mini 14 versus AK47
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cbuttre835
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I use my mini to dispose of cheap .223 ammo my AR doesn't like. Never had a failure to fire / eject / cycle. I've probably only run 300-400 rounds through it.
With that said, though, it isn't accurate at all with ANY ammo. It's probably the least accurate "modern" gun I've ever shot. (not counting Mosins and C&R guns).
If you're into reloading, keep the mini - your reloaded .223 will probably end up cheaper than throwaway 7.62x39. If that's not your interest, let it go.... Minis sell for a premium price around here and depending on what you have in it you'll probably come out.
With that said, though, it isn't accurate at all with ANY ammo. It's probably the least accurate "modern" gun I've ever shot. (not counting Mosins and C&R guns).
If you're into reloading, keep the mini - your reloaded .223 will probably end up cheaper than throwaway 7.62x39. If that's not your interest, let it go.... Minis sell for a premium price around here and depending on what you have in it you'll probably come out.
adelbridge
Member
An AK is $60 worth of imported stamped and riveted sheet metal resold to us for $500 and up. The AK was designed to be made cheap and reliable for looser 3rd world nations and we are paying 10X for semi auto civilian models.
I prefer the mini ruger family, it is better built and patterned off the the M14. The mini is going to be somewhat more accurate and gives you a better platform for optics if you get the model with the rings. The magazines are much more expensive for minis and the aftermarket brands tend to be less reliable.
I prefer the mini ruger family, it is better built and patterned off the the M14. The mini is going to be somewhat more accurate and gives you a better platform for optics if you get the model with the rings. The magazines are much more expensive for minis and the aftermarket brands tend to be less reliable.
johnnydollar
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For around $950, you could get one of these: a Mini-14 Tactical in an aftermarket Archangel Sparta stock with Magpul MBUS sights.
johnnydollar
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That's true, but I wanted a pretty well equipped Mini-14 instead.
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"from what Ive read the mini's dont take kindly to cheap ammo"
Definitely not true in my experience. The only reason I keep my mini around is because it will shoot anything you can fit in the chamber. I've never had one malfunction every with mine and I've shot plenty of cheap Wolf steel case ammo through it. Reliability is definitely it's strong point. Accuracy? Not so much, at least with the older models which is what I have (Early 90's model) They are on par with an AK though. Newer models supposedly have better barrels and shoot more accurately.
Definitely not true in my experience. The only reason I keep my mini around is because it will shoot anything you can fit in the chamber. I've never had one malfunction every with mine and I've shot plenty of cheap Wolf steel case ammo through it. Reliability is definitely it's strong point. Accuracy? Not so much, at least with the older models which is what I have (Early 90's model) They are on par with an AK though. Newer models supposedly have better barrels and shoot more accurately.
I'll take an AK over a Mini-14 without hesitation. That said, I've yet to spend over $500.00 on any of my AKs. If I were to spend anywhere near $1,000.00, I'd check out the Sig Sauer 556-R. I've heard a lot of good things about hat rifle (now that they got the bugs out). However, I'd still take a $500.00 AK over the Sig.
fatcat4620
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First I would see if my mini would eat cheap ammo. If it won't then put it up for trade. Despite what some people say the Avtomat Kalashnikov is the greatest go to war rifle ever made and would not let you down.
I love my ARs. I dont own an AK nor a Mini 14. Several friends have them and I've shot both many times. I like both. IMHO, AR>AK>Mini. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either if the price is right. As one post stated, if i were spending more than $500, i'd go with an AK, maybe a low end AR. More than $700, i'd go with an AR.
The mini is a great for a truck gun or as a "ranch rifle". It is light, reliable and is deadly against things that go bump in the night or critters trying to steel your goats.
Johnny: That is a great looking Mini. I bet many shooters around you ask you what it is.
The mini is a great for a truck gun or as a "ranch rifle". It is light, reliable and is deadly against things that go bump in the night or critters trying to steel your goats.
Johnny: That is a great looking Mini. I bet many shooters around you ask you what it is.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I've had four early-vintage Minis. All were quite reliable in putting the first shot exactly where I intended--which was rough on coyotes and jackrabbits.
As a hunting rifle, they're excellent. But I've never spent a lot of time punching paper--so a decent three-shot group was always quite adequate for sight-in.
As far as defense, why worry? Minute of torso is a piece of cake with any of them.
As a hunting rifle, they're excellent. But I've never spent a lot of time punching paper--so a decent three-shot group was always quite adequate for sight-in.
As far as defense, why worry? Minute of torso is a piece of cake with any of them.
henschman
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If you want a rifle that is expressly designed from the ground up to shoot cheap lacquered steel-cased ammo, the AK is the way to go. Shooting steel cased out of a Mini is still a somewhat iffy proposition as far as reliability is concerned, but nobody bats an eye at shooting it through an AK. I've shot nasty rusted steel cased ammo out of my WASR that I would never even think of running through any other type of rifle, and it digested it all.
I'd say pick your poison between 7.62x39 and 5.45x39, and get whatever AK variant you prefer... but make sure it has a chrome lined barrel. They work a lot better with the steel cased stuff (and is another feature the Mini series lacks). Personally I think the Saiga is the best value right now. It would probably be more accurate than your Mini-14, too.
I'd say pick your poison between 7.62x39 and 5.45x39, and get whatever AK variant you prefer... but make sure it has a chrome lined barrel. They work a lot better with the steel cased stuff (and is another feature the Mini series lacks). Personally I think the Saiga is the best value right now. It would probably be more accurate than your Mini-14, too.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Is your mini a 581+ series, or an older model?
I replaced my 188-series Mini-14 Ranch Rifle with a Romanian AK in 7.62x39mm because the AK was significantly more accurate...seriously. A 5.45x39mm AK would have been an even better replacement. However, if your mini shoots fine and you like it, there's no need to replace it unless you've already shot an AK and you decide you really like the platform better.
If you already own the mini, go buy some steel-case Tula .223 at Walmart and see how your mini likes it, before making a decision based on speculation.
I replaced my 188-series Mini-14 Ranch Rifle with a Romanian AK in 7.62x39mm because the AK was significantly more accurate...seriously. A 5.45x39mm AK would have been an even better replacement. However, if your mini shoots fine and you like it, there's no need to replace it unless you've already shot an AK and you decide you really like the platform better.
If you already own the mini, go buy some steel-case Tula .223 at Walmart and see how your mini likes it, before making a decision based on speculation.
Moose458
Member
I like my Mini, mainly because it is some what of a M-14, but my AKs will shoot circles around the mini and shoot any type of ammo I put in them. However, if it were me, I would trade the Mini-14 for a VZ-58/VZ-2008, which is by far the best of the bunch.
Cal-gun Fan
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I'll put it this way-in performance, a .223 mini and .223 AK are extremely similar. Both have 1-3 MOA average accuracy, both have relatively expensive magazines, both are easy to mount scopes on, and both will be extremely reliable.
The Mini is the least expensive to scope because it comes with a mount and rings right out of the box. Thats a bonus. The AK has more accessories. Thats a bonus.
The Mini-14 has much more work and quality put into it. The AK is nice, but its a stamped steel gun thrown together by inexperienced laborers. Don't get me wrong, I love my SGL-21, but thats what it is. So it depends on whether you only care about performance, or if you care about the actual characteristics of the rifle. If you only care about performance, go with the AK. If you feel attached to the Mini, get that
The Mini is the least expensive to scope because it comes with a mount and rings right out of the box. Thats a bonus. The AK has more accessories. Thats a bonus.
The Mini-14 has much more work and quality put into it. The AK is nice, but its a stamped steel gun thrown together by inexperienced laborers. Don't get me wrong, I love my SGL-21, but thats what it is. So it depends on whether you only care about performance, or if you care about the actual characteristics of the rifle. If you only care about performance, go with the AK. If you feel attached to the Mini, get that
That’s last year’s prices, if you could find them for $299 let me know and I’ll buy two more. I got my third S223 a few weeks back and it was $399 so you could scratch that $299 price.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
Keep the Mini
First of all stevo, I'm surprised that you want to trade your mini for an AK with out even shooting the mini first. I wouldn't trade a rifle based on solely what I read, I'd go out and shoot it and find out for myself. Don't believe every thing you read, especially online. In my experience Minis aren't particularly sensitive to ammo as far as reliability is concerned. But once again, I'd suggest you go shoot your rifle and find out for yourself.
I have nothing against mini 14s but ditto what Tony said...
I hope that the Archangel stock for the mini14 is designed better than the Archangel stock I put some guys 10/22 into. I could never recommend that conversion stock to anyone. Extremely Mickey Mouse.
brnmuenchow
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Obviously a loaded question, not one that I can give a real as a matter of fact opinion too.
As for the original QUES:
You say you have read the mini's don't take kindly to cheap ammo, now I know my cousin's mini does not like steel ammo but have you ran any amount of cheap ammo through it to see. If it shoots it just fine I say keep it, if it does not like it than get an AK-47 or AK-74 pattern style rifle. Personally I love my AK-47/74's I also love AR's but depending on what your needs are like accuracy, affordability, hardware options, etc.. it may just be best to keep the mini. As for mod's, don't let the idea that just because it's an AK it can't be modified to be more tactically useful as an AR or a mini. There are many aftermarket companies that offer tactical parts for AK styled rifles, just more options for AR's.
As for the original QUES:
You say you have read the mini's don't take kindly to cheap ammo, now I know my cousin's mini does not like steel ammo but have you ran any amount of cheap ammo through it to see. If it shoots it just fine I say keep it, if it does not like it than get an AK-47 or AK-74 pattern style rifle. Personally I love my AK-47/74's I also love AR's but depending on what your needs are like accuracy, affordability, hardware options, etc.. it may just be best to keep the mini. As for mod's, don't let the idea that just because it's an AK it can't be modified to be more tactically useful as an AR or a mini. There are many aftermarket companies that offer tactical parts for AK styled rifles, just more options for AR's.
fallout mike
Member
One should be just as inaccurate as the next.
And yet my 5.56 Ak out shoots my friends three minis. Interesting.
I'm amazed one would even think about paying $950 for a mini with a tacticool plastic stock. I'd much rather have one of the ARs available at that price range.
Will they shoot steel cased ammo now?
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