Mini-14, worth getting?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Mini-14, worth getting? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:35:16 AM EDT

I have the opportunity to purchase a used Mini-14 for $250. It has the original wood stock, no mods and looks to be in great shape.
I don't have any experience with Mini's and wonder if it's worth the money for a cheep 223.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:39:18 AM EDT

[#1]

a lot of folks here will disagree, but i love mine.

don't expect ar accuracy, and you won't be disappointed.

very reliable rifles with the right magazines, i've had the best luck with thermold (sportsmans guide has 'em right now).

great truck gun...

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:39:49 AM EDT

[#2]

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:40:00 AM EDT

[#3]

How many factory mags with the deal?
I bought one a couple years ago and dumped in within 4 months.

Even some of the factory mags gave me problems.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:40:03 AM EDT

[#4]

Good deal ....snag it.
Aint the best ,and youll recieve alot of flack, But I liked the two I had.
Different strokes ya know?

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:40:06 AM EDT

[#5]

Id get it.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:40:22 AM EDT

[#6]

Decent buy for 250 if its in good shape. I don't like them personally.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:40:24 AM EDT

[#7]

.223 is better than pistol caliber IMHO, heck at that price why not?

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:40:25 AM EDT

[#8]

The price is good. The only good mags are genuine Ruger Mags at about $50.00 each for 20 rounders. For accuracy it's in the SKS class. All things considered, I'd buy it and sell it at a profit. For a .223 stay with the AR platform.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:40:57 AM EDT

[#9]

If it's in good shape, that's a good price.

I have a stainless one with a synthetic stock. It's indestructible.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:41:00 AM EDT

[#10]

For $250 I would get it. I think new the mini-14 is a little expensive, but thats a good deal. Also check out the forums at perfect union for tips to improve the accuracy.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:41:09 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
I have the opportunity to purchase a used Mini-14 for $250. It has the original wood stock, no mods and looks to be in great shape.
I don't have any experience with Mini's and wonder if it's worth the money for a cheep 223.

For that price get it. You ould easily sell it for a profit if you don't like it.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:41:44 AM EDT

[#12]

I hate Mini-14s. I've owned three, and sold all three of them. But if it's in good shape, for $250.00 I would probably get it.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:41:51 AM EDT

[#13]

For $250, I'd probably buy it. I think it'd make a neat knock around beater rifle. Sure, it's not sub MOA shoot-the-hairs-off-a-gnat's-ass accurate, but it's not supposed to be. You may have to work and spend a bit to get reliable, high capacity mags though.

ETA - And if you decided you wanted to sell it later, you could probably at least break even on it.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:43:44 AM EDT

[#14]

I would buy one for $250. But thats the most I would ever pay for one. I think an SKS would be a better deal though.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:44:09 AM EDT

[#15]

what do you think about a mini-30?

I kinda like that one

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:45:02 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
what do you think about a mini-30?

I kinda like that one

I think I'd buy an SKS over a Mini 30.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:47:41 AM EDT

[#17]

I have had two and gotten rid of both. No functioning problems in either one. I just could not live with the lack of accuracy. But that is a good price. You gonna get a chance to shoot it first?

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:55:35 AM EDT

[#18]

That's a good price, especially if it's stainless. Check the muzzle real good to make sure the previous owner didn't bugger up/wear down the rifling with a steel cleaning rod.

www.perfectunion.com has the answers to questions you haven't even thought of yet. Go there and read up.

The Mini's not bad at all, if it's in good shape. Tweaked up a little, it's pretty good.

Posted: 1/20/2008 7:57:59 AM EDT

[#19]

Only one I owned I picked up for $300. I never had any problems with reliability, other than with a cheap mag that came with the gun. Its no secret that mags are the major problem with them. Also on mine for some reason even with the rear sight adjusted as high as it would go still shot low. I had to modify the rear sight for it with a piece of saw blade I had laying around. After that it was a pretty decent rifle. I did notice that when walking though the woods without an optic that the flip rear site would usually get knocked into the down position by accident. Thus you pull up to aim and there is no rear sight visible, takes a second or so for you mind to go "what the?" and figure out you need to flip it up

. After owning this for years I sold it to buy my AR. The first thing I noticed about the AR compared to the mini is the AR's ejection of brass is a pretty gentle affair. Unlike the mini which throws brass at least 25 feet to the right when you shoot (if you go to the range and set up on the middle of the line, half of the people will HATE you

).

I like the AR platform much better but looking back I kinda wish I would have kept it as a screw around gun. With good mags It would make a decent trunk gun as well.

Posted: 1/20/2008 8:00:50 AM EDT

[#20]

I was about to type "NO", but at that price I would probably buy another.

If I had to "thin the herd" of a centerfire, my Mini would be the first to go. FWIW

Posted: 1/20/2008 8:06:05 AM EDT

[#21]

Not worth it if you plan on keeping it. The mini-14's truly introduced a new definition of suck as far as accuracy is concerned. OTOH, it sounds like a fairly good price...

The Factory mags are worth something, so if it comes with a few, buy it and part it out.

Is there any way to try before you buy? There are people here that swear that they have seen acceptable accuracy from their Mini-14, one of them even claimed MOA accuracy.

If this gun happens to be one of these fabled good ones, it would be worth FAR more than $250. More like $2,500. Think of all the bets you could win.

Posted: 1/20/2008 8:14:16 AM EDT

[#22]

For that price, I'd go for it. AK relability and accuracy basically. The one downfall is magazines. I have Promag 20 round steel and Promag 30 round polymer mags and they have worked 100%. Either those, or for a little more, go with 20 rd factory mags. Mags have come a long way since the ban. A lot of guys say "Well all the mags are junk for them..." Yes they were during the AWB but now there are some higher quality mags out there.

I like my Mini. However I have also done quite a few monds to it. Just for fun more than to fix a problem. If someone was interested, I'd sell it to them. At that price I'd go for it.

Posted: 1/20/2008 8:18:24 AM EDT

[#23]

For that price heck yeah!

Nowadays you can buy factory high cap magazines albeit not as cheap as AR magazines. There are lots of stock modifications if you want them and there are several ways to mount optics to it.

They are a fun gun to shoot but not as accurate or easy to add accessories to as an AR and the magazines will make the rifle. (in my experience).

Posted: 1/20/2008 8:20:38 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
what do you think about a mini-30?

I kinda like that one

Don't. Mine was/is a pain with a lot of the Russian cheapo ammo (which is what I wanted to shoot out of it). Also, magazines are still kind of a PITA to get and good magazines will make/break this rifle.

For the same amount of money as you will spend on a Mini 30 you can buy a SKS and a case of ammo for it. Accuracy wise the SKS and Mini 30 are pretty close in my experience.

Posted: 1/20/2008 8:29:24 AM EDT

[#25]

some of them shoot shitty. I have one that after shimming the stock will shoot a 1 inch group at 50 yards with m193. If you do not cryo the barrel, the rounds will walk as the rifle heats up.
Mags are pretty good these days. If the rifle feels good in your hands, go for it. I do not like the ergos of the AR, altho I realize it is 100x the rifle the Mini is

Posted: 1/20/2008 8:33:12 AM EDT

[#26]

You might want to get one of these.

One of the guys on PerfectUnion,Com came up with the idea.

Posted: 1/20/2008 8:33:58 AM EDT

[#27]

Buy it and resell it to me for a small profit.

Where in PA are you photosniper ?

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:00:07 AM EDT

[#28]

If you can buy it with cash with no bill of sale or proof of pruchase....then get it for JIC.

Otherwise I would pass.

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:04:20 AM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
You might want to get one of these.

One of the guys on PerfectUnion,Com came up with the idea.

It doesn't say how much.

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:10:06 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
The price is good. The only good mags are genuine Ruger Mags at about $50.00 each for 20 rounders. For accuracy it's in the SKS class. All things considered, I'd buy it and sell it at a profit. For a .223 stay with the AR platform.

+1

$250 is a good deal.

But putting money into it would turn a good deal into money better spent. Either keep it the way it is, and accept it for what it is or sell it. An AR-15 can be built for pretty cheap if you're patient on the EE with better resale.

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:10:49 AM EDT

[#31]

I have a Mini-30 around here somewhere. It was cheap and is decent with the five round factory mags, never had much luck with the after market ones.

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:28:28 AM EDT

[#32]

The .223 ones are good to go.. And for that price I would DEFINITELY pick it up, thats a steal!

The only ones I have had any problems with was the 7.62x39mm models.
They were pretty finicky on using foreign made ammunition, with seriously piss poor accuracy! But Winchester 7.62x39mm ran great through it.

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:32:13 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
what do you think about a mini-30?

I kinda like that one

Never seen nor even heard of a reliable Mini-30.............................................ever

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:35:23 AM EDT

[#34]

Mini-14s are the coolest 5 round semi-auto rifle $250 will buy

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:37:28 AM EDT

[#35]

The only reason I am even remotely interested in the gun is because of the price. I'm planning on buying/building my first AR in the spring (tax returns$$) but I'm thinking this would be a fun gun to get started in the dare I say "assault weapons" world. Besides, it would be a fun gun for my 15 yr old son after I build the AR

Dragracer_Art - I'm in York

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:37:29 AM EDT

[#36]

I've owned both the Mini-14 and the Mini-30.

I sold the Mini-14 because I needed cash at the time, but it was a fun, reliable shooter. The Mini-30 was sold because it wouldn't chamber a round from FACTORY 5-round magazines. Screw it.

Many years later, I managed to land a Mini-14 factory folder on the EE. While I have not had the chance to fire it, I will never get rid of it. Absolutely love the damned thing.

People here seriously slam the Mini-14, but there is something to be said for it when it continues to sell the way it does. It may not be a tack-driver, and it may not be the #1 choice for SHTF, but it's better than a pointy stick, and with very small adjustments or upgrades, can be made into quite the useful little carbine.

For $250, I'd jump all over it, or another one, for that matter.

Posted: 1/20/2008 9:40:39 AM EDT

[#37]

Great price I'd get one. For accuracy it's no AR-15 but it's still a decent gun.

Posted: 1/20/2008 10:40:23 AM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:

Quoted:
You might want to get one of these.

One of the guys on PerfectUnion,Com came up with the idea.

It doesn't say how much.

Price

Posted: 1/20/2008 10:42:21 AM EDT

[#39]

Go for it.

Posted: 1/20/2008 10:44:18 AM EDT

[#40]

I've only fired one once, but I was able to make 16oz coke bottles jump every shot at about 30 yards. Given the description you stated I'd be all over it for $250.

Posted: 1/20/2008 10:44:26 AM EDT

[#41]

For $250 hell yes. Then sell it for twice that. I saw a used one go for $600 at an auction last year.

Posted: 1/20/2008 10:47:25 AM EDT

[#42]

Mine keeps my ARs in a good mood because they like laughing.

Me with my AR

Me with my mini

But seriously, with a folder they make a pretty compact package.

Posted: 1/20/2008 10:52:40 AM EDT

[#43]

Buy it. For home defense, a Mini-14 is superior. Why? Because when the popo takes your gun, its only a $250 Mini-14 and not a $1k AR. Anyway, the guy you shoot that carries your bullet inside him can't differentiate between being hit by Brand A or Brand B.

Posted: 1/20/2008 11:02:08 AM EDT

[#44]

I have 4 of them and love them! Just get factory Ruger mags or PMI mags and they will work fine!

Accuracy is to be like an AK-47.

Posted: 1/20/2008 11:15:10 AM EDT

[#45]

I sold mine because I wanted something better than minute-o-barn.

Posted: 1/20/2008 11:22:36 AM EDT

[#46]

NO

Posted: 1/20/2008 12:02:03 PM EDT

[#47]

For $250 I would get it. They will usually go 3" at 100 yards and that is as good as a lot of AK's. Just get some factory mags while they are plentiful. You can always get your money back out of it at $250.

Posted: 1/20/2008 12:21:09 PM EDT

[#48]

Another buy it for 250. Its a fun rifle to shoot. I'm on my second one although my wife claims it. She shoots the 1022 and the mini was a natural fit for her. It has been perfect with Promag 20 steel and 30 plastic. Shoots 3-4inches with older eyes. Mags are only 19.00 locally at Academy. She has my back and I dare anyone to get out in front of her

ken