Mini 14 Barrel Q

[TD1057]

I've noticed the older guns have a skinnier barrel that was later made thicker for accuracy.

My gun has the thin one with a serial #196-
I can't remember how old it is (1996?)

Do I need to change the barrel to the thick one?
I've never fired this gun in all the years I've had it! (Bad I know)

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

I wouldn't worry about it until after you've shot it some, you may find that you won't need to spend the extra time or money afterall. Enjoy.

 

[blume357]

Sounds to me like you need to sell it.

 

[TD1057]

If I sell it I wont get what it's worth and to buy a new one would be costly.
It would be cheaper to put a tactical barrel on if I had to.
I'm just hoping I don't need to.
I wonder how much problems this thin barrel really is causing.

 

[mattsbox99]

Even with the thicker barrel they aren't target rifles.

Shoot yours and enjoy it.

 

[TD1057]

Truth be told, I need a practical weapon in the worse case of urban warfare to defend my family. I looked at the Kel Tec PLR 16 but was told my mini 14 would do the job better. I'm looking at it as a survival tool.

 

[Beachbum]

The disadvantage of the thin barrel is that it heats up quickly and often the point of impact changes. The advantage is, it cools down quickly and returns to its original point of impact quickly. This is not uncommon in light hunting rifles, some of the best do it, but it is more pronounced in the hi-capacity Mini 14.

I have found that the older Mini 14s will take aftermarket magazines but the newer ones don't allow them to lock in. this is only anecdotal experience comparing my older Mini to a buddy's newer one. For that reason, I'm keeping my older Ranch Rifle.