Should I buy an Inland M1 Carbine or Mini 14

Inland M1 or New/er Mini 14

  • Duh M1 Carbine, they aren't making 'em anymore

    Votes: 82 68.3%

  • Mini 14, ammo is cheap(er) & we won't kill you for bubbing it

    Votes: 32 26.7%

  • None of the above, Please post alternative.

    Votes: 6 5.0%
  • Total voters
    120
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JohnnyOrygun

JohnnyOrygun

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Joined
Sep 28, 2007
Messages
400
Location
Southern Oregon
I know that for some, ok most of you, this might not be even be a legit question. But I was stalking the gun shop again today... favorite hobby, other then actually shooting... but who can afford that, alright I know, the reloaders can... but anyhow here goes.

I have been wanting to buy a Mini 14, newer or new one, so it's at least minute of barn (for all the mini 14 haters). While I was checking one of the Local Gun Stores(LGS) for a Mini, I came across an Inland M1 Carbine, while it looked sort of rough, I found it strangely attractive. Maybe because when I was a kid I had one of those M1 Carbine BB guns. Anyhow they are asking $650 for it, I didn't fondle it since I had to meet my wife soon. That price is just about what I can get one of the new mini-14 tactical models for, I am not in to tacticool, but I like the adjustable folding stock on the mini-14.

Please don't hate on the Mini-14, I know that it's over priced, that mags are expensive, that it's not accurate, and that it's a Ruger. I also realize I could get an AR for just about the same money, but the AR prices around haven't dropped yet. I don't want a Saiga, I am selling my SKS because it just doesn't fit me, I am a big guy and it doesn't feel right and the sights suck.

But comparing an old rough shape M1 carbine to a new/er Mini what do you think? It seems to me that 5.56 is still cheaper then 30 carbine, and more readily available. So that seems like a point in favor of the Mini, of course the M1 is historical and I love history (ask my wife, she HATES the History Channel). So I am 55% leaning to the Mini, but it wouldn't take to much to change that.

So what says the collective wisdom THR?
 
It really depends on how "rough" the Carbine is. M1 Carbines are by no means rare so you may be better off going with the Mini until an M1 comes along that is just too good to pass up, that's how it worked for me anyway. I've wanted an M1 Carbine for years and years but I held off knowing that one day I would stumble across that rifle that just screams "take me home". Well that day finally came just a few weeks ago and I am glad I waited as long as I did. See thread below....http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=456264

Both rifles would be fun to own but you are correct in your thinking that the Mini would be cheaper and easier to feed than the M1 Carbine. I haven't shot my Carbine a whole lot since I got because ammo is so expensive and difficult to find at decent price. However I love the historic aspect of the M1 Carbine myself and I'm happy to own one even if I don't shoot it as much as my other rifles.

Wolf 30 carbine is 15 to 25 dollars cheaper than 223 per 500rds at sportsmans guide
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I'd be hesitant to buy the Wolf .30, I've read a lot of negative reviews of it. Natchez has S&B .30 for $21.49 a box which is pretty reasonable.
 
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Well, first I would keep the SKS. They are getting harder to find and they are really a respectable rifle. I collected American rifles for years and then a few others and this year finally got around to an SKS. I wish I had looked at them when they were a quarter of what they are now.

As far as the mini, I would not buy the folder, I would buy the tactical with the flash suppressor. Folding stocks are a pain in the rear and you never have a really good reason to use them because if you squirrel your gun away it is "concealed". Or I would just buy a run of the mill gun. I own an older ranch in stainless with a special edition stock.

As far as a Carbine, they have never made me happy. Too little stopping power and they feel like toys. Watch me get flamed for that statement. :cool:
 
Thanks for all the quick responses. I just can't love the SKS, it just doesn't fit right for me. I did handle a Mini 14 with the flash suppressor and the synthetic stock, it was nice and fit me pretty good. The Mini's sights are far sight (for me) better then the SKS, the SKS has a lot going for it, nice reasonably powerful round, even good for hunting. I wanted to like the SKS and if that was I all had, I would be happy with it. I feel ambivalent towards the SKS. You are right that they are getting harder to find for a good price.
I may have been harsh when I described the M1 as rough, it had a 30 round mag with it and the wood, looked OK, not near as nice as nwilliams's carbine though. I will go back and check it out when I have more time.

Thanks for the input all and keep it up!
JohnnyOrygun
 
the m1 is back in production, the newer mini 14 is alot better than the older ones. if it's the 7.62x39 that you like in the sks, get a mini 30. problem solved :neener:
 
I've got an Inland. It's seems to be all original, stock is even numbered. It's been used some. Not in rough shape, but it has marks of being in the field. The cheek area is worn more than the rest. Again not abused, but used. I bought it because it DID speak to me. All the other guy's looking at it wanted to know how hard it would be to refinish it:eek:. It'll never see anything other than an oiled rag. As I said. It's speaks, quietly, but very clearly:D.
kid
 
You don't say what you want the firearm for.

If you want an accurate target rifle, neither the Mini nor the carbine would be a good choice. Same comment applies if you want a hunting rifle.

If you want a fun, fast-shooting, low-recoiling 'plinker', both the carbine and the Mini can perform that role very well. However, so can a 10/22, at much less cost and with less noise.

If you want something 'historical' (i.e., an ex-military weapon), clearly the Mini-14 doesn't qualify and the M1 carbine does. On the other hand, so would a Garand: which to my mind is head and shoulders above both the carbine and the Mini, and it would probably fit you better too.
 
It depends on the condition of the Inland. If it is in good condition, the inland all the way. If it is beat up, pass for the mini14.

although one consideration might be the cost of ammo. .30 is expensive! .223 would be less pain on the wallet.
 
I hunt with my Mini 14, mostly hogs.:)
If you want a piece of history go with the m1 C. if you want something that resembles a piece of history but can be run cheaper (factory ammo) go with the mini. I believe prices are coming down and you could probably find one for close to 650 maybe a little more (base model)

or do like the first responder said and get the mini and wait for a really good m1 C.

Good luck with which ever you choose, and keep us informed.
 
This is why I don't ask (okay,I did ONCE)for opinions on what I should do. No help here. Pick the one that makes YOU happy. Or buy one and save up for the other. Plus(it never fails) when asking for opinions between two given guns ,people can't stay on topic, and invariably add their own favorites. I didn't vote so you are on your own.
 
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The Carbine is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I own both and by FAR the Carbine is more fun to shoot.
 
The Carbine is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
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Try it with your clothes off sometime. Just watch for hot flying brass!

Seriously, though... I have one of the oft-maligned Universal Carbines from the '70s. It goes bang every time with 10 and 15 round magazines. (It hates every 30 rounder I've ever tried. I don't know why I keep buying them.)

I can also carry it around and toss it it the back of the car without feeling like I'm mistreating a historical artifact. I hope to have one of the real GI M1 Carbines someday, but I know I won't shoot it as much as my "crappy" Universal.
 
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you can buy brass cased aguilla .30 carbine via cmp for $150 per 500 rounds, backordered atm though. go with the carbine
 
I happen to own both of them. Also own a Mini 30. All good arguments above! If you want to still use your 7.62 ammo get a Mini 30. If you want 223 go with the Mini 14. My M1 carbine tends to be a (gulp) safe queen even though I try to shoot it on occasion. It tends to be my least used firearm (125 + presently). But have shot one deer with it nonetheless.
 
I know that it's over priced
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Not really, you can get a new one for $650.

that mags are expensive
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$29.99 for a 20 rounder isn't bad to me. Some people pay over $100 for HK magazines, which are still just a folded piece of steel...

that it's not accurate
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The new ones are accurate enough, much better than the older models.

and that it's a Ruger.
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That guy died. I wouldn't worry about what he did or said.

I also realize I could get an AR for just about the same money, but the AR prices around haven't dropped yet.
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You could get a junker AR from the bottom rack, that won't be anywhere near as reliable (and probably not as accurate) as the new Mini-14 is. Crappy ARs are just that, crappy. A quality AR15 costs a couple hundred dollars more than a Mini-14.

If you want the Mini-14, get one while you can, because the newer guns are much better accuracywise than the older ones, and they're still 100% reliable with the now available factory magazines.
 
Thanks for all the "food for thought" I have several Rugers, so I'm no Ruger hater. I want the gun for fun, maybe hunt our extremely small blacktail deer we have around here... 'Bout the size of a great dane. I have a 10/22, the "new" gun is for whatever comes up, zombies or pop cans, either one. I'm still leaning more towards the mini.

I'll let y'all know, when I know :)

Hard to type on a blackberry!

JohnnyOrygun
 
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Rshooter, tssk tssk... too little stopping power compared to what, a war elephant? :D
If plinking's the idea, FMJs or hard cast are the way to go.
If it's "stopping power" you want, there's little to complain about when using SPs or JHPs.
Something that generates carnage equivalent to or greater than that of a point blank stoutly loaded 125gr JHP .357 magnum to anything within 100 yards 15 to 30 times between reloads might yield at least a little in the way of stopping power.
Though I wouldn't mind actually having a war elephant now that I think of it.
 
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