Mini 14 - the good the bad and the ugly

KDX

KDX

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I'm thinking of buying one of these rifles. What has been your personal experience with the Mini 14?
 
Reliable, not overly accurate, not a fan of the way the gas operating system is designed, clamped on gas block and front of the op-rod is not attached to anything, it rides on a metal liner inserted in the forestock. There is no moving piston, there is a fixed pipe clamped into the gas block that goes into a hole on the front of the op-rod, it blows gas there, kind of like an upside down AG42. I think most of the accuracy issues come from the gas system design, lots of ways for gas to leak, and there is no regulation of the gas.
 
They are designed to be a ranch rifle, put them in the back of your truck and use them when needed. With good ammo I get under 2moa. They are never going to be a tack driver but are reliable and build like tanks.
I've owned a XCR, vz58 in 556, t97 gen 2 and also a su16 sold them all and kept the mini14.
Current setup
rdwggy.jpg
 
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i put an adjustable gas block on a newer 582 series with the thicker barrel.
very soft recoil, drops brass about 5 feet away & groups just under 2 moa.
not a target rifle but it was never designed as one.
 
I’ve had 4, only 1 shot well. It was an inch to 1-1/2 at 100. Never had a reliably problem. Just didn’t seem to fit me. Note these were older models so the newer & better could be a difference story.
 
The older mini 14 had a reputation of inaccuracy perhaps well deserved. They used to have a pencil thin barrel that would heat up quickly and change point of impact. My 583 series for sure is as accurate as any AR-15 that I have owned. So they are both reliable and accurate. If you like the style then get one if not don't as they do not have near the after market support of the AR 15. It is not as ergonomic as the AR-15 for example the magazine release is a bit awkward also the magazines need to rocked in rather than pushed in. If you are shooting from a bag the safety can be inadvertently engaged. The sights are bit weird as well. You need to unscrew the sight and move it up and down a ramp to change elevation, and you need to unscrew one side and tighten the other side in order to zero. Finally there is no pistol version available so according to our laws all magazines are limited to 5 rounds.

So all that being said the mini 14 is still one of my favorite rifles. Yes it is a bit funky compared to say an AR-15, but nothing that cant be worked out with a little bit of effort and practice.
 
I haven't owned one for years, but I do like the general concept. I've heard they are more accurate these days and if they accepted AR15 mags they would be great.
 
One of the best and ignored aspects of a mini is the weight and fact it’s a full on takedown rifle. Pull down on the trigger guard and you have two short pieces to tuck away in a pack or dry bag. In 7.62x39 or 6.8 SPC it’s a mighty handy little 6lb weatherproof carbine for bush work, that’s virtually indestructible. I had a 7.62x39 Mini in by ocean guide boat.
 
Incredibly reliable, but accuracy just isn't what it should be for the money. I had a 184 series that was crazy accurate - and I could never figure out why. Had probably 6 or 7 after that couldn't group under 4" or so. Through all of that though, I have never seen one jam.
 
I only had one... stainless walnut with the 1/7 twist. At 50m it would barely keep rounds on paper with any weight of bullet. It was used when I got it, but looked like new. I imagine every owner it had shot a box or 2 through it and sold it immediately lol.
 
mine is all wood ...about 2nd year made ..never jammed ever...shot 1.5 or a little better with 63 grain.... not so well with 50 or 55s great sled /4 wheeler truck gun was a time you could just keep the 20 rd clip on the dash or in the case/all you needed ..they say they may go away sad .......had it a long time............
 
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