Mini-14: Should I save my cash

For your purpose, I'd go with the mini-14. It's a rugged rifle, light and fast handling. It will fill your needs perfectly. And it's simple.

The M14 is 2 pounds heavier, much longer and not so simple. The M14 is a special beast and you have to know it and love it. You need to learn about slam-fire, load restrictions, lubrication, stock fitting, adjustable sights, etc.

If you take the Mini route and like optics, I suggest a Ultimak rail and an Aimpoint Micro with QD mount.
 
Utah said:
The rifle would be for target shooting (inside 200 or so)
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Buy a Mini-14 = Yes
For target shooting = NO!!

I have a Mini-14 581 series stainless like the one you want. It is a very fun, reliable shooter. They are great to pimp out because there are lots of aftermarket parts available. They are non-restricted which is it's greatest attribute. A Mini-14 makes a great close range varmint semi. For target shooting, the Mini-14 is terrible. You will never get sub 2MOA unless you buy the Target model and get the trigger "fixed". I would get a .223 bolt action rifle for targets 100-300 yrds. Just IMHO, YMMV

:)
 
saskcop said:
?? I thought that I just said I easily get sub 2 MOA?!? I have talked with other guys whose mini's shoot into that range too.
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Yes, I saw that and with perfect weather and perfect ammo and having not been drinking the night before, I have held the 2" group also. I love my mini!! It just isn't a "Target" gun by definition. Pick up trucks are great but they aren't "race cars". Sure there are some pickup trucks that are fast but at the end of the day, there are much better options for "racing". Mini-14's are great if used for what they are good at. They are not my first choice for the OP's requirements as a primarily "target" shooter.

:p
 
Kc.338Lp said:
Whoever told you you have to put money into the norinco m14's , especially the new ones are full of s**t .. I bought mine 6 months ago and havnt bought anything or changed anything except for a rail and spring kit and it shoots great , about 2 inchs @ 100. Havnt had a single issue including shooting up to 180 grain ammo , and knock on wood nothing has happened . So have many other people .

Just because its norinco doesnt mean its junk , as im sure many other owners would say the same thing .
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im sure it shoots just fine. but the quality is just not there.rough action, nasty cast parts, and the stock looks like its off of a toy. i dont mean to diss it but im just keeping it real. id take an 200 dollar SKS or $300 svt-40 over a 450 dollar M14S any day.

i want something more from a rifle than just sending lead down the pipe and cycling. when i went m14 shopping with my friend, i held one in hand,and my gut tells me i should spend my money else where. tho my friend did pick one up, i played with it some more, shot it , and just glad i didnt buy one. and that's my opinion.
 
Thanks for all the replys!
I really like the mini and think it's what i'm looking for..
I know it's not the most accurate rifle out there, but for the versatility it offers with it's size/weight, semi-auto, non-restricted, cost of ammo and damn good looks, i think i made up my mind.. pending..
the keltec SU-16 is coming to Canada, but the jury's still out on classification, and that's pretty much a deal breaker if it's restricted.
 
RUSTSPOT said:
im sure it shoots just fine. but the quality is just not there.rough action, nasty cast parts, and the stock looks like its off of a toy. i dont mean to diss it but im just keeping it real. id take an 200 dollar SKS or $300 svt-40 over a 450 dollar M14S any day.
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How Dare You Sir! :ar15: Get Him! :p
 
TACTICAL111 said:
The more people who think it's crap the better. I'd rather not see everyone at the range with an M14 :D

Perpetuate the myth, keep it strong.
They totally suck and you you should not buy one
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I don't think anyone is saying that they are crap...but not everyone likes the same guns, and sometimes it's hard to say what it is about a gun that you like or don't like.

I bought TWO Norc M14s's (following Hungry's advice and with an eye toward #### preservation), and even spent a few bucks on Boyd's stocks, ARMS mounts, etc. After a couple cases of 7.62, I gotta say that I just don't get it. They don't turn my crank much and I'll probably sell them soon. I felt the same way about a couple of Swiss Arms that I used to own...really nice guns, but....meh.

On the other hand, I love Mini-14's, and haven't been without one (not the same one) for over 30 years. Go figure!:)

This is supposed to be fun! Get what you want...and get rid of it if you stop wanting it.

John
 
well, im gonna show up at the range one day with a real springfield. :p its gonna look just like your noc and cost 5 times as much but i know its gonna worthy every penny ,for me anyways.
 
I'll take my mini over an AR 15, SU 16 or any other black rifle any day!

Bow before the Spawn of John Cantius Garand's masterpiece!
 
scianna54 said:
M14 is freakin heavy
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so is ANYTHING on the 308 platform-G3, FN, M14, YOU NAME IT- they all weigh around 10-12 pounds, that was one of the redeeming qualities of the 16- -6-7 pounds as opposed to 12, but half the reach and 1/2 again as much firepower
 
Kc.338Lp said:
Whoever told you you have to put money into the norinco m14's , especially the new ones are full of s**t .. I bought mine 6 months ago and havnt bought anything or changed anything except for a rail and spring kit and it shoots great , about 2 inchs @ 100. Havnt had a single issue including shooting up to 180 grain ammo , and knock on wood nothing has happened . So have many other people .

Just because its norinco doesnt mean its junk , as im sure many other owners would say the same thing .
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candidate for a new op-rod right there- sooner or later- or you can weld it yourself- it'll break just at the joint where the cylinder joins the rod lever- there's pictures of how to do it on the garand sites-
 
Mini-14 gets a bizarre bad rap, mostly from people who know #### all about guns. It's a truly great little carbine, and the new ones are accurate too, very accurate actually. Next time you see somebody bash the Mini-14, take a note of how experienced they are. 90% are just repeating what they've been told and are fairly inexperienced with firearms.

I'd love to have a new 6.8 SPC stainless / walnut mini.
 
' Ardent ' beat me by 3 minutes , I have an AR and a Mini , If given only one choice I would go with the Mini , small , light, NON RES, breeze to clean and abundant ammo , I have my 181 series doing 1.8" with rem umc 55 gr fmj and 1.5" with hsm 50 gr blitz kings ( at 100 meters )
 
Another common complaint I've seen with the Mini is from the mall ninja types who want those damn rails to mount lights, lasers, optics, bipods, etc.
 
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