First Gun SkS vs Mini14

Ever thought about the Type 97 or Norinco M305? You can tac that #### out at M14.ca.

The SKS is fun but I've never experienced anything good with the aftermarket stocks and stuff. Its either each SKS is slightly different or each aftermarket stock is slightly different so some don't fit in the stocks very well. Was shooting last week and a guy was having feeding issues with his 5/20 round tapco mag. I also just really like the original military look and not much aftermarket stuff can improve its original design.

My friends got a Mini-14. He really likes it and has worked out the accuracy issues he was having with it. Doesn't shoot as nice as my .223 Vz 58 but he still got it down to a respectable 3moa. There is lots of aftermarket stuff for the Mini-14 however, I like that 80's A-Team pistol grip wood stock that you never see anymore. The Butler Creek stock seems to be about the closest thing to it.

The CZ 858, CZUB Vz 58, is no longer imported. There is the CSA Vz 58 and now the CAI Vz 58. My CSA Vz 58 is a .223 model which people love to hate on this website. Mine has been flawless with 800 rounds and has the AR-15 magwell adapter. Don't expect the magwell to perform like an AR magwell. Its very fussy with the magazines you give it and some will work and feed but fail to operate the last round bolt hold open. My 10rd Lar-15 magazines do that consistently and it kind of turns the gun into like an AK. Hear the click, then change mags.
 
Cifyra said:
Both are pinned to 5 rounds, if you're willing to afford a Mini 14, might as well spend a bit more to get something that legally accepts a 15 round STANAG Beowulf mag like the Type 97, SU-16, XCR, Benelli, or Tavor.
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If money wasnt a problem i would have got an XCR, i heard their newer models have worked out all the problems and they look nice and have good features. And the stanags are so fricken expensive in canada, even the lar15's are expensive.

If i had 1500 to spend then i wouldn't have much of a problem finding somthing, as i would get an XCR hands down and if i had 2000+ i would try to find an ACR(18'inch) but i don't and i just spent 1800 on building a computer, but i needed that for work.
 
Dagmaar said:
I should add that everyone should own an SKS . You'll never find a better gun for the price they are and , well , they are one of the original tacticool guns ( back when tacticool meant a gun could be counted on to save ones life on the battlefield , NOT a gun with a bunch of stupid black plastic bolted to it , lol ) .
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I call that tampon dispensers and kitchen sinks.
 
One thing I would add relates to how you intend to use it. I have a original style stainless mini14 folding stock. Love the very handy size and non-restricted status. Camping etc it stays at home in favour of my 870 b/c I don't trust the .223 against anything furry that might want to eat my kids and too little gun is a bad scenario to be in. For a one gun situation I would try to identify any needs I might have before wants. Best case one can accomplish both. My wants never subside, though and I would hate to have to explain that I "need" yet another gun to my wife.
 
The best first gun to get is the Fabarm Martial Pro Forces...beyond cool looks...but is accurate, ergonomic, multi functional...use it for fun plinking, deer - turkey - pheasant etc...and fudd conversion. It is great, not a rifle like you asked, but the best starter.

MVI_1214_0001.jpg
 
You could buy a sks$200, Tapco stock$100, two crates surplus ammo$450 for the same price as a mini14 with no ammo. Both are great guns. Mini14 can easily be scoped though if your planning on reaching out further.
 
I have 3 sks-one tapco and one archangel- a CSA in 223, a mini 30 ruger, a tacticool ruger .22, a SU16 and a T97----love them all, but the T97 is the most fun--Oh yeah- My Walther competition single shot .22lr is a favorite, but it goes to the range by itself for a different purpose.
 
Where you are, in Ontario, matters a bit. More about where you plan on shooting. Some municipalities have calibre restrictions that the 7.62 x 39 is over. Five minutes from Detroit means nothing, as a foreigner, Stateside, you can't possess ammo or bring it back by U.S. law.
"...their with way sweater rigs..." What does that mean?
Neither the SKS nor Mini-14/30 are accurate. Neither were made for accuracy and none of the mostly useless aftermarket stuff will fix that. Plus any Mini is going to cost you around a grand with taxes before you add any of the aftermarket stuff.
Oh, and there's no such thing as a 'tactical' anything. It's a marketing term only.
"...long - range plinking..." A lot depends on what you think is long range. DCRA target shooting considers 300 yards to be short range
 
Daver_II said:
what about pistol caliber carbines?

Beretta CX-4
JRC
Sub-2000
etc.

10 round fun, cheap-ish ammo, NR, and if you get a pistol that accepts the same mag... Bonus.
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A JR in 9mm is a fun little gun, and if you like AR's then the JR's shares some of the same parts, trigger,hammer,pistol grip,stock etc. If you have to choose between the sks and mini 14, buy the sks , lots of aftermarket parts,cheap ammo,easy to clean, and built like a old Dodge diesel!!
 
Get a VZ 58 type rifle in 7.62x39. You will be farther ahead starting with one of these than trying to make an SKS or Mini 14 into something it is not.
 
Cifyra said:
Both are pinned to 5 rounds, if you're willing to afford a Mini 14, might as well spend a bit more to get something that legally accepts a 15 round STANAG Beowulf mag like the Type 97, SU-16, XCR, Benelli, or Tavor.
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A SKS can do all that ;)
 
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