mini14 versus the M1 carbine

[brentn]

They look so similar, caliber seems to be the only difference from what I can tell of the few photo's I've seen online.

I have an M14, and I know the M1 carbine and mini14 were descendants of this rifle, action and bolt looks identical to my .308.

So whats the deal between these two, why is one better than the other?

 

[HOLY DIVER]

both are very good rifles but the calibers are very very different!the 30 carbine is allot like a .357 magum a .223 is well its like a 223 smaller bullet going allot faster allot, allot more acurate!the m1carbine was made for close combat while the ruger mini14 was not made for combat it was made for normal people who need a all around good automatic rifle that can shoot coyotes or protect the home or what ever....etc

 

[kBob]

Hmmm,

The M-1 Carbine used a short tappet gas system and a heavy operating rod assembly to open the action. The piston portion of the tappet system moves less thah half and inch during operation and sets the heavy operating rod assembly into motion and the return spring is a rather small diameter affair monted in a hole in the left side of the reciever and bearing on one side of the operating rod assembly.

THe M-14 and its semiclones use an arrested piston to deliver the blow to the operating rod though its stroke is much longer than the M-1 Carbines and the operating rod assembly is less of a percentage of the weight of te entire weapon. The M-14 makes use of a compleatly different trigger group design than the M-1 Carbine and has a roller on the lug on the bolt that engages the operating rod. THe operating rod spring is centered in the operating rod itself and centered directly under the barrel.

The Mini-14 series rifles make use of a system of what is basically direct gas empingment to the operating rod. The front of the operating rod forms a cup over a spigot that delivers gas from the gas port and barrel there is no piston per se though the system resembles, though uses fewer parts than the actions on the SVT40, G43, or AR-180. The operating rod spring is again centered and inside the operating rod as in the M-14, but as with every thing scaled down to the smaller overall size of the Mini-14. The trigger mechanism and trigger group of the Mini-14 appear to be merely a scalled down version of the M-14's. The mini-14 also goes back to having no bolt roller.

The M-1 Carbine has been produced commercially in .30 carbine, 5.7x33 mm, and 9x19mm. Existing actions have been modified to use a number of pistol or even in some cases revolver cartridges and one of the streached, Magnum .45 auto cartridges.

The M-1A from Springfield Armory while most common in 7.62NATO was also produced and sold in .243 and in .358 both based on the .308 cartridge a civilian version of the 7.62NATO

Mini-14s (or ranch rifles or Mini-30s) have been made in .223, 7.62x39mm and 6.8 SPC.


Date of Births:
M-1 Carbine 1941
M-14 US Rifle 1957
Mini-14 1975

Does this help?

-Bob Hollingsworth

 

[brentn]

Yea it does, but what are the advantages between the two styles of systems, such as the question I have below.

the M-1 Carbine and has a roller on the lug on the bolt that engages the operating rod
The purpose of this? To reduce wear on the lug and reciever? Sounds like a piece that could fail.

 

[Trebor]

The M-1 Carbine and the M-14 are not related. They share a similiar appearance, but the uses different operating principles. KBob explained the differences well.

The M-1 Garand is the "father" of the M-14 though. In many ways the M-14 is a "product improved" Garand. There are differences besides the 20 round detachable mag, but the two rifles are closely related.

Btw, the M-1 Carbine predates the M-14.

As far as the M-1 Carbine vs. the Mini-14, I'd go with the M-1 Carbine. It's light and handy and is a military rifle. The Mini-14 is a civvie rifle and is a little heavier. Of course, if you prefer .223, the Mini would be the way to go over the carbine.