AK 47 vs Mini 14

[Ghostrider_23]

OK I think from the information I got back from you all is that many of you like the M1 carbine over the Mini 14, but what about the AK 47? Would you rather have a AK 47 or a Ruger Mini 14 WHYWhy would one be better than the other

This is the list of choices I have gotten from you guys:
FAL is perferred over M1 Socom
M1 Carbine is perferred over the Mini 1
? is perferred over ?

Your input is needed, also where does the AR 15 fit in???

 

[beerslurpy]

The AK47 is way more gun for the money and the availability of affordable and reliable high cap magazines is a huge benefit.

 

[goon]

Shoot both.
In terms of cheap reliable mags and proven history though, the AK wins over about anything else.

 

[1911JMB]

I've never had a jam with either, but then again I never had the opportunity to really torture test either of them because I've only shot borrowed AK's and Mini's.

On the subject of AR's, in my very limited experience of shooting 3 or 4 of them, every single one jammed on me. None of the guns were mine, but they were supposedly clean and lubed when I shot them. Compared to my Fal which exhibits nothing but flawless performance when filthy and dry, AR's are pretty dispicable from what I've seen. I don't want to start an AR flamewar here, its not like I know a lot about them, and its not like they would have seen a half century of use if they were unreliable garbage, I'm just reporting my experiences.

 

[MechAg94]

Hard to really compare a civilian ranch rifle to a tried and true battle rifle design. The AK47 (a good one) is much better. It might be considered better for hunting as well. However, the Mini14 is a good semi-auto rifle for most shooters and .223 is just as effective against two-legged animals.

 

[MechAg94]

1911JMB, I had some trouble with my Armalite at first. However, once I learned how to clean it properly and lube it properly, it is very reliable. The only jams I have had are ammo related (primer pockets falling out on cheap range ammo). I had primer pockets fall out of some Federal XM193 as well.

What I figured out finally is that I need to make sure I scrape off all the carbon build up on the bolt and carrier assembly. Also, do not over-lube. A layer of oil on all the parts then wipe it off, then assemble. No extra oil or grease. Too much just gums up the action. It works better shooting dry than over lubed. The action is very smooth since I started that. Buying quality mags is a benefit as well. Reading THR has been a great help in learning about the above stuff.

 

[benEzra]

I own an example of each, and here are my observations.

Reliability: Pretty evenly matched as far as the rifle itself goes. AK-style magazines are much more durable and impact-resistant, though; most mini-14 mags are made of thin sheet metal or rather brittle polymer, whereas most AK mags are built like dump trucks. It is HARD to find good mini-14 mags, and what works well in my mini-14 might not feed at all in yours, and vice versa. AK mags are of consistently good quality.

Accuracy: Pretty evenly matched, with good ammunition. A high-end AK lookalike (Vepr, Krebs) will probably best the average mini-14; a lower-end AK lookalike (Romanian, Chinese) will probably equal the mini.

Ergonomics: Out-of-the-box, I'd say the AK wins hands-down in stock design. But you can fit a mini with an aftermarket ergonomic stock to even things up. Both guns use the same rock-and-lock magazine system (equally non-ergonomic compared to an AR), and the mini wins hands-down on the ergonomics of the safety, which can be quickly and easily operated with the trigger finger. Unless you have fingers like Manute Bol or fit an aftermarket safety to the AK, you can't operate the safety lever with your hand on the trigger guard.

Ballistics: On paper, 7.62x39 wins at ranges inside 100 yards, and .223 wins past that. In reality, it's pretty even; the mini's inaccuracy keeps you from taking full advantage of the .223's flatter trajectory, and the AK's range-compensating rear sight makes the trajectory less of an issue out to 300 yards or so. If you can shoot well with an out-of-the-box mini-14 past 300 yards, you're either have a better mini than I do, or are a much better shot than me. The mini-14 has a much wider selection of bullet designs to choose from, though (from fragile 40-grain varmint bullets to low-drag 77-grain boattails, and everything in between). The latter quality gives the mini-14 the edge in a suburban home-defense role, since it's hard to find 7.62x39mm loaded with a fragile-enough bullet.

Aesthetics: Subjective, but I think the AK looks way better. Fit and finish is better on the mini than on most AK's, though.

Optics capability: Both are easy to scope (if you get the Ranch Rifle version of the mini-14, which I have). You can buy traditionally-styled scopes at Wal-Mart to fit the mini; AK POSP-style scopes are probably better quality for the money, but have to be mail-ordered. If you want a holographic sight, though, it's easier and much cheaper to get a Kobra for the AK than to fit a mini with a rail and buy an Eotech.

Cost of ownership: The mini costs between 50% and 100% more than an entry-level AK; the price is comparable to a higher-end AK. Ammo costs are now fairly similar.

 

[Car Knocker]

The only jams I have had are ammo related (primer pockets falling out on cheap range ammo). I had primer pockets fall out of some Federal XM193 as well.

I can understand primers backing out but how does a primer pocket fall out?

 

[MadMercS55]

Earlier this year I got into a Springfield SOCOM M-14 style rifle, and got totally out of .223 for the most part. Last week we were cleaning out my grandparents house getting ready to sell it, and I happened across a box of Ruger stuff. Mainly Mini-14 parts. Probably 12-14 20rnd magazines and a folding stock, spare small parts, etc. Finding this stuff brought around the idea of picking up a Mini-14. I have generally heard mixed feelings on their reliabilty, but since it would have a similar manual of arms to my Socom, I'm tending to think it might not hurt getting one. The local shop only has the black synthetic stocked "all-weather" model. Any highs or lows on this piece in particular?

 

[Optical Serenity]

AK-47 for sure, no competition at all. The AK is a must have if you like rifles.

 

[MechAg94]

I would think the overall ergonomics edge toward the mini-14, but I am indifferent on pistol grips and this is a personal preference.

Overall, I think two things give the edge to the AK: 1) magazine compatibility and reliabilty, and 2) overall toughness of the AK which is made as a battle rifle, not just a civilian ranch rifle.

MadMerc, I would think you would prefer the all-weather model if the price isn't too high.