Posted on 03/29/2012 4:54:07 PM PDT by pfflier
Do any Freepers out there have an opinion on the Ruger mini 14 .223 ranch or tactical carbine? I researched online and comments are good.
Not as accurate as the AR-15. But the design is a tried and true design that is very reliable. I have owned one and am buying a new one soon.
If you can swing it...the AC556 is alot of fun...about $4-5k nowadays, and your $200.00 NFA tax.
Love my Mini-14 in stainless, and almost all the points here are quite right on....
But best analysis/review I ever read nets it out best - by former combat experienced guys:
Under 100yds, they prefer the Mini-14. Near 100yds and out, it’s just not accurate enough, and you’d better have an AR-15 or something similar. Close up, they pick the Mini-14 hands down.....
Mini 14 - nothing wrong with it at all.
Depends on the size of your block.
If you’re talking in the 100-150 yards range, you’ll likely be OK for all practical purposes.
Bears repeating.
I believe in blaming my gun. My son-in-law has a target grade 38 that I refuse to shoot, since I wouldn’t have any excuse for missing...
:>)
If you want something to shoot at the range, the mini-14 is fine. If you want something in case of SHTF, TEOTWAWKI or the Zombie Apocalypse you need the Stag Model 3.
“Known problem with vertical stringing after multiple rounds.”
For self defense, aim at the crotch. You’ll get everything else as a bonus!
They’re carbines with a Garand rotating Bolt and Gas System firing sub-rifle cartridges (.223 and 7.62 Russian), where as the Garand and M14 are full size rifles firing full size cartridges. The Minis are much easier to pack whether on foot, horse, atv, snowmachine or small plane.
and the scope mount is only good enough to show you how far off target your shot missed by.
but buy a few of them, there cheap, you can trade one for a can of peaches when the SHTF. Get an AR-15... :)
7.72x39 has very similar ballistic properties to the 30-30. Both have dropped every critter that walks or crawls in North America. I have a few .223 caliber guns but I’m not real fond of the cartridge, especially up here in AK.
That’s pretty harsh. The shooter gets to “know” his firearm.
LOL! That’s precious....
Funny enough, but I have a mini and have no problems with it. I do not own an AR but I am satisfied with my 14.
True.
Like I said!
Not basically an M14.
I’ve had my stainless 25 years and it will shoot anything that will fit in the magazine. Not a tack driver, Butt virtually unbreakable. Light and dirt does not bother it.
We had one. It was pretty sad. I don’t know maybe we just had a lemon. Wouldn’t hit the side of a barn Gave it away. I love my Polish AK 74. Dead accurate to 200 yards right out of the box.
I have had several Mini’s. I tried to love them, but they just didn’t satisfy. The mini-14s were not accurate. The magazines were either expensive or poor quality. They had problems with the cheap steal cased ammo.
The Mini-30 was even worse. There were no hi cap magazines that worked. And all that cheap steal cased 7.62x39 ammo out there was not usable according to the manufacturer. And both Mini-14 and Mini-30 jammed if you did use that cheap ammo.
Instead, get a Polish Tantal style AK-74 with a folding stock, or Century M-74 (Ak 74 style semi auto). They are accurate, handy lightweight, accurate as any gun can be with iron sights, and best of all you can buy surplus Russian ammo for it which is the cheapest ammo on the market. 1080 round sealed cans for $135 you just can’t beat, and the round is comparable to the .223
If you want something with more power, look at a Saiga chambered in .308, and it also shoots that cheap Tula Russian steal cased ammo very well.
Of course the AR is an absolutely top rate rifle in every aspect, perhaps somewhat better than the Russian stuff but also more pricy.
All of which are much more accurate, inexpensive, fun and usable than the Mini I am sorry to say.
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