Mini 14?

[Atekhed]

Why do you need less recoil in a .223 rifle ?

Makes for smoother shooting potientially enhancing accuracy but in a Mini-14 the smaller diameter gas bushings can also help the ejected cases from being flung a 8-10' to the right.

Mini's are typically overgassed from the factory leading to their high level of reliability with almost any ammo run through them. Again the tradeoff is a "sharper" recoil that may lead to some of the accuracy problems people complain about with them.

Nonetheless the Mini-14 is a good alternative to an AR-15 here in Cali especially if you have pre-ban standard magazines like I do.

[CessnaDriver]

Some folks say a good trigger job helps a lot too.
I've been considering it, since it's so easy to ship the trigger assy in.

http://www.greatwestgunsmithing.com/

[PEZHEAD265]

I don't have a choice. If I want to get the Mini 14 somethings gotta go and right now it would be my Marlin. That's why I'm trying to get some thoughts from you guys. Should I do it or just keep the Marlin. It is a nice gun but lacks when shooting longer distances.

My question is what pistol do you have 9mm or 357??That would help me make a choice.If I could I would sell something else[gold or silver]or borrow mony and never sell either one.

[Fherot]

I haven't had an issue with the perceives recoil and I like knowing my gaseous rifle can handle almost anything I feed it.

But I see why people would want it, makes sense. I don't reload and my mom likes to come and pick up brass so she could use some exercise chasing the brass I fling into the horizon...

[brianm767]

I had a Mini years ago before I could afford my first AR, it was a blast to shoot, I will probably own another one at some point in the future.

I understand what some say about never sell one gun to get another because you will regret it, but I don't always agree, I do regret selling some guns, but others I have no regrets.

I traded my first Mini to buy my first AR, no regrets.

If you like that Marlin, I wouldn't sell it, I'd start saving up and wait till you can get a Mini, if the Marlin does nothing for you, and you really enjoy a Mini more and get more use out of it, I'd make it happen.

I've also traded off guns I knew I'd replace at a later date, but the deal was so good I had to do it, like my Kahr PM9 for a Polytech M14S, had to do it , even though my PM was on my CCW it was too good to pass up, I've since replaced my Kahr, and my LCP went a couple weeks ago to fund another project and I'll buy another LCP when fund permit.

[Fherot]

I just sold my Marlin 1894 .357 a week ago or so for a very low sum because I wanted a SIG 522 at a great sale price ...

I'm impatient and don't regret it. The Marlin was just a safe queen, .357 and even .38 are too expensive and limited. I didnt like having to loctite or tighten the screws that hold it together etc.

If the Marlin isn't sentimental to you and you now want a Mini... No harm in that. I can't afford to buy new guns without selling old ones.

My Vaquero is in danger of an AK after all..

[gorenut]

Im also in the mindset of selling guns that I don't shoot unless there's sentimental value or the gun is rare and will go up in value. Not a fan of having safe queens around. All the guns in my stable get shot

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I've had my Mini 14 for 10+years and I love it. Stainless and synthetic stock. No malfunctions ever.

As others have said, no Kommiefornia politics to deal with either with the Mini.

[bobgengeskahn]

A Mini-14 RR is what I learned to shoot on, and a 188 series used Mini-14 RR was the first firearm I bought. I have always loved them, but its been a rocky relationship, I have always viewed my Mini as my project baby. Where an AR is like legos, a Mini is more like doing fine art. You really have to know your particular rifle and understand what youre doing to it when you mod it. Here are some links to the forum I usually go to for Mini information that may be of use if you decide to start down this route:

A common mod is to shorten the stock barrel, here is a fairly detailed test report:

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/tips-tricks/34858-mini-14-rr-project-results-06-23-a.html

Here is a good thread on the capabilities of a Mini:

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/86527-mini-14-accuracy-poll-modifications.html

Here is another thread with a decent list of modifications also:

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/87677-mod-recommendations.html

[Old Scribe]

I like my Mini. It's an older 180 and with a little fixin' up it shoots 1+ @ 100yds.