Used Mini 14(new Mini 14)

[AlanJ65]

I've seemed to have picked up the urge for a Mini 14 and am thinking about hitting up a few shops this weekend in search of a used one. Any advice on what I should stay away from or are they all pretty much good to go quality issue wise? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[buckshot]

I am pretty new to mini's myself and I am by no means an expert. From what I understand is that parts are not longer made for the 180 series rifles. If you are going to do a lot of shooting that may be something that you want steer clear of. Other than that the later 580 & 581 series rifles have a tapered barrel instead of what people refer to as the older spaghetti barrels and are supposed to be more accurate. I have a 581 tactical and love the rifle to death. I don't think you can go wrong with any mini 14, they are great rifles.

 

[golferboy426]

parts for the 180 series aren't hard to find. I've got a full 4 box armorer's kit just collecting dust

 

[gatling]

Whatever you go with in a Mini 14, I think you will really enjoy shooting it. They are reliable if you use Ruger magazines, and ammo is cheap. They are great rifles. I've always felt if the Mini 14 had come along earlier, there never would have been an M-16.

I have a 180 series that is in pristine shape, and it is not one I feel a need to hang on to. I just bought one of the Circassian Mini 14 rifles and it's what I shoot when I want to shoot a Mini 14. Which I do a lot these days. Which I'm gonna be doing tomorrow.

The 180 series I have is actually more accurate than the new one. Both are accurate enough.

If you are interested let me know. No idea what I want for it...whatever's fair, I suppose.

PS: Forum Monitor, If I've broken any rules here, my apologies. I'll repost in classifieds or you can just delete the post. Hadn't thought about selling it until I saw this post.

 

[AlanJ65]

Hmm.....I may not want to dally. Yesterday the place I was going to check out had 4 listed. Today there's only two. A 181 series and a 195 series. Just might have to sneak out of work early. lol

 

[AlanJ65]

Well I made the mistake of stopping by my dealer/enabler before I headed out to look at used guns and somehow I managed to talk myself into just going ahead and get a new one. He tried his darnedest to find me one with a 20 round magazine but just couldn't do it. Had to settle for the 5 rounder. I'll just have to pick up a 20 rounder at some point. Should be here by the end of the month. I shouldn't be allowed out by myself.

 

[gatling]

You did good, Alan. Congrats on a great purchase. You'll have a lot of fun. I shot mine this morning and I was reminded again just how much fun these things are. We shoot at gongers about 110 yards out. They're about a foot in diameter. My buddy Jim has the black composite stock Mini 14 (I'm old fashioned; I like wood). We shoot offhand and we connect with those gongers better than 90% of the time.

I always use the 5-round magazine. Having carried an M-16 for a lot of years, I just don't see the advantage of a big magazine in a sporting rifle, and I don't like the lines of any rifle with a gigondo magazine.

 

[buckshot]

Contgrats on the new mini. I don't you will be disappointed. When my mini was new it liked American Tactical ammo the best, it didn't care too much for the PMC. The 5 round mag is great to have when someone asks to shoot your mini. I have several of the 20 rounders as well. You can always pick them up at cdnn.com or midwayusa.com. Seems the 30 rounders have mixed reviews so I have decided to stick with the 20 rounders myself. Now go have some fun with your new rifle.

 

[AlanJ65]

On the plus side just having a 5 round magazine may prevent me from burning through ammo too fast.

 

[sargents1]

On the plus side just having a 5 round magazine may prevent me from burning through ammo too fast.

I hope you got the new 580 Series gun. Same great Mini 14 Flavor, with better sights, accuracy (thicker barrel, and made on better tooling) and options for scope mounting.

Check CDNN for Mini 14 magazines.

These have worked great in my Mini 14. My favorite are the 20rd Straight Wall mags for $14.99. They give your mini that M14 Look.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/mi220prblmag.html

These are the 30rd version and have also been flawless for me.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/mi14230blmag.html

plus they have the factory mags for reasonable prices. The only downside to CDNN is that they charge 15$ for shipping. So it pays to order several mags at a time. I ordered one 20rd mag to try them out, then ordered two more plus three of the 30rd mags.

 

[AlanJ65]

On the plus side just having a 5 round magazine may prevent me from burning through ammo too fast.

I hope you got the new 580 Series gun. Same great Mini 14 Flavor, with better sights, accuracy (thicker barrel, and made on better tooling) and options for scope mounting.

Check CDNN for Mini 14 magazines.

These have worked great in my Mini 14. My favorite are the 20rd Straight Wall mags for $14.99. They give your mini that M14 Look.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/mi220prblmag.html

These are the 30rd version and have also been flawless for me.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/mi14230blmag.html

plus they have the factory mags for reasonable prices. The only downside to CDNN is that they charge 15$ for shipping. So it pays to order several mags at a time. I ordered one 20rd mag to try them out, then ordered two more plus three of the 30rd mags.

Yeah, it's one of the new ones. And you answered one of my questions before I asked. I had read that aftermarket magazines were kind of spotty in the Mini. One of my other questions was what kind of ammo do you usually use for the range? Anything or do you have a favorite?

 

[blume357]

I've really never had a problem with aftermarket mags in the mini 14.. it's the mini 30 that has much more trouble with them.... so, I'd say buy one of two if you find them cheap and just see... then try the factory ones too.

as for ammo... for range time... cheaper is better.. I've stocked up on Georgia Arms full metal jacket 55gr in builk ammo cans and that's good enough for me.

 

[sebtool]

FWIW, I've had good luck with the USA mags in my 180 series. Good shooting gun, too.

Problem is, I got the bug for a new 1, which is why I was checking out this thread. Something a scope's easier to mount on. Been looking at the 5820 Tactical...... Then there's the 6.8. :?

 

[Buckeye Bill]

My job allows me to work on and shoot older and newer Mini-14's. By far, I would select a newer 580 or 581 Mini-14. Spend the money and get a far better rifle for many reasons. IMHO

 

[AlanJ65]

And my new mini-14 is home. And covered in oil. Now to watch 5 or 6 videos on how to disassemble and clean it before attempting it. Fun, fun, fun.

 

[AlanJ65]

*giggles like a schoolgirl* Just got back from the range. Only had time to put 40 rounds through the new Mini but had a great time. Used some American Eagle AE223H 55 gr ammo. Performed great. Guys in the lane next to me thought it was a tad loud but no complaints about getting hit by flying brass. And only using the 5 round magazine kept me from getting too crazy with it. And after my roomie shot it the first words out of his mouth were "I think I want one" Told him he should buy something else so we could swap and compare. All in all a good day and something that will give me a lot of fun for quite a while.

 

[AlanJ65]

And now for the inevitable "what scope should I put on it?" question. For what I'll be using it for I don't think I'll need anything more powerful than 4X. Also would like to keep it under $100 if at all possible. Found a couple of possibilities but any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[AlanJ65]

Found this one. Seems to fit my needs pretty well. Do any of you have experience with Centerpoint scopes?

Centerpoint Adventure Rifle Scope

 

[gatling]

Alan, I haven't put a scope on mine. I found I like shooting it with the iron sights, and it's accurate enough for me.

Edit: Duh, that should actually be 2.245 OAL, not 2.5 OAL.