benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I almost bought a side folder for my mini-14 right before 'Pork-n-Bans' went down in 1994. Didn't, and have been kicking myself ever since.
bE
bE
AR vs. AK vs. Mini-14
- Thread starter SquirrelNuts
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bad_dad_brad
Member
AR by far.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
"Molon Labe" from the Greek; "Come And Take It". Said to the Persians, IIRC, at Thermopylae.
During the Texas Revolution, there was a "Come And Take It" flag at Gonzales at a battle there. They still have an annual celebration about it.
Art
During the Texas Revolution, there was a "Come And Take It" flag at Gonzales at a battle there. They still have an annual celebration about it.
Art
thumbtack
Member
I have to say AR all the away. I would to own a mini and I plan to get an AK some day, but man I love the AR.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
Mini-14.
The AR doesn't fit.
the Ak has bad sights, a bad trigger, and none too good magazine changing.
The AR doesn't fit.
the Ak has bad sights, a bad trigger, and none too good magazine changing.
Camshaft
Member
the mini-14 is garbage IMO. not to mention bill ruger was a closet commie.
in an urban enviorment id take an AR.
in a jungle, woods, or desert type enviroment id take an AK.
having said that, the only one i currently own is an AR, and i like it. since the initial break-in, it has not had one single malfunction. but i can say the same for any ak ive owned.
in an urban enviorment id take an AR.
in a jungle, woods, or desert type enviroment id take an AK.
having said that, the only one i currently own is an AR, and i like it. since the initial break-in, it has not had one single malfunction. but i can say the same for any ak ive owned.
AR-AK-Mini-14 ?
Nobody said a thing about, Belt feed ?
Some time ago. Norenco came out with a AK.
Style Mag. well SKS. 5,10,20,30,40,55,Rd. box.
75-100 Rd. drum. with a little knife work to wood.
at well feed.
$125.00 N.I.B. $9.50. S&H. "O" !!! For the old day's!!!!!
My freind's nicked named it "Chinese Weed Eater".
7Rd. Burst after 3-4 Thou. Rd's. 11-20+ After 7-10 Thou. Rd's.
NOOO!!! Mod's To Tgr. Groupe.
I miss them! Montycarlo-Thumbhole stock. Option!
Where is"george O." When you need him?!!!!
Muntant.
Nobody said a thing about, Belt feed ?
Some time ago. Norenco came out with a AK.
Style Mag. well SKS. 5,10,20,30,40,55,Rd. box.
75-100 Rd. drum. with a little knife work to wood.
at well feed.
$125.00 N.I.B. $9.50. S&H. "O" !!! For the old day's!!!!!
My freind's nicked named it "Chinese Weed Eater".
7Rd. Burst after 3-4 Thou. Rd's. 11-20+ After 7-10 Thou. Rd's.
NOOO!!! Mod's To Tgr. Groupe.
I miss them! Montycarlo-Thumbhole stock. Option!
Where is"george O." When you need him?!!!!
Muntant.
Eightball
Member
Choices, choices....
If it boils down to it, I'd take an AK (already got one!
well, sorta). Cheap and easy, good cheap ammo, and there's somewhere in the neighborhood of double-digit (triple-digit) millions of them being used across the planet, IIRC. That says something. They look sweet, and are the object of hatred by the anti-gun lobby everywhere. All around goodness ! Also, you can (depending on how you bargain) get about 2 of them for the price of 1 "passable" AR. Just my opinion, flame on.
If it boils down to it, I'd take an AK (already got one!
well, sorta). Cheap and easy, good cheap ammo, and there's somewhere in the neighborhood of double-digit (triple-digit) millions of them being used across the planet, IIRC. That says something. They look sweet, and are the object of hatred by the anti-gun lobby everywhere. All around goodness ! Also, you can (depending on how you bargain) get about 2 of them for the price of 1 "passable" AR. Just my opinion, flame on.Harry Paget Flashman
Member
Started with a Mini-14...gave it to my son-in-law(a dowry thing). Bought another Mini-14, stainless this time. Bought a bunch of cheap mags over the internet that didn't fit well or lock in place in the mag well. Sold it before I ever shot it to buy a KelTec SU-16B, which jammed with a steel Wolf casing "glued" fast in the breech. Unjammed it and sold it LNIB with only 17 rounds through it to buy a Bushmaster Carbon 15 M4. It's a keeper.
Through it all my WASR-10 has run flawlessly. For form I vote AR, for function I vote AK, for gifts/trade-ups I vote Mini-14's.
Through it all my WASR-10 has run flawlessly. For form I vote AR, for function I vote AK, for gifts/trade-ups I vote Mini-14's.
natedog
Member
AR-15 > AK-47 > Mini-14
Mini-14 < Almost all other intermediate caliber autoloading rifles
Mini-14 < Almost all other intermediate caliber autoloading rifles
Just in case you didn't catch any of the other threads just like this one almost every week here's a flashback from 2002. I did scan through it just to see if the posting was the same, nope nothings changed. Well nothing except for Tamara's posts #14 and #20, it looks like the humor was better back then.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
Nate: to be quite honest, you've not had enough trigger time behind any of the three to have much of an opinion.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Well, all three rifles are intermediate caliber self-loading rifles. The big difference is that the AR and AK have about 40+ years of development and research built into them that was financed by two major military superpowers. Add into this the knowledge gained from their military use in countless conflicts on pretty much every continent except Antarctica and you have two very mature weapon systems where most of the problems have been discovered and corrected or acknowledged as an accepted tradeoff for some other benefit.
In contrast, the Mini-14 is a commercial venture produced by an American firearms manufacturer that is a fairly small player on the world stage of firearms manufacturing. It has had a fraction of the research and development spent on it and has practically no history in even brush war level armed conflict.
So it shouldn't be any surprise when you read Pat Rogers commenting that he hasn't seen a Mini-14 survive Gunsite's 5-day rifle course or when you read posters here complaining about accuracy, reliability or durability issues. The Mini-14 has had a fraction of the resources put into its development that the other two rifles have. Doubtless there are good Mini-14s out there just as there are bad ARs and AKs out there; but taken as a whole, I don't think the Mini-14 is in the same class.
In contrast, the Mini-14 is a commercial venture produced by an American firearms manufacturer that is a fairly small player on the world stage of firearms manufacturing. It has had a fraction of the research and development spent on it and has practically no history in even brush war level armed conflict.
So it shouldn't be any surprise when you read Pat Rogers commenting that he hasn't seen a Mini-14 survive Gunsite's 5-day rifle course or when you read posters here complaining about accuracy, reliability or durability issues. The Mini-14 has had a fraction of the resources put into its development that the other two rifles have. Doubtless there are good Mini-14s out there just as there are bad ARs and AKs out there; but taken as a whole, I don't think the Mini-14 is in the same class.
natedog
Member
I can have all the opinion I'd like; experience comes into play when questioning the relevancy of said opinion.
Mr. Roberts, it couldn't have been said better.
Mr. Roberts, it couldn't have been said better.
LeonCarr
Member
AK
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Crosshair
Member
Redlg155
I think the AK would have been perfect had they designed it with a magazine lock system like the AR15 series.
The "tilting lock" magazine of the AK, Mini 14 and FAL series is about the only fault I see with them.
I don't see where this is a major problem. You just have to train and get used to a weapon. Calling the "tilting lock" magazines a fault is like calling a stick shift transmission a "faulty idea" just because you're no good with it. Why don't we make AR mags as good as AK mags, then we can talk about the tilting lock.
I think the AK would have been perfect had they designed it with a magazine lock system like the AR15 series.
The "tilting lock" magazine of the AK, Mini 14 and FAL series is about the only fault I see with them.
I don't see where this is a major problem. You just have to train and get used to a weapon. Calling the "tilting lock" magazines a fault is like calling a stick shift transmission a "faulty idea" just because you're no good with it. Why don't we make AR mags as good as AK mags, then we can talk about the tilting lock.
Essex County
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2005
- Messages
- 1,247
I guess I'm an AR sort of guy. I have an AK, but I keep both clean so the AK's ability to keep going after being dredged up from the LaBrea Tar pits isn't a real issue. Used to be a dealer about 15 miles from the Ruger factory and I bought a number of Minies from Ruger employees and resold them for $ 30.00 profit. I never took one home. Now I want one, and I'm looking for the exceptional deal to come my way. I know it will be on par with my AK I want one anyway....Sincerely Essex County
1911 guy
Member
Quick synopsis
"Molon Labe" was said by Leonidas, commander of a small group of Spartans at Thermopylae to Xerxes, who led a much larger force of Persians. The Spartans eventually lost the battle there, but it took much longer than the Persians expected and cost them dearly in men.
As to the original topic of this thread, I'd choose the AR/M-16 for these reasons: sights on the AK are no good, at least for me. Some of the accuracy problems can be attributed to them. Operation is simple, though, and the mag lock can be easily adapted to. The same goes for the Mini-14, the sight vibrates out of adjustment easily. I choose not to use a scope in what should be an infantry rifle, but someone who chooses otherwise can get around this problem.
"Molon Labe" was said by Leonidas, commander of a small group of Spartans at Thermopylae to Xerxes, who led a much larger force of Persians. The Spartans eventually lost the battle there, but it took much longer than the Persians expected and cost them dearly in men.
As to the original topic of this thread, I'd choose the AR/M-16 for these reasons: sights on the AK are no good, at least for me. Some of the accuracy problems can be attributed to them. Operation is simple, though, and the mag lock can be easily adapted to. The same goes for the Mini-14, the sight vibrates out of adjustment easily. I choose not to use a scope in what should be an infantry rifle, but someone who chooses otherwise can get around this problem.
chopinbloc
Member
you love throwing gas on a fire, huh?
Ivy Mike
Member
AK to be sure for the purpose intended. Short-medium range work with a fast moving caliber. An AR just isn't worth the cost. The AK also offers two quality calbers where the AR is most commonly available in only one. Now, you can simply swap the upper, and gain more flexibility.
Mini-14...meh, I'd get an SKS. Its larger, heavier and not as modern and sleek, but at least you have a chance at reliable 30rd magazines. The Ruger mags are reliable, but nigh impossible to get.
I'd leave the AR and Mini on the shelf. For a true Mini alternative, I'd go with Kel-Tec SU-16.
Mini-14...meh, I'd get an SKS. Its larger, heavier and not as modern and sleek, but at least you have a chance at reliable 30rd magazines. The Ruger mags are reliable, but nigh impossible to get.
I'd leave the AR and Mini on the shelf. For a true Mini alternative, I'd go with Kel-Tec SU-16.
So, I don't have an AK and don't know much at all about the types or manufacturers. Can someone post or PM me about what and where a good AK could be gotten? I am not cheap, I just hate to spend money on something and then find out there is a better one for $50 more.
I already have an AR, M1, and M1A and like them all. Just figured a good AK to play with would round out the collection.
I already have an AR, M1, and M1A and like them all. Just figured a good AK to play with would round out the collection.
Too Many Choices!?
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2005
- Messages
- 763
Mini 14 is not even on the same plane of existence as the others
Two combat proven designs vs. a plinker/ranch gun...
Now to the Flame bait !
The AR wins hands down and heres why.....(for me atleast)
AR makes nasty wounds at close range with 55gr or 77gr bullets and good velocity, so the AK ,"bigger bullet bigger hole", thing doesn't sway me much.
My AR has sights that work atleast 75% of the time when off-hand shooting out to about 75 yds(3 outa 4 aint bad on apples). My AK clone has sights that like to take a time out every now and then and only relibably work to a distance of 50 yards and will only hit maybe 33% of the time off-hand...
The AR has less recoil, so it follows logic, it has faster follow up shots. AK has more recoil and will be heavier with topped off mags.
The AK has the one plus of ,"digging" through most cover better...My response to that is that in a defensive situation, if I can't see the target, I need to be repositioning(like getting the heck outta dodge
or to where I can see the target) not trying to ,"dig" out an enemy. So the one plus the AK has going for it,digging out a B/G under cover, I don't see a major need for!
The AR is supposedly less reliable but when I shot over a half case of Wolf laquered 55gr fmj without cleaning and only got a few ftf(ammo related), I hardly see any need to even call this an issue....
Last, the magazine issues people bring up are red herrings or misdirection,imho. Train more or take better care of your equipment as an AK mag is more solid being steel, but I have yet to bend the feed lips or mag body of any of my AR mags so this is another non-issue for me!
Bottom line AK, AR or Mini, shoot what you shoot best and u don't have to justify it to anyone but yourself :banghead: ,but it is fun sometimes
Edited to say...I think a closer comparison can be made between the SU16 and the Mini 14 better than military proven fighting carbines:scrutiny/
Two combat proven designs vs. a plinker/ranch gun...
Now to the Flame bait
! The AR wins hands down and heres why.....(for me atleast)
AR makes nasty wounds at close range with 55gr or 77gr bullets and good velocity, so the AK ,"bigger bullet bigger hole", thing doesn't sway me much.
My AR has sights that work atleast 75% of the time when off-hand shooting out to about 75 yds(3 outa 4 aint bad on apples). My AK clone has sights that like to take a time out every now and then and only relibably work to a distance of 50 yards and will only hit maybe 33% of the time off-hand...
The AR has less recoil, so it follows logic, it has faster follow up shots. AK has more recoil and will be heavier with topped off mags.
The AK has the one plus of ,"digging" through most cover better...My response to that is that in a defensive situation, if I can't see the target, I need to be repositioning(like getting the heck outta dodge
or to where I can see the target) not trying to ,"dig" out an enemy. So the one plus the AK has going for it,digging out a B/G under cover, I don't see a major need for! The AR is supposedly less reliable but when I shot over a half case of Wolf laquered 55gr fmj without cleaning and only got a few ftf(ammo related), I hardly see any need to even call this an issue....
Last, the magazine issues people bring up are red herrings or misdirection,imho. Train more or take better care of your equipment as an AK mag is more solid being steel, but I have yet to bend the feed lips or mag body of any of my AR mags so this is another non-issue for me!
Bottom line AK, AR or Mini, shoot what you shoot best and u don't have to justify it to anyone but yourself :banghead: ,but it is fun sometimes
Edited to say...I think a closer comparison can be made between the SU16 and the Mini 14 better than military proven fighting carbines:scrutiny/
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
Own multiples of all----AK-SKS-AR-Mini------its all good.
They all have their quirks and +'s and -'s----sort of like women
They all have their quirks and +'s and -'s----sort of like women
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