ability and if this weapon is accurate. BTW, I have found it likes 62 grain better than 55 for holding accuracy. For me, the gun is a ton of fun to shoot. I don't know why I like it so much, I just do. If I was suggesting an order of buying weapons for someone, it would be 8th or so, after shot guns, AR's and hand guns, maybe even after a Mosin. But right in from of a cross bow. If you don't have any weapons, I would not make this my first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buelliganx1 Posted July 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 Nope not my first and I already have a mosin although it feels so cheaply made that I never have gotten up the courage to fire the thing lol. No I'm just looking for a plinking gun although I do enjoy testing my guns limits as far as distance goes. I may still just start collecting parts for an AR build or hell I may do both. After all a person can never have to many guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 After all a person can never have to many guns. The mini 14 is a fun tool to have in the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackbar00 Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 I think this is the best looking stock for a Mini http://www.scarstock.com/SCAR-Stock/Specfications.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 I think this is the best looking stock for a Mini http://www.scarstock.com/SCAR-Stock/Specfications.html Your link shows 4 different stocks. Which one are you liking best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmuckingham Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 I think this is the best looking stock for a Mini http://www.scarstock.com/SCAR-Stock/Specfications.html I had the AC556 for my old 14 but never got to put the two together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate1647545505 Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 Go with the bigger brother :fa: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangsn95gt Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 My experience with them is the same as Scotts, Ive heard the horror stories but Ive never had a problem with them and neither has one of my friends who has had them for years. I wouldn't be afraid to pick another one up and have been looking at the 6.8 for awhile now. And +1 to the cheap magazines sucking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avenger1647545502 Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 I don't have much experience with the newer ones, just a couple round swaps at the range. They work well as far as I can tell. But the older ones didn't, and frankly I think that impression from back then may be biasing me against them. Three rounds and then you start chasing zero...that's just annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dharris89 Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Mini's are great guns and Ruger's customer service is great. Completely different than AR. If I could only have 1 I would buy the AR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackbar00 Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Your link shows 4 different stocks. Which one are you liking best? 2nd down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjjxlr8 Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Nope not my first and I already have a mosin although it feels so cheaply made that I never have gotten up the courage to fire the thing lol. ....QUOTE] What?!! Lol. Mosin Nagant rifles are extremely durable. Simple and crude, but very durable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buelliganx1 Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Nope not my first and I already have a mosin although it feels so cheaply made that I never have gotten up the courage to fire the thing lol. ....QUOTE] What?!! Lol. Mosin Nagant rifles are extremely durable. Simple and crude, but very durable. Oh I know that they are very durable but there is just something about the feel of the wood in my stock, it almost feels like its one step up from balsa wood. One of these days I'm going to get around to getting a synthetic stock for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotCarl Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Im pretty sure i read somewhere that the later models had a more 'robust'/thicker barrel than the early models. Might be something to keep in mind when your pricing out new compared to used rifles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 I have a mini I am happy with. Less than 200 rounds down though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2011SVT Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Have a Mini-14. Fun to shoot but it's a plinking rifle in my opinion. Performance leaves much to be desired. If you are looking for M1 or even M-14 type accuracy based on the action, prepare for disappointment. Under "Zombie 1 Alert" conditions would leave the house with the AK or Galil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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