As I stated in another thread, I'm trying to sell my WASR-10 to get a 580 series Mini-14 or possibly a Golani. I've never fired a Mini or Golani, what do you guys think? I know about accuracy complaints with the Mini and QC issues with the Century Golanis. I don't want an AR so please don't suggest that. If possible I want feedback from people who have fired both rifles. And how is mag availability for the Golanis? This is a rifle for fun/emergency (SHTF) situations. Thanks!
Mini-14 or Galil clone?
- Thread starter Weedy
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First off, If you have never fired either, why are these two your choice? I gather that you are set on a .223/5.56 rifle. Have you looked into Keltec or possibly an AK chambered in this round?
I personally would go for the Golani. Just because I have always wanted a Galil. Just not a 10 pound one chambered in .223.
Mini's are cool. I really like them. But a mini vs. a Golani.............Two different birds all together.
I personally would go for the Golani. Just because I have always wanted a Galil. Just not a 10 pound one chambered in .223.
Mini's are cool. I really like them. But a mini vs. a Golani.............Two different birds all together.
Yes, I'm looking for a .223/5.56. I got a lot of experience with m16's in the Army and I don't want one. That's the whole reason I'm asking you guys; I haven't fired the Mini or Golani. I also know that they are very different rifles, but they both fire the same cartridge, which is also why I'm asking and why I stated my intended purpose for the rifle.
WardenWolf
member
Weedy, a Saiga .223 is $400. Mags are $30 to $40. I wouldn't really call the mags prohibitively expensive compared to the low cost of the rest of the rifle.
eldiabloe1
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I can't speak for the new Mini's with the heavier barrels but the old ones were not known for accuracy unless you worked up a load for it. Find the ammo it likes and accuracy isn't an issue. Feed issues are almost always mag related. Good Ruger mags are expensive. A good odd ball would be a AR180B, .223 and uses AR mags with a piston driven system for way less than a POF, LWRC or others.
It seems there's not a lot of love for the US built Golani from CAI. I haven't checked mag prices yet.
I've had a Mini and sold it. Factory mags are expensive and I've never had luck with aftermarket. I never pushed it for accuracy but they don't have a good rep.
The only other option for "cheap" is an AK. Saigas, once converted, are the best bet/bang for buck. Arsenal SLR-106FR, if you find a non-gouging price, is a solid rifle. A used SAR-3 is also an option. Mags run about like a Mini now-a-days; Factory circle 10 are close to $30, so are those German ones (works in SAR-3 only with out mods), and Tapco/Promag, well are Tapco/Promag.
I've had a Mini and sold it. Factory mags are expensive and I've never had luck with aftermarket. I never pushed it for accuracy but they don't have a good rep.
The only other option for "cheap" is an AK. Saigas, once converted, are the best bet/bang for buck. Arsenal SLR-106FR, if you find a non-gouging price, is a solid rifle. A used SAR-3 is also an option. Mags run about like a Mini now-a-days; Factory circle 10 are close to $30, so are those German ones (works in SAR-3 only with out mods), and Tapco/Promag, well are Tapco/Promag.
Golanis (Galil) look cool, like an "assault rifle" should, with neat features like folding stocks, milled receivers, vertical charging handle...but lack the additional Galil tritium night-sights, built-in bipod, wire cutter, wood handguards, chrome-lined chamber and bore.
They have good accuracy but are heavy, unwieldy, and don't balance very well, IMO.
The newest versions of the Mini-14 are as accurate and reliable as the Galil, point and balance a lot better...more like a rifle.
If I had to choose between the two...I would go with the Mini-14. If I wanted an AK in .223, I would go with a Saiga.
They have good accuracy but are heavy, unwieldy, and don't balance very well, IMO.
The newest versions of the Mini-14 are as accurate and reliable as the Galil, point and balance a lot better...more like a rifle.
If I had to choose between the two...I would go with the Mini-14. If I wanted an AK in .223, I would go with a Saiga.
cuate
Member
Mini & Golani
I have both, the Golani as many have reported have been somewhat problematic but mine has no problems I couldn't take care of. It is very accurate to my notion, easy to clean and I love it.
My mini is a few years old Ranch version, I have Ruger 20 rd. mags and have done my own trigger job, cut the barrel back to 16 1/2" and installed a flash hider and military looking front sight, and a ghost ring rear sight. Contrary to reports from the Ruger haters, this rifle hits what I aim it at. Nice little rifle and I like it real well.
One more note, no secret that I also have a Bushie M4A3 and a ceiner .22
conversion unit. Not as easy to clean as the Mini or Golani, fine rifle but I like the Golani better.
I have both, the Golani as many have reported have been somewhat problematic but mine has no problems I couldn't take care of. It is very accurate to my notion, easy to clean and I love it.
My mini is a few years old Ranch version, I have Ruger 20 rd. mags and have done my own trigger job, cut the barrel back to 16 1/2" and installed a flash hider and military looking front sight, and a ghost ring rear sight. Contrary to reports from the Ruger haters, this rifle hits what I aim it at. Nice little rifle and I like it real well.
One more note, no secret that I also have a Bushie M4A3 and a ceiner .22
conversion unit. Not as easy to clean as the Mini or Golani, fine rifle but I like the Golani better.
gga357
Member
I think the mini will give you years of service.
IWI makes the Golani and ive found other weapons of theres very functional servicable and reliable so i dont see the golani being a bad choice ive fired the bajeezus out of the ruger mini 14 and using ruger mags its been flawless in operation accuracy is so so but im used to bolt rifles so dont take that as disscrediting them as for the fun side of your reasoning id go with the mini because most of my fun is building up and there are alot more things available for the mini as for the golani im sure its a blast to shoot and lets face it its a semi auto version of an isreali war rifle it has to work those guys are 100% serious about what they use either will be a fun/SHTF gun bottom line tho just for ease of ownership id get the mini its got alot more accessory options easier to find one new or used and magazines are easy to get
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
If you want a bunch of tight groups from the benchrest, the Mini is not at all the answer. If you hunt, they're just fine; the first two or three shots reliably go to the same point of aim as the last time out. They're mechanically reliable. For defense, they'll work as good as any other .223.
Quiet
Member
IWI does not make the Golani.
IWI makes the Galil.
The Golani is a Galil parts kit on a US reciever made by Century International Arms. The Golani is hit or miss in quality and reliability.
Galil > Ruger Mini-14 > Golani
Get the Mini-14, if you don't like it get a Saiga-223 before you get a Golani.
IWI makes the Galil.
The Golani is a Galil parts kit on a US reciever made by Century International Arms. The Golani is hit or miss in quality and reliability.
Galil > Ruger Mini-14 > Golani
Get the Mini-14, if you don't like it get a Saiga-223 before you get a Golani.
salvo
Member
I have had both, I still have the Golani, have had no problem with mine, it is accurate and 100% reliable. No doubt there have been problem ones out there and from what I have read problems have been taken care of by CIA.
I would love to have an original Galil but the price for them is sky high, when I saw the Golani over a year ago I bought one and thank goodness I got a keeper. I bought a bunch of Orlite mags for it a wile back. I think they are still available.
I would love to have an original Galil but the price for them is sky high, when I saw the Golani over a year ago I bought one and thank goodness I got a keeper. I bought a bunch of Orlite mags for it a wile back. I think they are still available.
Frankl03
Member
The imported Galils were made by IMI. The CAI built Golanis have problems with the receivers made by ORF. I think the problem is that they are not heat treated correctly and tend to loose head space. I owned two and would not buy another.
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