Mini 14 vs m1 carbine for fun at the ranch and plinking

[longdayjake]

If I had this dilemma I would take the m1 carbine. However, if I were to decide on the mini it would have to be a mini-30. Better for all around hunting if you ask me.

 

[peyton]

Get an sks, rock solid, ammo is plentiful. I love my m1 carbine but the cartridge does not hold a candle to 223 or 7.62 for long range work.

 

[R.W.Dale]

What's with the infestation of MINI threads of late

 

[kludge]

For just plain fun, there is none funner than a 30 carbine. The carbine will be fine for 'yotes or hogs

For kicking around a ranch the SKS wins hands down.

For squirrels there's always the Browning Buckmark.

You might could get both for the price of a Mini 14.

If'n you want a .223 look at the Kel-Tec SU-16

I have all of the above, except for the Mini-14.

 

[Snowdog]

the mini will impart serveral times the energy of the venerable M-1 round-for-round.

Uh, no....
There is difference in energy between the two but nothing even approaching that drastic.

Roughly, the .30 Carbine generates 1,000 FPE at the muzzle whereas the .223 is around the 1,250 FPE mark.

Now, if someone needs several times the energy of a .30 Carbine, they need to look into the .338 Winchester Magnum or something of that ilk as they certainly won't find that in a .223/5.56

 

[chevyforlife21]

id get the mini the ammo is like half the price and it has more power

 

[paintballdude902]

id get a mini or an su-16 i like the looks of the mini more its tends to be a bit more classy when you get the wood stock

 

[JMusic]

If your talkin about shooting someone off the end of your gun then I agree there's not much difference. But a 30 caliber carbine does not compare to 5.56 NATO.



Jim

 

[Maverick223]

JM, despite the rainbow trajectory and less ME, the .30 Carbine has a TKO value that is about 50% better [than .223] at 100yds...that is hardly shooting something at point blank.

FWIW I would go with the M1 Carbine or perhaps the Mini-30...the M1 just handles better and can handle all of the tasks that you are likely to encounter with ease.

 

[Ignition Override]

My brand-new Auto Ordnance M-1 Carbine was bought in October '07.
It was treated well, lubricated, kept clean, never dropped etc.
The bolt came a bit out of the track one day when reloading and it was jammed solid.

I was so dismayed at AO's design or quality control that I sold it after the nice free factory repair. The authentic Carbines' actions felt more solid. Not doing any research beforehand was my main regret. My Mini 30 is my M-1 Carbine, so to speak, and the 7.62x39 round is much more versatile with my SKS etc, and available. If we had another panic caused by a second major Al Qaida attack (even on electrical distribution networks) etc, ammo might become scarce, but the x39 round-especially the guns which use it-would be easier to find than .30 Carbine ammo.

If you decide on a US Carbine, you would probably find more value in a "GI" vintage Carbine from the CMP, if you get the paperwork and have the patience to wait for a while. You might also enjoy an SKS "Paratrooper".

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I think it comes down to this:

If you reload, then the .30 M1 carbine.

If you don't, then the Mini 14.


And please describe this "really nice m1 carbine". Is it a USGI? What kind? If it's only $200 more than a Mini-14 and the price on the Mini is decent, then that may be a good to very very good deal on a USGI carbine.

What's with the infestation of MINI threads of late?

Search me. :dunno:

 

[USSR]

If you reload, then the .30 M1 carbine.

+1. Am currently reloading .30 Carbine for little more than .22 rimfire sells for.

Don

 

[Aint Life Garand]

If you decide on the mini I would recommend getting a newer one in the 580 series. Ruger's made some improvements to help on the accuracy of it.

I like the carbine growing up and for the history of it and would get it because of it and that minis will continue to be made and can get picked up at any time. My only concern would be ammo price and availability.

That being said I would like to recommend one more option to consider, a saiga. The saiga is a sporterized AK rifle that you can find in .223, 7.62x39 and .308. They come in a 16" version that is pretty handy. You get AK reliability, similar accuracy to what you would get with the mini or carbine, but I think the big positive is they are priced less than either of your options. It would make an excellent ranch gun in my opinion.

 

[memphisjim]

mini 14 all the way

 

[carbine85]

I would get the Mini with the new M4 tactical stock. The new barrels are giving better accuracy then the older models and you have lots of toys to choose from. The 5.56 will reach out further then the .30 carbine. My Mini has never failed in the 20+ years I have owned it and I use after market mags. I have 4 restored M1 Carbines which gave me enough parts to build a plinking Carbine. The Carbine is a blast to shoot but it can't out shoot the Mini.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Minis are very nice but they're getting expensive; especially if you go with a stainless 580 series. For about half the price you can get a new Russian-made Saiga (civilianized AK47) in either .223 or 7.62x39. If you like the as-issued config, you're golden and have saved over $300. If you don't and you're handy with tools, you can drop a couple hundred into it and convert it to AK configuration. Conversion parts and instructions are readily available (visit saiga-12.com). Converted 7.62x39s can be used with Mil-surplus AK magazines.

They shoot as well as a Mini* and, being an AK at heart, are very reliable. Plus, you won't bleed if it gets banged up or falls in the mud. Saigas are among the best built of the East-bloc AKs.
Bob

*I've heard the Saiga is not as good for shooting clays

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I wonder if the Mini-14 would have held up as well as the M1 carbine did in WWII and Korea....................