mini-14 vs SKS

[JohnKSa]

There are 10 things you need to remember about customizing the SKS rifle.

1. Avoid the "detachable mags" like the plague. The original 10 round fixed mag works great.

2. Aftermarket SKS mags will make you say bad words. The original mags are very reliable.

3. Don't try to modify your SKS for detachable mags. The original magazines are very functional.

4. Stick with the original 10 round mag and load with stripper clips. The aftermarket detachable mags are a pain in the butt.

5. Don't buy aftermarket magazines for your SKS, they usually don't work very well. Use the original mag.

6. If you like your gun to work, avoid using aftermarket or detachable mags in your SKS. The 10 rounder from the factory works great.

7. You will find that loading the original 10 round factory mags with stripper clips is much less of a pain in the butt than trying to get an after market detachable mag to work.

8. See rules 1-7.

9. If you ignore the above advice and your gun begins to malfunction, put the original mag back on your gun.

10. If you have functioning problems with your SKS, then you didn't pay attention to the first 9 rules about modifying SKS rifles. Get rid of the aftermarket mag and go back to the original mag.

 

[jobu07]

sounds like common sense to me!

 

[Chuck Jennings]

excellent advice!!

 

[MAKOwner]

Yeah, the Mini used to have a niche, it's pretty much disappeared now. Hell, for $550 you could likely get a OlyArms Plinker AR15 delivered and transferred, they're only $499 dealer price from FAC www.gunsnstuff.net

However, I'd snag a SKS or if what you really really want is a "evil assault weapon" with detachable mags then get an AK. AKs are not quite as cheap as most SKSs, but they're cheaper than a Mini. $350 will get you a Romanian AK easy or a used Chinese MAK90. Mags are cheap and plentiful, and you'll be hard pressed to find a better mag anywhere...

 

[MAURICE]

Just to update my earlier post, MakOwner said it. I was in the gunshop saturday afternoon and saw a olyarms plinker for 500 bucks, with only a few rounds through it. I have been toying with the idea of an AR-15 so I paid some money down on it and am gonna pick it up on friday. I know its not the best, but it is what I have been looking for, a decent, inexspensive, entry level AR. The next one I will build myself.

So yeah, check out Olympic Arms- These are less than most Mini 14s.

 

[Solinvictus70]

Mini vs. SKS

Mini Pros:
1) .223/5.56 ammo
2) American made
3) Garand design means a fairly simple and reliable gun.

Cons:
1) Price. At $400-$600, the Mini is overpriced for what it isn't and as a prior post mentioned, for a few more bucks, you can get an Olympic AR-15. With all the uppers, you can make about anything you want.
2) Ruger is an anti-gun owner firearms company. Remember, the late Bill "No Honest Man Needs Over 10 Rounds" Ruger set the tone for gunmaker cave ins on our rights. He also lobbied hard against imports because he didn't like to compete with foreign, and often better, guns at lower prices.
3) No available parts. Ruger won't ship most parts and you must use factory service. If you bought the SKS or an Olympic AR, most repairs can be DYI.

 

[benEzra]

3) No available parts. Ruger won't ship most parts and you must use factory service. If you bought the SKS or an Olympic AR, most repairs can be DYI.

I agree with you there. I own a mini and like it, but the policy of having to ship the thing to Ruger & Co. to install a simple part is ridiculous. (Fortunately, nothing on mine has ever broken.)

BTW, I'd love to have an AC556 front sight just for the look of it, but Ruger doesn't sell parts . . .

 

[SirPorl]

I pitty da fool

"Yeah, the Mini used to have a niche, it's pretty much disappeared now"


I thought the A-Team was still in syndication

SirPorl

 

[Snowjob]

Great information, guys. Thank you. I agree, unless I absolutely must have a mini, it just doesn't make sense to get one considering the alternatives. Though I plan to eventually (but as soon as possible) get the AR, I think I'll buy the SKS anyway.

I am a little confused by all the details about legality surrounding the Chinese SKS. The one I plan to get has bayonet and lug. I would probably swap the bayonet with a bipod, assuming it's okay for this particular model to be wearing a lug.

From what I've heard, Chinese SKS's cost more than some of the others because they are no longer imported, and perhaps availability is slightly less. Would anyone disagree with this?

About the AR: what are some good sources for buying uppers and lowers for assembly? Any makes I should avoid? I assume there to be a plethora of different upper kits to choose from. Any suggestions to simplify the process? What have been your experiences?

Again, thanks for all the information.

 

[G.I.Jew]

I have a jam-o-matic SKS. If you get a Yugo SKS, make sure it is not a rebuild. Mine is a rebuild, and they did a crappy job of mating the gas tube to the gas valve, so some gas is lost, and it stovepipes a bunch.

 

[Solinvictus70]

Ruger Mini

Ostensibly, I guess Ruger won't ship parts for liability reasons, but at the same time, Bill Ruger lobbied hard against imported guns to limit competition. As you'll find here, the Mini has it's dedicated followers, but I was honestly underwhelmed with mine. For a 5.56 carbine, it's retail price approaches a basic AR-15 or an AR-180b, so in my view, it has lost it's niche in the market.

 

[mini14jac]

Well, I like the looks, handling, and reliability of the Mini 14.
The gun can be made into an accurate shooter for about $50.

3) No available parts. Ruger won't ship most parts and you must use factory service.

Sorry, but this is just not true.
I think there are 3 or 4 parts that Ruger won't sell you, but that's it.
On several Ruger guns, when I've called for parts, they've sent them free.
You can also get Mini 14 parts at Numrich, and several other sources.

Oh, and if we're going to do price comparisons, let's not forget, he's comparing a stainless Mini 14 to a blue (or painted) SKS.
The SKS or ARs that have been mentioned will be more prone to rust.
(Yes I know the aluminum and plastic on an AR won't rust, I'm talking about the barrel.)
Perhaps we should compare blue gun prices. I just paid $449 for a standard, blue Mini 14.
You can get a SKS cheaper, but you have a foreign made gun with no warranty or factory support. And it would cost at least $200 more to get an AR.

Now, maybe things are in perspective.

The SKS is fine for what it is: a surplus gun, or a copy of a surplus gun.
It's a cheap gun (in every sense of the word) and cheap to shoot.
(Honestly, I trust a gun made in the USA not to blow up in my face, more than one that is possilby made by child labor, but that's just me.)

ARs are also excellent guns. They are not cheap in any sense of the word. Actually since polymer and aluminum are used, an AR shouldn't cost more than a Mini 14 in my opinion.
Ammo cost is the same as for the Mini 14. AR mags are slightly cheaper, and easier to find.

I've had an AR, several AKs, a SKS, and several Mini 14s.
I recently settled on the Mini, because it's the gun I want. I know it can be made to shoot accurately. Once modified, it will be ideal for home defense, 100yd plinking, range fun, and just knocking around in the woods.
If I wanted to look "Tactical", or if I was into competiton shooting, I would get an AR.
If I wanted a cheap gun, I'd get an SKS.

Just as I don't buy the whole "ARs crap where they eat" baloney, I also don't like to see false rumors about the Mini 14 or other guns floating around.