VZ 58 vs Mini-14/30
- Thread starter superlative
- Start date
There's a lot online about the mini, but the vz 58 seems to be rare and expensive in the states compared to the AK, so Americans rarely talk about it. The VZ 58 has a better reputation for firing surplus ammo than the mini 30 as far as I have read.
I also own both and I like both as well, Mini 14 is non destructive, doesn't matter what you throw in there it's still work and always work each time I pull the trigger. I have an older model 186 series so not sure about the newer version. I also have CSA VZ 58, great gun especially the one in 7.62 x 39, never fail me one yet since I put 1000 rounds through the pipe, easy to clean and such. I came from Cambodia, we got issue Type 56 or simply Chinese AK 47 out there, VZ 58 is the closest to my home AK, the feel is very resemble, different design though.
Where are you locate ? If not far from me, I can bring both to the range for you to try out, all I asked is extra large black timmey. Ammo is on me, you pay the range fee.
Nice guy, wow. I too own both and have three vz-58's in various lengths, with various optic setups. My Ruger is also a 186 series, in a boyds thumbhole stock with glass on it, the latest tapco gen 2 mags, factory 5/30 mags, and the accustrut system to improve groups from a hot bore. I will also include ammo, and you only need to bring a regular coffee, not an extra large one. Beat that.
Oh, O.P.- You are hot, and female right? (I joke, married to a hottie, not interested.
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1. ease of maintenence
2. reliability
3. accuracy
4. working in adverse weather conditions
5. ergonomics and weight
Both tie on these criteria, within a few points. What I meant, is what are you going to do with it? Plink, hunt, take pictures for facebook, prepare for the zombie apocalypse...
If you wan't to plink, and you are a lazy man, buy the mini14. 5.56/.223 is available for 25-50 cents a round, and won't require religious cleaning after shooting. The mini 30 is not great with hard military primers, and both mini and Vz will need immediate attention after a range day, if shooting corrosive.
If you are not lazy, and plink, get the VZ. Wonderful gun, cheap ammo, reasonably accurate.
If you are hunting, I would recommend the mini 30. Light, handy, reliable, and in a good deer caliber. Plus you won't get weird looks from fudds when you hunt.
If you are a poser, hands down I recommend the VZ. I look bad ass in my cammies holding that monster. Fear me, liberal granola muncher! (I like granola, and have some liberal opinions, strike that...)
If you are a zombie prepper, but not lazy, the VZ-58 family again. Most zombies turn the other way and eat neighbors, just at the sight of a banana mag and the shoulder thing that goes up. Use that to your advantage.
Expendable Nate
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
cz all the way cheaper to buy, cheaper mags, i have personally had less issues with my cz then i did with my mini i will never go back
you really don't need to clean the Mini that much (I don't use corrosive ammo)? How come? (ie. what's special about the design?)
How is the Mini-30 functionally better than the VZ58 for hunting?
thanks.
Both the Vz-58 and mini design will continue to function well, even filthy. Very robust designs. I keep my guns fairly clean, but corrosive primer elements require anal-retentive habits, if you live in an environment with any humidity. My corrosive eaters are all spotless, but I keep them that way.
For hunting, the accuracy of the mini-30 and VZ-58 will be similar; decent out to 150m, for an accurate, humane bang/flop. Outside of that, the cartridge isn't all that predictable. Great to take down a man, or any animal in a pinch, but not ideal, if hunting outside that range is intended. Choose your tool accordingly. As a bush gun, where hunting will be under 100 meters, both are excellent, though scoping the VZ comfortably, is more awkward. Mounts either place the scope high above the dust cover, or are expensive, and replace the dust cover with an excellent, albeit short rail. The mini has good options for scoping, but higher magnifications are wasted on 7.62x39, and .223 is borderline for a deer caliber, though that argument will never be settled. The conventional rifle form, short magazines, and scope placement make the mini-30 a slight lead as a hunting gun to me, if I were to use glass.
Buy both, and convert others!
Mumbles Marble Mouth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lower Mainland
Don't know about the Mini 30 but the Mini 14 will hit everything you're not aiming at but never what you are aiming at. It took awhile, but my friend slowly figured out his Mini 14 and can get respectful 3 - 4" groups with it but before.... god damn that was the funnest inaccurate gun to shoot. The Mini 14 is really picky in what ammo you feed it and performs quite differently with different brands and grains of ammo.
My .223 Vz 58 will get 2.5" - 3" groups. Its pretty consistent but also functions differently with different brands of ammo. Makes me think its a .223 thing as my Cz 858 would throw any 7.62x39 you fed it in the same 4 - 5" groups. Some 3" if you fed it expensive Federal Power Shock SP 7.62x39 and really took your time to controlled your breathing well.
My .223 Vz 58 will get 2.5" - 3" groups. Its pretty consistent but also functions differently with different brands of ammo. Makes me think its a .223 thing as my Cz 858 would throw any 7.62x39 you fed it in the same 4 - 5" groups. Some 3" if you fed it expensive Federal Power Shock SP 7.62x39 and really took your time to controlled your breathing well.
The mini-14 has seen several incarnations, and such generalizations don't apply to them all. That would be like saying M-16/Ar-15's jam a lot, because of early experiences in Vietnam. Older versions with the "pencil" barrel saw issues as they heated up, as a long, unsupported barrel would exaggerate the "whip" effect, and toss rounds in wider circles as it got hotter. The accustrut fixes that. Newer models have Ar-15 accuracy, in good hands, but like all guns, like some ammo better than others. In terms of function, my mini eats and spits all I've fed it properly, with no ftf or fte issues, regardless of brand or weight.
Is .223 even legal for deer?
Mumbles Marble Mouth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lower Mainland
Depends what province.
