Which would you buy? - Page 2

Targa · January 20, 2020, 09:17 AM

Put me down for a Mini 14 as well.

TBM900 · January 20, 2020, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USNRet93

I know, I know, it's cold outside and the outdoor range is still snow clobbered..2 sons and I going to the gun show in Denver on the 25th. I know, 'gunshow' but we are thinking about one of these 4 'choices'...assuming a budget would cover any of them..which? Just for range plinking, fun..

Ruger mini-14
Ruger mini-30
New manufacture M1 Carbine
Old, decent shape, WW2/Korean era M1 Carbine.

AND before anybody says 'AR type platform'..oldest son already has one of those..looking for 'different'...

Given the choices, If money were no object...
1- Fulton M1 Carbine
2- USGI M1 refurbed by Fulton
3- Mini-14
4- Mini-30

The M1 is one of the most "fun" firearms ever made, an utter hoot. USGI Carbines have skyrocketed in price but are often in need of refurb to help them become reliable, so given the cost I would just pick a Fulton built modern one and be done with it. The other current production ones are spotty at best, junk at worst, Ive wasted money and time on them... don't waste yours.

As for the Mini, I have never owned one in my entire life (not sure how that happened) but always wanted one. I finally picked up my first 14 last summer and have been having fun with it (I was planning on posting about my experience), basically beefed up & modernized M1 Carbine.

If funds didn't allow for a Fulton, I would have no hesitation about buying a Mini.

Picher · February 4, 2020, 01:31 PM

My family had an original M1 Carbine and it was a BLAST! It was accurate and reliable, using only military ball ammo. All the rifles you mentioned could be fun, but the .30 carbine cartridge is a pistol round, so not a great 200+ yard shooter or hunting round, so go with what meets your long-term needs and ammo availability.

Should you ever want to scope it, the Mini 14 might be a better candidate.

aidenohara · February 20, 2020, 10:54 AM

I will get the Mini 30, provided money was no object. Why? I'm primarily geared as a hunter and outdoorsman, and I see the 7.62x39mm cartridge as more versatile than the M1 .30 carbine, or the (gasp) .223. Given the degree of accuracy available from most Mini's, your not giving anything up much in terms of range, even though the .223 is faster and flatter. auto clicker

riffraff · February 20, 2020, 12:11 PM

I am not a "piece of history" sort of guy, I like stuff that works, unique is good, but history doesn't add anything.

For me the most practical and coolest model out of those is a mini 14 in the "LE" version (which is just a name, it's not only for LE).. They have a non threaded 16 inch barrel with a simple stock, in stainless. Very handle short rifles, you do see a flash out of them w/ 5.56 minus a birdcage, but they work well and are not all tacticooled out..

Mini 30's are great just they don't make a 16 inch stainless model without a threaded barrel. Nothing wrong w/ a threaded barrel just I think it's nice to have the sight right at the end of the barrel without any extra stuff, as short as you can legally own them, at least for a change of pace in rifles.

HistoryJunky · February 20, 2020, 12:27 PM

I would go with the Mini-14 or 30. I wish either of those rifles was compatible with AR or AK mags though.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

riffraff · February 20, 2020, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistoryJunky

I would go with the Mini-14 or 30. I wish either of those rifles was compatible with AR or AK mags though.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

One thing on Mini's is you basically gotta run factory 20 round mags. An aftermarket model or two exists that might work well, or can be made to work well, but it's not worth the headache. Mini 14 30-round mags are available but my experience is similarly not great.

This is no different than most other guns. A mini is not a spec based AR, just means you spend more on mags, on the flip side they are good quality mags.

Kreyzhorse · February 20, 2020, 07:20 PM

I'd buy the old M1 unless you needed a full time shooter. I'd expect them to be priced a bit high at a gun show but you never know.

dgludwig · February 24, 2020, 04:08 PM

Ruger Mini-14, hands down.

USNRet93 · February 26, 2020, 09:40 AM

Bought the Ruger mini-14..GREAT shooter, GREAT fun...

Quote:

My experience with the mini is that it was a very poor performer. It felt like I was shooting a lawnboy. I can't recall my experience with an m1 carbine. I would not buy either, but that's just me. I'm one who would ride out the semiauto wave.

YMMV and all that. I prefer it to my other son's Ruger 556. Very easy to shoot well, reliable, lotsa fun..don't get the 'lawnboy' reference.

'Ride out the semi auto wave'??

Don't get that one either..Wait for what?

briandg · February 28, 2020, 05:07 AM

My experience with the mini is that it was a very poor performer. It felt like I was shooting a lawnboy. I can't recall my experience with an m1 carbine. I would not buy either, but that's just me. I'm one who would ride out the semiauto wave.

USNRet93 · February 29, 2020, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briandg

My experience with the mini is that it was a very poor performer. It felt like I was shooting a lawnboy. I can't recall my experience with an m1 carbine. I would not buy either, but that's just me. I'm one who would ride out the semiauto wave.

thanks

briandg · February 29, 2020, 12:20 PM

The only rifle that I am particularly happy with is the AR, and you said that you don't want them. The M1 carbine has usually been described as a fun little gun, not a serious weapon. The mini, when I fired it, was a clattering, slamming, inaccurate thing with an abominable trigger. I've seen enough of the AK and variants that I just can't be impressed.

So, I have, as I said, ridden out the semiauto wave. I wouldn't buy anything but an AR, which I have had good experiences with, and the prices of getting a suitably equipped one can do a lot of work on my ongoing home renovation.

I apologize for any lack of clarity.

briandg · February 29, 2020, 12:33 PM

Usn:

The lawnmower reference was regarding the feel and function of the mini. It was unpleasant to shoot. Where most of my other guns are like a ride in a cadillac, the mini that I fired was like running a riding mower over mole hills.

As you yourself said, YMMV. the mini that I fired, in blk, didn't function as well as I thought a rifle that approached $1,000 should.

As far as riding it out? That's really too simple. I'm not getting them. I'm not waiting for anything.

dgludwig · February 29, 2020, 06:33 PM

"Riding a mower over mole hills"? What do you mean? I've fired many a round behind an AR-15 and a Mini-14 and they were both enjoyable shooting experiences.

USNRet93 · March 1, 2020, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briandg

Usn:

The lawnmower reference was regarding the feel and function of the mini. It was unpleasant to shoot. Where most of my other guns are like a ride in a cadillac, the mini that I fired was like running a riding mower over mole hills.

As you yourself said, YMMV. the mini that I fired, in blk, didn't function as well as I thought a rifle that approached $1,000 should.

As far as riding it out? That's really too simple. I'm not getting them. I'm not waiting for anything.

10-4..I get it. 'Maybe' I'm just not as learned as you, not criticizing. But the mini14 was fun, reliable, accurate, for ME..shot it yesterday. Compares favorably with other son's Ruger 556..both fun. Enjoy the Mini-14 by a wee bit..

Yup, YMMV.

briandg · March 3, 2020, 02:17 PM

USN, The biggest problem that I had with it in .300 with the heavy rounds was that the bolt rattled back and forth with a big old slam, a bit of a twist, a clatter, a clank, and every other noise that it could think of. Not so notable to someone who has spent a lifetime on semiautos, I suppose.

My comments about accuracy were strictly limited to the fact that I fired two rifles that day and the mini was significantly less accurate.

February 20, 2020, 10:54 AM	#29
aidenohara Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2020 Posts: 1	I will get the Mini 30, provided money was no object. Why? I'm primarily geared as a hunter and outdoorsman, and I see the 7.62x39mm cartridge as more versatile than the M1 .30 carbine, or the (gasp) .223. Given the degree of accuracy available from most Mini's, your not giving anything up much in terms of range, even though the .223 is faster and flatter. auto clicker Last edited by aidenohara; February 21, 2020 at 08:54 AM.

February 20, 2020, 07:20 PM	#33
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I'd buy the old M1 unless you needed a full time shooter. I'd expect them to be priced a bit high at a gun show but you never know. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

February 24, 2020, 04:08 PM	#34
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	Ruger Mini-14, hands down. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

February 28, 2020, 05:07 AM	#36
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	My experience with the mini is that it was a very poor performer. It felt like I was shooting a lawnboy. I can't recall my experience with an m1 carbine. I would not buy either, but that's just me. I'm one who would ride out the semiauto wave. __________________ None.

February 29, 2020, 12:20 PM	#38
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	The only rifle that I am particularly happy with is the AR, and you said that you don't want them. The M1 carbine has usually been described as a fun little gun, not a serious weapon. The mini, when I fired it, was a clattering, slamming, inaccurate thing with an abominable trigger. I've seen enough of the AK and variants that I just can't be impressed. So, I have, as I said, ridden out the semiauto wave. I wouldn't buy anything but an AR, which I have had good experiences with, and the prices of getting a suitably equipped one can do a lot of work on my ongoing home renovation. I apologize for any lack of clarity. __________________ None.

January 20, 2020, 09:17 AM	#26
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	Put me down for a Mini 14 as well.

February 4, 2020, 01:31 PM	#28
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	My family had an original M1 Carbine and it was a BLAST! It was accurate and reliable, using only military ball ammo. All the rifles you mentioned could be fun, but the .30 carbine cartridge is a pistol round, so not a great 200+ yard shooter or hunting round, so go with what meets your long-term needs and ammo availability. Should you ever want to scope it, the Mini 14 might be a better candidate.

February 20, 2020, 12:11 PM	#30
riffraff Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2016 Posts: 629	I am not a "piece of history" sort of guy, I like stuff that works, unique is good, but history doesn't add anything. For me the most practical and coolest model out of those is a mini 14 in the "LE" version (which is just a name, it's not only for LE).. They have a non threaded 16 inch barrel with a simple stock, in stainless. Very handle short rifles, you do see a flash out of them w/ 5.56 minus a birdcage, but they work well and are not all tacticooled out.. Mini 30's are great just they don't make a 16 inch stainless model without a threaded barrel. Nothing wrong w/ a threaded barrel just I think it's nice to have the sight right at the end of the barrel without any extra stuff, as short as you can legally own them, at least for a change of pace in rifles.

February 20, 2020, 12:27 PM	#31
HistoryJunky Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Location: Freeport, IL Posts: 833	I would go with the Mini-14 or 30. I wish either of those rifles was compatible with AR or AK mags though. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

February 29, 2020, 12:33 PM	#39
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	Usn: The lawnmower reference was regarding the feel and function of the mini. It was unpleasant to shoot. Where most of my other guns are like a ride in a cadillac, the mini that I fired was like running a riding mower over mole hills. As you yourself said, YMMV. the mini that I fired, in blk, didn't function as well as I thought a rifle that approached $1,000 should. As far as riding it out? That's really too simple. I'm not getting them. I'm not waiting for anything. __________________ None.

February 29, 2020, 06:33 PM	#40
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	"Riding a mower over mole hills"? What do you mean? I've fired many a round behind an AR-15 and a Mini-14 and they were both enjoyable shooting experiences. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member Last edited by dgludwig; March 1, 2020 at 06:17 PM.

March 3, 2020, 02:17 PM	#42
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	USN, The biggest problem that I had with it in .300 with the heavy rounds was that the bolt rattled back and forth with a big old slam, a bit of a twist, a clatter, a clank, and every other noise that it could think of. Not so notable to someone who has spent a lifetime on semiautos, I suppose. My comments about accuracy were strictly limited to the fact that I fired two rifles that day and the mini was significantly less accurate. __________________ None.