Mini-14 vs. SU-16 (flamesuit on!)

Mini-14 vs. SU-16F

  • Mini-14

    Votes: 92 56.4%

  • SU-16F

    Votes: 71 43.6%
  • Total voters
    163
M

mmatt

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Yes, I've searched for (and found, surprisingly enough) a number of threads on the both the Mini-14 and the SU-16, but they left me with still a few questions more.

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First of all, I understand that both rifles have pros and cons. I'm looking to get a synthetic stocked Mini-14 (if I get one) so the SU-16 being made out of "plastic" is not a big deal to me.

What I don't like is the big tall front sight on the SU-16. Has anyone heard yet if the gas block sight will be made available? If the 16F had come with the 16CA sight layout, I don't think I'd even be considering the Mini-14. But I plan on shooting this rifle primarily with peep sights and from what I've heard, the SU-16F's front sight isn't all the sturdy.

The fact that the SU-16 takes AR mags is a huge plus, but I don't see any sling attachments. The Mini-14 seems to be built stronger, but it is definitely the heavier of the two. I know, weight isn't always a bad thing, but when you're hiking for hours, every extra pound counts.

The other issue is the sight height above bore issue. I've always felt that lower is better, especially if you are using irons at short to moderate distances. That puts the Mini-14 with the advantage.

The rifle will be primarily used as a coyote and gopher "getter" but it could be used in a 3 gun once or twice a year (just for fun so no, I'm not getting an AR for this). Grrr... I don't know what to do... and no, buying both is not an option! :p

Mini-14
proven durability
proven reliability
low profile sights
lots of accessories

SU-16F
lighter
uses AR mags
folds in half
uses AR mags :cool:

What say you?
 
I find them both great but my big deciding factor was weight and folding. It fits in my quad box easily and stores 2 LAR mags so thats 20 rounds. I do nto need to carry spare ammo or multiple mags. I like the mini 14 and think they shoot the same and both feel nice but I am all about the SU-16 now myself. There is nothing wrong with the mini nothing at all this is jsut a preference due to a couple options.
 
The front sight is bolted onto the front of the SU-16 barrel... right? Could it be loosened off and slid back to where the barrel protrudes out from the stock? That might make it look a bit better and perhaps help keep it from getting knocked around too much.

Maybe something like this:

389540_10150474280985199_509315198_10918245_2079558602_n.jpg
 
mmatt, yes you can take the sight right off with a robertson screwdriver. But you cannot slide it back because there is a lip on the barrel. So far I've just left it on because I haven't adequately explored putting a gas block sight on it.

It has rails so you could try just using BUIS. Some have done that.
 
I've tried the Mini-14 and enjoyed it. Ruger magazines are more expensive than AR mags.

I have not handled or tried the SU-16 so I can't comment on it.
 
Drewz said:
I find them both great but my big deciding factor was weight and folding. It fits in my quad box easily and stores 2 LAR mags so thats 20 rounds. I do nto need to carry spare ammo or multiple mags. I like the mini 14 and think they shoot the same and both feel nice but I am all about the SU-16 now myself. There is nothing wrong with the mini nothing at all this is jsut a preference due to a couple options.
Click to expand...

I have not handled a Mini but for the above reasons spelled out by Drewz, I am very happy with my SU-16.
 
The gas block sight would be my first choice, but moving the front sight back until that can be done looks like it might be a viable option.

That's another "plus" for the SU-16. :) This might not be too hard of a decision after all. The question is now; who will still have them in stock the day the LGR falls? (this is to be my celebratory rifle)

ETA: I just re-read that (I was obviously going way too fast) and just noticed the "lip on the barrel" issue. D'oh! :redface: I guess that won't work after all.
 
I have a mini14. Mine dont seem to like fast cycling, ejector problem i suspect, its preaty accurate. But I dont like to carry it in the wood I hate the bottom sling mount imo its just stupid! And yes the mini is front heavy! But its a preatty deacent gun.

Tge su16 is real nice and light... I havent seen one in person the only negative I heard was that they seem fragile (forearm bypod) but put a ar stock adaptet and a free floting forarm and your all set!
 
Between these two options, go with the Mini

Don't get a stainless one unless someone else has proved it feeds first. The stainless mini's going around have a lot of feeding and extraction issues
 
I've shot em both and went with the SU-16. Being able to use LAR mags and clipping 2 of them together for 20rds at a time is wonderful. The gun may be plastic but once you've fired a couple, you forget that fact.

I Tacticooled mine with the AR stock adapter out back and a CASV quad fore end and it makes me giggle every time I slap in a fresh mag!!

Did I mention it takes the 10rd LAR mags and is non-restricted??
 
Steve Janes said:
Between these two options, go with the Mini

Don't get a stainless one unless someone else has proved it feeds first. The stainless mini's going around have a lot of feeding and extraction issues
Click to expand...

%$#@ i wish someone would have told me that! Mine often jam!
 
I own both of these and love them both. My stainless Mini-14 has never had a ftf or fte but then again neither has my Su-16. I find my Su-16 has a "tacticool" feel with the ar15 stock and compact forend and is quite accurate and light but if shtf and I'd have to choose , I'd be taking my Mini-14. The Mini is built like a tank! yes it weighs a couple more pounds but I believe that it would in the long run be able to put up with more abuse. I use tapco gen2 mags in my mini-14 without any hiccups. They are both great rifles and wouldnt sell eithe. Just my two cents.
 
rally guy said:
%$#@ i wish someone would have told me that! Mine often jam!
Click to expand...

I try to tell all who will listen of my horrible Mini-14/30 experience

I had a blued min-30 that worked fine, the bolt broke, lucky I wasn't hurt in the process. Ruger replaced it with a stainless, it didn't feed or extract surplus for s**t, so I sent it back and said it wouldn't feed commercial ammo and so they sent another that did the same thing. I sold it to a guy who has never had a problem shooting commercial ammo through it, but it wouldn't feed surplus at all.

The NEWER stainless mini's have horrible finish, all the machining is awful, theirs sharp edges and scraps of steel in the gas system, bolt and receiver when you buy a new one.

Choice of the ugliest rifle ever devised by man or a Mini and I would get a blued Mini-14 Ranch rifle in .223, do that and I think you'll be happy! Otherwise steer clear of the MINI
 
Steve Janes said:
I try to tell all who will listen of my horrible Mini-14/30 experience

I had a blued min-30 that worked fine, the bolt broke, lucky I wasn't hurt in the process. Ruger replaced it with a stainless, it didn't feed or extract surplus for s**t, so I sent it back and said it wouldn't feed commercial ammo and so they sent another that did the same thing. I sold it to a guy who has never had a problem shooting commercial ammo through it, but it wouldn't feed surplus at all.

The NEWER stainless mini's have horrible finish, all the machining is awful, theirs sharp edges and scraps of steel in the gas system, bolt and receiver when you buy a new one.

Choice of the ugliest rifle ever devised by man or a Mini and I would get a blued Mini-14 Ranch rifle in .223, do that and I think you'll be happy! Otherwise steer clear of the MINI
Click to expand...
or do what we both did, and sell our mini's (for you skip the middle step) and get a swiss arms (i'm assuming this is what steve did, but its definetly what i did)
 
P@rick said:
I've shot em both and went with the SU-16. Being able to use LAR mags and clipping 2 of them together for 20rds at a time is wonderful. The gun may be plastic but once you've fired a couple, you forget that fact.

I Tacticooled mine with the AR stock adapter out back and a CASV quad fore end and it makes me giggle every time I slap in a fresh mag!!

Did I mention it takes the 10rd LAR mags and is non-restricted??
Click to expand...

Where did you get it? And for how much? Is it this one on the original pic?

This one:
su16-multi2.jpg
 
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