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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:43:48 PM EDT
[#1]
Save $$.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:44:23 PM EDT
[#2]
You should consider long term availability and price of 7.62X39 and 5.56X45 ammo.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:44:38 PM EDT
[#3]
Get the 223 version.
Forget the 7.72x39 version. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:44:46 PM EDT
[#4]
Get the Mini-14. .223 seems to be more available now. When you get ready for 7.62x39, get the SKS. Best bang for the buck in 7.62x39 over the AK or Mini-30.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:46:03 PM EDT
[#5]
(Putting on my flame suit)
This is a never ending fued. I own a Mini and it isn't all that accurate, but its fun to shoot. An AR will be more accuruate. Mini magazines used to be expensive as hell, but that has gone down quite a bit. I almost sold my Mini-14 a couple weeks ago and regret even thinking about it. It's a fun gun, so I will keep it around. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:47:28 PM EDT
[#6]
You will only get flamed by those who 'heard' something. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:48:53 PM EDT
[#7]
mini 14, mine has been good, its no ar but mags are cheap and it is very reliable.
mini 30  just get a AK
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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:50:16 PM EDT
[#8]
I have a ranch rifle,
seriously, save your $$$ and buy something better. I cant do any better than 6in groups at 100 yards with a scope. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 1:55:58 PM EDT
[#9]
Get Neither.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:02:00 PM EDT
[#10]
Mini 30 is nice but a lot of recoil and Russian 7.62x39 is slightly larger than US 7.62x39. This was from a Ruger coustomer service advisor and a gun slaesperson. Both said the Mini 30 would ware out faster with Russina ammo. Would like to hear from the crew if this is true. Lastly, for about the same amount of money you can get a Vepr.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:06:32 PM EDT
[#11]
Dude. I had a Mini-14 and sold it to get an Ar eventually. Just save your money.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:12:18 PM EDT
[#12]
That is the straight up truth. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:33:25 PM EDT
[#13]
I have both a Mini-14 ranch and a Bushy M-4. These guys are right. The Mini is fun to shoot but not as accurate as the Bushmaster. Good magazines for the Mini are going to be more expensive. I've put nearly 700 rounds through my mini with the only issues being magazine related. I found some Ruger factory 20 rd mags for about $25 each and have never had a problem since. My Bushy has about 500 rounds through it and I have yet to have it fail to go bang. I will never sell the mini b/c it's a cool rifle and fun to shoot. IMO the mini has less recoil than the AR...probably b/c I have a recoil pad on the stock. So, it's not that accurate, but it will still keep zombies out of your yard all night long. As far as .223 vs 7.62, I'd go with .223. The manual states that the Mini is chambered for .223 or 5.56 so you can safely shoot M193/855, Q3131A etc through it. I have heard that the Mini 30 is less accurate than the 14. Try both and see which one you like. Then do what I did, buy both the Mini and the AR
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:38:35 PM EDT
[#14]
KBAD-
What kind of rail is that on the Ranch? I've been looking for something like that. Sorry to hijack the thread. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:45:50 PM EDT
[#15]
Mini's suck. Get a WASR-10; it's cheaper and it's an AK.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:49:09 PM EDT
[#16]
It's a Weigand mount. Here's a link www.mountsplus.com/thestore/MINI_14_MOUNTS.html The pictures on that sight aren't accurate.
The only issue with it is that you can't remove the bolt unless you remove the rail. Kind of a pain in the ass, but it zero's back pretty well when you reinstall it. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:50:51 PM EDT
[#17]
I've owned 3 Mini-14s, one was a ranch rifle, and they all sucked. The rifles' POA tended to move about a lot as the noodle-diameter barrels warmed up, the triggers were all very heavy, the sights were terrible (I've seen them now, however with better sights), and you'll pay a LOT for reliable magazines. The proprietary Ruger rings continually loosened up on the Ranch Rifle, frustrating me to no end. If you do get one, get the Mini-14, and spend the money for PMI magazines. You won't regret the extra money, unless you don't want to spend the extra money. Other magazine brands were basically hit and miss (more miss, actually) regarding quality. I went through probably 25 magazines in order to find 10 good ones.
I sold all 3, and ended up with AR's and AK's. They really are better rifles. If you want the 7.62 x 39mm, get an AK. You can get a good quality AK for the same money as a Mini-30, and it's a lot cooler, and better. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:52:15 PM EDT
[#18]
you could probably build a bare bones AR for about 600bucks and it will serve you better than a mini
figure 90bucks for a lower 500 for a complete upper kit not too bad for a AR. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:54:59 PM EDT
[#19]
I had 2 Mini-14 Ranch Rifles.. great little guns... At the time they were my favorites...
Then, one day about 1993, an FFL friend of mine said "I'm going to buy a Colt AR15, do you want one too"? Naturally I said yes and before I knew it I was the proud owner of a Colt AR15 SporterII and a half dozen 30 round mags. After just a few short hours at the shooting range with that Colt AR15 I went home and metaphorically burned my mini-14s..... Kind of like where as once I was blind, now I can see...  Ok.. maybe I get carried away..  .. but I sold my Mini-14 .. I only buy ARss |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:56:36 PM EDT
[#20]
I love my mini-30 only as a bullet hose. It bump-fires very easily. I can easily run a 30 round mag in under 3 seconds.
After only 3000 or so rounds, the barrel is pretty fubar. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 2:59:49 PM EDT
[#21]
I used to have a Mini thirty, I really wanted to like it, but I never really did much. It looked pretty cool but that's about it, I sold a number of years ago.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 3:00:14 PM EDT
[#22]
Sold my Mini Ranch about a month ago, and put the money toward my first AR. still waiting for it, but I don't regret my decision.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 3:03:29 PM EDT
[#23]
"Get Neither"? HERESY!  Defiling sacred ARFCOM traditions  Of course, I can't say I disagree... one of the other ARFCOMrs I know also says the Mini is fun, but that's about it. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 3:10:10 PM EDT
[#24]
I bought a practically brand new mini-14 from someone at work. After shooting it 4 or 5 times, I traded it and some cash for an AR.
While fun to shoot "in that general direction", the mini was just terrible for accuracy. Six inch or bigger groups at 100 yds. just drove me bananas. Also, I had alot of trouble with the mags stovepiping or letting go of an extra round during the cycling. That may have just been those particular mags, but Ialso had alot of trouble finding new magazines for it. When I did, they were expensive. IMO, you are money ahead saving up and buying an AR. As always, YMMV. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 3:24:56 PM EDT
[#25]
The only thing I keep my Stainless Folding Stock Mini-14 for is its
retro 'A-Team' appeal. Otherwise, you couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it. I've never had mag or feeding problems w/ it but thats because I bought PMI mags when they were $40 a pop. My cousin has a Mini-30 that he just hasn't sold yet because he hasn't found anyone he wouldn't feel guilty about selling it to. If you want to see what it take$$$ to actually make a Mini-14 or 30 accurate check out Accuracy Systems Inc. If you want a .223 go for an AR like everyone says, save up for it, it will be savings in the long run. If you want 7.62x39 go for the SKS it will be a good introduction to the "quality" of fit and finish you will get on a more expensive AK and on par with it as far as accuracy. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 3:25:58 PM EDT
[#26]
Is neither an option....Even if you dont want an AR or AK there are way better options.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 3:34:54 PM EDT
[#27]
I have had 2 Mini-14s and one Mini -30, The first 14 was accurate, scoped I was getting 2 inch groups at 100 yards, second one I was lucky to get 6 inch groups at 100 yards. Mini 30 was ok, never shot paper with it, just played around. All 3 rifles worked perfect, I never had a malfunction that wasnt related to the one crappy 30 round Mini 14 mag I had, no problems at all with the Mini-30.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 3:58:19 PM EDT
[#28]
My mini-30 had a lot of issues with Wolf ammo, however I seem to be in the minority.
It is not that accurate mostly because its: 1. A Ruger Mini rifle and, 2. Cheap 7.62x39 ammo is not "match quality" or very accurate ammo. I even made the effort to scope out my mini-30 (ditched the Ruger rings very quickly) and it was never super duper accurate. However it was minute of badguy and I guess deadly enought for me out to 150 yards. Past that I felt very uncomfortable hitting targets with it. On the other hand my mini-14 was almost twice as accurate out of the box and I've never had it fail on me. Get the 14 if you are going to get either of them. For 7.62x39 get a SKS or a WASR-10. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 4:10:14 PM EDT
[#29]
M1A
the rest is details |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 4:36:21 PM EDT
[#30]
Get an AR and an AK, or an SKS.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 4:53:56 PM EDT
[#31]
early mini-30s had a .308 bore. com block ammo is .312. my mini would blow the trigger group out after a few round of surplus. ive hated every mini ive ever owned |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 5:01:23 PM EDT
[#32]
I've had 2 Mini14s and one Mini30 and shot 2 other Minis. They all sucked. There are 3 types that buy these: 1) The uninformed. 2) Those who think they know better and 3) those who feel lucky. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 6:02:57 PM EDT
[#33]
Most people don't llike the Minis because they buy them expecting to use them like one would an AR or AK. That's not what they were designed for. They were made to hit a person, or an animal, at relatively short range with only a few shots. They do that well.
They are light and compact, (much more so than an SKS) and because of that, make excellent truck, quad or horse guns. Niether is, or was meant to be, a combat weapon. Niether is, or was meant to be, used for shooting hundreds or thousands of rounds in a short period of time with any kind of accuracy. If I'm going to battle, going to shoot small groups past 50 yards ( ), or going to shoot a LOT of ammo in one sitting, I'll take one of my ARs.But, I DO have a Mini 30. I replaced the hammer spring with a heavier one so there's no problems with hard primers not going off. I replaced the rear sight with a ghost ring aperture and the front with one that resemble the one on an AR. It's fun to shoot and has been uber reliable for me. After all that, if this will be your first semi auto and you're concerned about the PC look of it, get an SKS. It's a better value for your money. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:33:09 PM EDT
[#34]
Or those who don't give a shit what some self proclaimed "experts" say. The "uninformed" are those criticize them based on unrealistic expectations. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:34:07 PM EDT
[#35]
Let's see, $1200 vs. $450. Some realistic comparison there, huh. 
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:35:19 PM EDT
[#36]
You can build an AR for the price of a Mini.
So build an AR instead. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:36:22 PM EDT
[#37]
You can build an AR for $450????????? |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:37:00 PM EDT
[#38]
If I didn't have a Mini 14 then running around the yard screaming "A Team" just wouldn't be as much fun.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:38:41 PM EDT
[#39]
Pretty darn close. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:44:12 PM EDT
[#40]
a Mini 14 is like an ugly girlfriend..
Shes fun to play with but you really dont want to let your friends see her. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:45:12 PM EDT
[#41]
Why somone would purchase a rifle that is so inaccurate that you can't even get to use HALF the effective range of the cartridge is beyond me.
Then again, if your shooting involves bump firing at an old washer at 30 yards I guess it does not matter. If money is an issue, buy a Siaga. Half the price and twice the accuracy, cheaper mags that work. BTW: Mini's are 580$ here new.
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:45:35 PM EDT
[#42]
Seriously, save your money. If you look hard in EE you can put together an AR for about $400.00,
You can buy a good AK for $300.00 You can buy a good SKS for $120.00 Either one would be a better option. I had 2. (slow learner) They look nice, but that shoot lousy. 6 inches at 100 yards from a bench, with a scope. You asked for the advice.....Take it. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:47:00 PM EDT
[#43]
Jim Clark, JR is a bud of mine... if you get a mini-14 plan on buying this if you want to shoot under 3 or 4" at 100 yards.
www.clarkcustomguns.com/stabilizer.htm 
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:47:30 PM EDT
[#44]
+A Billion |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:53:13 PM EDT
[#45]
Perfect answer. The ANTI-ARFCOM answer. I've had both. While the 14 was OK, the 30 just plain sucked. Couldn't feed ANYTHING. |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:57:55 PM EDT
[#46]
After 16000 posts, I would have thought you would know that??? Complete uppers are fairly common at about $330 Complete lowers for $160 I built a very nice AR15 (M16A1) clone for just slightly over $400 It shoots about 2 moa. Edited to correct for excess optimism and inflation |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 8:59:29 PM EDT
[#47]
Mini-14
HH |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 9:09:38 PM EDT
[#48]
where? |
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Posted: 3/20/2006 9:14:04 PM EDT
[#49]
You gotta troll the EE forums. They pop up from time to time. After you factor in the value of your personal time, it's about a $2400 AR.  After perusing the current EE, I was perhaps a little optimistic, however the point still stands. A Mini is a ripoff at any price. Here's a good upper: (sold) I'm selling this for a friend that is not too gun savvy, but it's a 16" pre-ban upper with the triangular handguard, flash hider, A2 style with no b/bc. It does have the charging handle, though. Appears to be brand new- it still had grease in the bore when I got it and the only markings I have found were on top of the barrel: MB CL bore. I would think it's a Colt but can't say for sure. I'm asking $250. Can email pics. Thanks! Here's a good price on the lower: Cavalry Arms stripped MKII lowers $145 - stripped - includes a DPMS lower receiver parts kit * - Black - Coyote Brown and OD Green Add a used b/bc and you are in buisiness. I have seen complete CavArms Ar15's in the $400's |
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Posted: 3/21/2006 5:14:42 AM EDT
[#50]
Oh, I have seen it and frankly would not touch the AR recievers I have seen for that price. Besides, my $450 Mini shoots as well as your $450 AR, so big deal. |
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