pros/cons of .223 (ruger mini 14)
- Thread starter DevLcL
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railroader
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Colin, An sks is a good choice. I have 3 of them and they are great plinking rifles. One thing, the 59/66 yugo sks's are illegal in cali with the grenade launcher on them. There are cali versions that have a muzzle break replacing the grenade launcher. All other sks's are legal in cali except the ones that use ak-47 mags. Mark
Roland of Gilead
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No, I have never actually shot one. I do have a Kel Tec Sub 2000, and it took me about 3 seconds to break the front sight on it, that is where I draw that conclusion from. On a $300 pistol caliber carbine that I fabbed an improved sight for anyway, that isn't such a big deal. For a SHTF rifle I paid 2x that for, I'd have been pissed. Especially since Kel Tec puts warranty work in line with custom work. Give me the Mini, or better yet a SKS like the man chose for bang for buck SHTF rifle. If it breaks, buy another and still be cheaper than a Mini or a SU-16. I like my S2000, but I don't trust it nearly as much as my Ruger, or my buddy's Ramline Chinese SKS.
I don't need a heavy barrel target rifle, I need a rifle good for cold barrel shot out to 300 yards, maybe two follow ups, then if the shooting isn't done, I've messed something up. My Mini-14 will do that. At night, I need a gun that lets me mount a red dot sight and my surefire, and hit accurately inside the 100 yards or so I can illuminate well enough to target. My Mini does that. with the folding stock folded, its shorter than a M4 or CAR clone with the stock collapsed, and unlike the SUs I've seen (I don't think I have seen this C model) it will fire folded up. Put a SKS in a folding stock and other than being shorter than a M4/CAR you can say the same about it.
I think not buying a Ruger for Bill Rugers politics is as stupid as not buying an SKS/AK cause its "commie". Not liking AKs cause the safety requires two hands and it doesn't have a empty mag bolt hold open, now that I can understand, but its a tool that throws rocks fast, it doesn't have politics.
I don't need a heavy barrel target rifle, I need a rifle good for cold barrel shot out to 300 yards, maybe two follow ups, then if the shooting isn't done, I've messed something up. My Mini-14 will do that. At night, I need a gun that lets me mount a red dot sight and my surefire, and hit accurately inside the 100 yards or so I can illuminate well enough to target. My Mini does that. with the folding stock folded, its shorter than a M4 or CAR clone with the stock collapsed, and unlike the SUs I've seen (I don't think I have seen this C model) it will fire folded up. Put a SKS in a folding stock and other than being shorter than a M4/CAR you can say the same about it.
I think not buying a Ruger for Bill Rugers politics is as stupid as not buying an SKS/AK cause its "commie". Not liking AKs cause the safety requires two hands and it doesn't have a empty mag bolt hold open, now that I can understand, but its a tool that throws rocks fast, it doesn't have politics.
Being in Cali I had this same issue. I wanted a .223, but wasn't sure about the Mini 14. I've read it's not the most accurate thing in the world, and I don't agree with Rugers "no badge, no need" policy (even though I can't have um anyway). And it's my money so I'll chose to send it to whomever I want. No matter how stupid Roland thinks it is.
That being said, I found the SU16. I had a big debate over the two. Mainly I didn't like the SU because it was all plastic and most people said it felt like a toy. Well I went to a gun shop and found that I really like the gun. It is sturdy, it's very easy/fast to shoulder, the sights are dorky but the gun seems to aim itself, it's uber light, and it's cheaper than the Mini 14. Most people that talk bad about the gun have never shot it or never even held it. They make decisions based on it being plastic. Well, polymer handguns took a lot of guff when they were first coming out. Anyway, I found my Kel Tec for $438. You just gotta find the right place.
Then think about the accuracy of both guns and how they work. The SU is similar to the AR in that they are both basically gas operated bolt action rifle. From what I've read (and I've been doing a lot of reading) the firing pin assembly and bolt are very similar. The Mini has a Garand style action that is cool, but not right with that weak barrel. They don't like they large gas block slamming back and forth on each shot... compared to no block on the AR... and a light hollow rod on the SU. thanks flyer.
I've heard alot of people complain about the weight of the Kel Tec, and not being able to butstrike with it. Well, I'll never butstrike any of my plinking buddies. So that's not even an consideration. Remember what you're getting. The SU isn't a battle rifle, it's a light weight plinker used for having fun. And for the price, you really can't go wrong.
It also has some neat features, you can use AR/M16 Mags, it has a handly little mag holder in the stock of the gun, and is foldable. Foldable is cool to be because you can put it in a backpack, or take it hunting w/o taking up much room. I really don't care for the bipod, I'll probably never use it, but kinda neat to have it there. Although they coulda used that space for something cooler.
The only downside of the gun is the Alpha model sights. They are kinda geeky, not easily adjusted, and not liked by the AR crowd at all. But you can buy the Bravo model and get AR style sights that are much better (adds about $30-$40 to the price). Or you can buy the Alpha model and then buy the Bravo sights (for $30-$40). The Alpha has a longer heavier barrel than the Bravo but the Bravo is a shorter rifle with better sights. Personally I like the longer barrel of the Alpha with the sights from the Bravo.
And if you read the reviews on the SU16, almost every person has shot the rifle has turned out to love it. And that has to say something.
So basically you get a gun that is easily transportable, a much better shooter, lighter, and cheaper than the Mini. And on top of it, you don't give any money to Ruger. And Kel Tec has a great warranty and great customer service. Two things that go a long way in my book.
That being said, I found the SU16. I had a big debate over the two. Mainly I didn't like the SU because it was all plastic and most people said it felt like a toy. Well I went to a gun shop and found that I really like the gun. It is sturdy, it's very easy/fast to shoulder, the sights are dorky but the gun seems to aim itself, it's uber light, and it's cheaper than the Mini 14. Most people that talk bad about the gun have never shot it or never even held it. They make decisions based on it being plastic. Well, polymer handguns took a lot of guff when they were first coming out. Anyway, I found my Kel Tec for $438. You just gotta find the right place.
Then think about the accuracy of both guns and how they work. The SU is similar to the AR in that they are both basically gas operated bolt action rifle. From what I've read (and I've been doing a lot of reading) the firing pin assembly and bolt are very similar. The Mini has a Garand style action that is cool, but not right with that weak barrel. They don't like they large gas block slamming back and forth on each shot... compared to no block on the AR... and a light hollow rod on the SU. thanks flyer.
I've heard alot of people complain about the weight of the Kel Tec, and not being able to butstrike with it. Well, I'll never butstrike any of my plinking buddies. So that's not even an consideration. Remember what you're getting. The SU isn't a battle rifle, it's a light weight plinker used for having fun. And for the price, you really can't go wrong.
It also has some neat features, you can use AR/M16 Mags, it has a handly little mag holder in the stock of the gun, and is foldable. Foldable is cool to be because you can put it in a backpack, or take it hunting w/o taking up much room. I really don't care for the bipod, I'll probably never use it, but kinda neat to have it there. Although they coulda used that space for something cooler.
The only downside of the gun is the Alpha model sights. They are kinda geeky, not easily adjusted, and not liked by the AR crowd at all. But you can buy the Bravo model and get AR style sights that are much better (adds about $30-$40 to the price). Or you can buy the Alpha model and then buy the Bravo sights (for $30-$40). The Alpha has a longer heavier barrel than the Bravo but the Bravo is a shorter rifle with better sights. Personally I like the longer barrel of the Alpha with the sights from the Bravo.
And if you read the reviews on the SU16, almost every person has shot the rifle has turned out to love it. And that has to say something.
So basically you get a gun that is easily transportable, a much better shooter, lighter, and cheaper than the Mini. And on top of it, you don't give any money to Ruger.
And Kel Tec has a great warranty and great customer service. Two things that go a long way in my book.- Status
