Have you ever swore you'd never buy another (whatever) rifle?
And then ... did?
If so, what's your story?
Mine is the Ruger Mini-14/30.
Back in the late 70's/early 80's I bought a Mini-14, mostly because it didn't "offend" my dad like the AR-15 did. Not that I really cared about that, but he would get on a rant about how it isn't "a mans gun" every time the subject would come up and it got old. Quickly.
Honestly, if I'd never shot an AR-15 I'd have probably been semi-okay with it, because the accuracy at 100 yards 4-6" BUT an AR was 1-1.5 at least until the pencil barrel started heating up.
Keep in mind, the AR was still considered a "Mouse a gun" there was nothing custom available for it, they all had a A1 uppers, a 7 pound trigger and very few had 16" barrels and a collapsible stock ... But for all its short comings it stood over the mini, so NEVER AGAIN!
Then along came the mid-late 90's and the Internet and once again the battle within was stired. This time it was a Mini-30 (7.62x39) but yet again, it came up against my Colt in 7.62x39 and again, it couldn't hold a candle. It's only redemption was the 20 round mag because I couldn't get my Colt to feed reliably with anything but a 5 round mag, not even the Franken-mags with an AK mag body welded to the AR mag top.
But besides that an AK was more accurate, which of course that gave dad the "Commie Gun" argument.
Again ... NEVER AGAIN!
Then last week, along comes a local gunshow, and there in a compact package just looking drop dead gorgeous (in my mind), Stainless mini-14 in a Choate folding stock; I was thunder struck. And for the "repeat offender price" of $625, I just couldn't leave it there. Even as I was walking out the door, I couldn't believe I'd done it again :roll:
I haven't been able to get it out for accuracy testing, but I was ringing 8" steel at 150 and 12" at 200 yards. For my eyes, to test its accuracy I'd have to scope it ... but, knowing it'll probably just piss me off (it was produced in 82-83) , I think I'll just keep it simple and scope free.
On the other hand, it sure looks good with my Stainless 10/22's
If so, what's your story?
Mine is the Ruger Mini-14/30.
Back in the late 70's/early 80's I bought a Mini-14, mostly because it didn't "offend" my dad like the AR-15 did. Not that I really cared about that, but he would get on a rant about how it isn't "a mans gun" every time the subject would come up and it got old. Quickly.
Honestly, if I'd never shot an AR-15 I'd have probably been semi-okay with it, because the accuracy at 100 yards 4-6" BUT an AR was 1-1.5 at least until the pencil barrel started heating up.
Keep in mind, the AR was still considered a "Mouse a gun" there was nothing custom available for it, they all had a A1 uppers, a 7 pound trigger and very few had 16" barrels and a collapsible stock ... But for all its short comings it stood over the mini, so NEVER AGAIN!
Then along came the mid-late 90's and the Internet and once again the battle within was stired. This time it was a Mini-30 (7.62x39) but yet again, it came up against my Colt in 7.62x39 and again, it couldn't hold a candle. It's only redemption was the 20 round mag because I couldn't get my Colt to feed reliably with anything but a 5 round mag, not even the Franken-mags with an AK mag body welded to the AR mag top.
But besides that an AK was more accurate, which of course that gave dad the "Commie Gun" argument.
Again ... NEVER AGAIN!
Then last week, along comes a local gunshow, and there in a compact package just looking drop dead gorgeous (in my mind), Stainless mini-14 in a Choate folding stock; I was thunder struck. And for the "repeat offender price" of $625, I just couldn't leave it there. Even as I was walking out the door, I couldn't believe I'd done it again :roll:
I haven't been able to get it out for accuracy testing, but I was ringing 8" steel at 150 and 12" at 200 yards. For my eyes, to test its accuracy I'd have to scope it ... but, knowing it'll probably just piss me off (it was produced in 82-83) , I think I'll just keep it simple and scope free.
On the other hand, it sure looks good with my Stainless 10/22's
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I don't know if I've ever thought that of any rifles, and only one pistol comes to mind. Probably the closest I ever came to it was my last AR build. Honestly got a bit bored with the two or three others I had a few years ago, and didn't really plan on another. Once the prices of parts tanked, I succumbed to temptation, and don't regret it. 0 -
I've resisted a second Mini since I shot the barrel out on the first one
I had mine in a Choate stock as well - the fixed E2 style. Very nice.0 -
Yes, after the first Mini 14, I said I'd NEVER own another. Keeping that promise staunchly. 0 -
I'd never buy another mini 14, the accuracy on mine isn't even marginally acceptable.
I got turned off to the AR15 (M16) platform in Vietnam, basically, I'm just AR15 prejudiced I traded my M-16 in on an M-14 pretty quick. I realize the AR platform has come a long ways since Vietnam, but I still can't shake the distrust.
I like my FNC, accuracy is acceptable, built like a brick. Basically a 5.56 Kalashnikov.0 -
Mobuck wrote:Yes, after the first Mini 14, I said I'd NEVER own another. Keeping that promise staunchly.
Same here. I thought the barrel was bent.0 -
For me it is the 870 Express.
I
Will
Never
Buy
Or
Shoot
Another
One0 -
I've grown tired of the AR several times over the last 40 some years, and been lured back in for several different reasons. When the 94 crime bill was about to sunset it was a real gut wrencher. We had a show the weekend before the deadline; GWB had said that if it reached his desk that he would sign it, and the law would become permanent. Dealer had a pre-ban Olympic carbine we negotiated for a while but he came down to $700 and I decided that either way the sunset went it was a good price and bought it.35 Whelen wrote:I don't know if I've ever thought that of any rifles, and only one pistol comes to mind. Probably the closest I ever came to it was my last AR build. Honestly got a bit bored with the two or three others I had a few years ago, and didn't really plan on another. Once the prices of parts tanked, I succumbed to temptation, and don't regret it.
One thing that has really changed is what we used to call "Franken-guns" are no longer looked down on. New technologies & calibers have lured me into a few builds, 300 AAC and 6.5 Creedmoor are a couple of my favorites. Now I wont build one without a 2-stage trigger and I really like a lot of MagPul's furniture. The recent depression of prices really hasn't sucked me into any new builds but I do like and have bought a few lowers for their roll mark or where they are "made" ? I've got 2 that were marked made in my home state of Kansas but I haven't bought any just because they're cheap like the Anderson lowers ? in fact I don't own an Anderson or have a desire for one.
The down side of the AR market tanking is that mine really aren't worth anywhere near what I've got in them, and I would sell a few to put towards Abby's collage expenses. At least it doesn't cost anything to just keep them ? yet.0 -
Back when the Winchester 22 pumps were starting to go for big bucks I figured I couldn't afford one. Then Rossi brought out their model 62 clone for about 160 bucks. Hmm, I said. It looks and feels like a Winchester, what could go wrong? It was the biggest POS ever to be called a rifle. Rifling rough, chamber so rough it wouldn't eject, accuracy was a minute of pie plate at 50 yards. Walked around with it at a gun show and a guy offered me more than I paid for it. Explained it was a POS but he still had to have it. His loss, I tried to talk him out of buying it. Since Rossi and Tauris are in business together I will never buy either brand. Don't think I'll miss much. Bob 0 -
NO.
Only gun I immediately knew I wouldn't buy was a mini 14 when they first came out and the dealer handed me one. Had an M14 in the military, biggest piece of junk I ever fired and wanted nothing to do with them ever again.0 -
I didn't "swear" but I did buy guns I didn't "need". In no particular order than I remember as I type.
Mega-Arms "MATEN" stripped matched upper and lower. Having bought two sequential Aero stripped AR-10 lower a few months prior I saw the "MATEN" laying on the local behind the counter. The idea of the "MATEN" being a "matched" (as in tight fitting) sold me. Now I got two sequential Aero stripped AR-10 lower waiting for a new panic buying.
Springfield M1A M-25 "White Feather" with Leupold Mark 4 TMR M3 LR/T 3.5-10X40mm. Walked in to the local where I got the "MATEN" sat a M-25 with a price tag that should've turned me away but strangely made me froggy. Asked how long the rifle was sitting around? Got "a few months" but I don't recall seeing her until then. So being silly I asked if they'll take payments of guaranteed $500 a month or more until the she was paid off? Got the reply we'll ask the seller. I figured I'd get denied "politely", with that I left. Next day on the machine I was informed the term was agreeable. I guess I was the first sucker willing to pay the asking price. So now I was on the hook for $5,500 paperwork and sales tax. Up until then my "max" spending was what I paid for my current ride a '94 Chevy Caprice "9C1" $2,500 back in '02. Maybe $5,500 was adjusted 2002 dollar?
I imagine what I could've done with the "MATEN" build with that money?0 -
I can't think of anything I wouldn't want to buy, except one: MAK-90. those AK's with the thumbhole stock. I swear they were made by Chinese retards on their day off from making license plates. I did own one, got rid of it ASAP and I won't buy another.
have owned others that a lot pf ppl would consider junk, or have problems (design flaws). don't matter I like them anyways and there's many more I would like too. usually for the novelty factor. pot metal saturday night specials, arcane 1900's revolvers, weird designs like the Egyptian Hakim, Jennings Lorcins Ravens and Hi-Points all worth playing with and TLC as needed.
I don't have a problem with Mini-14/30's. the action is interesting. I wouldn't expect accuracy, I already know they suck in that department.0 -
Yes
The Ruger Mini 14.
Both were utter garbage. One the trigger assembly would fall out while shooting. I tried several different fixes finally sold the POC. I "heard" they had fixed some problems so I go another one. This one would not shoot under 6" @100yds no matter what ammo was used it also had a really crappy trigger.
Both were sold, never again.0 -
Yep, I'll never buy a new Remington 700. Maybe some older 60's-80's, but every new one I've bought has been utter junk. I now mainly use Savage. 0 -
Charter arms AR-7...
the poorest accuracy I have ever e countered in my life - I even mounted a scope on it and still could not produce marginally acceptable groups...
Found a gent in the shotgun news (guess that dates me) who had one piece wooden sticks for the gun so you could switch from floating shiny black plastic and Styrofoam survival stock to a recreational shooting stock...
Either way laughably bad accuracy.
Tried switching to a shotgun style scope and tested out 6 different magazines including one ridiculous high cap example (and they ain't cheap)
Even though I could never make it perform in any fashion - and had spent way to much money on accessories I made a tidy profit when I sold it...
They simply look cool and have a wow factor and James Bond used one to shoot down a helicopter. I warned the guy that it was junk but all the shiny attachments caused him temporary brain damage.
Worst gun ever.
Also after buying 5 different Dan Wesson model 15 revolvers out of the which only one ever worked right or shot well or did not suffer mechanical breakdowns...
Dan Wesson has been bought and sold more times than a democrat politician and each company turned out even more sketchy revolvers. And warranty service and repair became a nightmare as many new owners would not honor the warranty on older guns.
So much potential and even more disappointment.
Mike0 -
I hear bad crap about the AR-7's all the time.
I scratch my head.
Mine was very accurate, never faltered. I regretfully sold it to an Army Buddy, in about 1981.
It was a keeper. A good "Survival" weapon.0 -
Depends on date of manufacture and parent company...
The AR-7 patents and design license has changed hands a dozen times - and from what I gather about half are fine and about half are total garbage.
Same as the Winchester model 70 and the Remington model 700 or the PPK...
some build it right and continue to maintain the legacy - others build cheap and cut corners to make more profit based on what used to be and reputation no longer deserved.
I would buy a Dan Wesson 1911.clone today with no worries - but would be wary about some of the earlier revolvers...
To make matters worse on older dubious quality guns owners may have attempted to fix or tune the gun and made things worse - or turned it over to an incompetent shade tree garage gunsmith who made things unsafe.
When they give up the ghost on these guns and dump them on a dealer or at a gunshow or sell face to face or auction online they do not disclose the troubled history.
Buyer beware.
Mike0 -
Taurus.In my experience with them,the lifetime warrenty is not worth a damn if they cant or wont fix it. 0 -
Okay not a specific make or model or action type of gun I would never buy again...
But I have decided that there are some project guns that while it would be great to see them restored to their former glory in the long run not only require to long of an investment of time and to high high an expenditure of funds - but also never yield 0.20 ? on the dollar in return on investment if sold...
To the point that while chasing a dream idea or concept you could have spent the time and money and effort on several nice guns that have come and gone because your resources were tied up in dubious projects of questionable purpose.
Not guns that are historically important or were owned by someone famous - not guns attached to a historical event - not guns that are super rare...
Mike0 -
Ruger Mini-30.
The front cuts in the receiver for the rings were way too shallow. Sent it back to Ruger. They said it was fine.
It wouldn't hold a ring.
It wouldn't reliably fire Wolf ammo. Ruger has to know that anyone who buys one of these is going to plink with cheap ammo.
If a $60 SKS will fire this stuff all day, a $600 Ruger should too.
The final nail was the 6" shift in POI when I switched from Wolf to Remington ammo. This was at 50yds. I switched back and forth several times to confirm it.
Amazingly, I sold it back to the dealer I bought it from, for $300 MORE than I paid him! Apparently the Mini's got scarce at the time and he had a buyer who HAD to have one.
I really wanted to like that gun.0 -
Taurus. I inherited one from my moms late husband. I had told him way back that it was out of time when fired double action and he finally stopped shooting it. Once I had it, I looked it up to see what it was (a S&W .38 special clone). I contacted them since I couldn't pull it up on their warranty checker. Turns out, if it is made in Brazil, it isn't covered regardless of everything saying lifetime warranty. They "offered" to sell me another Taurus. I said, so you won't stand behind this one yet you think I'd want to spend more money with your company? Not going to happen. It is a little telling to me that now Brazil won't even buy Taurus guns, even the ones made in country.
I have had a couple "nearly" sworn off items. The Mini series has been discussed a bunch already. I had both a 14 and 30 and the 30 held about half the group size as the 14. Which is to say that 80% would stay on a 10" pie plate at 100 yards. Ironically, I shot the late Walte's (IMACLONE2) AC-556 and it shot very accurately, especially considering how often it was shot it "rock and roll" mode (full auto).
I had an older Charter Arms AR-7 and I never had to worry about accuracy. It wouldn't feed right to save its life.
The closest I probably ever came to swearing off a company would be in the 90's when I bought a Remington 700 MLS. This is a stainless synthetic muzzleloader based on the 700 action. From the very beginning, I could tell it was accurate but sometimes I had to pop the cap several times before it fired. I sent it back to them and they sent it to me saying cleaned and working fine. 2nd cap I tried took 3 strikes before it fired. They said take it to local authorized Remington armorer so I did. It spent 3 weeks in there, when I got it back, I realized it was the same cap I had on the gun. I had marked it with a marker to see how/where the "firing pin" was striking it. Needless to say, I was ticked and went back and he stammered around before he finally said he just "tested" everything but never fired it. How do you test a gun if not for firing? In this case, just firing a cap would have sufficed. Anyway, he kept it a few more weeks and when I came in he said he fired 10 caps without issue. So, I went home fairly sure that wasn't the case. I fired a total of 25 caps that day. 3 went off the first strike. I should note that this was several different brands of caps, and had also replaced the nipple just in case.
At this point I sent it back to Remington again. They sent it back with a note saying they had done a trigger job on it. That's awful nice, but no matter how nice the trigger, it still wouldn't hardly fire. It was about this time when I saw an advertising for a French Canadian built #209 primer kit so I took the chance and ordered it. I don't have it handy, but you should have seen the difference in the springs between the factory one which was barely longer than the opening it went to in the bolt. The aftermarket was probably twice as long. So, I took pictures of this and also told them I found the issue and to send me a spring. It took them a month or two but they finally sent me the entire #209 conversion kit which I never did use since I had a perfectly functioning item by then.
I don't really buy any newer Remington 700's, but I am a big fan of the Titanium models and I am always looking for more of those, along with the LVSF (light varmint stainless fluted) short action varmint rifles.0 -
mrmike08075 wrote:Depends on date of manufacture and parent company...
The AR-7 patents and design license has changed hands a dozen times - and from what I gather about half are fine and about half are total garbage.
Same as the Winchester model 70 and the Remington model 700 or the PPK...
some build it right and continue to maintain the legacy - others build cheap and cut corners to make more profit based on what used to be and reputation no longer deserved.
I would buy a Dan Wesson 1911.clone today with no worries - but would be wary about some of the earlier revolvers...
To make matters worse on older dubious quality guns owners may have attempted to fix or tune the gun and made things worse - or turned it over to an incompetent shade tree garage gunsmith who made things unsafe.
When they give up the ghost on these guns and dump them on a dealer or at a gunshow or sell face to face or auction online they do not disclose the troubled history.
Buyer beware.
Mike
You can add me on this list. I've had two & both were jam-o-matics & accuracy would be a term I would not use. To be fair I hear the newer ones are supposed to be better & mine were the very older ones. One was the rifle version & the other the pistol version.
On a more recent note I have been trying to sell off most of my guns & then Ruger came out with that new low cost .22 revolver & I bought one sight unseen. :oops:
I dodged a bullet on the mini-14. I had one of the 180 series rifles & when I found out about the problems with parts breakage & NO replacement parts I sold it to a dealer at a gun show 20 or more years ago.0 -
On the Mini 14, what is it about them that makes them inherently inaccurate? They?re a cool looking gun, but I won?t own another at any price. 0 -
Another bite for the mini14 ! Inherited one of the things years ago and was pleased as punch as I had always wanted one . My tune soon changed as I learned how inaccurate it is . Love to play with it st close range but cannot find a true purpose for it . It is not a target gun znd it is not very capable deer or varsity gun . Ok to just grab and carry with you on a woods walk just to say you have a gun with you . 0 -
It gives one cause to wonder why the French military and gendarme adopted it and have stuck with it for so long...
The Famas family of AR mag accepting bullpup infantry rifles have a damn good reputation but have a pricey build cost...
One does wonder - it always seemed fine on the Ateam.
Mike0
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