Ruger Mini 14 and 30
Would any one care to give an opinion on these two weapons? I am researching each one and I intend to purchase one or the other in the next couple of months. Any comments would be accepted. Thanks! P49
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
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Do a GB forum search on Ruger Mini 14, you'll find all sorts of interesting info.
I myself don't care for them, reliable hi-cap mags are expensive & hard to find. Accuracy is blah & price is too high imho. I had a Mini14 briefly. Worked fine w/the factory 10rdr, wasted money on 6 hi-caps that didn't work. Sold the mini and bought a Rock River Ar, am very happy.
If you interested in the Mini 30, Hi-caps are virtually impossible to find. I'd say get yourself either a SKS or a Siaga instead. In my opion either will out shoot the Mini 30 for 1/2 the price or more.
Also, I say hold out for the Keltec .223 for the same price new.
Regards,
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Mini14-fires 223 round, isn't an AR15
Mini30-fires 7.62 Soviet, isn't an AK
Moral of the story, buy an AR or an AK[:D]0 -
While the above are true, you do not give the criteria for why you are looking at buying one. Is this to shoot alot of rounds at an outing or is this something that you plan to use for hunting or protection or all of the above?
I owned a Mini-14 for a while and even though I liked shooting it, it did not serve the purpose of an accurate hunting gun. I sold it and bought a bolt action and the only regret I had was, not going out and shooting alot of ammo in a weekend.
Just my 2 cents.
You're a statistic whether you want to be or not.0 -
If you are looking for a realiable shooter in .223 or 7.62X39 I would suggest an AK variant in ither calibur. If you want accuracy then go with an AR type. I suggest Armalite or Bushmaster.
I have owned bot the Mini 14 and Mini 30. I even had a GB series Mini 14. I would go with the AK or AR. My 2 cents[8D]
Greg0 -
the mini-30 my son has must be an exception to the rule he shoots consistent 3/4" groups at 100 yds. useing cheap Norco ammo at $95.00 per case of 1400 rds. also the 20 rd mags. we got at the local gun shop function flawlessly. i admit the price of the rifle has jumped quite a little as compaired to two years ago. but it is still less then most ARs. and finding good soft point ammo is tough in this area. I was so impressed with his that I got one of my own and three cases of the Norco ammo. and it must be a fluke because mine is just good a shooter as his.[:)] 0 -
I am a Ruger man to the core, but I too would suggest one of the other variants listed. The Bushmaster is a fine .223 gun. My father-in-law hunts with a factory SKS but installed a synthetic stock on it. He limits his own shots to 100 yards (with any gun), and he has always got a deer with the SKS. I have had both the 30 and the 14, I just never liked the "feel" of them. I don't like the shroud over the barrel. They also feel front-heavy, but not barrel heavy (like I like them).
If you want something to go blast a lot of ammo in a weekend, you'll have fun with any of the guns listed, but if you are looking for it to perform with a specific purpose, you might be better off looking around, if you want the best accuracy, I'd recommend a Remington VSSF in .223 (so you can save money on ammo), or if you want a better varmit caliber - the .220 Swift!
Good Luck on Whatever you decide!
It doesn't matter what you shoot, just shoot it well...0 -
I have read a lot of posts on the mini's and the ar's. I hear good and bad about accuracy on both, it depends on what board you are reading it on. I have heard a lot about the ar jamming but not much about the mini unless it is a aftermarket mag which is not the guns fault. I am going to purchase the mini myself because it serves my needs better than the ar. Most of the issues I hear on accuracy are shot with open sights and for most people open sights at 100 yards is not going to give less than a 3" MOA. I helped on a range that my dad ran sighting rifles in at 100 and 200 yards and belive me when I say that a lot people can not shoot accurately even with a bolt action and scope let alone a semi auto with open sights.
Guncontrol-The ability to hit what your aiming at.0 -
Thanks for all the helpful insight. I am a Ruger fan so I will have to weigh my options carefully.
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.0 -
I guess I have been spoiled by shooting quality rifles which are capable of more accuracy than most people are capable of shooting! And for this reason I am absolutely amazed that Bill Ruger and his company could have sold so many of those things!!!! If you read a little you will find that they were made to be acceptable at "2inch radius". That's 4 inches at 100 yards! I know that with work and tuning they can probably be made to shoot a whole lot better than that but why mess with something that bad in the first place? They will shoot a whole lot of ammo in a relatively short time!!! But I'd rather have something that will shoot that same amount of ammo with some degree of accuracy!! If you want a semi save your bucks and get something of quality!!! The only reason I'd want a mini is to sell it to someone who thinks they just have to have one!!!! As far as quality goes in comparison, to me they are about in the league with Jennings, Ravens, and ....you get my drift!!! GHD 0 -
Why pay Ruger's premium for a so-so shooter? Invest a little more in a quality AR. I went through the same debate. Borrowed my cousins Ruger Mini 14. Not impressed at all.
Good Luck
"Lead, Follow, Or Get Out Of The Way."
Charlie0 -
Rugers need a little customizing to be all they can be. Watch out for cheap and bad third party parts. Most benefit from better sights, trigger work and maybe a nice barrel. Like many other guns.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0
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