Mini 14 trade question

That's not an original stock. I'm not keen on those folders for a proper cheek weld.
And magazines for the Mini are expensive, that should have some bearing on the trade.

No, because there are too many factors to consider (the lack of a factory stock is a biggie) for me to give a better response.

Factors such as intended amount of use, access to ammo, and, most importantly, your
desire to make the trade in the first place.

That said, personally I have moved on every AK variant I've ever owned and have always liked my Mini better.

JT

jethro said:

I don't know much about mini 14's. I've been offered a even trade for my SAR-1 AK.
Does anyone know whether it's a good trade or not for me?
Here's a link to a picture of it. Thanks
http://imgur.com/gallery/bM4ztP3

Click to expand...

I love my Mini-14, and I don't know your SAR-1, but in general, I would not trade a good SAR-1 for that particular Mini-14 in the photo.

A used Romanian SAR-1 currently sells for around $700. A Ruger Mini-14 sells for about the same. Personally, I like the less recoil of the Mini-14 in .223/5.56 way more than the 7.62x39. I have a fully adjustable target model Arch Angel after market stock on mine. I love it.

Currently, if you have ample supply of 7.62x39, I would count your blessings. .223 is getting harder and harder to find, as well as the limited box count you can buy.

Just my two cents. I'm keeping my SKS.

That butler creek stock is pretty decent, even though not original. I had one for a 10-22. The locking mech is pretty sturdy.

Stainless minis bring a slight premium. And thats a 40 round mag.

Cant comment on the trade as im not familiar with your gun.

I have to mirror some of the above.
Those stocks are an acquired taste for some but others of us never get used to them.

How many magazines and who made them can easily be a deal-breaker in this trade. Good mags are never cheap for a Mini.

How do you feel about the significant caliber change? I hear frequently that x39 is easier to get than .223.

Stainless is a nice touch though.

Todd.

Gun wise in this neck of the woods it is pretty much an even trade. Number of mags and amount of ammo could sway it either way.

To me a stainless Mini, even in an aftermarket stock, is the more desirable. Also I'd be willing to bet there is superninjatacticoolwannabe out there who would jump at the chance to trade you his OEM stock for the no longer available BC Folding stock on that one.

Price points in the current market are very similar.
How much a person values a Mini varies greatly.

I thought Mini-14 were over-priced at $149.95 when they were in the Montgomery-Wards catalog (back around 1978 or so). But, that's me. Mini-30 at $250 seemed reasonable at the time--but, it was (is, kinda) an oddball, so oddball prices for mags par for that course.

As a flat guess, you can get AK mags for your SAR for around $25; cheapest mags for that Mini-14 are going to start around $40 each (with both of those inflated in our present times).

Now, if the Ruger were a Ranch Rifle (integrated rings); or had more bolt-on bits to better resemble an AC556, that would be a "maybe."
But, that AK is going to hold value better (potentially increase more, too) with far more available mags and accessories, than the Ruger.
That's my 2¢

SAR-1 has the potential of drastically increasing in price (further import restrictions)

I wouldn't given the current political market, given the assumption your SAR-1 is in good working order.

BigBlue 94 said:

That butler creek stock is pretty decent, even though not original. I had one for a 10-22. The locking mech is pretty sturdy.

Stainless minis bring a slight premium. And thats a 40 round mag.

Cant comment on the trade as im not familiar with your gun.

Click to expand...

Most 40 round mags are junk. You really have to work them over to get them to work. We only see the one side view. A top view would be nice if you are really thinking of doing this.
kwg

Let's get down to brass tacks.
If the serial # is pre 583, you are probably looking at one of the early models with the "pencil barrel", which had major accuracy issues,
due to the barrel heating, and throwing off group accuracy. This problem was not addressed until halfway thru the 582- serial #'d barrels.

So, if the serial # starts with 583, or higher, the barrel is a far better build.

And BTW, folks stuck with those older serial #s receivers are trying to get rid of them, in the worst way. (literally)

If it's not too late, don't burn that bridge just yet. I'm sure you know someone with a Ruger. Borrow it and shoot it. I promise you will find more pro's than con's with it.

Dibbs said:

Let's get down to brass tacks.
If the serial # is pre 583, you are probably looking at one of the early models with the "pencil barrel", which had major accuracy issues,
due to the barrel heating, and throwing off group accuracy. This problem was not addressed until halfway thru the 582- serial #'d barrels.

So, if the serial # starts with 583, or higher, the barrel is a far better build.

And BTW, folks stuck with those older serial #s receivers are trying to get rid of them, in the worst way. (literally)

Click to expand...

Not all of us are. My 188 series loves green tip and if I do my part it will hold 1.5” at a 100 yards. Minis are not near as bad as some people make them out to be. If you put in a little work to find the food they like to eat you may be surprised.

jdh said:

Not all of us are. My 188 series loves green tip and if I do my part it will hold 1.5” at a 100 yards. Minis are not near as bad as some people make them out to be. If you put in a little work to find the food they like to eat you may be surprised.

Click to expand...

Well, you will have to excuse me, if I'm not going to go the trouble, to find boutique ammo, which my mini-14 likes. I've got 4 ARs, which, between them, haven't seen the amount of mechanical issues this one Mini has had.

Maybe if Ruger is going to stake-on front sights, with a roll pin, they should get them straight, what do you think about that? maybe Sturm Ruger should run these puppies to the range, to make sure they shoot straight, instead of just "setting the toe, and letting them go".

Seriously, OP, if the serial number starts at "583" or higher, you will be getting a much better barrel than the previous serial #s.

Dibbs said:

Well, you will have to excuse me, if I'm not going to go the trouble, to find boutique ammo, which my mini-14 likes. I've got 4 ARs, which, between them, haven't seen the amount of mechanical issues this one Mini has had.

Click to expand...

Laziness is no excuse to blame your tools for YOUR lack of performance. M855 green tip is not boutique ammo. Including the Department issue I've had six Minis in various calibers. Lost three in the big fire. Currently a 188 in 223 and a 583 in 300 BO. Everyone of them has been 100% reliable.

Dibbs said:

Maybe if Ruger is going to stake-on front sights, with a roll pin, they should get them straight, what do you think about that? maybe Sturm Ruger should run these puppies to the range, to make sure they shoot straight, instead of just "setting the toe, and letting them go".

Click to expand...

Don't need to think about it. Of mine and those issued by the department, a sample of over 100, I have never seen a canted front sight. But I do have an AR barrel from a well known manufacturer on which the FSB is canted so far to the left the rifle cannot be zeroed. So by your standard all ARs are faulty.

Yeah, well, what a coincidence, that the one Mini-14 I've ever had is the biggest flaming ball of crap of a rifle I've ever owned. Yet,
somehow you have had hundreds, with nary a problem. Go figure.

I'd hardly call being unwilling to piss away money on ammo, on a rifle I can't even get a plate-sized group out of, with any ammo yet tried, at 25 yards "laziness".
I'd call it being unwilling to throw good money after bad.
And, strangely enough, all 4 of the ARs I've built run fine. Every. single. one.

Dibbs said:

Yeah, well, what a coincidence, that the one Mini-14 I've ever had is the biggest flaming ball of crap of a rifle I've ever owned. Yet,
somehow you have had hundreds, with nary a problem. Go figure.

I'd hardly call being unwilling to piss away money on ammo, on a rifle I can't even get a plate-sized group out of, with any ammo yet tried, at 25 yards "laziness".
I'd call it being unwilling to throw good money after bad.
And, strangely enough, all 4 of the ARs I've built run fine. Every. single. one.

Click to expand...

The snarky child act is growing old.

You're Sar-1 will be more accurate than that Mini-14, as is.

Add an Accu-Strut and Tech Sights to the Mini and it might tighten it up some.

Dibbs said:

Yeah, well, what a coincidence, that the one Mini-14 I've ever had is the biggest flaming ball of crap of a rifle I've ever owned. Yet,
somehow you have had hundreds, with nary a problem. Go figure.

I'd hardly call being unwilling to piss away money on ammo, on a rifle I can't even get a plate-sized group out of, with any ammo yet tried, at 25 yards "laziness".
I'd call it being unwilling to throw good money after bad.
And, strangely enough, all 4 of the ARs I've built run fine. Every. single. one.

Click to expand...

You are being ridiculous. That is all.

Plandemic / Coronation SAR-1's are selling for big bucks on gunbroker.

$1899
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/885853920

$1625
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/884755715

$1575
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/889032049

$1526
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/884795712

$1200
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/886705079

$1175
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/885358627


Mini-14's of that era are similarly priced towards the lower end.

$1477
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/885608697

$1450
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/886685550

$1125
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/884876386

$1052
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/886757392

$980
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/886888161

$855
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/886694463

I bought my SAR-1 brand new back in 2001. No way would I sell it / trade it for a Mini-14. If I did, I'd expect that guy to give me an additional $300 to $400 cash in addition to his Mini-14.

stevekozak said:

You are being ridiculous. That is all.

Click to expand...

Yes, I'm so ridiculous. BTW, want to buy a mini-14? Or is it a little harder, to put your money where your mouth is?
Anyone?