|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,247
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,247 |
"I pity the fool." Sorry, couldn't resist...mention Mini 14 and it just pops out.
Have used M4s and Minis extensively and I prefer the Mini platform. Lots of Mini bashers here, but I guess I look at any semi-auto platform as a means to deliver aimed fire with quick follow-up shots with a minimum of body movement, with the caveat that either a AR or Mini platform will have a marginal trigger, and less than exceptional accuracy.
If I want exceptional accuracy a bolt gun will deliver.
"Put none but Americans on guard tonight." -George Washington
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,247
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,247 |
To me, an AR is like a small block Chevy, bolt-on parts. The mini is just what it says, a mini Garand(M14). I just love the way they work. Maybe I'm old school. I will also echo this, missed in my first quick reading of this thread, but it sums it up perfectly.
"Put none but Americans on guard tonight." -George Washington
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,583 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,583 Likes: 3 |
I like mine as well.
I've always felt a good gun collection needed to include a mini-14
have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,742
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,742 |
there is a part of me thats wants a mini-14 just because its NOT a "black rifle/assault weapon"
Last edited by SAKO75; 05/30/15.
"Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered." ― George Orwell, 1984
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,583 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,583 Likes: 3 |
just 2 years ago you could get a mini-14 at Wal-Mart for $550 and a Colt-AR for $879
Based on this thread I stopped by today - The AR is about the same price but the Mini-14 is now $759
That's a big jump
have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,312
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,312 |
Mini's must be gaining popularity for a price increase like that while the highly praised AR has been dropping in price.
“You never need fear a man, no matter what his size. When danger threatens, call on me, and I will equalize.” Samuel Colt.
�Common sense is genius dressed up in work clothes.� - Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,350 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,350 Likes: 1 |
I loved the 3 I had, I really did! I really wish one of the 3 would have shot worth a crap. If you claim a "new" mini has improved accuracy come shoot the 24HC black rifle challenge with it and prove it. So in summary we can say that the mini is an over priced, inaccurate, yet well handling and attractive POS.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,921
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,921 |
Well, considering you can build a decent AR cheaper than what a new Mini-14 costs, I wouldn't call it a "poor man's AR". Plus, you'll get better accuracy.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494 |
"I pity the fool." Sorry, couldn't resist...mention Mini 14 and it just pops out.
Have used M4s and Minis extensively and I prefer the Mini platform. Lots of Mini bashers here, but I guess I look at any semi-auto platform as a means to deliver aimed fire with quick follow-up shots with a minimum of body movement, with the caveat that either a AR or Mini platform will have a marginal trigger, and less than exceptional accuracy.
If I want exceptional accuracy a bolt gun will deliver. Well the AR can easily fix all the Mini's faults. And almost any AR will be MOA with right ammo, somethign that isn't even close for most all mini's. RE accuracy, you might want to check the AR forum here, thread on 10 shot groups... the best average for TWO, TEN shot groups is under half an inch IIRC.... and IIRC, half the shooters are at MOA or under, thats for LARGE groups... not 3 or 5 shot groups... amazing really... My best ever test group with an AR was just over an inch. 5 shots. 600 yards off the bench, with a carry handle scope mount and scope testing ammo...
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494 |
there is a part of me thats wants a mini-14 just because its NOT a "black rifle/assault weapon"
Seems the liberal media has succeeded with some folks.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,228 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,228 Likes: 1 |
"My best ever test group with an AR was just over an inch. 5 shots. 600 yards off the bench, with a carry handle scope mount and scope testing ammo..."
My BS detector just broke the needle...... There used to be a guy on benchrestcentral that bragged about how well his AR could shoot and it could compete in benchrest. Funny, he never showed up anywhere. A fluke can happen at any time. The capability of a gun is repeatability/consistency. So how many of these inch groups have you shot at 600 yards?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494 |
I never said it was repeatable. Read into it what you want. Interestingly enough I never measured it other than a rough stick with a ruler at something of 1.25 inches more or less, as I noted, wasn't overly concerned. It was witnessed by 2 or 3 other folks. It was shot on my home range. It was overcast, there was no wind to speak of. Dang gun was not even my own unfortunately but it did take a 15-16 year old gal to her Distinguished badge before that Krieger died. That barrel is still on a buddies upper, and works fine at 100-200 yards. Around 1.5 moa these days last I saw him shoot it.
My goal for groups for competition ammo to take to Perry was 5 shot groups at 3 inches or less. That was generally workable on most barrels. For multiple groups.
then the various ammo tests were done with irons in 11 shot groups at 600 out of a sling and pick the best result from that.
Not all folks are capable of shooting groups that are snug. Not all guns are either. But the AR platform will scare the heck out of a decent bolt gun.
As to BR shooting, for anyone that knows anything much about ARs, they'll know that John Feamster has a screamer patch from his AR many many years ago already. I have no clue what happens in BR, as its never been my game but IIRC it is a group under .250 at 100 in a registered competition. It may be an average of all groups at .250, I just have no clue. Not shabby for a gas gun. Certainly better than any Mini14 will do.
This was NOT with a mini 14 FWIW. LOL.
Hopefully that answers your question. I shot very little with a scope, only to test initial accuracy and weed it down to 2-4 test loads to run in matches where we shot only irons.
As to the dig of not showing up, I don't shoot anymore in competition, but in the day my wife and I traveled a lot shooting almost every weekend and were never scared to shoot anywhere, anytime we could afford to. And nope, we didn't always win. But OTOH winning was not "rare" either... Take it for what its worth.
Have a great evening.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,270 Likes: 13
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,270 Likes: 13 |
cant believe this thread is still going on about a minute of barn rifle...
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,742
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,742 |
there is a part of me thats wants a mini-14 just because its NOT a "black rifle/assault weapon"
Seems the liberal media has succeeded with some folks. LOL not hardly, i say that more to,be dofferent than the rest of the tacticool crowd than to,worry about political correctness
"Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered." ― George Orwell, 1984
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,831
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,831 |
there is a part of me thats wants a mini-14 just because its NOT a "black rifle/assault weapon"
Seems the liberal media has succeeded with some folks. LOL not hardly, i say that more to,be dofferent than the rest of the tacticool crowd than to,worry about political correctness I understand that mentality. I would only counter that one should shoot what they like and, more importantly, what works for the task. We really shouldn't worry about political correctness, fads, or just being different. For what it's worth, if I found a good shooting mini, at a great price, I'd buy it. Just to have in my collection. But the thread is about them being the poor man's AR. We've established it's not cheaper. So that's out. But can it out perform an AR? Out of the box? For what purpose? Those really weren't established guidelines in the question. When I think AR, I think defensive/offensive weapon. Not varmint gun, not plinker, not match gun. But that's just me. These things are just tools. If the Mini out performed the AR for what I use them for, I'd have it instead. But it doesn't.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 17,239 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 17,239 Likes: 2 |
there is a part of me thats wants a mini-14 just because its NOT a "black rifle/assault weapon"
Seems the liberal media has succeeded with some folks. LOL not hardly, i say that more to,be dofferent than the rest of the tacticool crowd than to,worry about political correctness probly not TOO many "liberals" with NB Forrest for an avatar!
...Actually Sycamore, you are sort of right....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,812 Likes: 11
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,812 Likes: 11 |
cant believe this thread is still going on about a minute of barn rifle... that is so mean spirited Roger. Just plain mean.
Sam......
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,742
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,742 |
there is a part of me thats wants a mini-14 just because its NOT a "black rifle/assault weapon"
Seems the liberal media has succeeded with some folks. LOL not hardly, i say that more to,be dofferent than the rest of the tacticool crowd than to,worry about political correctness probly not TOO many "liberals" with NB Forrest for an avatar! correct !
"Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered." ― George Orwell, 1984
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,899
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,899 |
you can always be assured of minute of barn accuracy with a mini especially if you go inside and shut the doors before commencing to fire...
One man with courage makes a majority....
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 952
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 952 |
The best way to "fix" a Mini 14 to bring up to par with an AR15, is to sell it, and buy an AR!
|
|
|
|
544 members (10Glocks, 270wsmnutt, 160user, 257Bob, 257 roberts, 10gaugemag, 60 invisible),
2,565
guests, and
1,299
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,375
Posts18,527,446
Members74,031
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|