NOMI WASP
member
I was referring to the 7.62 x 39 mini, not the .223 Guess that's not the mini 14
AK vs Mini 14
- Thread starter Mosin Bubba
- Start date
- Status
brunowbe
Member
My advice is to buy a Vepr in 7.62x39 or .223.
I currently own a 581 series Mini 14, a converted Saiga in 7.62x39, and a Vepr in 7.62x39 with type 2 sights. Out of all 3 I would rank them in this order of what I enjoy shooting:
1. Vepr
2. Mini14
3. Converted Saiga
The Vepr beats the Mini in many ways:
1. Cost; it's cheaper ($649 for 7.62x39 or $599 for .223 plus shipping)
2. More rugged
3. Better fit and finish
4. Just as Easily scoped
5. Mags are cheaper if you add the bullet guide (I did not do this as I am keeping my Vepr completely stock; it's that good in my opinion in it's base form).
6. Made to run on steel cased ammo; though my Mini eats steel cased up and spits it out no problem.
I find the Vepr and the Mini to be balanced just right in their stock configurations.
Lastly, if you have no intentions of scoping the rifle get a nice quality Russian SKS (can be had for around $400). I currently have a few SKSs and one of them always accompanies me to the range.
I currently own a 581 series Mini 14, a converted Saiga in 7.62x39, and a Vepr in 7.62x39 with type 2 sights. Out of all 3 I would rank them in this order of what I enjoy shooting:
1. Vepr
2. Mini14
3. Converted Saiga
The Vepr beats the Mini in many ways:
1. Cost; it's cheaper ($649 for 7.62x39 or $599 for .223 plus shipping)
2. More rugged
3. Better fit and finish
4. Just as Easily scoped
5. Mags are cheaper if you add the bullet guide (I did not do this as I am keeping my Vepr completely stock; it's that good in my opinion in it's base form).
6. Made to run on steel cased ammo; though my Mini eats steel cased up and spits it out no problem.
I find the Vepr and the Mini to be balanced just right in their stock configurations.
Lastly, if you have no intentions of scoping the rifle get a nice quality Russian SKS (can be had for around $400). I currently have a few SKSs and one of them always accompanies me to the range.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
I've had AK's---(cheap and expensive)---they just never did anything for me---poor accuracy and bounce around when you rapid fire---poor ergo's---they did always go bang though----I'd buy an SKS before I ever buy another AK.
Cheap ARs have been bad for me also---mainly jamamatics---I won't touch anything less than a Colt(or equivalent) anymore---save up for a better AR if you decide to go that way.
Had Mini's since the '80's ---the new ones are vastly superior to the old ones--have a 582 Tactical that is good gun---reasonably accurate and reliable---you'll need to use factory mags though--nothing else ever seems to work right with aftermarket mags.
My next 2 purchases will be a Colt AR15A4 and stainless Mini-14 Tactical---just need to get the cash saved up.
Cheap ARs have been bad for me also---mainly jamamatics---I won't touch anything less than a Colt(or equivalent) anymore---save up for a better AR if you decide to go that way.
Had Mini's since the '80's ---the new ones are vastly superior to the old ones--have a 582 Tactical that is good gun---reasonably accurate and reliable---you'll need to use factory mags though--nothing else ever seems to work right with aftermarket mags.
My next 2 purchases will be a Colt AR15A4 and stainless Mini-14 Tactical---just need to get the cash saved up.
silvermane_1
Member
well NOMI WASP, then you were refering to a Mini-30, it's the mini in 7.62X39, but IMHO i would go for a WASR 10/63 instead, cuz mags are cheaper and easier to find, and there is more aftermarket options for them.
I've owned 2 Minis. The first was built in the late 90's and the other was one of the new models with the factory ATI collapsible stock and heavier bbl.
Both were fun, handy rifles as long as you didn't put any magnification on them. Even the new one's are 3moa at best if you give yourself a couple of "mulligans" for the shots that just aren't explainable.
I've almost talked myself into buying an AK a few time but every time I pick one up it looks like something made in high school shop class.
They are uber reliable but I just can't see paying 5 bills for something that unrefined.
Both were fun, handy rifles as long as you didn't put any magnification on them. Even the new one's are 3moa at best if you give yourself a couple of "mulligans" for the shots that just aren't explainable.
I've almost talked myself into buying an AK a few time but every time I pick one up it looks like something made in high school shop class.
They are uber reliable but I just can't see paying 5 bills for something that unrefined.
henschman
Member
If you're going to rule out the best option both price-wise and functionality-wise based on aesthetic preferences, I guess that's your business. Between the two options you give, I prefer the AK. They just plain work, and they are built to shoot the cheap steel-cased stuff reliably.
frankiestoys
Member
My 580 ranch rifle will shoot 1 1/2 " @100 all day !Only mods Ive done was a trigger job and a 3x9x40 scope ,factory brass and benched of course . WTS 3" w/o optics I can understand, I practice a lot but don't consider myself a professional . 3" was the best I could get out of my AK and still I consider that good given the rifles design.
Mosin Bubba
Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2012
- Messages
- 1,936
Thanks for the help everyone. It sounds like the consensus here is leaning towards the AK.
Non-Century QC at a Century price sounds great. What are the model names of these guns?
I've thought about the Mini 30, and I really like the idea of them. My only problem is that I've read widely different reports about their reliability. Some people on the internet have said that they will chew through hundreds of rounds of steel case ammo just like an AK, and others claim that they will break after just a few boxes of that stuff. Anybody have some input on this?
Non-Century QC at a Century price sounds great. What are the model names of these guns?
I've thought about the Mini 30, and I really like the idea of them. My only problem is that I've read widely different reports about their reliability. Some people on the internet have said that they will chew through hundreds of rounds of steel case ammo just like an AK, and others claim that they will break after just a few boxes of that stuff. Anybody have some input on this?
Last edited:
frankiestoys
Member
If you go over to Perfectunion or the Ruger forum you will get some "real facts "on either the 30 or the 14
mastiffhound
Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2011
- Messages
- 420
I have both. I tell you what I've learned from my time with them.
Mini-14:
I like the old school M14 look. Accuracy is 1.5 MOA with most of my handloads as I have a newer version with the heavier barrel. After market magazines suck. No, they really really suck. Really. Tapco's mags do okay with brass ammo not steel. Ruger mags are best for reliability but you will pay around $30 or more for 20 or 30 rounders. My Niece loves it, it's not a bad rifle to teach someone how to shoot a centerfire caliber. Reloads can be clumsy as seating has to be slightly more precise. Ammo as of right now is slightly more expensive (Wideners is selling 1000 7.62x39 for $199.99 which is $4 a 20 rd box) at around 5$. The bore is not chrome lined but mine is a stainless model, I don't think it would outlast a chromed bore though. Most Aftermarket stocks feel chincy and cheap or just make the Mini look ugly. Taking it apart for cleaning is fairly easy. I feel it's a little easier than an AR, just a little though. Lifetime warranty from Ruger, and they really stand by their stuff.
AK:
It's fun to shoot and can look old schoolish with very nice wood stock sets available. You can go full on new school rails and collapsible stock if you want though. Best group I've ever got was 1.75" and 2" is often but I've seen other AKs shoot 1.5 MOA regularly. Mine has been utterly reliable, I've had one bad mag, the follower was bent. When I bent the follower back in place it was perfect. Mags are much cheaper, Widener's is selling Tapco 30 rounders for $6.50! Magpul has got into the game and their mags are in the $15 range I think. I find it faster to reload also. The bore is chrome lined with a slower moving projectile, it will probably last longer than my Mini barrel by thousands of rounds. Ammo is cheaper as mentioned above. It may be the easiest to clean semi auto rifle that I know of. Parts are large and much harder to lose than in an AR.
If I could only pick one, the AK wins. Cheaper ammo, mags, and parts are nice. It has much more aftermarket options with new stuff coming out all the time. It is the easiest semi auto rifle to take down and clean. It is hard to make one stop working, I watched MAC on youtube dump dirt in every part of one and it still kept going, he did the same with an AR and it turned into a single shot. Minis are robust and reliable but the AK is more so with mags that work being very easy to find.
I hope this helps, I tried to be a thorough as possible.
Mini-14:
I like the old school M14 look. Accuracy is 1.5 MOA with most of my handloads as I have a newer version with the heavier barrel. After market magazines suck. No, they really really suck. Really. Tapco's mags do okay with brass ammo not steel. Ruger mags are best for reliability but you will pay around $30 or more for 20 or 30 rounders. My Niece loves it, it's not a bad rifle to teach someone how to shoot a centerfire caliber. Reloads can be clumsy as seating has to be slightly more precise. Ammo as of right now is slightly more expensive (Wideners is selling 1000 7.62x39 for $199.99 which is $4 a 20 rd box) at around 5$. The bore is not chrome lined but mine is a stainless model, I don't think it would outlast a chromed bore though. Most Aftermarket stocks feel chincy and cheap or just make the Mini look ugly. Taking it apart for cleaning is fairly easy. I feel it's a little easier than an AR, just a little though. Lifetime warranty from Ruger, and they really stand by their stuff.
AK:
It's fun to shoot and can look old schoolish with very nice wood stock sets available. You can go full on new school rails and collapsible stock if you want though. Best group I've ever got was 1.75" and 2" is often but I've seen other AKs shoot 1.5 MOA regularly. Mine has been utterly reliable, I've had one bad mag, the follower was bent. When I bent the follower back in place it was perfect. Mags are much cheaper, Widener's is selling Tapco 30 rounders for $6.50! Magpul has got into the game and their mags are in the $15 range I think. I find it faster to reload also. The bore is chrome lined with a slower moving projectile, it will probably last longer than my Mini barrel by thousands of rounds. Ammo is cheaper as mentioned above. It may be the easiest to clean semi auto rifle that I know of. Parts are large and much harder to lose than in an AR.
If I could only pick one, the AK wins. Cheaper ammo, mags, and parts are nice. It has much more aftermarket options with new stuff coming out all the time. It is the easiest semi auto rifle to take down and clean. It is hard to make one stop working, I watched MAC on youtube dump dirt in every part of one and it still kept going, he did the same with an AR and it turned into a single shot. Minis are robust and reliable but the AK is more so with mags that work being very easy to find.
I hope this helps, I tried to be a thorough as possible.
M1GarandDeerHunter
Member
I have both. My mini is an early 181 series. Box stock. It is highly accurate (at least for the first 10 rds) and then goes min of tea cup at 100 yards. I run only factory 20 rd mags. It has never malfunctioned. I prefer it over the AK mainly due to sights and controls. It is dead simple to clean and strip. It handles easily. It carries well, with no sharp edges. It is lefty friendly. Fun to shoot. Decent trigger. A good hunter too. Love it.
My AK is a Maadi. It is 4-5 in rifle at 100 yards. It has never malfunctioned. It is dead simple to strip, clean and shoot. Sights are not as precise, but are solid and simple combat sights. It will kill deer drt. It is fun to shoot. Really good for AK trigger and I think I could bet my life on this rifle. Mags and ammo are cheap and available. I would NOT want to be with out it. Honestly love it.
Neither is for sale. I have had both a very long time. I prefer the Mini 14. But really like my AK too. Neither wear scopes either. FWIW.
My AK is a Maadi. It is 4-5 in rifle at 100 yards. It has never malfunctioned. It is dead simple to strip, clean and shoot. Sights are not as precise, but are solid and simple combat sights. It will kill deer drt. It is fun to shoot. Really good for AK trigger and I think I could bet my life on this rifle. Mags and ammo are cheap and available. I would NOT want to be with out it. Honestly love it.
Neither is for sale. I have had both a very long time. I prefer the Mini 14. But really like my AK too. Neither wear scopes either. FWIW.
rbernie
Contributing Member
In the FWIW department, I've had good luck with the recent-production (last 3-4 years or so) ProMag magazines both for the 223 and 6.8SPC Mini14.
Five years ago I myself was pondering the purchase of a semiauto centerfire rifle, considering the AK, AR, and Mini-14. I had extensive experience with the M-16 in my USMC days, so knew what a fine rifle the AR is. I'd had scant experience with the AK or Mini-14. From that little bit of experience, I knew that the AK was last on my list. What made my choice the Mini-14 was really illogical, but it is what it is. I just have a preference for wood stocks and blued steel.
In the five years since, I've never once regretted my choice. My shooting pals tend to really like my Ranch Rifle, also.
But the bottom line is that it's a very personal choice that no one can make for you.
In the five years since, I've never once regretted my choice. My shooting pals tend to really like my Ranch Rifle, also.
But the bottom line is that it's a very personal choice that no one can make for you.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
I'm in the Option C camp as well.
With ARs as cheap as they are right now, it's definitely the way to go.
If you absolutely must have a .30 caliber cartridge, get one in 300 Blackout.
With ARs as cheap as they are right now, it's definitely the way to go.
If you absolutely must have a .30 caliber cartridge, get one in 300 Blackout.
M1GarandDeerHunter
Member
I like option C as well, very very good choice. Hard to go wrong with prices and options being what they are. Accurate too.
jimmyraythomason
Member
basically this says there is no "option C", just A and B.
If you're dead set on not getting an AR for some reason, go with the AK. Much better parts availability, cheaper mags, generally just as or more accurate, and far more reliable. As far as a future AWB, the possibility of it being banned is the best reason of all to get one. Not to derail the thread but the primary reason to own such rifles is supposed to be the ability to defend basic human rights through deadly force. The AK is easier to do that with than the Mini 30. ( course, the AR is even better but......
)M1GarandDeerHunter
Member
I agree there was no option C on the table to the OP, I still love em all though.
- Status