Mini-14 shtf gun

[Zadiex2]

I bought my mini-14 in a flea-market parking lot and I knew very little about it.......glad I did, it's my main rifle in a shtf event. I know the guns short commings and its strengths too but, would you recomend it to others as a shtf rifle :?:

 

[45acp230]

I have already done so. I have two- to be used as " cover-my-back" weapons for two 30 cal M-1's. I think an inexperienced/ semi-trained shooter from young teen on up could handle the mini's effectively w/o gender being an issue. Low recoil, simple, dependable with factory 20 rounders. At least , that's my plan. Hank in Va.

 

[captainkirk]

I don't know why not. Just stock up on factory mags and plenty of ammo it likes.

 

[IrvJr]

I had a Mini 14. It's a great, durable rilfe. I think it makes a fine SHTF rifle.

 

[welder]

Good choice. Solid, reliable and simple. Just wish Ruger would make some key spare parts readily available. I've had several through the years, never a malfunction on the 14. Had a 30 that couldn't keep the trigger assembly together for a little while.

 

[Quarterbore]

I would not recommend a mini 14. The gun itself is a good gun but they don't shoot very accurately on average, and mag prices make it difficult to keep a good supply.

In addition, the Mini-14 is not very easy to maintain when compared to the AR-15 so where if just about anything breaks or malfunctions on the AR-15 I can easly replace the part with very modest tool requirements or skill. In addition, it is very easy to buy lots of spare parts for the AR-15 where the mini14, you would be hard pressed to get some items and even if you could get them they will require very skilled and specific tools. Imagine replaceing a bolt, carrier, barrel, fire control group in a mini-14 as an example, then compare that to the AR-15.

The mini-14 is better then a stick in a crisis, but personally, I would take an SR-556 or any other AR-15 over the mini-14. It's kind of ironic as when I look at 22s, I think the 10/22 is the ideal SHTF gun for the same reasons the AR-15 is so much better then the Mini-14... Very easy to work on, plenty of part options, and very little specific tool requirements.

Anyways, no I would not suggest the Mini-14 as the ideal gun when the "S" Hits the Fan! Go with an AR-15 and if you can't afford an AR then go with an AK47. The AK is far more robust then the Mini-14 so while it is not as easy to maintain as the AR-15 it is far less likely to ever have something that needs to be maintained.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Just my opinion and probably a little on the political side but if you you think you need simi-auto rifles, piles of magazines and cases of ammo to defend yourself from some invading force then chances are the armored vehicles and heavy artilerly are not going to be far behind and there is no way to defend yourself against that kind of firepower. Good luck and keep your head down. :shock: :shock:

...Jimbo

 

[RJ556]

I don't think we are talking about going up against enemy forces. I think a SHTF gun would be used as self defense against renegades that want to take what you have in a lawlessness environment and/or for hunting for food. For those purposes, even if not my choice, I think a Mini would "do".

 

[mattsbox99]

1/4Bore, that stuff would be true if the Mini breaks, but it doesn't. Mags are $25, a little more than AR mags, but not $100 or some astronomical amount out of reach for the little guy. Accuracy in SHTF situation is not as critical as the naysayers make it out to be. A 3" group is good enough to harvest a deer.

 

[aragornelessar86]

My two SHTF guns are a Mini14 and a Saiga .308. I highly recommend the Saiga. Very little recoil, and holy crap accurate. All for about $450.

 

[BulkAmmo]

A Mini 14 wouldn't be a bad choice. It wouldn't be my first choice though. For some of the reasons that have been listed above. Availablity of parts, accuracy, magazine cost and reliablity. I wouldn't be broken hearted if the Mini 14 was what I had though.

I prefer the AR or AK platform. Parts are easy to find and magazines are cheap and plentiful.

__________________
bulk 44 mag ammo

 

[blume357]

If the Shtf and there are all these renegades running rampant... then i will use my mini for one thing... to get a select fire rifle... there should be plenty around. Same with spare parts for the mini or AR.... there will be plenty laying around... probably no need to really worry about repairing what you got... just go out and get a slightly used rifle.... think about it.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I don't think we are talking about going up against enemy forces. I think a SHTF gun would be used as self defense against renegades that want to take what you have in a lawlessness environment and/or for hunting for food. For those purposes, even if not my choice, I think a Mini would "do".

I suppose if you buy into to that scenario, that would be as good a reason as any to stock-up with guns and ammo, but you really might want to consider what a defensible position would be and what it would take for one person to defend against a determined invading force of lawless city dwellers bent on taking your food and ammo. I think sandbags and reinforced concrete would be just as important, don't you?

I prefer the invading army scenario myself. We do need plans for a bomb and fallout shelter. No doubt ‘they’ will try and soften us up first. Then we must try and be mobile after the initial attack and we should provide resistance to slow the enemy down.

All and all, I think, if you have a long gun and a handgun and a reasonable amount of ammo you would be good to go for home protection in almost all possible situations. The myth of needing to prepare for a firefight to protect your stuff is probably ridicules. :shock: :shock:

...Jimbo

 

[welder]

Agreed Jimbo. A good solid performer with adequate ammo and mindset would be sufficient. The Mini fills that bill easily.

 

[jyo]

During the "Rodney King" riots of 1992, the first rifles I loaded was my two Mini 14s (pre-ban 20 rd mags purchased for $14 apiece)---my wife was very comfortable with these rifles and knew how to operate them (very little kick)---then loaded my Remington 870 which she didn't like (too much kick)---I felt well armed at the time!

 

[welder]

During the "Rodney King" riots of 1992, the first rifles I loaded was my two Mini 14s QUOTE

Easily understood. My Mini stands in the corner at all times with 5 Ruger twenty rounders. It is backed up with my Mossberg 590A1. I would think these two would be a sufficient response to most any threat directed at my home. I think anyone would be served well with a Mini. I am not advocating that the Mini is a full fledged BTR. I am aware of it's inherent weak points. But then the OP was not about battle rifles.

 

[mike-c]

GREETINGS ALL,

PLAN ON BUYING MYSELF A MINI 14 ASAP. WILL PURCHASE THE 223 BECAUSE I ALREADY LOAD FOR THAT CALIBER. IT WILL MAKE A FINE COMPANION IN THE WOODS WHILE CUTTING FIREWOOD. A 2" TO 3" GROUP IS ADEQUATE FOR JUST ABOUT ANY VARMINT I MIGHT ENCOUNTER. THE CIVIL UNREST WILL MEET MY NEIGHBORS LONG BEFORE THEY CAN MEET ME.

MIKE 8)

 

[Joker18]

Hi!

I hope I'm not around in a "hit the fan" scenario!

Jimbo357mag has a good point. If a scenario should occur with trained soldiers and backup artillery, good luck!

I would not expect a situation such as this from US troops. My opinion is that US troops would be loath to fire on US citizens, especially ones that have supported them for two long wars. If the situation is that bad, one could assume that all authority has broken down. My guess is you will have US Forces members returning home to their family units and integrating into it. There may be a threat from disassociated groups of soldiers banding together into a "gang" like persona and if they have heavy support equipment, not a good situation.

Best defense is to live in a community with like minded people, who are willing to share responsibilities such as defense and all the other stuff. Other things to consider as important as ammo and weapons are water. Where do you get it? Can the supply be cut off? Sewage and waste disposal, food stores. All important considerations.

And a note to those living out in the wilderness; you will eventually be found if the situation gets bad enough. They (the bad guys) will smell smoke if you burn wood, or smell cooking food if they are starving. If you don't have a 14 member family unit with a good portion of them shooters, then you're basically alone and isolated. A good target. Unless you choose the location of your wilderness fall back well, whereby it can only be approached or accessed from one direction or maybe two adjacent directions at the most, you will always be in danger of being surrounded and overrun. You may take out a few bad guys with you but if there are enough attackers and especially if they have any training at all, you may ultimately wind up on the losing end.

Of course this is all hypothetical stuff and we hope it never, ever happens.
It could be prudent however to plan for the aftermath of a natural disaster. We can all take an example from the aftermath of Katrina. Those survivors that were successful were the ones that lived in local communities and watched over each other.

Just another 2 cents.

 

[mohavesam]

All one needs to do to plan for a scenario, is re-read the actual history of Katrina and New Orleans.

If you depend on city water and line-power, you've got priorities other than bullets. :roll:

Still, a Mini-30 is probably a good bet for the packs of hungry feral dogs that will rule the dark...

:shock:

 

[Joker18]

+1

 

[resident]

...If a scenario should occur with trained soldiers and backup artillery, good luck!

I would not expect a situation such as this from US troops. My opinion is that US troops would be loath to fire on US citizens, .....

YEah, Right. And Waco, TX was just a movie. :roll:

In my opinion, the real threat will be :
1- A surprise-visit from a couple of drug-hoods faking car trouble or needing some kind of "help"...and you'll have to be FIRM from the GET-GO for them to get the hell off your property and you're calling the police while holding the gun you met them at the door with!

or

2- A rapid-attack from multiple directions with your phone lines already cut (the first clue will be your power fails...so anytime you have a power outage ...avoid the typical reaction of looking for a flashlight to call the power company. GET A GUN and a flashlight, telling the wife/kids to head for the closet where water and another firearm is kept..... and only AFTER you have checked for intruders... look into the power company problem.)

In any case.... no amount of massive small-arms firepower will be required beyond a cell phone, powerful Q-Beam type floodlight, and automatic weapon such as an assault rifle.

While I like Ruger firearms, I've owned mini-14's and they are not worthy of true defense work. Get a M16/AR15/AK47 type weapon and a semi-auto .45 pistol and MACE. Have a plan to greet EVERY unexpected caller or event with ARMS IN HAND. You can apologize to Aunt Tillie later.

For you guys who keep loaded firearms all around... remember that the most likely gunshot wound you will recieve will be from your own gun when you return from the store, delivered by the intruder who noticed no one was home and was surprised by your return. Keep that stuff locked up in a durable safe when you're not home.

Keep a sharp lookout each and every time you return home for clues of something different. (Set up an obvious indicator..such as placing an obvious $50 bill beside the entrance to your home. If it's missing.... someone's been there! (A friend of mine places a dis-abled firearm ...no firing pin, with dead-primer ammo...just outside his entranceway. heh-heh) Be prepared to approach cautiously when the clues are there.

Keep a firearm/ammo/etc hidden in a secured location AWAY from your home. (This is the sealed cache someplace only YOU and your partner knows about.) Be certain you OWN the property where it's cached.

But you can forget about holding out in any seige against police/military/guard/FBI/etc . If you need reminding...think about Waco, TX.

 

[Joker18]

Good info single-sixer. If my memory serves me well, there were no regular US troops at Waco, TX. I remember the main assault force being predominantly the BATF and the FBI. There were some army helicopter gunships, and national guard tanks, but the major assault force was BATF and FBI. Of course the memory is the first thing to go .

 

[resident]

Good info single-sixer. If my memory serves me well, there were no regular US troops at Waco, TX. I remember the main assault force being predominantly the BATF and the FBI. There were some army helicopter gunships, and national guard tanks, but the major assault force was BATF and FBI. Of course the memory is the first thing to go .

And the excuse you are making for them is......??????????????????? :?: :?: :?:

NO MATTER! It was a gov't-authorized seige against folks who were KNOWN to the local sheriff and who CALLED HIM ...PERSONALLY...GOT HIM ON THE PHONE! and asked him to call off the assault! Goofy as Koresh might have been....nontheless he tried to surrender to a recognized law enforcement authority ...but they beseiged, attacked, burned, and killed innocent women, children and men!
Don't be stupid. Do you think your little hole-up is going to attract only the full-fledged U.S. ARMY? and not the same kinds of pea-brained "law enforcement" types seen at Waco? What ..do you think ....that somehow, some way...YOU are going to warrant only the REAL - U.S. ARMY?
Get a GRIP!
You cannot hold off against idiots in positions-of- "responsibility"... with TITLES in gov't.... "service".

Sorry to disappoint but...a little "mini-14" or any other small-arms weapon is a pop-gun against the "authorities".

 

[Joker18]

Whoa Single-sixer, I think we're on the same page here but saying it in different ways.
I make No excuse for the authorities in the Waco atrocity and the Ruby Ridge fiasco.
In one of my first posts I stated that "
...If a scenario should occur with trained soldiers and backup artillery, good luck!"
You can remove trained soldiers from that statement and fill in the blank with trained whoever. Any type of combat situation is always going to be affected by number of participants, and who has the best position.
For the record, I am not a govt. conspiracy theorist or anything along those lines. This post was about the mini-14 being a shtf weapon.
Obviously there are too many situations with too many variables to accurately say "I'm going to do X and it will prevent Y from happening to me. I merely expressed my opinion that the mini-14 or mini-30 for that matter may be inconsequential depending upon the situation.
Also there appears to be nothing wrong with my grip, I just checked.
:wink:

 

[resident]

Whoa Single-sixer, I think we're on the same page here but saying it in different ways....Also there appears to be nothing wrong with my grip, I just checked.
:wink:

I apologize for the "over the top" previous reply. I am also not a gov't conspiracist. However, I do have first-hand knowlege of that Waco standoff, as I was personally acquainted with some of the

BATF-nuts who promulgated that massacre. ..
(Knowing some of those individuals and their gung-ho anti-citizen attitude, I predicted their over-zealous actions 3 days earlier to authorities who kept their misplaced faith in the BATF/FBI "leadership".)

Whenever "persons-in-authority" over others command them to lay seige and shoot if necessary.... soldiers, agents, guards, and other idiots follow orders...even against harmless innocents. The fruitcakes holed-up with Koresh were victims of those dimwits who fell for their own propaganda and over-reacted.

As you noted, we are more in agreement than otherwise. I am only concerned that some of our cohorts will also fall victim to their own imagined need for firepower, and may fulfill their own prophesies.

 

[Joker18]

And I do hope our cohorts on this forum heed your good advice.
It appears during the past few years that shtf planning has a must include for collecting large quantities of fire power and ammo.
What is that old adage "Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor?"
I'm sorry you had to have first hand knowledge of the Waco incident. It would have extremely frustrated me from all aspects (especially from a LEO position).

 

[MiniMe]

2 of the three 1980s Minis I bought are keepers and very accurate. I traded the 3rd away because it wasn't. Likely a bad barrel. I would suggest you look for Thermold mags as well as John Mason mags as much cheaper alternatives to factory Ruger

I have quite a few rifles including HK, AR15s/ak47s and my daily truck and home defense rifle is a stainless mini if that tells you anything

It can do you fine if you take care of it properly

 

[MiniMe]

GREETINGS ALL,

PLAN ON BUYING MYSELF A MINI 14 ASAP. WILL PURCHASE THE 223 BECAUSE I ALREADY LOAD FOR THAT CALIBER. IT WILL MAKE A FINE COMPANION IN THE WOODS WHILE CUTTING FIREWOOD. A 2" TO 3" GROUP IS ADEQUATE FOR JUST ABOUT ANY VARMINT I MIGHT ENCOUNTER. THE CIVIL UNREST WILL MEET MY NEIGHBORS LONG BEFORE THEY CAN MEET ME.

MIKE 8)

I use my mini for just this task.. mine are stainless with synthetic folding stocks and even in the rain I have no worries. Nice to have it leaning behind a nearby tree as I do get illegal aliens trespassing at times, looking for forest products to sell to florists

 

[resident]

[...I do get illegal aliens trespassing at times, looking for forest products to sell to florists

Yeah...that's reason enough to kill them. :roll:

 

[Bountyhunter]

[...I do get illegal aliens trespassing at times, looking for forest products to sell to florists

Yeah...that's reason enough to kill them. :roll:

Out to make lots of friends, huh? :roll: