[voruzon]

Hi guys,

I am a new guy here. I need some help in deciding which model of Mini to get - for fun, practice and SHTF eventuality.

I had some practice shooting standard AK-47/74 while in the Soviet military. (Also a large smooth-bore cannon and various machineguns). My knowlege of custom(ised) weapons and american terminology is sorely lacking but with you help I expect to be up to sniff and armed in no time (for curious, voruzon in russian means "armed").

1. Provided that money is no object, should I plan on an aftermarket synthetic shock (which allows me to buy wood originally) or do I go with the standard one?
Is standard one beddable? What are the advantages of the replacement stocks of similar 'conventional' shapes?

2. Provided that money is no object, should I select blued or stainless steel? Is blued really much worse rustwise? Any other considerations like metal quality, strength, etc?

3. I would like to use iron sights as primary but also like to use a scope alongside the iron sights. I understand that Ranch sights are not that good.
Does regular Mini really eject upwards or to the side? There seem to be scope mounts for regular. Anyone has a configuration that allows regular mini with iron sights and a scope? Can Ranch iron sighst be used with standard Ruger rings?
Basically, the question is Ranch or regular?

4. Specifics of owning a firearm in New York City. It seems way more restrictive than even California - no pistol grips, no flash suppressor, no barrel shroud, 5 round magazines max. Anything else I should know?

Thanks.

voruzon

 

[cajungeo]

Welcome to the forum voruzon. You can use the search button at the upper top of the control panel, and enter KEY WORDS. All related posts will come up with your key words in RED. Here are a couple of threads asking similar questions:
http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/showthr...ight=which+mini
http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/showthr...15&pagenumber=1
1. I did not like the wood stock, because it was too slick, to hang on to. Had some oil on my hands, and almost droped it. I prefer synthetic, but thats only my opinion. Any stock can be bedded for improved accuracy.

2. Again personal pref. I chose SS because down here the humidity is very high. If you keep your gun clean, and oiled, rust shouldn't be a problem.

3. The ranch rear sight can be replaced with a Williams or Millet sight. There are see thru scope rings which may allow you to use iron, and optic sights at the same time, and different mounts.

There is also the mini-14, and the mini-30. Your questions cover a lot of ground so I could only hit the high spots. My papa used to to say a journey begins with the first step. My best advice is to do all the research you can then go to a gun shop or gun show to see before you buy.
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/391181
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/859614
http://www.brownells.com/Product/index.asp

 

[goodorbit]

4. Specifics of owning a firearm in New York City. It seems way more restrictive than even California - no pistol grips, no flash suppressor, no barrel shroud, 5 round magazines max. Anything else I should know?

My understanding is you can not own a rifle in the 5 bouroghs of NYC. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Red]

Here's my take...

I own a preban that I bought in a hock shop used for about 3 bills. I went there, checked the serial numbers, went home and checked them on the net to find the gun a preban. I went back and snatched it up.

It is a blue jobber in a Choate folding stock and is a dang good rifle. It's the one that sits in my gun rack when I'm out and about.

My other Mini is a Ranch model that the wife bought me a few years back. Stainless finish in a poly Ruger stock.

It's my opinion that the SS barrel strings worse than the standard Blued Mini after they heat up. I also don't think much of the standard poly Ruger stock. Yes, it may be better than a normal wood stack, but not by much.

Whichever model you get, go on and plan on replacing the standard stock with an aftermarket one. That Hogue sho' is nice.

I like the Ranch, but were I to do it over, I'd get it in blue instead of SS.

 

[Dave]

Mr. Voruzon - If the SHTF, eventually, are you on our side?

 

[Kalifornia Citizen]

If SHTF, we're each on our own. You know the Kalifornia State police are going to be breaking down my door. For what? All my firearms are 100% legal today. However, our Attorney General has the legal authority to declare any firearm an assault weapon. And the KA Supreme Court has already ruled he can do it.

Look what they did in Maryland during the latest serial murders. Thank God that lower-than-whale-crap governor cost the elections there.

Like we used to say in the Air Force, when SHTF, bend over and kiss your ass goodbye.

KC
:usa:

 

[voruzon]

Thanks a lot guys,

The generality of my initial questions was intentional - I certainly did my homework by thoroughly reading this forum and other resources and handling the rifles in the store.

I am still missing a lot of info which could have been ommited because authors presumed readers' familarity or did not know themselves. I posted the general questions to avoid blocking possible research venues.
I am confounded on several issues - and probably do not even realise there are more that I should ask about. I cannot evaluate lot of pieces offered for sale because I am not sure where they fit and what's the difference.
I will keep posting questions while keeping list of items that I made a decision on with justifications - so that anyone can challenge them.

Ranch rear sight.
The reports are quite contradictory here. I will research some more.
I understand that the factory-supplied Ranch scope mounts are not see-through, right?

What about the case eject? The fellow at the store assured me that regular mini ejects the cases sidewise about the same as the ranch - which contradicts other statements I heard.

goodorbit: My understanding is you can not own a rifle in the 5 bouroghs of NYC. Correct me if I am wrong.
You can own a rifle in NYC. It does take a while to obtain the permit - up to 6 month, I was told, and about $150 in fees. I am going through the process and will report on it. There are severe restrictions on what kind of rifles you can have and what attachments, but Mini-14 with 5-round mag, no flash supressor, barrel shroud or pistol handle is allowed.

Red: It's my opinion that the SS barrel strings worse than the standard Blued Mini after they heat up.
That is exactly the info I was looking for. Could you please be more specific as to how much the drift was and after how many rounds?

Dave: Mr. Voruzon - If the SHTF, eventually, are you on our side?
I may well be - which side is yours?

Voruzon

 

[cajungeo]

Hey voruzon, here is the link for the laws in your state, and city:
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/statelaw...s/22edition.htm
The varmit hunters seem to like the stainless, as the metal is stronger under heat. They do shoot a lot, and heat resistance is important. However the mini's barrel is very thin so after 5 shots or so you won't be able touch your barrel with your fingers. Either way I don't think it makes much difference with the mini. I posted some articles on stainless verses blue already, do a search for more info.

 

[Kalifornia Citizen]

I understand that the factory-supplied Ranch scope mounts are not see-through, right?

Sorry for being off-topic in my last post. Standard Ranch Rifle scope rings do not accomodate iron sights. Except that they are quick-release with any coin in your pocket. Then your iron sights are ready.

Actually, low profile scope mounts are more accurate. Less parallax.

KC
:usa:

 

[cajungeo]

Kali is correct about the parallax at ranges behond 100 yds, as most manufactures set the scope to be parallax free at 100 yds. The high scope rings cause you not to have a consistant cheek weld to your stock, this is where the parallax will move your POI all over the target. Ever notice an AR shooter with the handle mount scope. Watch his head move all over the place. He may do ok at 100 yds, but behond that I will send him home in shame with my mini. Been there done that! Lower is better!

 

[goodorbit]

You can own a rifle in NYC. It does take a while to obtain the permit - up to 6 month, I was told, and about $150 in fees. I am going through the process and will report on it. There are severe restrictions on what kind of rifles you can have and what attachments, but Mini-14 with 5-round mag, no flash supressor, barrel shroud or pistol handle is allowed.

Of course all it takes is a little $$$ to grease the wheels! Please keep us posted on your adventures. I think it's gonna help if you know somebody! As for the SS/blue issue I prefer the SS only because of the ZERO chance of rust! Both the blue & SS can out shoot me!