Mini-14?

Styrak

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Hey all. May be interested in purchasing one of these. I've heard they are "not accurate" or have accuracy problems, any truth to this? Again that's what I've "heard".

Any other helpful hints when looking for or buying a Mini-14?
 
The older models with the thin barrels are definitely not tack drivers-but they are still better than an SKS. I shoot three inch groups at 100m with mine using 55gr bullets.
 
I just bought 1000rds of Win .223 55gr from Marstar. That works out to .53 cents per round. These days that seems like not a bad deal.

Yeah, .223 is a little more reasonable than 30-06, which is why I'm looking into a .223 rifle.

Already have an SKS which I haven't fired yet. Maybe I'll like that enough and won't mind cleaning, and won't have to buy a .223 rifle :p
 
Everyone on this site seems to be enamoured with the SKS, but that corrosive ammo that everyone is shooting in those things is vile. I bought two of them 15yrs ago, they were alright until I bought a case of that czech surplus, then they started rusting and I found myself pouring hot water and windex down the bore to stop the rusting. Buy a mini-14, and a case of non-corrosive .223 ammo. Despite the claims you read on the forums here the mini gives acceptable accuracy for self defense/plinking without the headache of rusty bores. Regards
 
They do have target models if you want to shoot coke cans out to 750m. They need tuning if you change to different ammo, but get excellent groups. The base models with irons can still hit the paper, just don't expect bulls every time.
 
The Mini-14 is what it is , never was it advertised as being a precision rifle. To me its a great multipurpose rifle for varmit and small game . lightweight and non restricted so you can take it out for gophers or coyotes and from what I understand but dont quote me on this in some provinces hunt dear with the .223! Back in the day my dads friend used to take dear down with them every season! I really like the new ones and am currently saving up for one! The sks is great but like other people have said at least you can get non corrosive ammo for your Mini-14!
 
You know, I've heard so much of this 'mini-14s are crap' stuff that it's time I said my piece.

SOME Mini-14s are crap - not nearly as many as some would have you believe, but SOME. The crappy ones get sold or traded, fast and often. The same 'crappy' Mini-14 probably has six or seven owners, all of whom shout "MINI-14s ARE CRAP!" because it's the only one they've ever had in their hands....and the story builds.

The other detriment is the fact that a lot of folks who buy Mini-14s are into 'playing soldier', or have some fantasy about making noise and blasting off a 20 round mag in under 3 seconds....and not only ruin a barrel in a single afternoon, but tend to use the cheapest garbage ammo they can get their hands on. As long as it makes noise, and they can see dirt fly on the backstop.

I've had at least ten Mini-14s, and currently own three. Out of the ten, perhaps two wouldn't shoot under 3 moa with factory ammunition. The three I currently have will all shoot sub-2 moa with factory ammo, and hold 1 moa or very near it WITH PROPERLY ASSEMBLED HAND LOADS. No, they don't shoot well with $5/20 Norinco garbage ammo...and I bought them all brand new; I broke them in carefully, I've maintained them well, and I've never rapid fired them. My ego doesn't need that.

If you buy a used Mini-14, your chances of getting a decent one are greatly reduced. It's being sold for a reason, and you're probably going to be another guy who wails "Mini-14s are crap!'. Buy a brand new one, treat it like a rifle should be treated, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Or at the very least, buy a used one from a friend that you know not to be an idiot and who'll let you shoot it first. If he ever uses the word 'tacticool', run like hell.
 
You know, I've heard so much of this 'mini-14s are crap' stuff that it's time I said my piece.

SOME Mini-14s are crap - not nearly as many as some would have you believe, but SOME. The crappy ones get sold or traded, fast and often. The same 'crappy' Mini-14 probably has six or seven owners, all of whom shout "MINI-14s ARE CRAP!" because it's the only one they've ever had in their hands....and the story builds.

The other detriment is the fact that a lot of folks who buy Mini-14s are into 'playing soldier', or have some fantasy about making noise and blasting off a 20 round mag in under 3 seconds....and not only ruin a barrel in a single afternoon, but tend to use the cheapest garbage ammo they can get their hands on. As long as it makes noise, and they can see dirt fly on the backstop.

I've had at least ten Mini-14s, and currently own three. Out of the ten, perhaps two wouldn't shoot under 3 moa with factory ammunition. The three I currently have will all shoot sub-2 moa with factory ammo, and hold 1 moa or very near it WITH PROPERLY ASSEMBLED HAND LOADS. No, they don't shoot well with $5/20 Norinco garbage ammo...and I bought them all brand new; I broke them in carefully, I've maintained them well, and I've never rapid fired them. My ego doesn't need that.

If you buy a used Mini-14, your chances of getting a decent one are greatly reduced. It's being sold for a reason, and you're probably going to be another guy who wails "Mini-14s are crap!'. Buy a brand new one, treat it like a rifle should be treated, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Or at the very least, buy a used one from a friend that you know not to be an idiot and who'll let you shoot it first. If he ever uses the word 'tacticool', run like hell.

X2
Well said
 
plus you can get them in stainless! not many other auto loaders with this luxury. They have a million aftermarket toys to refukulate them anyway you want and I have never had a misfire.
 
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