To Fudd or not to Fudd...That is the Question
- Thread starter bersaguy
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MachIVshooter
Member
It was meant to be light hearted ribbing, but on a more serious note, 3 shots is not a group for accuracy claims, and unless it can do it reliably, saying "shoots" isn't quantifiable. I have a Century C91 that once printed a five shot one hole group @ 100. And maybe I could get it to do that again if I fired a few hundred groups and the stars aligned just right. But the average is 2-2.5 MOA. Unless you have targets full of 5 shot groups that size and can make another one any time, your rifle is not a .4 MOA rifle.
Catpop
Member
Oh yeah guys heres the 2nd prototype mini 14.
Go ahead you can laugh at 4 pieces of 1/2” x 12” key stock and 3 hose clamps!
Sorry I didn’t get a pic of first prototype with only two 1/2” x 12” key stock and 2 hose clamps
But as funny as it is, it cut 3” groups to 1 1/2”
Hum? This might just have promise.
Go ahead you can laugh at 4 pieces of 1/2” x 12” key stock and 3 hose clamps!
Sorry I didn’t get a pic of first prototype with only two 1/2” x 12” key stock and 2 hose clamps
But as funny as it is, it cut 3” groups to 1 1/2”
Hum? This might just have promise.
Catpop
Member
This lead to the third prototype.
I’m sorry to say this is where project stopped.
My quest was to prove that a stock mini 14 would shoot sub moa with minimal cash outlay!
And it will
So on to another quest!
Thanks guys for jogging my memory on that quest 2-3 years ago. I posted a thread on it here then. Might want to pull it up if you’re interested. It was fun!!!
I’m sorry to say this is where project stopped.
My quest was to prove that a stock mini 14 would shoot sub moa with minimal cash outlay!
And it will
So on to another quest!
Thanks guys for jogging my memory on that quest 2-3 years ago. I posted a thread on it here then. Might want to pull it up if you’re interested. It was fun!!!
CapnMac
Member
No. But, I'm biased, I thought the Mini-14 was over priced when it was i nthe Montgomery Wards catalog at $149.95
Also, "Fudd" is not about one's tastes in guns. Being a Fudd is about being a gun-owning turtle; I gots mine, and the rest can be banned and I doan care! A Fudd owns a Model 70 in .30-06 and never shoots it. Ditto the Wingmaster and the S&W revolver in the nightstand (which probably is not loaded, as ammo is not generally sold 6 at a time).
So, the question may be poorly formed.
Now, if you posed it as an AR versus, say, a CZ 507, or a 527, that might be a different question indeed.
Also, "Fudd" is not about one's tastes in guns. Being a Fudd is about being a gun-owning turtle; I gots mine, and the rest can be banned and I doan care! A Fudd owns a Model 70 in .30-06 and never shoots it. Ditto the Wingmaster and the S&W revolver in the nightstand (which probably is not loaded, as ammo is not generally sold 6 at a time).
So, the question may be poorly formed.
Now, if you posed it as an AR versus, say, a CZ 507, or a 527, that might be a different question indeed.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I get better groups with a sharp stick.
GunnyUSMC
Member
But that is no longer a stock Mini 14.
Catpop
Member
I disagree. It is totally stock as absolutely no parts were modified on the original rifle. I didn’t even mess with the gas port! Cases still end up in next county!
But again this was MY quest to see if a stock mini 14 could be made to shoot sub MOA at very minimal cost. Some add a “M14” strut looking thing.
I accomplished the same with just an old rusty piece of 1 1/4” conveyor shaft. Total cost outlay $0.00.
-Note the quest is unfinished as I still need to shorten the barrel sleeve and turn it down to point accuracy begins to deteriorate. Ah one day when I get time-
Again this was a very rewarding quest that anyone can do at home and at a minimal cost! So yes the mini is a great rifle!!!!!
But again this was MY quest to see if a stock mini 14 could be made to shoot sub MOA at very minimal cost. Some add a “M14” strut looking thing.
I accomplished the same with just an old rusty piece of 1 1/4” conveyor shaft. Total cost outlay $0.00.
-Note the quest is unfinished as I still need to shorten the barrel sleeve and turn it down to point accuracy begins to deteriorate. Ah one day when I get time-
Again this was a very rewarding quest that anyone can do at home and at a minimal cost! So yes the mini is a great rifle!!!!!
I would not. I have a couple early '80's Mini-14's (plastic w/ folding stock) used for home defense where the range is much less than 100 yds so accuracy is not an issue while compactness is. I also have many AR's to which I have added various accessories, changed out stocks, etc according to purpose.
I prefer the AR's because they are much more 'standard' in that it's easy to modify them. Easier to find magazines that work reliably, etc.
That said, if you want a wood-stocked min-14 you should get it.
Took the M&P out today to the outdoor 100yrd range. I'm starting to warm up to her. Just with the mbus flip ups that came with it, I was getting pretty tight groups, 1.5" or so and even managed to find the bullseye. I couldn't manage that with the m1 carbine today. That was getting 2"-3"...seems to be zeroed at maybe 150 yards, everything was hitting high. Honestly, I was happy to be doing as well as I was with open sights, but was rather impressed with the AR15. I may have spoken too soon about its lack of soul...its starting to grow on me
coloradokevin
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I can't understand the continued ability of Ruger to sell the Mini 14. There was a time when it was sold almost like the poor man's AR-15, and I remember considering one back in the 1990's when it still cost a couple hundred dollars more to buy an AR-15. But, the AR-15 is more reliable, more accurate, more customizable, more durable, and cheaper. It's a hard sell for the Mini 14 these days, at least for me.
MachIVshooter
Member
A pistol gripped, folding stock SBR with a flash hider and a 20 rounder hanging out of it doesn't exactly fall into the FUDD category that the ranch rifle does. Would have been an AW under the Klinton ban!
mustanger98
Member
Different rifles fit different people differently. There's ergonomic fit, economic fit, and personality fit. Add it all up and figure the best fit.
MachIVshooter
Member
I don't disagree at all. But when the closing statement of the OP is:
That's a solicitation for opinions.
This ain't a mini-14 thread getting beaten to death by AR guys. While that does happen, this one was specifically about trading an AR for a mini, and what the community thought of that idea.
lol! A FUDD gun to me is wood stocked, not all tacticooled out. I guess my 5 AKs, all with wood furniture wouldn't count either....
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Yep. Makes me think of an UZI with wood butt stock. Although that folding stock Mini sure is better lookin'.
RedlegRick
Member
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It is a sharp-looking piece with the folder, but I had issues with the one I briefly had on mine. Original stock was cracked badly (it had been a sheepherders rifle), so I jumped at the chance to dress mine up like the A-team (don't judge me people).
Looked great, made it carry small, but was next to impossible for me to get a decent cheek weld. Ended up getting an aftermarket synthetic in the same style as the original.
Looked great, made it carry small, but was next to impossible for me to get a decent cheek weld. Ended up getting an aftermarket synthetic in the same style as the original.
35 Whelen
Member
Bersaguy I feel your pain.
I know AR's are accurate, last time I "had" to go to a public range, I saw a guy shooting his AR and getting really nice 25 yd. groups! Seriously, I am completely on board with the OP. AR's are soul-less, everybody has one (I have two and a receiver waiting on me to decide what to build next), yawn.....they all look alike, etc.
But most everything posted here about the Mini's is spot-on. I had an older pencil barrel Mini that was almost as accurate as my 870 Wingmaster shotgun with a load of buckshot. I traded it for a newer model with the heavier tapered barrel and it was much more accurate. But I bought the Mini to carry while I was on the tractor or in the truck driving around the pasture. I realized pretty quick that I didn't want to carry something that expensive swinging from the fender of my tractor, so I sold it. But I must say their actions or really simple and rugged. I like the idea of not spewing gas into the action to operate it.
To the OP, here's a pretty decent compromise-
I bought one of these several years ago and I love it. It's much more trim than and handy than an AR, has simple but rugged sights and is way more accurate than my Mini and nearly as accurate as a stock AR, and uses AR magazines. And you'll never do this with an AR or a Mini-
That's a shot of the rifle in a storage compartment under the back seat of one of my pickups.
35W
I know AR's are accurate, last time I "had" to go to a public range, I saw a guy shooting his AR and getting really nice 25 yd. groups!
Seriously, I am completely on board with the OP. AR's are soul-less, everybody has one (I have two and a receiver waiting on me to decide what to build next), yawn.....they all look alike, etc.But most everything posted here about the Mini's is spot-on. I had an older pencil barrel Mini that was almost as accurate as my 870 Wingmaster shotgun with a load of buckshot. I traded it for a newer model with the heavier tapered barrel and it was much more accurate. But I bought the Mini to carry while I was on the tractor or in the truck driving around the pasture. I realized pretty quick that I didn't want to carry something that expensive swinging from the fender of my tractor, so I sold it. But I must say their actions or really simple and rugged. I like the idea of not spewing gas into the action to operate it.
To the OP, here's a pretty decent compromise-
I bought one of these several years ago and I love it. It's much more trim than and handy than an AR, has simple but rugged sights and is way more accurate than my Mini and nearly as accurate as a stock AR, and uses AR magazines. And you'll never do this with an AR or a Mini-
That's a shot of the rifle in a storage compartment under the back seat of one of my pickups.
35W
GunnyUSMC
Member
Not all AR's look alike. No gun has a soul, but some can find a place in your hart.Bersaguy I feel your pain.
I know AR's are accurate, last time I "had" to go to a public range, I saw a guy shooting his AR and getting really nice 25 yd. groups!
35W
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