Any reason to choose Mini-14 over a Saiga .223?

Mini-14 or Saiga?

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Dollar An Hour

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I decided I want to add a .223 to my stable.

My 7.62 VZ will be cheaper to feed, but the smaller calibers are still a lot of fun to shoot, I'm sure you guys understand.

I've spent some time with a couple of Mini-14's and found them to be perfectly competent, accurate enough for plinking, and very reliable. Ruger of course has excellent customer service should I need it.

The Saiga comes it at around half the price of the Ruger - and should be reliable with it's AK bloodlines. Other than the ergonomically challenged safety, what else does the Saiga give up? Crude sights, or so-so fit and finish?
 
I have a Mini-14 and it is one of my favorite firearms. Reliable, plenty accurate and just plain fun. Alot of people like the Saiga too, they are cheaper and shoot about the same as the new Minis. Nothing looks as good as the Mini does IMO though.
 
I used to own a 188-series mini-14 Ranch Rifle. It was rock-solid reliable, but good magazines were hard to find, and it wasn't very accurate. I picked up a SAR-1 (Romanian AK) in '03, put a Kobra on it, began to compare the two, and eventually sold the mini-14 and kept the AK.

My choice would be the Saiga with a 16" barrel, personally. Or if you want "Made in USA," get an AR (not much more than a mini, and even more comparable once you factor in the cost of magazines and accessories).
 
"Any reason to choose Mini-14 over a Saiga .223?"

Yeah,sure........say,if someone were to PAY you to take a mini-14 over a Saiga.
 
The mini-14 is a great weapon, it gets a lot of bad press because it isn't an AR.

Yes the mags can be hard to find and expensive for genuine factory mags. There are many off brand types that work great though and are cheap.

It is very reliable and tough. Much, much better safety than any AK variant.

I feel that the trigger is much better and field stripping is as simple as the ak variant.

The mini-14 wins on factory iron sights, it comes with a rear aperture/ghost ring/whatever and a ramp front. When exactly are you gonna use the 2000m sight on an AK variant anyways?

The way I look at it, the saiga is just another ak, the mini-14 follows a classic american design and is a unique weapon.
 
Saiga... hands down.

But like others have said, if I were to pay Ruger Mini-14 prices, I'd just spring for an AR.

I have had a Saiga 308, and I have an AR. I've actually been thinking about getting a .223 Saiga to convert as a stand-in for the AR on occassion.


-- John
 
Just tossing this out there, but check into the KelTec SU16 rifles. I hear they are more accurate than the mini's and Saiga's, super lightweight too.
 
Saiga .223 All the way. This gun is amazing, accurate, reliable and cheap what more can you ask for?

buy now they will increase in price as people become more aware of them. I am getting ready for my second saiga rifle.....

as far as accuracy

3.Mini 14 kel tec
2.Saiga
1.ar-15
 
Saiga. It's under $300.

A Ruger costs at least twice at much. The Saigas are pretty darn accurate.
 
I like the Mini, but it's gotten too pricey to suit me. For the money, the Saiga seems like the better deal. (I probably am not in the market for one, mostly because of aesthetics. But that's just me.)

If I ran across a good price-deal on a used Mini, I'd prefer it to the Saiga. (Howzat for weaseling? :) )

Art
 
The Mini-14 & 30 are named in any upcomming ban in the future. I'd get any & all guns/rifles that may be banned in the fufure.
 
I'd be happy if the Mini 14 was improved. Better barrel, accuracy improvement, available mags, sold by Ruger (or take AR-15 mags)...

Sell it for $600-700 with these improvements, and I'd buy it, cause I do like the looks of them.
 
I have a stainless Mini-14 that I purchased in the 80's. (I may be older than some of you :) )

Has always shot well and been very reliable. I doubt I'll ever get rid of it. They have gotten pricey though. I've never had any mag problems with it either. I have some old "plastic" Ramline mags for it that work great as well as a couple 20 round stainless mags I also bought back in the 80's. None of them have ever given me a bit of trouble.

Just my .02 cents.
 
I looked at both and ended up buying the Saiga. I believe that in a straight comparison the Saiga is the better gun. When you factor in that the mini is significantly more expensive then the Saiga comes out even further ahead.

For the price of the mini you can buy a Saiga, convert it, buy magazines and have some money left to put towards accesories or ammo.
 
Love my Mini, except for accuracy, but I agree that they have gotten to pricey. I thought about getting a Saiga in 7.62 X 39 because they are cheap and get good reviews, but found a good deal on a Mak-90.
 
At the prices Ruger charges these days for a Mini 14 it amazes me they sell a single one. It seems like not so many years ago they were a $350-$400 gun.

Because of the gun's similarity in looks and control layout to the M14, count me among those that really want to like the Mini 14, but just can't. As someone else mentioned, if Ruger put the Mini 14 on a serious quality control program and made it more of a military grade weapon instead of a tin can puncher I'd be interested. Unfortunately I expect that to happen sometime right around never.
 
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