Mini 14 or SKS for Self Def

[benEzra]

The NEW Mini-14, maybe. Otherwise, for the money? The SKS is probably a more consistant main battle rifle. An old Mini-14 for HD is a better pistol.

Well, the old mini-14's were inconsistent with regard to accuracy, and mine was a lemon (5.5" groups at 100 yards with premium ammo), but a 5.5 MOA rifle will still put an entire magazine into a dime-sized group at HD distances.

IMO, the new mini's are consistently better at distance shooting than a lot of the old mini's, but at HD distances there is no difference.

 

[gofastman]

With HP or SP ammunition (no more expensive than FMJ), 7.62x39mm is at no more risk of overpenetration than .223

how do you figure? 7.62 is a heavier bullet

 

[54lariat]

I had said Mini....but there are upsides to SKS.....like caked full of cosmoline and dirt and shoots pretty well Maybe just cause it is looser than todays guns.....my home defense gun is my Sig 226 with my stream light and my Mossy 500 with stream light... if that does not do it my wifes Sub compact XD is on her nightstand and has the small Insight light...We will be fine

 

[mljdeckard]

I did to mine what WVleo did, but then I added a Tech sight and a thinner front sight post. Your Mini sights aren't superior to THAT.

If the round I'm using won't likely traverse the bad guy, it isn't strong enough for defense.

It's not that I wouldn't use it for HD, but it's in line behind my shotgun and my M-1 carbine. the SKS is really my truck/atv/sagebrush/SHTF gun.

 

[Waywatcher]

Whichever one is on hand will do fine.

If starting from scratch I guess I would go with the SKS. It is cheaper and the ammo is cheaper. Practice is most important, and the SKS would thus allow the most practice. I have never been excited about aftermarket mags for the SKS (or the Mini 14 for that matter.) The original fixed mag with stripper clips works very well.

Both are quick into action from a state of idleness:
Mini 14--Store bolt locked back with no mag. Insert mag and release bolt.
SKS--Store bolt locked back with empty magazine. Push rounds off clip into gun and release bolt.

As for calibers, I prefer 5.56 for self defense, especially in a house or home, but this is very minor and is not as important as practice.

This is coming from a guy who has owned both.

 

[54lariat]

I did to mine what WVleo did, but then I added a Tech sight and a thinner front sight post. Your Mini sights aren't superior to THAT.

If the round I'm using won't likely traverse the bad guy, it isn't strong enough for defense.

It's not that I wouldn't use it for HD, but it's in line behind my shotgun and my M-1 carbine. the SKS is really my truck/atv/sagebrush/SHTF gun.

SHTF. LOL I like that!

 

[Panzercat]

Consider a Keltec SU16 if you're looking into something like a mini 14. Usually $150 cheaper with better customization options since it comes with rails and takes AR mags standard. The standard model folds into an orgami square and can house two ar mags in the stock.

The aesthetics aren't for everybody. Since half the body is carbon reinforced plastic except for vital parts and the gun is only four and change lbs unloaded, it feels like a toy to some people. Youtube videos show the piece can stand up to decent punishment, however. I had the same question and even posed it to rifle country here. The plastic feel is the main gripe I stumble across.
Again, just a consideration.

If the gun is used for self-defense, expect it to go to an evidence locker until the case is adjudicated and even then you may not get it back.

In other words, consider a self-defense gun a tool and an expendable tool at that: no collectibles, no heirlooms, no "granpa and I hunted with his Ruger and he left it to me in his will" sort of thing.

A very good point; one an inexpensive keltec fits to a 'tee'. Of course, so does a cheap Mossberg 500 shotty. If HD is the job, you can't get much better. If semi auto is your hangup, there's a Mossberg 930 with your name on it in about the same price range as you're talking. Recoil will be a bit stout tho

 

[CornCod]

Both rifles are fine. The best SKS's for home defense would be the short-barreled "paratrooper" or "cowboy's companion" models.

 

[sirgilligan]

Check out the youtube videos by "nutnfancy". I was surprised to see how well the Ruger does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLzxL8lH46s

 

[Art Eatman]

Group size is of no importance at "defense" distances. Minute of torso is plenty good. I figure that from a utility standpoint, it's six of one, half-dozen of the other.

Pick whichever one suits your own opinion...

 

[Wolfeye]

Mini-14; I'm biased towards American-made. I'd prefer the Mini-30, though, since I think it can be used for deer hunting in my state; nothing under .24 is legal here.

I don't think I'd use a rifle for home defense unless it was loaded with frangibles, or if I was living out in the sticks. I'd sooner reach for the shotgun.

 

[Panzercat]

Minute of torso is plenty good.

I lol'd.

Check out the youtube videos by "nutnfancy". I was surprised to see how well the Ruger does.

He did an SU16 series too.

 

[JR47]

Owning multiple versions of both, I'd go with the Mini-14. Like it, or not, the detachable mags are faster to load, and even the smaller of the two Ruger mags holds 20 rounds, twice the SKS.

As to price, CDNN is advertising used LEO 20 round mags for $17.99, new 20 rounders for $24.99, and new 30 round mags for $34.99. Ruger is actively producing them for sale to everyone, as well.

The Mini-14 is also lighter, and much more American in it's manual of arms. If you decide on an SKS you're going to have to become proficient with the strippers, and get used to the installed sights. The SKS also has some problems with safety springs being absent, or too weak to function. Then, there's the old problem of a stuck firing pin causing it to slam-fire the magazine empty. On the Yugo Model 59/66 and 59/66A1, the use of corrosive ammo has rendered many of the gas shut-offs unable to seal the gas system. This causes FTE problems.

All in all, my group of Minis has been much more reliable than our SKS rifles. Once the problems with the gas system, and the firing pin, were cured, they're quite nice, but longer and heavier.

 

[henschman]

Are you asking this because you own both and are wondering which you should use for primary home defense, or are you thinking about buying one or the other?

If you already own these rifles, I'd say keep one rifle in your bedroom, and one rifle somewhere close to your front door. Then you can always get to one rifle quickly, no matter where you are when the bad guys come calling. I'd say they are pretty equivelent as home defense rifles. Shoot them both a lot, and see which one you like best.

If you are thinking about buying one or the other, I'd say get an SKS if it is all you can afford. If you have enough money for a Mini-14, skip it and buy an AR.

 

[JR47]

If you are thinking about buying one or the other, I'd say get an SKS if it is all you can afford. If you have enough money for a Mini-14, skip it and buy an AR.

Not what he asked about

For that matter, if you really want something that adds up, get an M14. Even stays within the OPs requests.

 

[Convert]

Both are overkill self-defense. Unless you live in Eastern Afghanistan, or you're in a part of the country where bands of Indians still raid homesteads looking for scalps, you could probably manage just fine with a .45 autoloading pistol, or a 12ga shotgun.

That being said, neither of the weapons on your list are known for accuracy beyond 100 yards. The Mini-14 is not a precision rifle, and the SKS fires the inherently unstable 7.62x39 round. The SKS is cheaper to buy and cheaper to feed. If you're really hellbent on having an assault rifle for self defense, you might as well buy the cheaper of the two.

As stated earlier, unless you live somewhere along the Mexican border, chances are you will never use it in a defensive situation anyway.

 

[GD]

Either rifle would be fine where I live - out in the boonies. In town, I would not want to use either. In under 25 yard self defense applications in town, a pistol, revolver, or shotgun would be my preference.
I have a Russian SKS, and I have never had a misfire or any other problem with it. It is a 3-4 MOA rifle. The bayonet on my SKS also presents an interesting self defense application that the Mini 14 doesn't have. My only experience with a Mini 14 was target shooting with a friend back in the 90's. Neither he or I good get good groups out of that rifle. I don't judge a rifle by one example and am actually interested in one.