[SlowRyde]

As a "wanna-be a new owner of a mini-14", I'm glad I found this great site. You all have been very helpful in helping me make up my mind, and enlightening my into all the pro's and con's of the mini-14 -vs- ak/ar15/sks and all the other guns out there.

It seems that the accuracy is the one area that most are not too excited about. After reading all the posts, I have looked into the double break, bedded stock (thinking the Choate with pistol grip), and adding buffers.

That is where my ??'s come in. I found this site and wanted to share it with any who have not seen it yet.

http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/cabin/86...06/mini14aw.htm

If you go down to the bottom of the page, they discuss adding recoil buffers:

http://www.buffertech.com/mini14.htm

"The Mini-14/30 Recoil Buffer™ differs from others in our line of products, in that it does not end the metal to metal contact of the bolt to receiver. For a Mini-14/30 or M1A/M14 to operate reliably, the bolt must impact the receiver with each firing of the weapon. This contact is required to prevent excessive stress on the roller cam on the side of the bolt."

If I'm not mistaken, isn't that what the other buffers on the market do - prevent metal to metal contact? Other than that, I think I am ready to run down to the gun shop and pick up a mini-14R in stainless. Any input from the rest of you would be greatly appreciated.

Slo

 

[MW740]

SlowRyde- Go buy you mini and then get some ten round mags from Mark at http://fourfourmag.com/ If I had to start all over with my Mini, I would first stock up on functional, reliable mags. Don't even waste you money on any of the cheap mags out there because chances are that they will not work properly. Without good mags, your Mini-14 will be a single shot rifle. Then you can trick out your Mini in many different ways. :usa:

 

[goodorbit]

Welcome- I second the millwright on the mags get some promags, then a brake. I believe the recoil buffer issue is yet to be hashed out on the board, but that's an easy thing to fiddle with. read the posts about breaking in a new barrel! Most of all Have fun!!!

 

[cajungeo]

Hey slow ride you are smart in doing the research before you buy
a gun, or any thing else for that matter. The mini will probably be the most fun gun to shoot for the money you can buy, and there are so many trick add-ons you can install later. The problem
solving capability of this forum has helped me solve most all of the little bugs mine had. Goodorbit is correct on starting with
good quality mags. I have PMI's which work well for me , but I am
ordering some ProMags also. We all love our mini's!

 

[tunedcivic]

my dad bought me my mini in eary December and I have been to the range ~4 times since getting it... gotta burn up that SA ammo on Saturday

Oh thats another thing.. if you can, pick up 3200 rounds of South African mil-surplus... good stuff from what i hear

 

[goodorbit]

Another Ammo note: I've found Federal FMJ mil surp at close to the SA prices this is new production from lake city in the good old USA.:usa: :usa: :usa: I can't notice any difference between the two.

 

[Mike223]

goodorbit,
I am interested in the threads on breaking in a new barrel. Do you know where the thread is? I can't seem to locate it.
Thanks,
Mike223
:ar15:

 

[Paul S.]

Slowryder, I believe that is a reference to buffers on other guns (ak-47?), which I ASSUME not only prevents metal-to-metal contact between operating rod and receiver, but also bolt and receiver (and maybe others on this board can clarify this). It's two different things. If you've ever disassembled a Mini-14 you'll see that the operating rod (or "slide") smacks the receiver upon its travel rearward with extreme prejudice, with only the spring to "slow" it down. So I can see how a buffer would benefit the action. I only assume that the buffers prevent the metal-to-metal contact between the op rod and receiver, while still allowing the BOLT to operate normally within the receiver with whatever metal-to-metal contact it normally requires (remember, the bolt and operating rod, although connected, are separate parts.)

 

[SlowRyde]

Hey...just wanted to say thank you for all the great feedback. I definitely want to go pick one up now. But...might have to wait just a little bit. Trip to the doc last night revealed Pneumonia (light or "walking" type) Says that if my white blood cell count was a just a bit higher, I would have been admitted last night.

So, I guess all this crap that is going around isn't just the flu. I think I got it from my cousin and his kids, but in them they came down with bronchitis from it. And according to the doc, probably would have led to the same thing I got. Lucky me.

But, 10 days of rest and antibiotics, and I won't have the rocking pneumonia anymore (I hope), but will definitely be working on the boogie woogie flu when I finally get to go out and put a few rounds through the mini. Thanks again for all the feedback.

Slo