to mini 14 or not two
- Thread starter rshackleford
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Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
I own 2 580 Mini's-- perfectly fine weapons--and in some ways better than AR's--- I have AR's too.
I'd get the Walmart one---it should be the improved 580 version---you'd have to expand more on the pawn shop rifle--is it a 580 or an older one?
I'd get the Walmart one---it should be the improved 580 version---you'd have to expand more on the pawn shop rifle--is it a 580 or an older one?
CSA 357
Member
I love my 182- ss gb mini 14, no its not a bench rest gun, if thats what you want dont get the mini 14 or the ar 15, get a bolt action! The mini 14 is a fine gun, for what its made for, i have a ar 15 bushmaster m4, i have more faith in the gb, if you dont have one, you need one, i bet most of the folks talking bad about them never had one, csa
Art
i believe i was the first to throw this thread off topic, i apologize for that.
but if some one posted a thread asking if they should shoot them self in the foot, or in the hand im certainly going to try and convince them not to do either.
iv never been much for binary choices, especially when both options suck... i suppose thats why i hate elections
i believe i was the first to throw this thread off topic, i apologize for that.
but if some one posted a thread asking if they should shoot them self in the foot, or in the hand im certainly going to try and convince them not to do either.
iv never been much for binary choices, especially when both options suck... i suppose thats why i hate elections
I guess my question is how much and for what purpose you want the mini??if you are planning to shoot beyond 100yds (assuming with a scope) i'll say go with an AR but if its only for plinking from 25 to 75yds(open sights) the mini is more than enough, I just bought one(circa 1984) and i'm very happy with it becs its only for plinking and additional HD gun, i have owned all kinds of AR brands from LMT to CMMG they are fun rifles to have its just i don't use it as much as i want to becs of the ammo prices, i got the mini just to have a semi auto rifle that have enough power just in case i need one, I'm more of a handgun kinda guy thats why i traded my AR for a 1911(dan wesson cbob).
mgregg85
Member
I like my mini-14 but I wouldn't pay $600 for one, new or used.
the mini is what it is. a totally reliable semi-auto rifle. it was not designed to be a target rifle. it will go bang long after the other semis are being cleaned because they stopped running. don't compare it to the ar platform because it was never designed to compete with it. they are a very handy, nicely made rifle that will normally shoot every time you pull the trigger. they may not match the accuracy of a 1000.00 dollar ar out of the box but they will still be running when the ar is down for cleaning. they can be made to shoot moa for not a lot of money with some very basic mods. if nothing else, they are one of the most reliable semi-auto's out there. unless you think the garand action is unreliable. not everbody has a love affair with the ar.
C5Cruiser
Member
The price is right. Something nice for your collection if anything.
I have one in mind also a mini 30. It's a Ruger and for that price you can't go wrong.
I have one in mind also a mini 30. It's a Ruger and for that price you can't go wrong.
ThomasT
Member
Mt answer to the OP is to get the new gun from WM. It should be the new 580 series and have the heavier barrel.
I bought a new mini last april. On my second outing I shot thirty quick shots to get the barrel hot. Then I shot a ten round group that stayed in a 2" circle with open sights. That gun has the straight taper barrel also. I saw none of the wild shooting or stringing from a hot barrel.
I was so impressed with the first gun I found a second one and bought it. It has the "flared" barrel. I really can't tell if it is more accurate than the first gun but will also stay in a 2-3" circle at 100 yards. That is with open sights and a 51 year old shooter. I never just shoot 3-5 rounds. I load my mag with 10 rounds and don't stop untill its empty. I use the Pro-Mags I get at academy and have never had a single malfunction.
My first gun did throw brass. I put in an ASI gasport bushing (the middle size) and now the brass goes about 8' and lands together. The newer gun has a hole in the barrel that measures around .050 and empties go about 10-12'.
My first gun was $625 total and the second was $670 total. Both are wood and stainless steel. I wouldn't trade either one for an AR unless it was to sell the AR for a profit so I could replace the mini.
I haven't shot an older mini to make a comparison with my guns. My buddy had one of the first minis and he never was happy with its grouping. Get the 580 series rifle and I think you will be satisfied.
From what I've seen on TV the ARs weren't all that great when they first came out. They did get improved. The same thing has happened with the mini. It just took way too long to happen.
I bought a new mini last april. On my second outing I shot thirty quick shots to get the barrel hot. Then I shot a ten round group that stayed in a 2" circle with open sights. That gun has the straight taper barrel also. I saw none of the wild shooting or stringing from a hot barrel.
I was so impressed with the first gun I found a second one and bought it. It has the "flared" barrel. I really can't tell if it is more accurate than the first gun but will also stay in a 2-3" circle at 100 yards. That is with open sights and a 51 year old shooter. I never just shoot 3-5 rounds. I load my mag with 10 rounds and don't stop untill its empty. I use the Pro-Mags I get at academy and have never had a single malfunction.
My first gun did throw brass. I put in an ASI gasport bushing (the middle size) and now the brass goes about 8' and lands together. The newer gun has a hole in the barrel that measures around .050 and empties go about 10-12'.
My first gun was $625 total and the second was $670 total. Both are wood and stainless steel. I wouldn't trade either one for an AR unless it was to sell the AR for a profit so I could replace the mini.
I haven't shot an older mini to make a comparison with my guns. My buddy had one of the first minis and he never was happy with its grouping. Get the 580 series rifle and I think you will be satisfied.
From what I've seen on TV the ARs weren't all that great when they first came out. They did get improved. The same thing has happened with the mini. It just took way too long to happen.
To the OP, get the new one.
As to mini-14 drawbacks,
1)The Mini is not as accurate as an AR can be.
2)Mags are an issue.
3)Thats all I can come up with.
Other than that they work well, are not ammo sensitive, accurate enough for real world use, and are quite robust.
Get the new mini, then get an AR later, or vice versa.
As to mini-14 drawbacks,
1)The Mini is not as accurate as an AR can be.
2)Mags are an issue.
3)Thats all I can come up with.
Other than that they work well, are not ammo sensitive, accurate enough for real world use, and are quite robust.
Get the new mini, then get an AR later, or vice versa.
Get the new mini. I have an older mini that I have had for over twenty years and it has served it's purpose well. I own AR's, an M1A, and a Garand among others, each has it's purpose. As for the people who dismiss the mini their language shows them for what they are.
black_powder_Rob
Member
go with the new on e from Walmart, I have one of the newer ones and i love mine.
MachIVshooter
Member
Six months ago, yes. Not likely these days.
I own both (mini and AR-15), and enjoy both. If I could only keep one, it'd be the AR. But I have no intention of selling my mini. A tack driver it is not, but dead reliable and lots of fun. I've altered mine a bit to suit my desires:
Ignition Override
Member
For the little bit it might be worth, a polymer 30-round mag from Promag last spring has only been loaded to about 18 rounds maximum, but has never misfed my Mini 14, and I only shoot Russian ammo. This is despite being a bit wobbly in the mag. well.
The gun was built in '90 and since I bought it last March, no ftfs. It is a really solid gun, better-built than the brand-new 'AO' M-1 carbine which was a major disappointment.
Again, only Russian Wolf.
The gun was built in '90 and since I bought it last March, no ftfs. It is a really solid gun, better-built than the brand-new 'AO' M-1 carbine which was a major disappointment.
Again, only Russian Wolf.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Unless the one in the pawn shop is a 580 series (i.e., serial number 580-xxxxx or higher), get the new one. Pre-580 series guns are hit or miss (mostly miss) in the accuracy department. My 188-series Ranch Rifle shot a best ever group of 5.5" at 100 yards, from a rest and rear bag with a cold barrel, and that was after trying premium and match loads between 40 and 69 grains and various optics.
The 580 series guns are more consistently accurate, it seems. Still not as accurate as an out-of-the-box AR, but better than the old ones.
The 580 series guns are more consistently accurate, it seems. Still not as accurate as an out-of-the-box AR, but better than the old ones.
frank c
Member
I just bought a ruger mini 14 target rifle,needless to say I am impressed with its acurracy so far.You will get alot of folks telling you what to buy.IMHO unless you are going to be doing serious bench shooting just buy the mini 14.It will kill anything out to 150-200 yards
Redneck with a 40
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My dad's 580 series Mini will only do about 5" at 100 yards, I'm not that impressed. Yes, its a very reliable, fun gun to shoot. My SKS will beat it in the accuracy arena, as I can do 3" groups with it.
I don't have any older Minis, just two of the 580-series. They seem good to me, but then, I have yet to scope either of them, and I can't crisply focus on the factory iron sight, so I cannot say what their accuracy potential might be. I cannot see MOA, with my aging eyes, so it doesn't matter if they shoot MOA, at this point.
Going by what has been said to me by friends with both a Mini and an AR, owned and fired over many years, the Mini is certainly a reliable weapon, needing little maintenance.
I own an AR15 HBAR myself, and used to own a Colt AR15A2 Govt Cabine. Well, the Mini and AR are, to me, ideally suited for different roles. Close-range utility, which DOES include defense of home and self, are well-suited to the Mini. Fighting wars, and long-range work, are best-suited to the AR15.
I live near salt water, and sometimes mess about in boats. Therefore, I like stainless Minis!
A Mini, with a standard rifle-style stock, fits into slim cases such as lacrosse racquet bags.
As for the subject of the original post, well, if both have serial numbers starting with "580-", you are good to go with either one. If only the Walmart Mini is a 580, it IS worth the higher price.
Going by what has been said to me by friends with both a Mini and an AR, owned and fired over many years, the Mini is certainly a reliable weapon, needing little maintenance.
I own an AR15 HBAR myself, and used to own a Colt AR15A2 Govt Cabine. Well, the Mini and AR are, to me, ideally suited for different roles. Close-range utility, which DOES include defense of home and self, are well-suited to the Mini. Fighting wars, and long-range work, are best-suited to the AR15.
I live near salt water, and sometimes mess about in boats. Therefore, I like stainless Minis!
A Mini, with a standard rifle-style stock, fits into slim cases such as lacrosse racquet bags.
As for the subject of the original post, well, if both have serial numbers starting with "580-", you are good to go with either one. If only the Walmart Mini is a 580, it IS worth the higher price.
MINI
I would also however buy as many factory mags beings the 30 rnd mag only has a cap of 18 flawlessly. On some blog I read and the factory mags did go up 10.00 to 39.99 at ruger online but nothing compare's to the factory mag I also have one with a tapco set up and can be a personal peace of mind knowing as said earlier you can count them to go bang ever time... I aslo have the other black rifle you know the AK...and knowing I would be able to choose quality on both planes.IMO....
I would also however buy as many factory mags beings the 30 rnd mag only has a cap of 18 flawlessly. On some blog I read and the factory mags did go up 10.00 to 39.99 at ruger online but nothing compare's to the factory mag I also have one with a tapco set up and can be a personal peace of mind knowing as said earlier you can count them to go bang ever time... I aslo have the other black rifle you know the AK...and knowing I would be able to choose quality on both planes.IMO....
Redneck with a 40
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You can buy the Pro-Mag 20 rd magazines from midwayusa, for $20/peice. My dad bought 5 of'em and they work great, no mis-feeds or jams.
FMJMIKE
Member
I bought the Walmart Mini-14 for $604 plus tax. I like it better than any AR-15 I ever owned. of course I don't plan to use it as an assault rifle either.....
heavyshooter
Member
So ahhh, What do you really think?
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