Brian Pearce has two pieces on Mini 14s in the current Rifle, number 308, Jan-Feb. The main article covers the history and issues, and it appears the newer ones are much improved.
The monthly column is about the Accuracy Systems parts, mainly the reduced diameter gas ports, that really tighten things up, even the dreaded out-of-group first shot. Pretty cheap price for significant improvement. Almost, not quite, had me on the phone to get one headed this way. Came to my senses just in the nick of time!
Maybe later.
Always liked these because of the handy configuration. My brief fling with an AR left me chilled, if not cold. I do have a M1 carbine that handles like a dream, and the Mini 14 is a lot like that.
