Why a Sidefolder on a Mini 14?

[Elbert P . Suggins]

I bought a 580 series stainless black stock Mini 5 years ago and recently purchased a sidefolder stock to replace the standard. It didn't take me long to see that was $110 wasted. The original stock has good ergonomics, balances the gun well, and is very comfortable to shoot. Add the side folder and things change. If folded and you need to grab the gun quick to shoot you are not ready. Shooting while folded it makes a terrible 28 inch unbalanced pistol. And you are only saving 8 inches of length when adding the folding stock. The original gun is plenty compact to carry in any truck, back seat, under the bed, or trunk. The only advantage I can see to a folding mini is maybe you could get it into a suitcase or long overnight bag. How do other shooters view this add on stock for the Mini?

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I think a lot of folk view the coll/fold/tele stocks as a modification for easy carry when in fact most were designed for storage in one form or another until deployment.

Some, like a multi position telescoping M-16 stock were found to have additional attributes such as adapting to body size, amount of clothing and body armor. Others like an M1A1 Carbine and AKMS were meant to be utilized fairly effectively in the deployed or stored configuration leading to "acceptable" levels of compromise in each.

A fella's just got to ask himself if it's being attached for practical reasons or "cool guy factor"? If it's for the former - like say tossing behind a truck/aircraft seat - then once the utilitarian aspect meets the compromise you'll know whether it makes sense or not.

 

[benEzra]

I had a very nice Butler Creek sidefolder on my mini for a while. I liked the ease of storage and transport, in that you could fit it in a large toolbox or duffel bag instead of requiring a full length rifle case. The downside is, as you state, that it is bulkier in the folded configuration and very slow to deploy, but if you think you might need to use it then you certainly shouldn't fold it. Rifles with folded stocks are in the same category as PGO shotguns---neat looking, but next to impossible for most people to shoot very effectively.

I do think that other than the storage aspect, an adjustable-length stock (e.g. M4-style) is more practical for most uses, since with most folders you are stuck with a single stock length. I like to run a stock shorter for close range shooting (e.g. USPSA style matches, HD) than when shooting from a bench or at more distant targets, and most folders for the mini don't let you do that.

 

[W.E.G.]

From a military perspective, the folders allow paratroopers the ability to carry a rifle that is less likely to get hung-up in parachute riggings, and they allow troops who are crammed into tight vehicles to move quickly in-and-out of the vehicles.

Really has nothing to do with coolness or good ergonomics during firing.

The new(er) collapsible stocks on the AR allow some compactness for the same reasons as the fixed-length-folders, while dealing with the buffer-tube issue of the Stoner design. Also allows the shooter to "fit" the rifle depending on how many tons of gear he has strapped over his shoulders.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

From a military perspective, the folders allow paratroopers the ability to carry a rifle that is less likely to get hung-up in parachute riggings, and they allow troops who are crammed into tight vehicles to move quickly in-and-out of the vehicles.

Really has nothing to do with coolness or good ergonomics during firing.

Yeah - that would be the "... storage in one form or another until deployment" point.

 

[W.E.G.]

I just got one because I think it "looks cool" though.



I have to leave the stock extended to get it to store neatly in my gun safe.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Sure - looks cool and generally shoots better than the under folder that I favor for stored slimness - a compromise I'll no doubt eventually get over and install a side job as well.

 

[1KPerDay]

I want one because Hannibal had one. Same reason I got my mini in the first place.