Thinking of buying a mini 14
- Thread starter Chooie
- Start date
The HK is a special case; it's accurate, but its ergonomics are so poor for me that I can barely use it. Most of the other expensive .223 semis that tacitool guys swoon over just don't shoot that well, certainly not better than the average newer Mini. Don't listen to the guys who ##### and moan about the poor accuracy of the 1980 Mini they once owned; any of the newer generation ones (with the barrel taper forward of the gas block) will shoot better than the average Tavor or XCR or tacticool gun-du-jour.
The Target models are MOA or very close to it with factory ammo, and even better with handloads. I've had a couple of Swiss Arms rifles, and neither was more accurate than my current Target model. Heresy? Only if you drink the price-tag-Kool-Aid. Good guns needn't be expensive; expensive guns aren't necessarily good.
The Target models are MOA or very close to it with factory ammo, and even better with handloads. I've had a couple of Swiss Arms rifles, and neither was more accurate than my current Target model. Heresy? Only if you drink the price-tag-Kool-Aid. Good guns needn't be expensive; expensive guns aren't necessarily good.
The reason we mention the old models is a warning, not pissing and moaning. They're that bad in stock form so its worth mentioning to anyone looking at used Mini 14s. 3 shot groups were pretty good for an unbedded semi IMO but going for 5 shot groups with the very rapidly heating barrel would open groups considerably to the tune of over 5" @ 100 yds. 3 shot groups were typically under 2" with factory. This is certainly acceptable for most hunting and the odd varmin dispatch but for a target shooter its something to consider when shopping around. That's why its mentioned so often. I'd like to get a newer Mini 14 for sure. If it can do sub 3" 5 shot groups especially when hot it would fill a role in my collection.
I actually said "#####ing and moaning", not "pissing and moaning" 
...but point taken. I can see that most of these comments are intended that way, i.e. as a constructive caution against buying one of the older guns, and it's a caution that I agree with wholeheartedly. I guess my knee-jerk reaction is to the unfair comparisons that are sometimes made.
"Well, my new Tavor cost me almost $3000 and it does 2.5MOA; it's fantastic! Much better than that old Mini I had in the 1980's. I was 14 when I shot it, didn't know what I was doing, and the gun was already 10 years old, but man, the best it would do was 3MOA; what a piece of crap!"
I swear, if I hear the words "barn" and "door" in one more strident condemnation of the Mini14...
...but point taken. I can see that most of these comments are intended that way, i.e. as a constructive caution against buying one of the older guns, and it's a caution that I agree with wholeheartedly. I guess my knee-jerk reaction is to the unfair comparisons that are sometimes made."Well, my new Tavor cost me almost $3000 and it does 2.5MOA; it's fantastic! Much better than that old Mini I had in the 1980's. I was 14 when I shot it, didn't know what I was doing, and the gun was already 10 years old, but man, the best it would do was 3MOA; what a piece of crap!"
I swear, if I hear the words "barn" and "door" in one more strident condemnation of the Mini14...
smokeater40
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southern, Ontario
I have a Ranch Model, 583 series and I get 1.5 - 3 inch groups using iron sights. This is excellent for a NR semis rifle, IMO. I love this rifle, great plinking and coyote rifle.
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I sold a 582 series Mini-14 and a few other rifles to build up the coin for a Tavor a few years ago. Now, i love my Tavor and it's a very good rifle. I'm not saying what I did was a bad thing. But if I could go back, I think I would keep the Mini-14, sell the others that I sold at the time and waited the extra few months to build up the remaining cash. So that I would own both a Mini-14 and a Tavor now instead of just the Tavor. They're a fine rifle for the price.
Did anyone here buy any of the Ruger factory 30 round mags that IRG had on sale for 40$US a piece yesterday? That was a good deal.
Did anyone here buy any of the Ruger factory 30 round mags that IRG had on sale for 40$US a piece yesterday? That was a good deal.
angrysoldier
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- under your bed
I want you to put your meds down and step away from the key board. My 2oo dollar stevens out shoot everything i own and i own a lot of high end guns. the sl8 is plastic junk that once it gets hot it shoots like a shotgun, ive shot and owned one. I think your just a gun snob who looks down on guys who cant afford the expensive toys. Ive won more carbine shoots with my type97 than with any or my ar15's....food for thought.
angrysoldier
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- under your bed
delete
The new Minis are solid machines. I have two stainless currently and have owned two others.The only complaint I have ever had was with it damaging brass. For under $15 I fixed that with a heavier recoil spring and a 1911 buffer.
Can anyone explain the mini14 aftermarket mag issue? What kinda problem are there? FTF etc? I am also thinking about the mini!4... in fact my mind wobbles so much.. it would be one day I just get an AR and then another day may be the mini14 and then next day is maybe a Tavor?
Travis Bickle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Upper Lower Middle Alberta
Have a 582 Series one I got like new off the EE for $800
Very reliable, very light, well balanced and surprisingly accurate!
Rear sight is absolute dog sh*t though. If you get one, get a Tech Sight replacement at the exact same time and spare yourself even a single trip out with the stock rear sight. Honestly it's THAT bad.
With the Tech Sight though I can put 55gr Federal bulk ammo into 2 to 3" groups at 100 meters with the irons consistently. I love my mini 14. Best bang for buck non restricted semi auto .223 rifle in Canada right now IMHO.
Very reliable, very light, well balanced and surprisingly accurate!
Rear sight is absolute dog sh*t though. If you get one, get a Tech Sight replacement at the exact same time and spare yourself even a single trip out with the stock rear sight. Honestly it's THAT bad.
With the Tech Sight though I can put 55gr Federal bulk ammo into 2 to 3" groups at 100 meters with the irons consistently. I love my mini 14. Best bang for buck non restricted semi auto .223 rifle in Canada right now IMHO.
Personally I think the only bonus to the Tech Sights is the ability to easily adjust windage and elevation. It's just as blurry as the stock offering. I have some inserts I got with my order I am gonna try out but for what it cost landed at my door I'd save your money.
Lol, HK plastic piece of junk? Sounds like you're the one who needs the meds. The SL8 is a fantastic rifle made even better with a Hera Arms lower kit which unfortunately takes it another step up in price. I've shot 1 moa groups with two out of three of my HK's and the third probably would have if I didn't sell it off before doing any load testing (made good money on it so had to let it go). I'm no gun snob but I do know quality costs money, the mini 14 is a fine rifle if you don't want to make small groups and just want to have fun making noise. I had an old mini with a 7 twist barrel and it was like shooting a shotgun when you went to check the target. Type 97 is a disposable piece of Chinese garbage, see how happy you are with that purchase when it breaks and you can't buy parts.
I don't look down on guys who can't afford to drop $3000 on a rifle but I do think people who expect an $800 non restricted semi auto to shoot close to 1 moa are smoking a little too much crack. Enjoy whatever you own but don't try to tell someone like me who's owned almost all of the non restricted semi autos available in Canada that a mini 14 is just as good as my ACR with stainless match grade barrel or a Tavor or Swiss Arms.
Winning more matches with your T97 doesn't mean anything other than you probably practice more with it than with your AR making you faster with it.
Galt,
2.5 moa is what my ACR does with American Eagle cheap crap ammo, if that's the best a mini can do with quality ammo then it's an inaccurate rifle. My mini14 couldn't even come close to 2.5moa with any ammo. Doesn't make it a sh1tty rifle but I personally don't want to own a rifle that can't shoot any better than that. It does what it was designed to do and if that's good enough for the type of shooting you do then I'm glad you enjoy your rifle and hope it provides years of shooting smiles for you.
I'm glad to hear the newer ones shoot better but I'm past needing another non restricted semi auto 223. Maybe I'll go shoot my buddy's newer mini and see how it does. The one I used to own ruined my opinion of them.
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handofzeus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Trout Creekish Ontario.
I have wanted one since the A-Team....the original. One day about a decade ago a friend of a friend had his out on the farm shooting paper. It had a folder on it and he gladly let me try it...... lunchbag letdown! The second I held it I knew I would never get one. It was so front heavy it felt ridiculous. I know the folder played a big part but I'm glad l found out before laying out the dough and regretting it right after.
cr5, your post mentions twice that the Mini with which you had experience is one of the old ones, and you admit that it has coloured your perceptions of them. Perhaps you really should try the newer guns before you continue to belittle all of them.
I have owned two Swiss Arms (one standard, one flat-top), and both were MOA guns, as is my current Mini Target...but the Mini is less picky about ammunition. Am I saying the Mini is "better" than the Swiss? For me it is...the Swiss are both gone, but at least one Mini always remains in my stable. For someone to whom the look or cachet of the Swiss is more important, that gun is "better"...but not because of accuracy.
Is the Mini "better" than a Tavor? Again, that's a blurry term...but based on my experience, yes, it absolutely is. Tavor owners virtually never post about MOA accuracy from their guns, so if accuracy is your yardstick, there's no comparison. Of course, Tavor guys are quick to point out that the Tavor isn't designed for cutting-edge accuracy, so it's okay for them...but if a Mini shoots a 2 or 2.5 MOA Tavor-like group, it's somehow "inaccurate" and unacceptable.
The ACR? Beats me...I just don't care to try. Frankly, I have long ago grown weary of spendy tacticool guns that fail to impress me and are sold down the road sooner rather than later. A $3000 gun certainly should be "better" than a $1000 one, and I'm sure that in many ways it will be...but you are starting to sound as though the fact that it costs $3000 is one of its biggest drawing points.
A "cheap" gun has a certain charm if it "hits above its weight" and manages to hold its own against some of its highbrow competitors. An expensive gun can also be appealing for many reasons; the mere fact that it is expensive isn't one of them.
I have owned two Swiss Arms (one standard, one flat-top), and both were MOA guns, as is my current Mini Target...but the Mini is less picky about ammunition. Am I saying the Mini is "better" than the Swiss? For me it is...the Swiss are both gone, but at least one Mini always remains in my stable. For someone to whom the look or cachet of the Swiss is more important, that gun is "better"...but not because of accuracy.
Is the Mini "better" than a Tavor? Again, that's a blurry term...but based on my experience, yes, it absolutely is. Tavor owners virtually never post about MOA accuracy from their guns, so if accuracy is your yardstick, there's no comparison. Of course, Tavor guys are quick to point out that the Tavor isn't designed for cutting-edge accuracy, so it's okay for them...but if a Mini shoots a 2 or 2.5 MOA Tavor-like group, it's somehow "inaccurate" and unacceptable.
The ACR? Beats me...I just don't care to try. Frankly, I have long ago grown weary of spendy tacticool guns that fail to impress me and are sold down the road sooner rather than later. A $3000 gun certainly should be "better" than a $1000 one, and I'm sure that in many ways it will be...but you are starting to sound as though the fact that it costs $3000 is one of its biggest drawing points.
A "cheap" gun has a certain charm if it "hits above its weight" and manages to hold its own against some of its highbrow competitors. An expensive gun can also be appealing for many reasons; the mere fact that it is expensive isn't one of them.
I agree with a lot of what you've said but I don't judge a rifle on it's cost, I judge it's performance and the fitment and quality of the parts when I take them apart. When I rack the action and it feels like it's running on needle bearings and the parts have no machining marks and the finish is smooth and even I consider the quality to be higher than something that looks like crap and rattles. I realize that a little slop increases reliability though so there is a balance point depending on the rifles intended use.
I like the action of the mini because I like M14's and Garands but the reason the mini is reliable with all ammo (with quality magazines) is because it's ridiculously overgassed which is why it throws your brass 30 feet and feels like it's beating itself to death. This is why I always suggest that the first thing someone buys for their mini is an adjustable gas block and not a tacticool stock to try to make it look like a black rifle.
I didn't keep my Swiss Arms long enough to really see what it was capable of for accuracy, when I noticed a 5 moa POI shift when changing from bipod to supporting it at the magwell I sold it. It's too bad since it was a beautiful rifle other than that, built like a tank and exceptional machining.
I sold my Tavor because of the accuracy and the horrible trigger, I don't think you should spend $3000+ on a rifle then have to spend another $500 on it just to get the trigger down to a weight my trigger pull gauge can read.
For a cheap rifle I have my AR180B-2, I love that it's lightweight and fairly accurate. It has been 100% reliable with every magazine and every brand of ammo I've fed it.
My ACR is as or more accurate as an SL8, with my home built 300BLK conversion I've shot some groups in the 0.85-0.9 range and the rifle is a pleasure to shoot. It's so smooth and reliable.
You're right, I should try one of the newer mini's and I probably will the next time I go shooting with my buddy that just bought one last year. I do always mention when bashing them that I had an older one so perspective buyers don't totally disregard the posts from the guys with newer ones who are happier with them. It's more of a warning not to buy an old one if buying used.
If you're on a budget and want a non restricted semi auto I'd rather see someone buy a mini than a T97. I'm not against buying Norinco, I have two Norc M14's. I am against spending $1000 on a brand new rifle that has no warranty and no parts support from the manufacturer. I shot one a couple years ago and it had a very interesting recoil impulse and was accurate enough to ring the gongs at 100yds but I would never spend my money on one.
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This,
Because A-Team
That looks so cool. Who needs to be precise when you can hip fire like A-team.
I had an old series plain Jane, never had any issues with it, sold it because it was a safe queen.
I had an old 184 series and a 580 series. The newer 580 series model had the heavier barrel around the gas block. It's accuracy was just not up to par and it was promptly sold. Should have kept the 184 series gun as it shot better than the new one.
