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Ruger Mini 14 vs. KelTec SU16CA

UPINARMS
I am in the market for a .223 plinker. How do these to compare? Which would be the best value for the buck?

Improvise Adapt and Overcome
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • gap1916
    Welcome to GB. I would say this is an apples and oranges comparison. For just a plinker look at a SAR-1 in 7.62X39 or a SAR-3 in 5.56. Or maybe a SKS for plinking. I do not like the SU16CA. The Mini 14 works well untill the barrel heats up. My recomendation is to do some more homework. My 2 cents [8D]

    Greg
    Former Marine
    A N G L I C O
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  • Laredo Lefty
    I have a Keltec SU16 and 4 Mini-14's. They are both good reliable rifles, and produce similar accuracy.

    Some pro's and con's. Quality mags are harder to come by for the Mini, but there are lots of after market goodies available for it.

    The Keltec uses GI M-16 / AR mags, a big selling point for me, but it has a polymer receiver which may not last as long as the steel receiver of the Mini.

    If the prices were about the same, I would have to give favor to the Mini-14.




    Joe
    "Never let school interfere with your education"
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  • 9MMBERETTA92
    UPINARMS- I like the Mini 14 better. If you've read any of my other posts, you know I'm a huge Mini 14 fan, especialy after they've been " souped up ". The problem is that they're not cheap even when you buy a used one. Larado Lefty is right about the mags. But, there are a lot of good one's on this auction site. You just have to buy the good ones and they are more exspensive. Gap1916 is also right in what he says about considering buying an AK47. variant. Cheaper to buy and the ammo also is cheaper than .223 ammo. It comes downs to which gun looks the best to you, how it feels when you shoulder it, and the availabilty of mags and other accessories. Though I own more than one Mini 14, I also own some AK47's which I also would consider some of my favorite guns. So, get one that you like and go out and have some fun!

    Bubba " There is no such thing as having too many guns!"
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  • moreammoplz
    I picked up a Keltec .223 at a shop the other day and thought it was a bit uncomfortable myself. I am leaning towards a Keltec in 9mm.

    Have you looked at an AK in .223? I have 2 AR's, SKS, CETME, Daewoo and an AK. The AK is my favorite out of all of them. I have owned a Mini 14 and a Mini 30 at one time or another and didn't get very good accuracy out of them, but that was 10 years or so ago.
    Good Luck.

    "Shoot Straight and Shoot often."
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  • IAMACLONE_2
    I dont own a Mini-14, mine is a AC556, with the Black Warrior or PMI mags mine runs like a clock, until the stainless barrel gets so hot that it smokes.
    Plus Ruger has a lifetime warranty on repairs, as long as the rifle is not modified, Ruger will cover everything except burnt out barrels, or abuse.
    Ruger will even replace the reciever!
    Dont know of any mfg that will do that!
    Walte
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  • prairiedoghunter
    I'm kinda with GAP on this one. If you want a inexpensive "fun gun" go with a SAR-1 or Maybe even a Yugo SKS. Cheap ammo and great reliablity. They're not very pretty but, a blast to shot.
    Hope this helped
    PDH
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  • jtmcculloch
    I have owned AR's, Mini-14's, M1 Carbines and now I just got a Kel-Tec SU16CA. I like the compact feel and quick target accuistion of a carbine. The SU16SA is a great handling gun in the cheap, plentiful, flat shooting .223 caliber. I like the versatility of it using the AR/M16 mags and ammo. With a 20rd mag & 2 10rd mags in the stock I have 40 rounds if all I can do is grab the rifle and run. I feel this kind of gun should be used with no optics - just open sights. It shot great at 200 yards staying in the body mass area. I paid $519 + tax and feel it was a good price. The only thing it needs is a sling.
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