Looking for an inexpensive 223. Galil vs Mini-14 vs AR-15

[Mercenary]

I am looking for an inexpensive 223 for target practice and coyotes. Notice I said inexpensive and not cheap. I am a novice with semi-auto rifles, so if I seem naive please excuse me. I like that the Galil has a 35 round clip and is based off the AK platform. I also like that the Ruger is built after the M14/M1 Garand system. A piston driven AR-15 would be optimal, but that's out of my budget which is firmly at no more than $750. I have read a lot about each gun, so I am looking for advice from people who have experience with these firearms. What are some good options for my price range that will provide a quality firearm and not break my bank?

For the Galil, I have looked at the only known option form Century International Arms and they seem "cheap".

For the AR-15 I have looked at models from CMMG, Stag, Bushmaster, DPMS, Doublestar, and found one variant of the M&P for under $600 NIB.

Finally I have found a Ruger Mini-14 in the newer 580 series slightly over $600.

Which one is the best from what I have listed? Or, am I missing other viable options?

Thanks

[amd6547]

Look at the Saiga....they can be had for about $350...An excellent Kalashnikov based rifle made in Russia.

[Art Eatman]

I've had several each of ARs and Minis. I prefer the Mini as a walk-around hunting gun or as a truck gun.

IMO, for hunting, the Mini's 5-round or 10-round magazine makes for easier handling--whether walking or driving.

[Sasquatch in MN]

My recommendation would be on an AR-15 Type rifle, either the 16" Carbine or the 20" Rifle.

The CAI Golani rifles are, well, cheesy at best. Over weight and ill balanced and require Galil magazines that are not cheap and not universally available.

The Mini-14 rifles seem OK to me, but the sights are not the best.

The AR is my go-to rifle.

Don

[Master Blaster 2]

Look here/ buy here
http://www.jgsales.com/
http://centerfiresystems.com/saiga_rifles.aspx
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/

[9-ball]

+1 on amd6547

Go for the Saiga. It's almost the same action as the Mini-14 and Galil (the Galil is an AK copy) as they are all long stroke gas pistons with a rotary two lugged bolt.

[chris in va]

As mentioned you can do the Saiga for ~$400, or the S&W M&P-15 Sport for about $630. I have 1400 rounds through mine without issue.

[Mercenary]

I would like to look at the Saiga, but NONE of the gunshops I have found withing an hour drive stocks them.

I have looked a the M&P15 Sport online. It looks like its missing the forward assist? Some models appear to be missing the flash hider. Is this Smith and Wessons version of the DPMS Sportical?

[Miami_JBT]

Have you looked at the Century Arms C93? It's a clone of the H&K Hk33/93 series rifle. I have one along with AR-15s, Mini-14s, and even a AUG in the mix. It's a fun little rifle. Some have issues; just like the Century AKs. But most are damn fine and mine is a fine shooter.

[Ambishot]

+1 to the Mini 14. A decent rifle with various model options. Also the pricing as you mentioned is fair for used models. The downside is that their MSRP is a little high IMO.

[Fabius]

I have looked a the M&P15 Sport online. It looks like its missing the forward assist? Some models appear to be missing the flash hider. Is this Smith and Wessons version of the DPMS Sportical?

S&W eliminated the forward assist and dust cover on the Sport to cut costs. The forward assist is something that the Army insisted on, but Eugene Stoner opposed. He believed that it was unnecessary and could cause more problems than it would solve. He specifically objected to the design that the Army ultimately adopted as unnecessarily complicated and expensive.

The standard Sport comes with an A2 flash hider. The model without the flash hider is, I believe, for states that still prohibit certain EBR features.

Of the choices that you listed, I think that the Sport is the highest quality option.

[MrM4]

For your stated purpose I think an AR15 is the best option not to mention how many other things it couldbe used for. The Galil is a battle rifle not overly suited for optics or hunting nor is the AK/ AMD. The Grouping on a Mini 14 is pure crap after 3 or 4 rapid fired rounds. It has a limited range just like an AK when compared to many AR platform rifles.

[American Eagle]

I also recommend the Saiga. Great rifle for very little money.

[Marquezj16]

It will outshoot the other choices you listed.

[raftman]

The .223/5.56 rifle that best fits the "inexpensive but not cheap" criteria would indeed be the Saiga. The Century Galil-clone is junk. You can buy a Saiga and convert to a more standard AK configuration for less than the Century gun, or even a used Mini-14.

[T. O'Heir]

Galil's and inexpensive don't go together. They start at a bit under 3 grand and go way over that. Doesn't use a clip either.

[egor20]

I believe they're talking about the Golani Gallil sporter, not the real IMI Gallils. I have 2 IMI Galils I brought home from Israel, I didn't realize they were going for THAT much now.

[trg42wraglefragle]

If your wanting to hunt at any decent range a mini 14 would not be the best choice, expect 2-4moa which is hardly yotes at 200yards.
I don't know about the Saiga, you'll have to ask others about that.

I'd go for an AR 15, they'd be the most accurate of what you mentioned, for varminting or targets i'd want a rifle capable of a at least 1.5moa.
If I were you i'd go to google and look up all your options, u'll learn more from a lot of research than asking a few people on here.

If your wanting something reliable and accurate your better off spending more money than less, if you've got a 3moa gun that jams every 5th shot you may as well have got a bolt action

[pvt.Long]

I have a s&w m&p o.r ar15 with flip up sights that I use on the farm all the time for varmints it works great.

[Bamashooter]

I love mini-14's but the price of the S&W Sport is awesome. No brainer.

[jsimmons]

You can't go wrong with any of the available S&W M&P15 models. I have a MOE and it's been flawless through several thousand rounds of Lake City M855 and M193, as well as Tula steel cartridges (and I've shot more steel than brass so far).

Keep it light and don't hang a lot of useless crap on the rails, and it will be an accurate and nimble rifle. And you'll love it. BTW, I prefer 20-round mags when on a walk-about. They're lighter, shorter and don't snag on the brush as bad, as well as forcing you to aim a bit better in order to avoid tactical reloads.

Here's my Smith in its standard configuration, sans red dot. Also, all of my 20-round mags now have ranger loops on them (this pic was taken before I got them).



I replaced the standard front sight with a YHM flip-up, and the rear is a Troy flip-up. I've also added anti-rotation pins (not in the photo) and a Smith Enterprises trigger spring kit. I still want to put a floating handguard on it, trade out the stock BCG with a full-auto BCG, and put in a Sprinco blue action spring and a H2 buffer.

[chack]

I think you would be doing yourself a disservice by failing to look at the keltec su 16 and c93

[Jo6pak]

Originally Posted by 9-ball

Go for the Saiga. It's almost the same action as the Mini-14 and Galil (the Galil is an AK copy) as they are all long stroke gas pistons with a rotary two lugged bolt.

The Mini-14 uses a short-stroke gas system, like the M1 garand, M14. Not a long-stroke of the AK.

I'm a fan of the Mini-14, but for the price of an M&P sporter, you can't go wrong. More versatility, and a bit more accurate.

[Jim243]

In your price range you could get a DPMS, S&W M&P 15 or a Bushmaster C-15 Go to Bud's Guns on the internet and look around.

Jim

[9-ball]

Jo6Pack,

You got me wavering about the Mini-14, but as soon as you said

like the M1 garand, M14.

I was certain.
The M1, M14 and Mini-14 all use long stroke gas pistons.