Should I Get a Mini 14?

[Panzerschwein]

I can buy a Ruger Mini-14 new in box with wood stock for $659.

I do not have a .223/5.56 option in the stable, and in fact, the only semi-automatic rifle I own is a Remington Nylon 66 in .22 LR.

Clearly, I need more firepower. I would be using it as a home defense rifle alongside my Beretta M9. Yes, I understand ARs have their advantages and are less expensive, but is the Mini 14 of current make a good and solid gun? I LOVE they way it looks, like a baby M14, and would love one but only IF they are reliable. I've heard the ones made today are more accurate than older ones. I'm not a target shooter though, so anything that is minute of bad guy at 300 yards or so is just fine for me.

Thoughts?

 

[WrongHanded]

I've owned one Mini 14 and one AR. I still have the Mini 14. It's a very compact semi-auto and I'm a fan of the M14/M1 design.

Mine has been nothing but reliable and in my hands shoots 2-3" groups from prone with the iron sights. That is on par with the other iron sight rifles I've owned (all limited by the shooter).

 

[Ironicaintit]

For $695, the post should've been, "look at the mini14 I just got!"

 

[Panzerschwein]

I should add I want to add a buttstock magazine holder, use 20 round magazines for the rifle and holder, and add a leather military type sling from wally world. I want to keep it as is with iron sights and wood stock, to be like a lil baby M14 but in .223 which is much cheaper than .308 and also much cheaper than an M1A.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I've never played with a mini 14. I have to say they do have a certain appeal. That said, I can't see spending that much on something that isn't as flexible and most likely as capable as an AR. The mini 14 fans will probably disagree but that money can buy a decent AR and moderate cost optic and achieve your goals much better.

Since you seem to have made up your mind on the mini 14 the only question I'd have is, can they really accurately hit 300 yards? I don't recall seeing anyone doing it. So I may be mistaken so I'll leave that to the experts.

 

[zaitcev]

I bought one for $210. For almost $700 though? No way. Just buying magazines was an adventure enough. Now I have a rifle that I never shoot and I don't want to sell because it's going to fetch less than $200, wasting space in the safe. Oh, and I have a Mini-14 sight tool.

Update: I wasn't entirely honest here. My gun is 18x series. The 58x series is significantly improved, mostly because the barrel is thicker.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I've never played with a mini 14. I have to say they do have a certain appeal. That said, I can't see spending that much on something that isn't as flexible and most likely as capable as an AR. The mini 14 fans will probably disagree but that money can buy a decent AR and moderate cost optic and achieve your goals much better.

Since you seem to have made up your mind on the mini 14 the only question I'd have is, can they really accurately hit 300 yards? I don't recall seeing anyone doing it. So I may be mistaken so I'll leave that to the experts.

I see. From what I understand the effective range of the AK-47 is 300 yards.

Can a Mini-14 at least make effective center of mass hits on man sized targets at that range with the stock irons?

 

[Ironicaintit]

ARs are fantastic, and it's hard to argue against their strengths. Oh, it's true. Easy to work on, tons of reliable magazines, light weight, easy optics, and as modular as you'd ever want.

But I'm still not a huge fan.

You get a mini14, because you WANT a mini14. It doesn't have to make sense to anybody but yourself.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I see half of those who responded don't think I should get one...

Let me say that I am prepared to pay that price, but only IF the Mini is a reliable and dependable arm. I know the Ruger revolvers are very well thought of in this area but have no idea or personal experience with the Ruger Mini 14 platform so am just unsure if they are considered to be dependable and rugged.

I do very much like their looks and they seem to be relatively light weight. They just are not nearly as popular as the AR-15 so it's hard to get much feedback on them.

Also how are the sights? Are they adjustable for range, are they like old USGI iron sights? Or are they just an afterthought and is the gun meant to use an optic? This is an important consideration as I want to keep it simple and use iron sights only.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Reliability isn't the problem with mini 14's. Lack of accuracy is a the main issue with the mini 14 platform.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

That's a good deal on a Mini.

I'm not a big fan of the Mini; I really, really wanted one up until I shot one. My biggest complaint is that they're a bit bulkier and heavier than you think, and the stock is also way too long for me. To me, it's just not as handy as it needs to be to justify the price. Still, a 223 Garand is about the coolest idea ever, and they will run.

The sights are your standard peep sights. To me, they looked a lot like the small "target" rear sight on AR irons (vs the larger ghost ring). They are adjustable both side to side and up and down, and they are "real" sights, not a placeholder for a scope.

 

[Panzerschwein]

That's a good deal on a Mini.

I'm not a big fan of the Mini; I really, really wanted one up until I shot one. My biggest complaint is that they're a bit bulkier and heavier than you think, and the stock is also way too long for me. To me, it's just not as handy as it needs to be to justify the price. Still, a 223 Garand is about the coolest idea ever, and they will run.

The sights are your standard peep sights. To me, they looked a lot like the small "target" rear sight on AR irons (vs the larger ghost ring). They are adjustable both side to side and up and down, and they are "real" sights, not a placeholder for a scope.

I see. Are they adjustable for different ranges like on a real M1 Garand or M14? Basically, is the elevation marked with different ranges than can be quickly adjusted to by turning a knob etc?

 

[WrongHanded]

My biggest issue with the stock irons is that the front sight (even on the new models that have wings) is a ramp. Which means it can catch some glare in the sun. But there are apparently aftermarket front sights that provide a better outline. The rear is adjustable for both windage and elevation, but is not adjustable for range like the M14 or AR-15 A2 sights. They are absolutely functional however; simple and sturdy.

 

[Panzerschwein]

My biggest issue with the stock irons is that the front sight (even on the new models that have wings) is a ramp. Which means it can catch some glare in the sun. But there are apparently aftermarket front sights that provide a better outline. The rear is adjustable for both windage and elevation, but is not adjustable for range like the M14 or AR-15 A2 sights. They are absolutely functional however; simple and sturdy.

I see.

Wouldn't this mean making hits at 300 yards would be tricky? One would have to manually hold over the target, I presume? Seems lame that the sights aren't adjustable for range in increments...

As to accuracy, I have heard people say Ruger claims they are 2 MOA capable? That is more than enough for my purposes. Any truth to this?

 

[WrongHanded]

It's worth considering the "effective" range of a .223 compared to a 30-06 or 7.62x51mm. And also the accuracy of the rifle, along with its intended purpose.

If 1 moa and range adjustable irons in a .223/5.56 cartridge are what you're after, I'd say get an AR. If minute-of-bad guy out to 300yds is all you need, the Mini could be it. The sights are set-and-forget. Check out some ballistic calculators and try a zero at 200 or 250 yards, and see how the trajectory looks between that distance and the muzzle, and out at 300.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've gone through several Mini 14s since they came out.
Nothing wrong with any of them. It was a gun I would sell to fund something else knowing I could easily replace it later. I never saw one that wouldn't do a 3" inch group at 100 and that's good enough for what it's designed for. It will open up more as the barrel heats up but most guns will. Think of it as a modern M1 carbine with a better cartridge. If you zero for 200 yds it pretty much means you can hold center mass out to 300 and hit your target.

The only reliability issue I've seen with Mini 14s is with aftermarket magazines. There are some good ones but you're better off just buying Ruger mags.

 

[WrongHanded]

As to accuracy, I have heard people say Ruger claims they are 2 MOA capable? That is more than enough for my purposes. Any truth to this?

Based on my personal experience, I'd say mine might be capable of that. But I'm about a 3 moa shooter with irons on a rifle anyway.

GRIZ22 pretty much nailed it with the M1 Carbine comment. That's how I think of mine.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks, gang.

The fact that the rear sight is not range adjustable just seems cheap to me. Frankly it's kind of a deal breaker. I am used to military rifles such as the M4 carbine that we use at work, and also my old milsurps, that are range increment adjustable usually in 100's of meters or yards.

For a nearly $700 rifle you'd think they would come with such sights.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I see. Are they adjustable for different ranges like on a real M1 Garand or M14? Basically, is the elevation marked with different ranges than can be quickly adjusted to by turning a knob etc?

I had to Google Images it, but it looks like it does not.

I don't think it's that big of a deal though, because the 223's flat trajectory works in your favor. Zero the rifle for 50 yards, and it will be dead on at 300 yards as well. In between that range, it will never be more than 3 inches off your point of aim.

If you're shooting offhand, just set it and forget it, and aim at the bottom of your target.

 

[cdb1]

Reliability isn't the problem with mini 14's. Lack of accuracy is a the main issue with the mini 14 platform.

This.

 

[MidRoad]

I say go for it. Invest in the accu-strut if you do. Helps with accuracy and is an easy install. The new minis are more accurate than the ones that helped developed the bad reputation for accuracy. As for rear sights, replace the factory one with a tech sight rear peep,way nicer sight totally worth the money. If you do buy it pm me, I have some mags I need to get rid of,because Cuomo would give me a PP slapping if I didnt,so they gotta go at some point .I only sold my mini to fund a few handguns when I got my permit last year (more practical for me),and ill probably pick up a mini again some day.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I see. From what I understand the effective range of the AK-47 is 300 yards.

Can a Mini-14 at least make effective center of mass hits on man sized targets at that range with the stock irons?

I hear that every now and then from AK fans. I tend to take all distance and accuracy claims with a grain of salt. Maybe I'm cynical or maybe I'm not doing enough long range shooting, but when I go to the range I see so few folks shooting 100 yards, I doubt most claims beyond that.

So 300 may be the effective range of an Ak, but is an average AK or a really good one? And is that with a skilled shooter or an average one.

I think the question you ask is key if you reword it it a little?

I'd ask, can I hit my intended target at my intended range. In other words, unless SHTF, not many of us who aren't in law enforcement or the military are going to be shooting people. But we're more likely to punch paper, try to hit steal, or play run and gun games like 3 gun or such.

After that, I'd ask can it do what I want, or need? If you're just going to the range great. But if you're shooting competitevly, does it work for you?

Finally, the last question is do you want it and can you afford it? Sometimes we make emotional purchases, and they make us happy. Sometimes they don't.

The cool thing is we have the freedom to do them. And I hope and pray we never come close to losing ghat freedom again.

 

[lemaymiami]

Get a look at the "tactical" model being produced currently - in either 223 or 7.62 - it comes with a heavier barrel, a 20 round mag and a flash hider... If they'd lower the price a bit -they'd sell a ton of them....

 

[jmr40]

I've owned multiple Mini-14's in the past when they were 1/3 the cost of an AR. At that price point they were a viable option and not that bad. The newer guns are reportedly better. But with AR and Mini prices today I'd not touch a Mini unless it were the only legal option. There is no reason those guns shouldn't be selling for $300 or less. At that price I might buy another. At $600+ they can keep 'em.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I voted "no", but only because the OP stated it would be his primary home defense rifle. The AR platform ain't pretty, but it is more practical for this.
Minis are reliable, and minute-of-enemy accurate, but the scarcity of quality magazines and the rock-n-loc nature of them is a severe tactical disadvantage.
For a fun gun that CAN be used for home defense, its fine, but I wouldn't make it my only, or primary auto rifle.