[AZSherman]

Have you guys ever thought about it??? Why on earth do we like this little POS???? Some folks say "because it is cheaper than an AR!" Well, my A**!!! The new Stainless models retail for about $700, but you loose you a** finding reliable mags!!!! And sometimes, they don't work!! I spent LARGE $$$ on Thermolds, and they all work. But my PMI's are a toss-up, some work perfect, some I had to buy the Ruger Factory followers from Brownells. Optics are a b**** to install, the barrel looks so bland, and you can't top mount a sling, and they are about as accurate as a piece of *********!! I mean, these guns are REALLY inaccurate!! They just don't hold a group, unless you get them "accurized." A lot of $$$$ when all is said and done!! And in an age where a high quality AK is less than a Mini, and the mags are much cheaper, and easier to find. So I ask again, WHY??? I just look at my Mini's, and there is something I like. Maybe the Garand-style action is in all Outdoor-Loving American's blood, I just don't know. Please tell me why???

 

[Mengo]

I chose the Mini over an AR15 for the following reasons. The system is proven from M-1 Garand to M14 in real world combat. The magazines I can live with because I gunsmith my own gear and acquired numerous good ones early on. If you really look at the AR15 system, it's very flawed, the gas system contaminates the receiver, the gas tube needs a 14" pipe cleaner to swab it out, the bolt has too many lock lugs, the 'forward assist' ought to tell you something right off.
I got a Mini14 as a carbine that I could use in serous survival situations at 100-150+ yds on man-size targets. Minis have their drawbacks too, they get hot, the good mags are hard to find and some important parts are near impossible to obtain (firing pins). But I know it will run and when 9/11 came about, it was the Mini I grabbed and loaded a few mags for instead of my AKs. I have a B-square scope mount and it holds zero well enough for my purposes. I know it runs and runs well, the only malfunctions I've had were mag related. With a couple of good magazines, I know if I'm in the filth, it will run for me. I've never trusted AR15s, I had one in the Army and eventually they will earn their reputation as 'Jammin' Jenny'.

 

[Mengo]

And as a follow up, if yours isn't accurate, try good ammuntion. I shoot 2" @ 100 all day long with Win 64gr powerpoints. Tailor your weapon to your needs and it's own.

 

[harles]

Because they are good, honest, rifles. They do not promise more than they deliver, and they work every time. I have both the Ranch Rifle and the Mini-30 and love them both. I do not think of them as 'assault' or 'tactical' rifles, but just reliable autoloading sporting arms. They have given me no problems, they work when you need them, and digest inexpensive and plentiful amunition. What more could you ask for?

 

[djskit]

Maybe the Garand-style action is in all Outdoor-Loving American's blood

BINGO! Something about that square-end receiver and flat top bolt that makes me think "IWO JIMA!":usa:

 

[Dave3006]

I like it because it is reliable and points fast. It is light. And if you shorten the barrel, it is not as inaccurate as people think.

It works almost identically like my M1 Garands. My 10 year old can shoot it. He is too small for the Garand.

 

[dvdstdg]

If you aren't happy with it sell it - someone will take it off your hands! Life is too short to abide frustration over something so easily remedied.

 

[AZSherman]

I didn't say I wasn't happy with it, I just can't figure why I'm not happy with it!!!!

 

[mtnwatcher]

the mini is a great design. it's just got a pos barrel, along with with some sloppily made parts. i got for the same reasons as everyone else here. i was gonna sell it and get an AR when i thought accuracy improvements were an impossibility. now that it's getting 2'' [email protected] consistently, i'll never sell it. i don't wanna deal with all the parts in a AR out in the field, and i have more confidence in the mini if it ever comes down to using it as a bludgeon.

but what i really like about them now is that I, with my own hands, can improve the accuracy without spending a shload of money.

 

[mtnwatcher]

...thanks to the genereous and intelligent people on this forum!!

:beer:

 

[gutpile]

my unaccurized mini shoots 3 inch groups off hand at 100 yards.......yeah, its an unaccurate POS. maybe thats why over the years every time i have sold my mini-14 i had to run out and buy another one, they are sooooooo unreliable.....right.

 

[Mengo]

There you go... easy to maintain, reasonably accurate... more so with a little personalizing. It's never been titled as an 'Assault Weapon' which means it's availability is assured for quite awhile. And think about this, even though we have trouble finding good hi-cap mags. !0 rounders are plentiful, we fought WWII and beyond with an 8rd Garand. Capacity is not as great an issue as skill, I know one day my hi-caps will wear out if used heavily and I usually test them and put them away, we can get followers and springs for those compatible with the factory. But the Mini is a rifle that will survive most if not all legislation, it has it's shortcomings but those too can be overcome will skill and experience. Make mine a Mini!

 

[gutpile]

i gotta say, i prefer the 5 rounders myself, and anything over a 10 rounder is a pain to me, literally, i hate the way that a 20 round mag augers into my back when i sling my rifle. thats why i ussually just use a 5 round mag with a couple more in my pocket, they are handy and they work every time.

 

[cajungeo]

dvdstdg I couldn't have said it better.

AZSherman, I can see your frustration, as a mater of fact I had to edit out some in your post.

Any shortcoming the mini has, weather it be accuracy or reliable mags, has been addressed in the wisdom of this forum, and you don't have to spend a lot of bucks. If you haven't seen it, then I suguest you do your home work. Use the search button, upper right, and enter key words, You will be amazed at all the posts that come up.

$700 for a mini? you gotta be kidden! I see new ones all the time for $469 to $489. Just my .223 cents.

 

[Mongo]

I love my Mini-14 for the same reason I like Fords! Yes I could go out and get a Les Baer, Super Varmint, AR .223. But why? I had a trigger job done on my Mini-14 Ranch, and I am hitting 18" dia. steel targets at 300 yds. with the open sights. Best of all I've only spent $560.00. The difference in cost between the Mini-14 and the Les Baer sure does buy a ton of ammo. And yes I could go buy an H2, but my F-150 gets me there just as fast. The difference in cost between the H2 and my F-150 sure does buy a lot of gas.

 

[quadfan]

For me, it's the Ruger Factory Folders that trip my trigger so to speak! Coming from a farm background,I used and saw lots of other mini-14's being used and in just about every gunrack! But the "look" of the M-16A1 was what got me hooked on the AR-15! And I've pretty much owned BOTH ever since! I currently own 5 factory folder mini-14's and 3 AR-15's:1 in .223 w/11.5" bbl and 5" flash hider,1 in .223 w/24" Super heavy stainless flattop,1 in 5.45x39 w/16"M4 bbl flattop, AND 1 AR-10 in .308 w/20"flattop stainless which I absolutly LOVE!!!

I think all the options now availible for AR15 configurations, will gaurantee their place in alot of our hearts! But I still love to shoot my MINI's!! By the way, would you like to here about my AK47/74 collection? It's even more over the top!

 

[voruzon]

Mini is not banned in places where AR/AK are already illegal. Mini will be the last paramilitary rifle to get banned in most locations.

V.

 

[GREYBEAR]

You also have to take into consideration the fact that just a little dirt or sand will jam most AR's whereas the Mini will keep on shooting. So what if The Mini can't do sub MOA, neither can a dirty AR, and being plastic doesn't really make a good club like a wood stock. It doesn't matter to me if I can't put all the bullets into the same hole, as long as I know that what I shoot will fire when I need it to. I bought my Mini to practice with the thought of eventually getting an AR, now I wouldn't spend the money on one instead I'll spend it on accurizing my Mini.

:beer: :rapid:

 

[quadfan]

Originally posted by voruzon
Mini is not banned in places where AR/AK are already illegal. Mini will be the last paramilitary rifle to get banned in most locations.
V.

That is also the reason alot of police agencies use them. Their LOOKS!! They don't have that "jack-booted thug" military look to them (but they have all the same features of military weapons),it's a phsycological thing.

 

[cajungeo]

SP I deleted your post.

Guys, I say again, this forum will not tolerate personal attacks, name calling, personal slamming, foul, or offensive language by anyone PERIOD! Anyone who persists in this behavior will be removed from membership.

If someone attacks you personally, then report it to your moderator. Thats me, and satan2655.

I don't like to clean house, but I will if if I have to!

We can disagree on subject, or with each other, but in a respectful way. Once youve stated your opinion there is no point going on & on. We are adults here. Treat fellowmembers with Honor, and Respect. Then you will receive the same from other members.

Now lets all get our mini's, some bullets, and do some shooten!