should I trade?

[firesky101]

Hey everyone thought I would turn to you for opinions. I have an ar15 with about $900 invested in it. A friend is interested in trading for his mini-14 and cash. The Mini comes with 6 magazines of various capacities, and is a stainless steel ranch rifle from 1991 with a 1in7 twist. It also has the synthetic stock. I would just be turning the money from the trade into my next ar build, just wondering how much cash you would ask for. I have always loved the mini 14, and have been wanting to add one to my safe for a while. BTW the ar is flawless I take care of the only shiny gun in my safe, the mini is not bad, but no new in box rifle.

 

[BrocLuno]

I'd take the Mini and $350. Do you think he'll do that?

 

[firesky101]

I was thinking of asking for $400 and seeing where he comes down to, I could live with $350, I am going to go shoot the mini this week, and I hope after my ar solves his coyote problems he will be more attached to it.

 

[Maple_City_Woodsman]

I don't see what you have to gain in capabilities...

But if you are strapped for cash, then a Mini14 + $$$ is indeed a better deal than you would get otherwise.

 

[kimberkid]

He'd have to make it about $500 + his mini for me ... those guns only sold for $400 or so new; adjust for inflation and there you are.

I've had a couple and really don't see the point unless you need something politically correct to keep in your trunk.

 

[firesky101]

no cash flow issues, but I dont see mini's for sale much around here (vs an ar which I can order today), and most gunbroker dealers wont deal with california. I offered to buy it outright for $500 but he is a true zombie believer, and does not want to be without a rifle.

 

[aka108]

The AR is most likely very accurate. The Ruger Mini is most likey not very accurate.

 

[Bushpilot]

If you haven't shot this mini 14 you may be be disapointed with the accuracy. An AR it's not. Older generation mini's can sometimes shoot surprisingly poor. The first one I had was a stainless mini that I had bought brand new and it was one of the least accurate rifles that I ever owned. The second one I bought used and only because it was sooo cheap. After messing around with it I finally got it to shoot pretty good but still not like an AR. The fact that he has a mini 14 but has your AR to "solve his coyote problem" sounds like a red flag to me. Unless you get a great deal I'd probably pass.

 

[TheCracker]

First you really want to check the quality of his mags. If u can bend the feed lips by hand and they are flat looking, as in not curved, then the mags are garbage. I have 3-4 I bought during the ban and they suck.

I have a 1999 mini with the 1 and 9 twist and accuracy is sucky. I've killed plenty of pigs with it but will not attempt to shoot over 100 yards with it at a animal. With a 9 power scope it will group 2-2.5 inches at 50 yards and 4-5 inches at 100 yards. Groups will shrink some if you let it completely cool between shots. They have a paper thin barrel that gets hot very fast!

Overall the mini is ok but if I had it to do over again I would have saved a couple more months and bought a AR.

Lastly they are super reliable. I've ran mine dirty and the ONLY time it has ever malfunctioned was with some crappy mags. Spend the 40 for a Ruger mag and you have no problems. The metal mags academy sells also work great.

 

[sideways]

Mini's seem to be at about 500.00 around here I just sold one for 475.00 that was in like new condition but only had the Ruger five round mag.

 

[jmr40]

You have $900 in the AR. I'd have to have the Mini and at least $600 before I'd consider such a trade. Mini's aren't that bad, but I'd not put over $300 in one. At least not living here. I notice you are in California. Not sure what that gun would sell for there.

 

[Boomie]

Eh, no. I think you'd be better selling the AR outright and not being saddles with an old model Mini.

 

[leadcounsel]

The AR is much better than the Mini. Mini's don't use AR mags either.

 

[firesky101]

im not in any way fooling myself about the accuracy, I just remember having so much fun shooting my dads mini. Ahh the brass would fly so so far. I will be financing another ar to fill this hole if the trade turns out to be worth it. Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[afponiky]

I wouldn't even touch that deal... Just me, but NO

 

[almherdfan]

There is something about mini's that I really like, despite their flaws. If you think it's a fair deal, go for it. Around here (OH, KY, WV) you can find new mini's @W-M for $617. Some of the LGS have ARs for about $650. If you have $500, just keep saving & buy a new mini if you aren't happy with the one he wants to trade.

 

[Jeff F]

those guns only sold for $400 or so new;

Cheapest everyday price for a new ranch Mini 14 is $617+tax at Wal Mart. You can sometimes do better catching them on sale at other places.