Posted on 10/18/2013 8:15:51 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
The AR pattern rifles enjoy a much larger market of parts and accessories. I like the Mini too, but earlier versions were known for accuracy problems - particularly as the rifle heated up. I think the current version has had most of those problems dealt with, but the AR is so much easier to work on, like a snap-together model. Magazines for the Mini-14 tend to be more expensive (for good ones that work) and in shorter supply. They do not interchange with the AR-15 mags.
If you're only going to buy one, I'd recommend the AR. Have a look at Windham Weaponry; they're the same people who started Bushmaster.
“I think 20 rnd mags are pretty standard because of the weight and size of the 7.62 cartridge.”
Yep, standard on the M-14. Wonder if those mags would fit?
Mini 15 = Mini 14 (typo)
Yep. That’s what I was just told.
Ruger continues to be a great company with excellent products and research. The chart, linked below, is a YTD comparison to GLD, the gold etf:
I wonder how well the 16” barrel stabilizes the 7.62 round. I bought a Springfield SOCOM 16 a few years ago and it sucks. It sucks like it is the worst shooting rifle I own, even compared to a battle beaten, brought back from Vietnam SKS.
.308 won't feed through the AR-15 magazine well - the cartridge is too long. Must've been some other custom chambering.
Thanks for the photo.
How much recoil does this rifle have?
Second question, do you really need the shoulder mount for scatter/shooting at close ranges?
The late Bill Ruger would not have wanted anybody to be able to purchase this rifle made by his own company. He was against “assault weapons” for the average citizen, except for his beloved mini-14. Even tho he is dead, boycott Ruger products.
I had an AR-10 rifle that was built from Portuguese parts on a U.S. semi-auto receiver. For some reason I still do not know, that rifle really beat up the shooter when fired. I eventually sold it to an ANG officer who wanted an AR-10 for his collection.
I suggest looking onto the Mini 30 that has little more bang to it,,,, jmho
Enjoy !
It that essentially a Mini 14 chambered for 7.62?
7.62x39 Russian (AK-47 / SKS cartridge).
Rather nice; I just bought a PTR-91 a year ago which suits me well.
We hunt with Ars here in Alaska. Light weight is the key with a 2 point sling on snowmachine. We have a couple 6.8 stags (under 7 lbs), got a 338 fed Armalite AR-10 (feels like an M-14, too heavy), and last year got a Scar 308 (right under 8 lbs). We killed a few caribou with the Scar this fall, then my nephew got a local grizz with the Scar. I had 165 A-FRames & a few TTSXs in the magazine. Grizz was 250 yards away and running up side of mountain, nephew hit it 3rd or 4th shot and bear faltered then collapsed within 30 yards. I like how the Scar fits me riding on ATVs & Snowmachines; some ARs beat ya up with all the rails. I hear the S&W MP 308 is a dandy and cheap. After hunting with the 308, no going back to my .556s. I forget how to post picts or I’d post pict of the grizz.
The Mini-14 is essentially an M14 action shrunk down to .223 Remington with a different gas system than its bigger brother. I was taught, as part of rifle maintenance, how to disassemble the trigger housing group and bolt assembly of the M14. This is something that Ruger will not allow and they require the rifle to be sent to them for installation of replacement parts. Ergo, I cannot recommend any Mini-14 based rifles.
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My error ... the switch was to run 7.62 x 39 on an AR 15 lower. The recoil beats the threading to death on the buffer tube connection portion.
I own both a FN-FAL and a DPMS AR-10.
The FAL is a fantastic gun. It’s super reliable. I’ve never had a jam and can’t remember having a FtF malfunction even.
The AR-10, not so much. One long shooting session on a dry lake the gun locked up tight out of battery. Because of the design of the AR family an out-of-battery bolt prevents disassembly of the rifle. (Now I know what the ‘forward bolt assist’ on the AR is form. Mine does not have one.)
I think the jam was more caused by the very fine grit blowing around the area and getting into the gun while shooting prone.
Advantages of the AR are the much better mounting of optics (after messing around with it I’ve kept my FN in steel sights), less perceived recoil - due to the in-line spring is my guess.
The FN (mine is the “Para” model) collapsing stock is great, and really makes the rifle portable. My AR has the full sized non-folding stock, which works well.
So, over all I can see that an improved AR could be a nice platform. Despite it’s weaknesses I find I use the AR-10 a lot more than the FAL, the ability to mount optics is key.
Were I to get a another semi-auto magazine fed .308 I might still go for an updated DPMS, as the newer ones have the forward assist and other nice upgrades. The accuracy of that gun is fantastic. As good as my best bolt action!
Appreciate the heads up on the SOCOM ... I have lusted for one ever since watching Hickok45 shooting one on Youtube. But I’m getting to the stage where a nice piston AR with laser and red dot and 45 degree offset iron sights is more than adequate for the social work I’m ever going to encounter. I’m even running lasers on all my ‘household’ handguns now.
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