Your thoughts on trading an M1A for 2 or 3 mini-14s

[jim in Anchorage]

It may matter to others; should they not be advised of the drawbacks trying to mount such optics on the mini just because you don't care?

I'm glad you like your mini, but to use your analogy, would you recommend the Mustang to everyone, regardless of the fact that they may actually want to mound a camper on the vehicle they purchase?

No. I would recommend a F350. And from what you told me, if someone wanted a NV sight, I would recommend a AR.
But these are rare desires. Few people are interested in campers or NV sights.
But the AR crowd seems to think not caring about extra uppers, extra lowers, cheap mags, etc is the mark of a fool.

 

[ttarp]

If you take the comments preceding post #31 as trolling, I'd say you're a mite over-sensitive, just waiting to see those two dreaded letters pop up so you can be offended.

Well I certainly am overly sensitive enough to take this as an insult, my whole rant was based on this statement:

I know the OP asked that this thread not be turned into a mini vs. AR debate, but it was kinda inevitable.

. Until post 31 got everyone up in arms I thought this thread was going pretty well for the most part.

Ok this time I'm done, good night sir.

 

[Coal Dragger]

To better educate myself I went to Ruger's website and perused the models of Mini-14 currently for sale.

So comparing blind specifications vs suggested price guess which is which:

Rifle #1 has a MSRP of $1089 and includes:

16.12" barrel chambered in 5.56mm NATO, cold hammer forged, with 1:9" RH twist. No chrome lining, or nitrocarburizing (salt bath nitride). Undisclosed grade of barrel steel. Will stabilize up to 62gr bullets, but not much else. Blued finish. Replacement requires factory support.

Adjustable rear aperture sight (requires a tool to adjust), and protected blade front sight. Iron sitting arrangement is of proprietary nature, aftermarket replacement may or may not be available.

Receiver with fixed scope mounting points, does include non QD rings for a conventional 1" scope tube.

Muzzle threaded to accept 1/2'-28 muzzle accessories.

Uses a proprietary magazine design.

Trigger can be tuned by knowledgeable gunsmith if desired.

Plastic non adjustable stock furniture, other aftermarket options do exist although none to my knowledge will free float the barrel if desired.

Weighs 6.7lbs

Rifle option #2 has a MSRP of $999.00 and includes:

16" barrel in 5.56mm NATO, button rifled out of 4150 CMV machine-gun grade ordnance steel, hard chromed lined bore and chamber. 1:7" twist rate for stabilizing bullets up to 77gr bullet weight. High pressure tested, and magnetic particle inspected. Parkerized exterior finish. Barrel can be changed by end user with minimal tools and a shop manual.

Adjustable aperture rear sight, folding, adjustable for windage. Can be easily user replaced with a different rear sight to suit user preferences.

Front sight is fixed, pinned to barrel, protected post, adjustable for elevation via tool or tip of bullet. Other options for the front sight exist to include removal/replacement or different factory configurations depending on shooter preference and budget.

Receiver top is flat 1913 spec Picatinny rail, offering wide array of options for mounting optics of user preference. Rings/optics mounts not included though.

Muzzle threaded to accept 1/2"-28 muzzle accessories.

Uses widely available NATO spec magazines.

Trigger is easily user replaced with different readily available options to suit shooter preferences.

Adjustable plastic furniture on basic carbine. Wide array of aftermarket options available to tailor furniture to end user needs or preferences, can typically be installed by end user using minimal tools and a shop manual. Free floating of barrel for improved accuracy is easily achieved.

Weighs 6.9lbs

Personally option #2 is more attractive to me, as always your mileage may vary.

 

[Scott7891]

In honor of the OP's wishes:

I would not trade your M1A for more Mini's (I don't get why you would but to each their own). Fired a Mini-14 once and did not like it. Did nothing for me. I have a Polytech M14 and like it much better than the Ruger. Like others said if you have a M1A that shoots 1 MOA that is a keeper for sure. If you have to have more Mini's it is better to just save your pennies and buy them when you have the money. You will one day regret selling your 1 MOA M1A for the temporary, short sighted view of more Mini's. Also Mini's are way more expensive than what they used to be so you would be lucky to barely scratch by with two at that in a trade which would probably be junker Mini's. If you don't want your M1A anymore I would sell or trade for much better options than Mini's.

 

[Coal Dragger]

M1A is superior to the Mini-14. No doubt about it.

One is an accurate 7.62 NATO battle rifle, that although outdated compared to some newer offerings that came about due to the GWOT, is still capable of delivering accurate powerful rifle fire. Accuracy and power comparable to and competitive with newer designs, just a bit heavier package and not as easy to accessorize for the end user.

The Mini-14 on the other hand, while generally regarded as reliable, is not particularly accurate compared to its competitors in the 5.56 NATO market. Furthermore it suffers when supporting equipment like magazines, spare parts, and user adjustability are factored in. I'll also go out on a limb and predict that the more updated competition will be more reliable and more durable, over a decade of combat use and lessons learned has improved those other platforms.

 

[Kame B.]

Kame B.,

You're displaying a lot of ignorance.
THANKS!
If you look deeper you're going to find the vast majority of commercial rifle barrels are not CMV 4150, most are in fact made from softer and easier to machine CM 4140. CMV 4150 is a machine gun rated ordnance steel, and you don't normally see it being used on most sporting rifles due to costs of materials, machining time, and wear on tooling.
All of my rifle barrels are 4150, granted they are not sporting rifles like an AR
You glossed over the two barrel durability enhancing methods I also mentioned, my guess is you don't understand them.
I was trying to keep my post short and sweet and yes so I glossed over them, but thanks for insult number 2

On magazines, you can try to argue with me on NATO STANAG being the standard for 5.56mm magazines. Go ahead, compare a Thermold or Tapco to any NATO approved mag. If you think the Thermelt is better go ahead and use it. Tapco is pretty much synonymous with Chinese made crap.
Everything is Chinese crap, where do you think your 4150 chrome moly comes from?

As for your other points, it appears your reading comprehension skills are a bit lacking.
I did fail 9th grade English that one time, and had to go to summer school... "that sucked" But hey, thanks for pointing that out.
It's true some AR's don't come with iron sights. I wasn't specifically talking about the AR though, and you evidently missed the part about being able to easily mount good iron sights. Good iron sights for a serious carbine should be robust (Mini-14 flip sights are not), and adjustable for windage and elevation without tools. Extra credit to rear sights that have a decent ballistic calibration.
You do know Mini 14 sights has evolved since the flip up days, and there are a few after market irons for the Mini that will do everything you are requesting.

I also mentioned some alternatives, and they're all more expensive than a Mini-14. I don't seem to recall the OP being overly concerned about cost, and he's clearly not afraid to spend some coin on a long gun.
Well it seems like price is the only argument AR guys have to use in there arsenal.

But regardless, this thread is a total fail. Instead of pointing him in the direction he was asking, the poor guy caught grief just because he wants more Mini's. Sounds like to me he likes them and has made them work well for his needs, just as I did. This is a firearm forum, not a sell everything you have and get an AR because they are the best in the world and poop on everything that even calls themselves a firegun.

 

[justin22885]

if it was me id sell the M1A, not trade it for mini 14s, and with the money id purchase something better, a new AK, maybe an AR, with a bunch of ammo for either one.. or a sig 556, steyr AUG M1.. lots of good options

 

[Sheepdog1968]

But regardless, this thread is a total fail. Instead of pointing him in the direction he was asking, the poor guy caught grief just because he wants more Mini's. Sounds like to me he likes them and has made them work well for his needs, just as I did. This is a firearm forum, not a sell everything you have and get an AR because they are the best in the world and poop on everything that even calls themselves a firegun.

You're a mostly correct. I already and have extensively used a mini-14. It's been to a Louis Awerbuck class and out to Thunder Ranch and a few other multi day classes and runs fine. Both Clint Smith and Louis Awerbuck have spoken highly of it. When running drills it is just as accurate as an AR. It's not my most favorite weapon in the whole world - that would be my Mossberg 500 with its fixed mod 28" barrel. My second most favorite firearm is my 30-30 lever action and that has been to Louis Awerbuck and other multi day classes and ran just fine. Having said that I am quite happy with my mini-14 for its intended purpose. Much in the same way I have been using Mac computers since 1989 despite PCs costing less and having more horsepower.

Mods please feel free to close the thread. I do appreciate the input. Based in reading some thoughts here, I might regret selling or trading off the M1a so I won't.

 

[JDGray]

Absolutely love my Mini! Runs like a watch, pretty accurate with cheap Tulammo too

 

[Ironicaintit]

I love my mini-14(s), but theres no way, no how Id get rid of a nice shooting, solid M1A to get more of them.

 

[agtman]

Update as of 25 Feb
Thanks all for the feedback. I've been thinking. I will get other one or two more mini-14s. I won't trade my M1a for them. I feel some hesitation in trying to do the trade. I didn't have that with the other stuff I traded away. I will just save up for them.

Got in late on this one, but good to hear you're keeping the M1A. Although S.A. builds have had some problems in more recent years, both of mine are early ones that run fine and shoot great, a late '80s SM and a '91 standard model.

I'd never trade the SM at all, and wouldn't consider trading the other for 5.56 Minis, which, in my opinion, are inaccurate mediocre rifles at best.

In a 5.56/.223 semi-auto, the default choice is always something on the AR platform.

 

[Kame B.]

Got in late on this one

I'd never trade the SM at all, and wouldn't consider trading the other for 5.56 Minis, which, in my opinion, are inaccurate mediocre rifles at best.

In a 5.56/.223 semi-auto, the default choice is always something on the AR platform.

:banghead:

 

[Coal Dragger]

Sorry Kame B, everyone else recognizes that the Mini-14's time as a competitive entry into the 5.56mm rifle market ended about 12 years ago.

Ruger agrees, they make AR's now too. Probably discontinue the Mini-14 once the tooling wears out. Tough to sell an inferior product at a higher price than the competition.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Ruger agrees, they make AR's now too. Probably discontinue the Mini-14 once the tooling wears out. Tough to sell an inferior product at a higher price than the competition.

That can all change if an AWB passes.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Sure it can, but in the mean time the Mini-14 is no longer a competitive product.

For those who already own one and have trained with it I can understand keeping it and not transitioning to an unknown platform. If it works keep rocking it if that is what you want to do.

For those of us who have quite a bit of training on the AR platform it would be stupid to transition to the less capable Mini-14 unless forced to.

For those just entering the market for a semi-auto 5.56mm rifle, there are some great options out there for various price points. None of those great options include the Mini-14 though.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Sorry Kame B, everyone else recognizes that the Mini-14's time as a competitive entry into the 5.56mm rifle market ended about 12 years ago.

Ruger agrees, they make AR's now too. Probably discontinue the Mini-14 once the tooling wears out. Tough to sell an inferior product at a higher price than the competition.

I guess I am not in the " everyone else" category. So were do I fit?
Every single store that sells guns in my area [including grocery stores] has a selection of minis. So Ruger is forcing them to buy them? Or maybe they sell?
Some of you AR guys are amazing. You just can't imagine anyone owning something you don't.

 

[Kame B.]

Sorry Kame B, everyone else recognizes that the Mini-14's time as a competitive entry into the 5.56mm rifle market ended about 12 years ago.

Ruger agrees, they make AR's now too. Probably discontinue the Mini-14 once the tooling wears out. Tough to sell an inferior product at a higher price than the competition.

Dude, it wasn't even about AR's being better than Minis, for god sake everyone knows AR's are freaking better. But some people would like to know how to make there mini better and what would be good Mini advice. Both of these rifles play there own roles, even if they shoot the same bullet. Personally I think a Mini with a 5 round flush mag makes a great woods gun to carry around. Mine as well call my Mini the baconator. To put the Mini in the competitive market with the AR is just plain ignorant and Ruger knows that, they make rifles for all classes. Statements like yours is why I use the words AR fanboy.

 

[hightower]

Maybe a Mini - 30 would scratch your itch. I have a mini -14 and get along with it quite well. As well as all of the Ruger products I own. To bash the mini, really, if you like something else good for you, but the mini deserves no negativity.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Dude, it wasn't even about AR's being better than Minis, for god sake everyone knows AR's are freaking better. But some people would like to know how to make there mini better and what would be good Mini advice. Both of these rifles play there own roles, even if they shoot the same bullet. Personally I think a Mini with a 5 round flush mag makes a great woods gun to carry around. Mine as well call my Mini the baconator. To put the Mini in the competitive market with the AR is just plain ignorant and Ruger knows that, they make rifles for all classes. Statements like yours is why I use the words AR fanboy.

I disagree with the bolded. Better at what? War time? Switching uppers to some obscure round that fits the magazine? Rails to handle combat sights?
My mini is a working gun. I harvest every thing from ground squirrel's to wolves with it. It is light and a joy to carry. I plan to put a xx walnut stock on it, because it is more than just a tool to me.

Guess I should hang on to it, as I hear Rugers "tooling" is wearing out. Then we all need to get with the program, and buy "common sense" AR's

 

[Panzerschwein]

I would never trade an M1A for a Mini-14(s)... unless I could resell the Minis for a net gain, then I'd use the money to buy the M1A back and have some leftover for more 7.62x51mm ammo.

The M1A is more accurate, and has far better stopping power. It can defeat almost any body armor and is much more useful in urban combat where light cover might need to be penetrated.

 

[Kame B.]

I disagree with the bolded. Better at what? War time? Switching uppers to some obscure round that fits the magazine? Rails to handle combat sights?
My mini is a working gun. I harvest every thing from ground squirrel's to wolves with it. It is light and a joy to carry. I plan to put a xx walnut stock on it, because it is more than just a tool to me.

Guess I should hang on to it, as I hear Rugers "tooling" is wearing out. Then we all need to get with the program, and buy "common sense" AR's

Well I was just saying that for argument sake. It all depends oh how a person uses there rifle, that will determine what will be better. I hunt, so the Mini 14 has been a perfect little rifle to carry around before I put a 3 pound barrel on it And you are right, our Minis are more than just tools... and they are also much more than just toys But you got to let me know where you are getting a walnut stock. I have done all I can to the birch stock, but it will never have the look of dark walnut.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Well I was just saying that for argument sake. It all depends oh how a person uses there rifle, that will determine what will be better. I hunt, so the Mini 14 has been a perfect little rifle to carry around before I put a 3 pound barrel on it And you are right, our Minis are more than just tools... and they are also much more than just toys But you got to let me know where you are getting a walnut stock. I have done all I can to the birch stock, but it will never have the look of dark walnut.

Geting a stock from Wenigs. Call them though. They admit there website is "a work in progress." But they do have mini 14 stocks in any wood you wish.
http://wenig.com/

 

[ECVMatt]

I just bought a 583 series mini to compliment a few AR's and it is a blast to shoot! I zeroed it at 50 yards and then just shot for fun out to about 300 yards. I had forgotten how much fun it is to just sit in the desert and plink at targets. I love the way the mini flings the brass - not reloading these - and the thing just works. It has become my new truck gun for my CA desert outings.

I have also owned a couple of M1A's. They definitely are beautiful rifles and are fairly accurate, but for me 7.62x51 battle rifles are large and clunky. I have a Ruger Scout that is trim, has a detachable magazine if needed, and is much more accurate than any off the rack 7.62x51 battle rifle I have ever shot.

If it were me, I would ditch the M1A for two or three minis and never look back.

Here are some pics from my last outing. The groups are at 50 yards with a 1.5x5 Leupold.

 

[mshootnit]

First off the 308 is going to give you more power than the 5.56 so the M1a is a good choice. Secondly, using the semi auto shotgun for defense is a very good idea for most situations, so consider that. Lastly instead of the mini, you should consider the AR. It truly is a better option

 

[Art Eatman]

The point of the thread seems to be comparative money value. One's opinion for comparing Minis with ARs is irrelevant.

It is said, "Money talks but BS walks." Seems like, here, the BS done fall down and go thump.