Which Series Mini-14 are the new "good" ones?

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silverlance

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Since I live in CA, and there's another AW ban on the horizon, I'm going to blow as much as I can afford on guns this summer.

Which Mini-14 series is the 'good' one? I belive the 185 and 186 serial numbered series are the old ones that have poor accuracy, but I don't know how to tell which ones are the new good ones.

These are the guns I'm getting, by the way.

Mini-14 New Series
Yugo SKS M59
M1A Springfield
OLL AR15 receiver only
M1 Carbine
M1 Garand

I expect to spend about 3000 on these total, but it will be a worthwhile investment for the years to come. God knows I can barely afford it, but better be armed and ready that banned and sorry.

Kev
 
in anticipation of a ban

I just bought, in anticipation of a ban, the Mini-14 and Springfield M1A loaded. The mini-14 with serial #580 is what you're looking for. I got the syntheric stainless. The SA M1A is also synthetic but with a carbon barrel. Carbon disipates heat better than stainless. I also tricked it out with a Harris Bipod and a Bushnell 4200 6-24x40 scope for longer ranges. Both are very accurate and fun to shoot. I try to get to Angeles on Saturdays if you'd like to shoot it before getting one let me know.

The M1A will cost you about $1,700 after Tax & DROS I got mine @ Turners Reseda $1,549+ Tax & DROS = $1,697. The Mini-14 was $699 around $785 after Tax & DROS. both were NIB. So I think your budget is a litle low. I sent the M1A back to SA to have a Factory installed QD stud installed $45 and the scope was purchased through opticsplanet.com for $485, the Harris bipod was another $96. And two extra 10 rd mags were $30 each Total invested in the M1A so far around $2,400. As soon as I can shoot it to it's potential I'll send it back and have the stock bedded for the barrel.

I may get a mini-30, serial #581, just in case and am also looking for a AR lower to keep around for future posibilities.

Once you have the M1A I'm not sure you'll want to spend needlessly on the Garand, or Carbine. I may get a socom II or 16 as well.
 
In most parts of the country, you should be able to get a new model mini for under 600. I think I paid 549 for mine (stainless/sythentic) on sale at a local shop a few months ago.
 
cheygriz,

In CA, your only 2 basic options for magazine-fed semiauto rifles are Mini 14 or M1A.

No ARs. Yes there are currently a lot of loophole AR-recievers being resold in CA, but the next AWB in CA is meant to adress them.
 
500 series serial number is the new model Ranch Rifle, with the new front and rear sights and rubber butt pad
 
CAPITAL!
thanks guys, i knew i coudl count on you all.

I'm getting the mini14 because i can't replace the ar15 that was stolen from me two years ago. quite frankly i see the mini14 as a 10/22 in .223... it is called the "ranch rifle" and that's pretty much what it is. It is not geared toward the survivalist or prolonged combatant. but it does do its job and if i keep the necessary tools i can take care of it for quite a while.

ok, serial #580 on.

as for my budget, i know that it is quite low but i will not be looking to get new guns. i hope to get everything used, and i really don't care about little things such as cracked stocks, worn finish, etc. as long as the receiver and bore are good, i'll buy. i can always replace parts or repair them later.

i hope to spend about $1200 OTD for the m1a (i may wind up having to buy norinco or polytech), $700 OTD for the mini14, $600 for the m1 carbine and no more than about $350 for the m1 garand.
 
Kel-Tec SU-16CA. It is CA legal and uses all of the AR-15 magazines you purchased years ago. Mini-14 magazines were harder to come by, so it is not likely that you purchased as many of them before the ban.

- Sig
 
CWL,

Of course you're right abut Kali. But given the choice, I'd get the M1A or even the M1 Garand over the Mini. The SKS is also a good choice for Kali.
 
My "old" Mini-14 Ranch Rifle can hit a clay laid on the backstop at 100 yards. Accurate enough for what the gun was made for in my opinion.
 
My "old" Mini-14 Ranch Rifle can hit a clay laid on the backstop at 100 yards. Accurate enough for what the gun was made for in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Now imagine hitting it @ 200 yards. That's the improvement of the NEW serial #580+ Mini-14's.
 
^ I hope what you're saying about the accuracy of the new Mini's is right. For me the rifle is exactly what I want.......except the potential poor accuracy and barrel heating problems are keeping me away.
 
D-man

Every barrel I've ever shot alot of rounds through heats up. Can't get away from that. I've had nothing but great accuracy and NO feed problems. I have run both 5, 10, and pre ban 20 round mags through it..it just eats em up.

and cheygriz...I do have to let it cool down after 10-20 round rapid fire. I'm sure the same can be said for the SKS. So far 1,000 rounds through it and not one FTF, not one missfire, nothing but clean action and alot of fun.
 
I have had two minis, my latest one is one of the new models. Neither has ever jammed, ever. Not with any magazine or any ammo, ever. My buddy has one, never jammed, ever. Used to shoot another buddies back in college (over three decades ago) - never jammed, ever. Gee, I have never seen a mini malfuction.

It is accuracy that can be an issue, mostly with the older version (which includes most all of the used mini market). My new series mini is much more accurate than my older one was. They are rugged, reliable, and handy.
 
"No honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun."
"I never meant for simple civilians to have my 20 or 30 round magazines or my folding stock."
"I see nothing wrong with waiting periods."
 
Spend $600.00 on the Garand and $350 on the Carbine.

Really, they largly duplicate the efforts of the M1a and Mini-14.

With an adapter, that .06 m-1 can eat the m1a's 308 also. If you get the M-1, pick up one of those little deals and some locktite/and a broken shell extractor--put it in the stock. Just in case--and a MUCH better backup to your m1a that can also eat the ammo you stockpile. Spend the $$$ and get one with a solid barrel and gas system. And as always, .30/06 m2 ap is legally NOT ap per atf. Always nice to think about, too:D .

I'm always ready to cheer on a would-be Garand buyer. It travels to all 50 and Canada in the trunk.

The mini is what it is--you have a good handle on it's limits from what you said.
 
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