Mini-14 or SLR-106 w/ steel-cased ammo?

[Dollar An Hour]

I'm thinking about picking up one of the 16" barreled Mini-14's. Ammo price on steel case 5.56 isn't too bad, but will the Ruger digest that stuff no problem?

Or would an Arsenal SLR-106 be a better choice? I know the AK will eat the steel-cased ammo, I just prefer the longer stock of the Ruger.

 

[The Janitor]

I have a Mini-14, 183 series. Im not impressed with the accuracy of it at all. I've put a couple hundred rounds through it. No problems when using SS109 ammo, but Wolf jams every few shots. But like I said, the accuracy is bad unless you are willing to spend some money on it.

 

[railroader]

It's not one of your choices but saiga 223's will eat steel case ammo all day long, mine does. The price is right on them too. $299 here http://ddsranch.com/store/index.php?manufacturers_id=185 Mark

 

[xd45gaper]

i had a mini 14 ranch that would eat anything i put in it, only good thing about that rifle lol

 

[Nhsport]

Consider a used AR. Several mfg's are marketing no frills ARs in the $650 range (DPMS)
You can use whatever ammo you choose and you will have more flexibility,spare parts and accesories,better accuracy, and good cheep available magazines.
Importaint key to remember with the AR and steel cased ammo is to clean the chamber well before going back to standard brass case ammo

 

[briansmithwins]

Ruger Mini-14s have these disadvantages compared to most other 5.56 rifles:

1) Good magazines are expensive and hard to find. Ruger's refusal to sell standard capacity mags to 'civilians' means that you have to use aftermarket mags of questionable quality.
2) Lack of spare parts. Ruger's refusal to sell commonly needed spares like firing pins, extractors, and hammers means that you have to send your rifle back to Ruger for trivial repairs.

Those 2 would be a deal killer for me. I went with the Arsenal AK and was very happy with it. Here is some rifle porn of mine. BSW

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Don't really care about MOA accuracy here, just want a plinker / range toy that will eat steel case ammo.

So the Mini-14 WILL feed steel-cased ammo no problem I take it?

Saiga is another good choice, they've been hard to find as of late though!

 

[TAB]

A mini 14 as a plinker is a bad choice... as soon as you get that barrel warm you will be lucky to be on the paper at 50 yds.

 

[Auburn1992]

the SLR is what I would go for

 

[dagger dog]

Every one knocks the accuracy of the Mini but they are in the hands of the wall guards at most of the major federal and state high security prisons. Know why? Cause they WORK, and work well they will digest any thing that will fit into the magazine and chamber. The accuracy is good enough to make head shots or c.o.m. shots at 200 yds. Sure after the barrel gets hot they'll string just like any other thin barreled rifle. But they WORK!

 

[Ash]

Mine is a Mississippi State Trooper issued GB model. I'm happy with it.

Ash

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

I have both guns but have never shot steel ammo. Always used brass. Both guns are a hoot to shoot.

Briansmith, that slr looks like it’s hardly been used, how do you get the finish to stay like that?? I see you got the Belarus side mount, but what kind of optic do you have on it? I just have a rail with a doctor clone (Burris fastfire) on it.

anyway, both are great guns and have cycled everything I have put through them. I don’t think you will have any problems.

as for the mini, I have the target model and it shoots pretty darn accurate, I got a one inch group slow fire last week but I credit that to luck. most the time it shoots about one three quarters. I would suggest you get the target or that NRA edition as they are supposed to shoot more accurately. plus, the NRA model comes with 2 twenty round mags. those mags are expensive as I spent hundreds on them and only have 5. I can attest to the accuracy of the target model but like I said about the NRA model, I heard it shoots pretty good too.
also a thing to worry about on the SLR rifles, some of them have screwed up sights. I lucked out on mine. Look em over before you buy it if you can.