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Posted: 8/13/2001 7:49:59 PM EDT
[#1]
If it were my only choice for a firearm!
But, if it doesn't have Ruger or PMI mags, give me a sharp stick! [:D] |
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Posted: 8/13/2001 7:52:38 PM EDT
[#2]
It does have the advantage of being a rifle one can be seen in public behind enemy lines. But really not a battle rifle...
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Posted: 8/13/2001 8:13:02 PM EDT
[#3]
My mini 14 is just as reliable as my Bushmaster but not as accurate. It would'nt be my first choice, but it's better than nothing. Why Not? just shoot a guy with a better rifle and take his. [:)]
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Posted: 8/13/2001 8:25:53 PM EDT
[#4]
I really do like my Mini-30
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Posted: 8/13/2001 8:52:06 PM EDT
[#5]
Only if I couldn't get something better -- AR15, AR180, M14, M1 Garand, Winchester Model 94 in .30-30... most any other decent rifle... you get the picture. I had one and it sucked from the word go.
John |
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Posted: 8/13/2001 8:55:04 PM EDT
[#6]
I'd go into battle with a Mini-14, but I'd prefer an FAL.
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Posted: 8/13/2001 8:57:28 PM EDT
[#7]
If I had enough factory mags to fight with ABSOLUTELY.
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Posted: 8/13/2001 9:31:21 PM EDT
[#8]
Got to agree with Silver Surfer. My mini-14 is not real accurate, but it is good enough out to a hundred yards or so and small enough the kids could use it if need be.
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Posted: 8/13/2001 9:39:49 PM EDT
[#9]
In a pinch, yes, it's better than a knife, pistol or rock. But it's pretty innacurate.
in fact, my Kimber .45 is more accurate inside 50 yards. |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 8:15:02 AM EDT
[#10]
Would I go into battle with a mini-14? Only if I had to. I would prefer a $250 SAR-1 AK-47 to a mini-14.
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Posted: 8/14/2001 8:43:55 AM EDT
[#11]
Never owned a regular Mini-14, but they are a lot of fun in full-auto. Good for CBQ I guess. Better than a handgun.
Michael |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 8:49:11 AM EDT
[#12]
I would rank the Mini the same as an AK. I have a Mak-90 and a friend of mine has a mini. We have taken them to the range many times and as far as accuracy goes they are the same. I don't know if it is becasue of his synthetic stock, but his gun is a lot heavier than a Mak-90.
I would use the mini without hesitation. Just remember it's limitations in accuracy |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 8:59:31 AM EDT
[#13]
As a last resort, yes.
Most disappointing firearm I have owned. Horrible trigger, horrible accuracy (5MOA) and it threw brass 15 yards after it crushed the case mouth. I have been asked why I didn't fix the trigger and install a gas post kit but why throw good money after bad. I tried different ammo but never found anything that would shoot consistently to point of aim or that would group instead of pattern. Friends don't let friends own mini-14's.[:)] On a postive note, it went bang every single time I pulled the trigger. 500 rounds or so. |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 9:04:36 AM EDT
[#14]
Quoted: I would rank the Mini the same as an AK. I have a Mak-90 and a friend of mine has a mini. We have taken them to the range many times and as far as accuracy goes they are the same. I don't know if it is becasue of his synthetic stock, but his gun is a lot heavier than a Mak-90. I would use the mini without hesitation. Just remember it's limitations in accuracy I would rate the AK [size=4]FAR ABOVE[/size=4] the Mini. They have roughly the same accuracy (advantage to the AK). The AK is far more reliable and durable. Its battle proven. Reliable standard capacity (i.e. 30 round) magazines are cheap and plentiful. Heck you have problems finding 10 round magazines for the Mini let alone reliable 20 & 30 round magazines. You can get all the spare parts you need (and at reasonable prices) for the AK, not so for the Mini. The only thing the Mini has going for it is the 5.56 caliber, it looks very PC, and you can legally add a flash suppressor to a post ban (your 1 evil feature). Medium Caliber Rifles I'd Select (note Mini is last) AR-15 #1 AK series #2 SKS #3 Mini-14 #4 |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 9:25:32 AM EDT
[#15]
The mini is an ok rifle although a little over priced. My biggest problem is that it is a Ruger and their parts policy sucks big time. They won't sell you parts they insist that you send the rifle to them. I had a Mini GB folder and wanted to put a new stock on it they told me that they would not sell me the stock, I would have to send it in. This policy applies to all their factory parts. I know this does not apply exactly to the original question but spare parts are a big part of combat.
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Posted: 8/14/2001 9:38:03 AM EDT
[#16]
Most Mini-14s can be inexpensively modified, usually w/o gunsmith involvement, to yield decent accuracy. Some will respond to nothing less than a new match bbl, and some really can shine with a little work and some luck.
Do a search at [url]www.google.com[/url] for sites that offer suggestions on tweaking the Mini. Having said that, it's the mag availability issue that hurts the Mini. You can usually solve all its problems, but you're still left with a shortage of good 20 and 30 rd mags. Factory Rugers are superb, with Thermolds a notch below. Although there are some decent aftermarket mags, once you subtract USA mags, there's little to buy. But they are out there; keep looking. Good luck. |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 9:44:21 AM EDT
[#17]
I have a Mini-30. It shoots great, VERY reliable but impossible to find hi-cap mags that work. In all honesty, I'm just as happy with my $170.oo Romanian surplus SKS! If it came to a choice of either the Rom. SKS or the Mini-30 I'd take the SKS; Battle tested and proven, re-loads easily w/10rnd stripper clips, can and has taken more abuse. My Mini-30 shoots about 4MOA on a GOOD day, the SKS shoots 4-6MOA.
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Posted: 8/14/2001 9:44:34 AM EDT
[#18]
I have several Mini-14/Ranch Rifles and I like them a lot. While there are many better rifles, I would have no reservation about using one in combat/battle field role. On the positive side they are durable (one of my Ranch Rifle has over 10,000 rounds shot in it and it still looks and functions great), reliable (IMHO they are generally more reliable than AR's and as reliable as AK's), compact, good reliable mags (factory and PMI) and is simple to use (modern M1 Carbine). On the negative side is the poor accuracy (usually around 5 MOA like AK's) and requires two hands to change mag (but so does AK's).
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Posted: 8/14/2001 9:58:45 AM EDT
[#19]
I know this doesn't apply to supported battle (it does apply to unsupported revolution), but besides the expense, inaccuracy, poor reliability with most available mags, what a Mini does with brass is obscene. Pity you if loaded ammo is unavailable and you must scrounge reloading components.
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Posted: 8/14/2001 10:20:44 AM EDT
[#20]
"Would you go into combat with the Mini-14?"
If the Mini is all you have, I guess you gotta go with it. It really isn't that bad, if you can avoid heating it up. If I had my druthers, I'd have an AR or M1, or even an SKS in a pinch. The great thing about the AK is that if something breaks, you can fix it with a piece of metal beat into shape with a rock, or anything else that's handy. |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 10:21:38 AM EDT
[#21]
My ejected brass is ok, what's wrong with yours?
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Posted: 8/14/2001 2:45:32 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted: what a Mini does with brass is obscene. Pity you if loaded ammo is unavailable and you must scrounge reloading components. What does it do? I keep all my Remington brass from my Mini/Ranch Rifle to reload some day and they all look fine. Did I miss something? |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 3:51:09 PM EDT
[#23]
I think people are pretty evenly divided on the mini. And I think a lot of people have picked up junk mags at gunshows thinking they "must be USA". I've had many dealers say that the stack of mags sitting there out of wrap for $15 each are USA, but in reality who knows? Every USA mag I ever purchased came sealed in factory packaging and every one of those functioned just fine, except for the fact most won't drop free (maybe I'm just lucky). As for the accuracy complaints, I wonder if any of the complainers are willing to stand down range from a mini? [:D] Yes, I enjoy my mini, but I do like my AR more.
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Posted: 8/14/2001 4:11:17 PM EDT
[#24]
Quoted: I think people are pretty evenly divided on the mini. And I think a lot of people have picked up junk mags at gunshows thinking they "must be USA". I've had many dealers say that the stack of mags sitting there out of wrap for $15 each are USA, but in reality who knows? Every USA mag I ever purchased came sealed in factory packaging and every one of those functioned just fine, except for the fact most won't drop free (maybe I'm just lucky). As for the accuracy complaints, I wonder if any of the complainers are willing to stand down range from a mini? [:D] Yes, I enjoy my mini, but I do like my AR more. What he said . My usa mags work fine and my mini shoots great . Maybe the just made a few good ones! [8] |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 4:22:32 PM EDT
[#25]
I love my mini, but....
I bought 10 30rd USA mags for it.... Guess how many worked... yup 0 none nada. I spent 100 bucks and got no mags i could use. Then I spen 100 bucks on 1 NIB Ruger mag. It works perfect! Now if I could find some good 10's I'd be a happy guy... |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 4:43:53 PM EDT
[#26]
I sum up my experience with my stainless ranch rifle in .223 caliber thusly: "Never have I paid so much for a rifle that shoots so inaccurately." Why does Ruger sell a rifle with that POS iron sight anyway? Have they no pride?
I'm debating whether or not to put a scope or other optical sighting device on. Not sure if it is throwing good money after bad. What I need to do is borrow a scope and see what happens. |
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Posted: 8/14/2001 5:49:30 PM EDT
[#27]
I always suspected the barrel was bent because of the terrible accuracy of my ranch rifle. According to this guy, my suspicions might be realistic. [url]http://www.iea.com/~fgrig/gun/mini14.htm[/url]
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Posted: 8/14/2001 5:55:28 PM EDT
[#28]
i just got rid of my mini-14. One of the smartest moves I made. I couldn't get mine to hit a paper target from 50 yards away. I just got tired of it jamming and it's high inaccuracy. my .02
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Posted: 8/14/2001 6:22:01 PM EDT
[#29]
I shortened the barrel of my Mini-14 down to 13", then welded on a flash suppressor/ front sight to bring it back to 16.5". I openned up the gas port a little bit to avoid any functioning problems (some ammo would short-stroke at first, while others would work fine).
I believe most of the accuracy complaints regarding the Mini to be related to "barrel whip", a common problem when dealing with a long slender barrel, and it's exagerated even more with rapid fire. By shortening the barrel, I (in theory) eliminated the barrel whip from the equation, and it became a pretty consistant shooter. Plus it looks WAY cooler this way.[:)] [img]http://www.cavalryarms.com/corry4.jpg[/img] I would still hope for a better option as a battle rifle, but I'm happy with the Mini-14 for what it is. There's no problem hitting a torso-sized target out beyond 125 yards with it. I do wish good mags weren't so dang expensive, though. |
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