What keeps the mini-14 from "battle rifle" status?

[rbernie]

Mace - nobody's bashing the Mini platform (AFAICT) as much as they are identifying its weaknesses. There's no doubt that you have a neat Mini14. There's also no doubt that you have a TON of money invested into your Mini. Heck, I could probably get my SKS's or Saiga .223 to shoot sub-MOA if I spent as much money on it as you've spent on your Mini.

I'd personally rather buy a SU16 and a NRM Colt 1991 pistol to keep the SU16 company if I had the kind of money available that you've got sunk into that Mini14. And considering that the Mini costs more (at least everywhere that I travel) than the SU16 and can't use USGI AR-platform magazines - why would I want the Mini?

 

[grendelbane]

Times have changed for the Mini-14, and not for the better. When it was first introduced, it was the economical alternative to the AR-15. Nowadays, the ruger has gone up in price, and the AR-15 clones seem to have dropped in price. (In real, if not always in nominal dollars). The spread between the two has narrowed considerably.

Then factor in the magazine situation, and the ready availability of SKS and AK type rifles, the Mini comes in in last place.

This was not the case when the Mini was first introduced.

I am keeping mine, as it has proven to be reliable, has a decent trigger, and shoots reasonably well with a cool barrel.

With the Choate folding stock and flash hider, it even looks reasonably evil.

I am seriously considering trimming the surplus 2 1/2" of barrel off, and seeing if the accuracy improves. It does make a very compact package with the stock folded.

I would not buy a new one, however.

 

[MaceWindu]

There's also no doubt that you have a TON of money invested into your Mini.

Not as much as you think....also, this thread was not based on $$$...just that the Mini was not capable of this and that...Also:

AR: $650 - $1000
ACOG: $750 - $1100

Thats almost $2k and that is a VERY COMMON set-up...so it aint cheap...also, you have : Flip up sights (BUIS), telescoping stock, yada, yada...some guys sink WAY MORE into their AR's than I have in that Mini...It's very reliable and accurate and TOUGH.

No offense taken, but you would be surprised that I have sunk some $$ into it but not that much, but she is a Tack Drivah....

MaceWIndu

 

[borderguy]

For just a little more than the price of the Clark Barrel, you could buy a Ruger PC-4 from CDNN and have 2 pretty good rifles.

 

[JohnKSa]

Mace,

You're saying that before someone can make a comment about a particular firearm, they must know the capabilities of every customized version of that firearm in the world?

yeah...that sounds pretty reasonable to me.

 

[MaceWindu]

JohnKSa,

No sir that would not be the case. I am saying that a basic Ar = let say $650 - $850 and an Aimpoint (another common setup on a flat-top) with flip up BUIS is roughly THE SAME COST as my set-up.

The main knock against the Mini was the barrel and trigger: I don't have either problem. So....

Bottom line? My rifle shoots 1 MOA....FACT...you don't have to like it, true...Do I have problems with over heating? Nope...NUFF SAID....any questions....


MaceWindu (I love this stuff!)

 

[rbernie]

I am saying that a basic Ar = let say $650 - $850 and an Aimpoint (another common setup on a flat-top) with flip up BUIS is roughly THE SAME COST as my set-up.

And I'm saying that I can spend $500 on a SU16 and an Aimpoint and have a better rifle than a stock $550 Mini14 with the same Aimpoint, and take the extra money that it cost you to cut 1/2" off the SU16's group size and spend it on a whole 'nuther firearm (or two).

So what's the point again?

 

[MaceWindu]

Bottom line: In these forums other shooters are always hatin no someone else's toy....

I am not talking about all Mini's I am talkin about MINE. You get your SU -16 and Aimpoint....and ya would get CHEWED UP!!!

Here comes the barrage again!!! (Me ducking!)

HARHAR!!!! BWAAAAAHHHHHHAA!

MaceWindu

 

[MaceWindu]

...drink more HATORADE!!!....

(Man, I can hear those rounds snappin by!!! Ya missed!)


MaceWindu

 

[rbernie]

Bottom line: In these forums other shooters are always hatin no someone else's toy....

Au contraire - I *love* your toy. I just can't in good conscience suggest that somebody else follow the same path that you did since there are (IMO) better options.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

honestly, the mini-14 is more durable than an SU-16, and when properly bedded, just as accurate.

the main problem with minis, accuracy wise is the sloppy stock to reciever fit. bedding the gun cures the hell out of that.

 

[MaceWindu]

I just can't in good conscience suggest that somebody else follow the same path that you did since there are (IMO) better options.

Okay. I understand...but you have to understand California...is in a different COUNTRY than Texas....now do youunderstand why I have my Mini? ...and not an AR...or Ak or any other of the toys free states have?


aaaahhh...Eye opener huh? Move? Can't have a daughter here and my family.....so...

sloppy stock to reciever fit

I dont have a Ruger stock...mines different.

bedding the gun cures the hell out of that.

..mine is screw bedded.....



MaceWindu

 

[MaceWindu]

Mini-14 = plinker

M1A = BATTLERIFLE...




MaceWindu

 

[JShirley]

Other than the barrel issue, what's the problem?

You can miss more often with it than any other FA weapon in existence? I saw the AC-556 used in The A-Team, so I know!

 

[>SHOCK<^>WAVE<]

I wouldn't want a rifle in war situation who's piston corrodes and seizes in place locking up the action. I've heard about way to many Minis doing that.

 

[jimmyp50]

Byron, I have owned 3 AR-15s and never had a problem with them. I do read though and believe the M-16 and it's gas system are not as reliable as say an FAL gas system or lets say the AK-47 gas system. This is to take nothing away from the Ar-15, M-16 as they do work, but I have never had a jam with any AR-15 I have ever owned. I bought my first Mini-14 in 1978 for $135.00 at a department store in Reno Nevada. It was not a bad gun for $135.00, I used to shoot running jack rabbits with it, and that was a blast. Never hit one on the first shot but about the 3rd they just blew up. I am not too sure but it seemed to be reasonably accurate, this was an early model. I have owned 2 more since I traded the first one on an SP-1 variety AR-15. (I wish I had both of those guns.) The second one was a stainless gun that would not hit a 55 gallon drum at 100 yards, POS. The 3rd was a blue steel gun I got from a local sheriffs deputy used for $300.00. It was about a 3-5 inch gun at 100 yds or so. If you are a tinkerer I think that they can be made good, in my opinion they just suck out of the box for a $450.00 (or what ever you pay now) gun. If you like to make noise and blast away, they are great, I have never had one jam, but again I have not put the money into one of them to make it shoot and have only seen one that would shoot. I guess it depends on what you want out of life and what you enjoy doing. Jimmyp

 

[Wil Terry]

I THINK THIS DEPENDS ON YOUR DEFINITION OF

BATTLE RIFLE.
I saw pictures of French Paratroopers, legionaires I assume, who were landing by boat on a South seas island to put down a rebellion and they were armed with mini-14'S with what appeared to be 20 round magazines.

 

[JohnKSa]

Mace,

I don't hate minis. My first rifle was a mini and I had fun with it. My assessment was based on my experience with it and with other rifles.

I didn't say anything negative about the trigger or the barrel. I also didn't say anything about overheating. Maybe you should reread my posts.

I didn't say that your gun wasn't accurate, nor did I say that it wasn't possible to make a mini accurate. I can't imagine why you would imagine that I wouldn't like the fact that yours is accurate.

BTW, I enjoyed my mini just as it was. You're the one who doesn't seem to like minis--or at least that's my guess since it appears that you spent something like $500 (you seem awful shy about quoting the actual amount) turning yours into an AR-15 wannabe.

A discussion about the relative merits of various firearms doesn't always have to be a my gun vs your gun "urination olympiad", and just because someone realizes the shortcomings of a design doesn't mean that they hate the gun in question.

Look at it this way. I realized the shortcomings of the design so I didn't expect my rifle to do things it wouldn't. You also realized the shortcomings of the design so you spent what amounts to the cost of a second gun modifying it into something it was never intended to be. Now you're defensive about what you spent and confrontational about the capabilities of your gun. I eventually traded mine for something I liked better--who's better off?

 

[lee n. field]

I wouldn't want a rifle in war situation who's piston corrodes and seizes in place locking up the action. I've heard about way to many Minis doing that.

So clean it. It doesn't corrode, it get crudded up.

 

[roo_ster]

Mini14: The Chevy Cavalier of Rifles

On Topic:
1. The Mini14 is not chambered in a battle-rifle cartridge.
2. The Mini14 was not developed to be used by any country's armed forces.

Off Topic:
The Mini14 is the Chevy Cavalier of rifles. It was pretty good vis a vis the competition when it first came out, but as time marched on more competition came out of the woodwork and existing designs improved/reduced cost. Now its cost/performance quotient is not really competitive when there are bargain AR15s, SKS's, and SU-16s to be had.

 

[Byron]

Jimmyp, thanks for responding. I used the M16 as a 20 year old infantryman in Nam in 1968. Mine worked flawlessly. I cleaned it often as did the others in my company. It is a fine weapon. The newer are much improved.
As indicated, I have two Minis of recent manufacter. They are accurate and rapid fire as not bothered the accuracy. I do note they are ammo sensitive changing POI when brands are changed. Byron

 

[jeff-10]

The Mini 14 is often pounded on gun boards, like a lot of decent firearms, but is accepted pretty well by the public. I have one and I like it. Just about every person I know who has collected guns for awhile has one, something I can't say about the AR. It may just be the circle of shooting friends I have, or not.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I have a Mini-14, a Bushmaster AR-15, and a SAR-1 AK-47. I like all three rifles very much and would not part with any of them.

The AR-15 is very accurate. Cool too. Great ergonomics. But it needs maintenance, gotta keep it clean.

The AK-47 is not as accurate, but it is robust and bullet proof. It is what it is - the people's rifle.

The Mini-14 is just as accurate as the AK, it is reliable, and if you live in CA it is the only semi of the afore mentioned that you can legally own. The only problem with the Mini is they cost too much nowadays. When they were cheaper the argument to have one was easier.

 

[MaceWindu]

Now you're defensive about what you spent and confrontational about the capabilities of your gun. I eventually traded mine for something I liked better--who's better off?

Confrontational? Not at all...

Defensive? No, It's just NOT your business....

My rifle kicks @$$...SHOW A PIC of your rifle?! Targets?! All the talkin stops when the pics and hammers drop!!


Mace...

 

[JohnKSa]

Mace,

I've only taken my current .223 to the range a couple of times, and only got to shoot it for groups the first time I had it out. After I got it zeroed, I shot a group with it using the Black Hills remanufactured ammo. It did OK--3 shots into 3/8" at 100 yards--there was a some wind and it moved the last shot over a little.

The gun/scope combo cost me $575. It's a T/C Encore. What? It's not fair to compare a single shot rifle to a semi-auto?

I guess it makes about as much sense as using the performance of a thousand(+?) dollar custom rifle as evidence that stock mini-14s are tack drivers.

My rifle kicks @$$...SHOW A PIC of your rifle?! Targets?! All the talkin stops when the pics and hammers drop!!

Didn't you say something about NOT being confrontational?

It's just NOT your business....

AND about not being defensive? What, exactly is your definition of confrontational and defensive?

Sorry, I don't have any pics of my Encore--but you can find one on the web--it's bone stock. I only have one other group shot with a rifle in my file--I don't get to shoot rifles much. I can post it too, but it's not as good. It's about 3/4" @ 100 yards. I think it's not as good because I shot it using military surplus ammo out of my $140 used Swedish mauser and also because I'm too cheap to scope it or put better sights on it.