[prezzz]

I'm going to buy one of these this weekend at a gunshow. My motive is fun shooting and possibly home defense.

I can get a Mini 14 for about $400 and the SAR-1 for about $300.

Both are slightly used and in great shape.

I have no preference on which to buy.

Which should I get?

Reliability? Ammo price? Purchase cost? Accuracy? Mag. costs?

All these are factors. I would like to hear your opinion of which is a better weapon for the money, and why.

Thanks tons in advance!!

 

[Bear 1769]

prezzz, For political resons and reliability I'd go with the mini.
I don't know about accuracy, both are cheep to shoot, and a lot of fun!

 

[Greg1911]

Ok flame suit on, I think you should buy a AK I have a mini 14 and it is a great rifle but Ak's are the ultimate cheap battle rifle ammo is cheap mags are cheap and they have been combat proven.

minis are super reliable but mags can be a bit more expensive for homedefense I would go for the mini 14 because 223 is a great HD round whereas the 762x39 has way too much penetration for homedefense.

 

[cajungeo]

Hi prezzz. I can't really compare the two, as I don't have experience with the AK. However I can make a comment on the mini. It is very reliable, can be tuned to shoot 1 1/2" to 2" groups at 100 yds. for not much money, there are a lot of after market items to trick the mini out. Check out our gallery for a very diverse collection of the mini. Last but not least is this forum. At your disposal, 2000 members world wide to help you if you have a problem, or need advice, you can't beat it!

Good luck on your decision.

 

[prezzz]

Hey Cajun,

Thanks for the reply and It's nice to hear from home folk. Where are you in LA.? I'm in Baton Rouge.

 

[cajungeo]

Lake Charles.

 

[mikr]

Prezz, to be honest, the SAR-1 would beat it. Not only are reliable 30 and 40 round mags commonly available and cheap, the 7.62x39mm round is cheap, and what other rifle could you sling through mud, sand and snow and still reasonably expect to perform? Pop the receiver cover off and marvel at Kalashnikov's simplistic design......everyone should have at least one AK, as well as an AR.....

 

[quadfan]

Yeah, that is a very tough question,since both have good and bad points. But just from what little info I have about you,is that you want somthing you can just fill with bullets,empty and repeat till your heart's content. So I'd suggest the AK47,for many reasons that most of which have been brought up in the other posts.It is dependable,reliable,cheap to shoot,cheap mags,cheap to get parts for. And it will provide all the accuracy you would need for recreation and defence. And for a novice shooter (and that is NOT a slam!),it might just inspire you to own more guns!

 

[voruzon]

Greg1911: I would go for the mini 14 because 223 is a great HD round whereas the 7.62x39 has way too much penetration for homedefense.

Not necessarily - an M855 .223 round penetrates steel army helmet at 600 yards better than NATO 7.62x51 (Win .308) ammo. If you do not hit the attacker (causing the bullet to turn and fragment in soft tissue) and the round goes through the wall to the neighbours, I would not bet at all that .223 is safer.

Shotgun or a pistol-caliber carbine are way safer than either for home-defence.

AK and it's variants are illegal in many localities where Mini-14 or Mini-30 is not. And it looks "evil".

V.

 

[quadfan]

Greg1911: I would go for the mini 14 because 223 is a great HD round whereas the 7.62x39 has way too much penetration for homedefense.

I tested that theory one time with some 1/8" boiler plates. Informal test,so I did'nt have alot of different ammo,but the plain ordinary FMJ .223 penetrated ALOT further than even the steel core 7.62x39!

 

[Easyl]

Prezz,

Get the Ak. I have 2 ruger ranch mini-14's and one Hungarian Ak-47. To me they're both super reliable, but the Ak has it beat in low priced aftermarket accessories. Good mini-14 mags are expensive compared to a 40 round heavy ribbed East German mags for 20.00. Plus ak's are easier to bump fire with its 3.5 lb. trigger pull. Also the barrel on most are chrome lined which means they will go at least 30,000 rounds. 50 million ak's worldwide can't be wrong can they? Not trying to knock the mini but the Ak is the most bang for the buck out of the two.:ar15: :ar15: :ar15:

 

[johnsopi]

I have both a mini R.R and a Romaina AK. The AK had a trigger
slap that was awefull! I replaced with red star but that cost 80$
you can fix it for free if you want. The stock is short, off the bench it slaps my cheek.Bad hold I guess. But it shoots very well.
The mini is much easier to shoot but if you get the R.R you should
change the gas bushing so the brass does not go so far. A stock
R.R can be rude. I had a sent case hit afriend in the face and drew blood. I all ways try to get the far left bench at the range.
With help the mini will be a better shooter.
my 2cents

Paul J

 

[Billc]

Besides, who ever saw a 100 rd drum magazine for a Mini? Heh, Heh. I'v seen them for the AK!

 

[Bear 1769]

Will a 90 round drum and a 10 round mag. work?

 

[Billc]

Oh MY!!!INDEED!!!

 

[Bear 1769]

Just saw what mini 14 90 round drums are going for now. I gave a fortune away sevral years back!

 

[Billc]

Yo!! Didn't know they were EVER made. Would be a good "investment". I'v been busy buying PMI's that don't work :usa: :beer: A toast to our troops!!

 

[w30olds]

I have both. A mini and SAR-1. I like the SAR for the price it's a good rifle. Mags are cheap, ammo is cheap, lots of good aftermarket stuff for them. If you get the RSA trigger it will make a world of difference. Never fails to fire, or eject.

As for the Mini, high dollar mags, decent accuracy until the barrel gets warm. Ammo is cheap and low recoil versus the AK. The only problem I could see is the price difference. AK sells for
$300-$325 versus 500+ for the Mini. I'd say AK all the way.

Let's not forget the ease of field stripping the AK. Very simple to break down and clean. Very few parts in the weapon to break down versus the Mini. The Mini-14 is a time consuming task of striping and cleaning. It's faster to break down, clean, lube, and reassemble the AK.

Andy :rapid:

 

[Greg1911]

Originally posted by voruzon
Greg1911: I would go for the mini 14 because 223 is a great HD round whereas the 7.62x39 has way too much penetration for homedefense.

Not necessarily - an M855 .223 round penetrates steel army helmet at 600 yards better than NATO 7.62x51 (Win .308) ammo. If you do not hit the attacker (causing the bullet to turn and fragment in soft tissue) and the round goes through the wall to the neighbours, I would not bet at all that .223 is safer.

Shotgun or a pistol-caliber carbine are way safer than either for home-defence.

V.

whoops should have specified what I was talking about at close range a M193 FMJ will break up and penetrate LESS than FMJ Handgun and buckshot rounds in home materials.

Just think a fast light small round hitting some wood and plaster is going to have less momentum after going thru if they don't frag.

in hard stuff 223 does a good job of penetrating kinda the best of both worlds.