Mini-14with Flash Hider or Not

[PlayMaker]

I'm not going to lie to you. As of this moment I'm leaning towards 16" bbl w/flashider because it's what they have and the 18" ss which I had initially wanted is going to take awhile to order in.

MOA accuracy is not important because I'm gonna use it at handgun ranges for hd. As long as it can hit what I can see with my bare eyes using irons than that's good enough.

Does anyone know how many fps I can expect at ranges out of a 16" compared to 18" 1/9? Or would they be similar at hd ranges?

How good is the flash hider at doing it's job? I do expect to get into shootouts at night so is it worth the extra 2"?

Just wanted to get a consensus on which you would choose between the two.

All input is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The exact same one I'm looking at http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5847&return=Y

 

[Hostile Amish]

Muzzle devices are generally not a good option on HD weapons because of the excessive noise in confined space, plus the possibility of injuring someone with the gas that escapes from the side of the flash hider. However, it does depend on what kind of flash hider you have. If you could post a picture or a link, it would help the community reply to you.

 

[PlayMaker]

bump

 

[MarineOne]

Why would you spend that much on a Mini-14 (roughly 700 to 1000 dollars) when there are other alternatives out there that are better, especially for a HD carbine?



Kris

 

[PlayMaker]

Why would you spend that much on a Mini-14 (roughly 700 to 1000 dollars) when there are other alternatives out there that are better, especially for a HD carbine?

$750 to be exact. Well kris, I know for a few hundred bucks more I can get an AR BUT, I don't qualify for MN's Permit to Purchase. If you know of any other option that's not considered semi-auto assault weapon that fires .223/5.56 please chime in.

 

[seanie!]

Do Saiga's count? There's a .223 that's half as much as the Mini 14. Plus you can add on a whole lot of things since it's a sporterized version of the AK.

 

[MarineOne]

I just bought a Plainfield M-1 Carbine for HD and camping that ran me $500 with the transfer and sales tax. It was a police purchased weapon that was never used except for test firing.

Since it's for HD, why not a Mossberg 500 series shotgun? I know the 595 had an interchanging barrel so you could use either the slug barrel for slugs/hunting, or the smoothbore for shot, but I'm not sure they sell it anymore.

You can find something better and I'm sure a lot of this folks won't mind helping. Could you tell us what you can qualify for? I'm sorry, but I just dislike the Mini-14 because its not the best weapon for it's inflated price tag. Friends don't let friends drive drunk, or buy crappy weapons with stupid high MSRP's.




Kris

 

[benEzra]

For HD with a .223, I'd say a flash suppressor is a very good idea. A flash suppressor does not increase muzzle blast; on the contrary, it directs it in a more forward direction, but most importantly helps prevent the muzzle flash from dazzling your vision if you are forced to fire in less than bright lighting. I don't think I'd want to shoot a 16"-18" barreled .223 indoors without one. The 16" with flash suppressor should also be slightly more accurate. Just don't use FMJ for HD; I'd recommend 55gr JHP, though if you live in a brick or masonry house some would prefer 69gr or 77gr JHP's with more penetration.

What flash suppressor are you looking at? 2" seems a bit on the long side; an A2 style or a Smith Vortex are only about 1.5".

There is not a huge velocity difference between 16" and 18"; maybe a couple hundred fps at most. 55-grain loads will run around 3000 fps out of a 16" barrel, IIRC.

BTW, I had a mini-14 (188-series Ranch Rifle) and liked it; absolutely reliable and very light and handy. The only reason I sold it was that its accuracy at longer ranges wasn't very good (best-ever 100-yard group was 5.5" at 100 yards, from a rest and rear bag), but the newer 580-series mini's are reportedly more accurate.

 

[dougiefreshhh]

.223 semi-auto for HD?

in the heat of battle, be sure not to be pointing it towards another bedroom, or neighbors house.

If it were me looking to spend $700 for HD, (but had to have a semi-auto):

I would suggest:

$500 for used Mini-14
$200 for used pump action shotgun

Someone suggested an AR for $1000.

I'd personally save the $300, and buy $300 worth of ammo for your mini and shotty.

 

[heviarti]

Really rare.... but HK SL-6? It's an old style full wood stock military rifle without the AW 'stigma'.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

You expect to get into night time shootouts??

You don't qualify for a purchase permit???


Something about this stinks to high heaven.

 

[dagger dog]

Never shot my Mini at night but I can tell you the flash is a problem , I have shot on very over cast days and the flash is readily visible so I suspect a nigh shot would really cause problems.

I installed a Masen pin on unit, it did hide the flash from the shooter.

 

[ArmedBear]

I've shot my Mini in low light. With 5.56 it's like shooting an artillery piece at night. With some .223 there's little or no flash.

 

[benEzra]

.223 semi-auto for HD?

in the heat of battle, be sure not to be pointing it towards another bedroom, or neighbors house.

That's why you don't use FMJ, any more than you would for a 9mm. With civilian JHP's, .223 typically penetrates somewhat less in building materials than 9mm does.

Any caliber will penetrate interior walls, but an exterior wall is more likely to stop .223 JHP than most handgun JHP's.

 

[Art Eatman]

To get back to one of the OP's questions, there would be little consequence in having the shorter barrel for close-range self-defense.

For round numbers, the 16" up close and personal in the house or yard will have as much velocity as a 20" out at a hundred-or-so yards.

A flash-hider would be helpful with any length of barrel. SFAIK, variations in muzzle flash for any one length of barrel would be due to the type of powder used. Some powders produce less flash than others, per some comments in the reloading forum.

 

[Maverick223]

The short barrel will give you a slightly quicker, more maneuverable, lighter weapon. I would put a flash hider on any 5.56/.223 especially for your use. Most flash hiders are not compensators/brakes so sound will not increase (at least noticeably), just get a standard "bird cage" and you will do alright.

 

[1KPerDay]

Muzzle devices are generally not a good option on HD weapons because of the excessive noise in confined space, plus the possibility of injuring someone with the gas that escapes from the side of the flash hider.

Muzzle brake, maybe... but I fail to see how a flash hider somehow worsens the giant fireball/blast of my Mini-14 firing USGI 5.56. It doubles as a flamethrower.

A FH on a HD rifle is a great idea. A suppressor would be better. Pity they're not in universal use.