Suitability of Ruger Mini 14 Rifles and .223 Ammo

Self ^ | 10-2-2001 | Don Myers

[culpeper]

The good thing about mini's are they are all the same, very standardized and simple, so they are easy to clean and maintain. I've fired thousands of rounds out of mine with no problems except the few soft points that jammed. However with the AR's there are many manufacturers and some are clearly better than others, I've seen some that stovepiped alot. How would you rate the various manufacturers? Most of my acquaintances love Bushmasters with Armalites coming in second and Colts probably third. How do you rate them?

[Shaka]

Rating in order:
1.Bushmaster "tightest" gun out there and inexpensive. Besides, they are the "blackest fit/finish" AR out there,"bad ass looker." between $700 & $1,000 for base models.
2.Colt..their pre-ban lowers/uppers are real good "cost more,"between $1,200-$2,000 for base models. Their post bans are pretty good also,"less money."
3.(Tie) Rock River Arms, DPMS, and Armalite, I don't care what hype is put out on Armalites...I don't like their "feel". RR's are inexpensive and a damn good clone.
4. Olympic arms, they put out a good variety of AR packages that are inexpensive, but shoot well and are fairly tight.between $600-$900 bm's.
5. American spirit "lousy clone" and is supposedly cheaper built. between $800-$1,200 for base...wayyy over priced.
There are Stoners and early model Colts that are M16 cursed...really expensive and BATF bait.

My personal experience...I bought an older pre-ban Colt that was loose and heavy..20" HBAR with lots of aftermarket glow parts..just too heavy and no real purpose for it..Got an older DPMS/Colt marriage and it was a little better...finally bought a Bushy 16" XM15 E2S series...and absolutely LOVE IT! I just got a Rock River arms A3M4 package with fixed collapsible and Holo sight this summer...fun guns, both of them! I'll always have an AR15 in my home and Jeep...I just love them.

Most of the ex-military guys here can vouch for their durabilty/dependabilty...I can vouch for their fun/feel and practicality...there is NO equal to an AR15 for the general public's consumption...if you start going real exotic i.e. 50 cal.,bolt actions; .300,.308,30.06 whatever,they tend to snowball into more $$$$
There's nothing like the AR..nothing. For $700 there's no better high and better feel...AK's have their place in the gun collector's conversation along with the .45 handguns and Glocks...BUT, the AR15 is THE bad boy in the neighborhood. Just the funky lockjaw factor is worth something..when people see IT come out of it's case....ahhhhhhh, yes...it's my gun and it's LEGAL!

[culpeper]

Cool...I just checked out the Bushmaster online catalog. I just fell in love with your XM15 E2S M4 Type 16in Carbine. She's a beauty.

[prambo]

If the receiver is an Imbel it is a fine rifle; I'm not sure if Imbel is a Brazilian govt armory, but they make very nice stuff. If it is all original, and not a "kit gun", and "pre-ban", it could be quite valuable.

DSA now makes its own receivers, here in the USA, perhaps to preclude bizarre BATFaggot regs.

I have a DSA "kit gun" or "parts gun" as they are called. Most of the parts are of Austrian STG-58 origin, but the receiver is Imbel. The kit guns many times have a different receiver than the rest of the parts because the original receiver had full auto capabilitites and the BATF makes the importer torch or cut the receiver apart for importation.

Your FAL is probably a very good one.

prambo

[Don Myers]

The FAL does have an Imbel Reciever. I bought a new barrel for it as well. The barrel it has is still good. It seems like a good rifle. I have not had a chance to fire it yet though.

[JWinNC]

To ALL,

Anyone want to throw out opinions on the following:

Romanian AK47 .223 Semi Auto Rifle SAR3 $390

Romanian AK47 7.62x39 Rifle SAR1 $400

VEPR Carbine .308 AK Style Semi Auto $525

VEPR II 308 Rifle Russian AK $590

VEPR II 7.62x39 Russian AK $550

They all seem to be readily available at good prices.
However, the Castle Arms deal mentioned in post 116 looks really good.

Thanks,
JWinNC

[Don Myers]

I have a MAK 90 in 7.62 X 39mm and another one in .223. Does anyone have an opinion or experience on the .223? I understand the MAK 90 is the same thing as the AK 47 except with different furniture. Any comments on this?

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I know nothing of AK's or their dollar value.

I have no personal experience on the VEPRs, but have read good comments on FR about them.

[Cloud William]

I have a MAK 90 in 7.62 X 39mm and another one in .223. Does anyone have an opinion or experience on the .223? I understand the MAK 90 is the same thing as the AK 47 except with different furniture. Any comments on this?

Yep, the MAK-90 was the original "revised" AK, sans flash hider and bayonet lug, with the thumbhole stock replacing the evil pistol-grip design. Aside from the application of Political Correctness, it's basically a Norinco stamped-receiver AK-47S (Semi-Auto). I believe that if you replace a certain number of parts with ones made in the U.S., you can return it to the pistol-grip stock. Check with the message boards at AK-47.net.

As for the .223 version, I've heard generally good things about them. Many people like the super-rugged AK design, paired with the NATO cartridge. I've had my eye on one of the Romanian SAR-3 rifles, which is a .223 AK. Rough-looking, but inexpensive!

[phalynx]

To any:

First gun, Ruger 10/22.
It is time for a second gun. I am looking at a Remington 870 Express Super Magnum 12 Ga. Any comments? Composite or wood? reliability? Cleaning? I am new to firearms but am really enjoying them and excercising my rights as an American.

[phalynx]

Man, it sure seems like when I post, I kill any topic.....

anyone, anyone?

[Cloud William]

Hmmm, an 870 Super Magnum? Is that chambered for that (relatively) new 3-1/2" shell? Or is it just Remington's most recent nomenclature for the 3" magnum?

If it *is* the 3-1/2" chamber, leave it for the duck and goose hunters. For general-purpose shotgunning, the more common 870 Express is a fine choice. With easily interchangeable barrels, it can go from skeet gun to home defense gun in a minute or less. I think a Remington 870 - especially one with the matte finish metal and either dull oil-finished wood or black plastic stock (your choice), is a fine second long gun. There... the thread lives!

[phalynx]

The 870 SuperMag is a new chamber for the 870. I just purchased it and it is fantastic and I can't be any happier with the price.

[phasma proeliator]

PING

[tanka wasichu]

Long Range: 7mm Mag or 308 Win
Medium range: .223, .243, .222, .06
Close Range: 44Mag, .40, 000 Buck
Way too damned close: 6 inches of hardened carbon steel sharpened to surgical standards

[phasma proeliator]

uhg...!

[Joe Hadenuf]

Those are some of the reasons why I prefer the 223 overall!

[Space Wrangler]

LOL!!! Right on Trav! Methinks that this guy has never seen the results of the business end of a .223!! Pipsqueak round!!!! Yeah right. An AR-15 carbine is my personal choice, but I have found that the .223 is more than adequate, be it from my CAR or a mini, an armalite or whatever. He should search the net for pics of the results from a .223 and then tell me it's a pipsqueak round. Btw, how is the book going??

[Travis McGee]

Yeah, nobody has volunteered to be "test poodle" for the 5.56 yet! The book is about 90%+ finished the rough, thanks for asking.

[Space Wrangler]

Great sounds like the book is going good. I still go back to the "Sailboat escape pod option" thread from time to time. IMO one of the most interesting threads I've read on here. It's been a while since I've been able to do any bluewater cruising, but I keep the boat ready to go at a momemts notice!