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I told my wife to choose which rifle she wants, she is considering selling 'her' BM and getting a Mini 14. She likes the traditional 'feel' of the Mini, it's her rifle, her choice right? If she does decide to go with the Mini 14 does anyone have any thought as to which one would be better, stainless or blue?
Durability is my concern here, with the barrel and the bolt cycling in the receiver. Does anyone know if one stand up better to wear than the other?
Thanks
If the BM is a Bushmaster, try and talk her into keeping it. My Mini14 was never very accurate, (By AR standards). 6-8" at 100M was about the best mine would do. YMMV and if there is no convincing her, get the stainless one.;)Quote:
Originally Posted by jhs1969
The Mini-14 is reliable, but not durable. It's a fine commercial/sporting arm, best when use is kept light. Lube generously. Inspect often.
The biggest difference between the SS and blue models will be in corrosion resistance of the metals. The effect of barrel heating on POI is less apparent with the SS than the blue.
There are a number of small tweaks that can be made to improve accuracy on the Mini.
The newest rendition of the Mini (580) is better than the previous in most regards. I recommend the SS over the blue. Getting the 16" barreled model is also recommended.
A substantial shortcoming of the Mini in your case will be accomplishing best fit for your wife. The stock is a traditional commercial LOP, generally regarded as too long for even adult males.
If limited to those two options (BM or Mini-14), I would keep the BM.
Amen! Every so often I'll pull my Dad's Mini out and mess with it. I can't imagine a broad liking the LOP on that thing. I don't even like how long it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skintop911
A bushmaster with collapsable stock should be infinitely more comfortable for a woman..... Unless we're talking about a BIG girl. :eek:
She is not big by any standard, 5'5"-5'6", 120lbs. She can handle and shoot the BM without any problems but she has always been exposed .22 rifles with the standard type stock and she feels more at ease with it. I explained I was in the same boat 20+ years ago but now anything that does not have an AR type layout feels un-natural to me. She would follow my lead if I insist we keep the BM for her (I have an LMT for myself:D), we have 50 or so mags for the AR's and lots of spare parts, but I'd like to let her make her own decisions too. I just got my lay off papers yesterday (Friday), so spending money to build up mags, accessories will be very limited to non-existent at this point. I may go ahead and insist we keep the BM for awhile and wait to see what happens in this region with work/the economy, I just don't like taking charge of her decisions if possible. If we were to sell the BM and get a Mini then she would only have 2-3 20rnd mags while I've got 50+ for my M4 and unable to share, which could be an issue someday.Quote:
Originally Posted by markm
Another thing to consider:
Owners of an AR-type can obtain every component, large and small, of their rifle/carbine for service without manufacturer support. (Use of W&R at the manufacturer, credentialed armorers or smiths remains optimal.)
The user of a Mini-14 must return the rifle to the manufacturer for certain repairs, including a couple that deadline the rifle most frequently. Armorers are in short supply, and are also limited in what service they're able to perform.
If you get a Mini, get a spare.
Could she shoot a friend's mini for a while, before you commit it buying it? Or, at least keep the BM and add a mini.
Blue vs. stainless is simply a matter of personal preference.
Does she prefer the more traditional blue/wood (or synthetic), or the more corrosion resistant stainless?
I have already discussed this with her and it is a serious consideration.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skintop911
We don't have access to one to shoot, she wants to find a shop with one in stock to handle, shoulder and get a fresh idea what they feel like. She actually prefers the stainless synthetic, which I feel is one plus here.Quote:
Could she shoot a friend's mini for a while, before you commit it buying it? Or, at least keep the BM and add a mini.
Blue vs. stainless is simply a matter of personal preference.
Does she prefer the more traditional blue/wood (or synthetic), or the more corrosion resistant stainless?
I totally understand when something feels 'right' or 'wrong'. She understands the benefits of the BM, especially when I have an LMT M4 with several cases of ammo (which, at least, we can share) a bunch of mags and a tool box of spare parts. Her Mini (if we get one) will see far less service than my LMT, I just hope the Mini will be capable of giving many years of reliable service without special needs or parts. I'm tempted to just say 'no', we are keeping the BM. But I want her to be satisified too and if the Mini is what she want (and can give decent service) I guess I will let her decide for herself.
Good on you for facilitating her choice, rather than coercing or making it for her as many well-meaning (and not so well-meaning) significant others would.Quote:
Originally Posted by jhs1969
Quote:
Originally Posted by jhs1969
Minis tend to not need much service. That said, when they do need service it is a real pain as Ruger wouldn't supply fire control parts , bolts, firing pins and such to anybody so you had to send the mini back to the factory for a firing pin, hammer, trigger and maybe a few other parts. There has been some talk of loosening that policy from what I've read but I don't know if that has happened or if it will happen.
Be sure to let her handle one a bit before she buys it. They have a fairly long length of pull. Triggers can be fixed nicely just like an M1 or M14 - M1A trigger can be fixed. Length of pull is fairly easy to fix by shortening the stock, of course.
I always liked the Ruger Mini-14. It was never as accurate as an AR, and mags were always a PITA. In most cases you have to use Ruger mags and they rock in a la the M-14/FAL/AK.
However, for most folks who just want to shoot a little the Ruger can be a good choice. The new 580 series does seem very good. They offer heavier bbls in 16" and they carry 7.62x39 and 6.8 in their line up. Not bad for the $700 price point. I wish Armalite would take a lesson with the AR-180B.
When I had Mini-14's I used the Choate fixed pistol grip stock (my favorite Mini stock) the Butler Creek folder.
Personally, I would not trade the BM for a Mini. But, the Mini always had nice lines and girls like 'pretty.'