[XxAR10xX]

I'm kinda drawing blanks on what is still legal here in Cali other than the lame Mini-14. Anyone got suggestions? I'm even open to neutered rifles I guess...

[natedog]

Lame Mini-14? Why do you say that? The Mini-14's main problems are easily addressable.

1) Inavailability of reliable hi-capacity magazines:
A non-issue in California, as hi-capacity magazines are illeagal. 10 round Pro-mag brand magazines work great, as do the factory 5 round Ruger magazines.

2) Innacuracy:
Factory Mini-14's usually shoot about 4 MOA out of the box. It can be tuned to shoot accurately for less than $100.

A. Finding the ammunition your Mini-14 likes or working reloads for it.

B. Adding a muzzlebrake. This puts some weight on the muzzle end, improving barrel harmonics. It usually cuts groups in half.

C. Bedding the stock. This will improve group sizes considerably.

3) Other improvements that may or may not improve accuracy

A. Mike Knifong's gas bushing kit: It's a smaller gas port insert that allows less gas to cycle the action, thus reducing recoil and keeping your sights on target.

B. Mike Knifong's trigger job: improves trigger pull. what else do you need to know?


With all of these upgrades, I have seen Mini-14's shoot group sizes under an inch at 100 yards. If you don't want to mess around with all of these upgrades and just want to get instant results, it's going to cost you. Clarks Custom Guns does heavy barrel conversions, as does Accuracy Systems International. They are garunteed to produce 1 MOA or better, but will cost you about $300.

By it's own, the Mini-14 has there merits:

1. Lightweight and handy
2. Good sights on the standard model
3. 'Ranch Model' has nice folding peep sights, and comes with sturdy rings.
4. Good trigger
5. Garand-style safety
6. Reliable
7. Garand-style rotary bolt and gas system
8. Good looks
9. Eregronomic
10. Upgradable

[natedog]

Here's a great website:
Perfect Union BBS (http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=8)

[Hkmp5sd]

The FAB-10 is essentially an AR-15 with a fixed 10 round magazine. You might look into that. You can then use the wide assortment of AR uppers available.

[Destructo6]

HK SL-6 in .223.

[willyjixx]

natedog nice mini!!!

the bushing your talking about. is that the one that fits on the back of the recoil rod an keeps it from smacking the reciever?

[natedog]

No, in the gas tube there is a small orifice that allows a small amount of gas to escape. The orifice that comes from the factory is about this big: O. The kit, which you can buy from Mike Knifong through e-mail, comes with 3 different size orifices, a large, small, and medium. The large orifice is about this big: o . The medium is even smaller, and the small is about this big: '.' It reduces the amount of gas that cycles the action, reducing recoil and reducing the trajectory of the ejected brass, making it land in nice, neat piles about 10 feet away. (Mini's are known for brass flying really far, mine throws its brass about 50 feet:D ). The recoil with the bushing in is like a .22 Mag. Often, with new Mini-14's, you need to start out with the large bushing, due to the new, tight, factory springs. With the medium or small bushings not enough gas will be able to enter the action, but this will change over time as you wear the springs. If you have anymore questions go ahead and PM me and I can send you more detailed charts.

[XxAR10xX]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Kinda of a real lame situation out here in CA. Good thing I picked up an AR15 or two before the ban. If you got any more suggestions.. keep em coming! :cool:

[Andrew Wyatt]

IMHO, the mini is better for my needs than an AR.


it's lighter, handier, and has the same manual of arms as the other semi-autos i have.


YMMV.

[Number 6]

If you can afford it, the M96 is in .223 and takes AR magazines. They make a CA legal one minus the pistol grip. I have seen them for around $1100 I think.

http://www.robarm.com/

[PenHolder]

Yes, our selection of semi-auto .223s here in CA is truly hurtin'.

We've got the Minis, which, if you work for them, you can make them work for you. I fired a stock one and I was less than impressed by the sights, accuracy, recoil, brass pegging the poor guy working on his rifle back behind the shooting area, the whole package. If they cost $200, maybe I'd feel better about them, but for $500-600 new I don't think they're a good deal. I'm just not that into turd-polishing, I suppose. Talk about your distorted markets!

Then there's the neutered, very expensive (MSRP ~$1600) Robinson M96. It looks like they cut off the pistol grip without adjusting the stock angle. I imagine that the resulting ergonomics are poor, unless you have a nine-inch trigger finger:

http://www.robarm.com/images/M96%20CA%20700.jpg
http://www.robarm.com/m96_california_recon_carbine.htm

One interesting new semi-auto .223 that's coming down the pike, and which seems like our betters in the DOJ will deign to allow us, is the Kel-tec SU-16:

http://www.kel-tec.com/images/SU-163viewsmerged.jpg
http://www.kel-tec.com/su-16_rifle.htm

It's small, light, takes AR mags, and folds in half. I haven't been able to find one in a shop yet, though I "heard from a guy who heard from a guy" that they'd be here in ~1.5 months. We'll see.

Best,

PH

[Dave Markowitz]

What about a Saiga Sporter in .223? They would seem to offer several good features:

1. It's an AK. Ergo, it's ultra-reliable.
2. The reports I've read online indicate that they are pretty accurate with good ammo.
3. Cheaper than a Mini-14.
4. Have a scope rail on the receiver, so scoping them is straightforward.

[Andrew Wyatt]

it's also illegal because it's an AK.