AK vs Mini 14

[Mosin Bubba]

I am looking for my first semi-auto centerfire rifle. This gun would be used as a 100 yard or so plinker. The two guns I have narrowed it down to are a ranch rifle Mini 14 for $700, or a GP-1975 Century AK for $550, and I'm really undecided between them.

Here's some of my thinking on it

Pros for the Mini

-Love the old school look
-Likely a more nicely built gun than a low end AK
-Very light and handy; shouldered one and it felt great
-Stands a good chance at escaping a future AWB

Pros for the AK

-Plenty of gun for a plinker
-Dirt cheap ammo, and that $150 price difference would buy a lot of 7.62
-Soviet guns are famously reliable
-Probably shoots just as accurately as a Mini


I know that some people are going to say "Option C: Entry-level AR", but ARs don't really appeal to me. I'm not too interested in one, unless it's some screaming deal too good to pass up.

Any advice as to which one I should get? I don't have a lot of money to spend on guns, and I'm hoping to make this one count. Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[Dmitri Popov]

I totally understand the AR thing.

I'd go mini-14, I think you'd be getting a better all around rifle for what you are wanting. The mini's are dandy little rifles and the newer ones are supposed to be more accurate than the older ones.

And option C woud be a Mini-30

 

[Jackal]

Skip the Century AK and go for one of the $499 Yugo/Serb rifles. Nice quality at a price you can live with (also no Century monkeys have touched it).

 

[MachIVshooter]

I know that some people are going to say "Option C: Entry-level AR"

I'm in that camp. Having owned AKs and minis, as well as many other autoloading carbines, I'd say the chances you'll end up in the AR game down the road anyway are better than good.

 

[bluekouki86]

I was in your exact position. My first semi auto rifle was (and I still have it) a gp-1975 ak47. I've shot thousands of rounds through it without a hitch. It is a solid rifle except the canted rear gas block. I could not get into the AR platform at the time either. Years later I bought a SIG M400 AR. I haven't looked back since. The AR is more accurate, and lighter. It goes with me to the range more than the AK. If you reload, the AR makes even more sense because brass is everywhere.

 

[gunnutery]

I've owned both and came to the conclusion that they're both accurate to roughly the same ranges, so I chose to keep the heavier hitting rifle- the AK. To be honest I still stayed in the 5.56 game by using funds from my Mini to purchase my first AR build, but the AR is known to be accurate longer distances.

For the range you're looking at shooting, I'd go with the AK. The ammo prices are great too. Magazine prices are much better also which hasn't been mentioned.

 

[Shifty]

Considered the Kel-Tec SU-16C?

 

[sonick808]

for $640 you could go with a brand new Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport AR-15. Smashes through the typical ROI at that price point. If not that, I'd go with A yugo or polish non-century sporter AK. THe mini14 is a neat gun, but has a bit of history of niggling issues. As for bans, a mini won't escape it. I WELL remember buying "pre-ban" and "post-ban" goodies for my mini back in 97-99.

Oh and by the way , 73 de KE7VZW

 

[silvermane_1]

i say go with a WASR 10/63 vs GP1975, the WASR has the side rail for a scope mount, oh and CIA has upped their QC game, and fired the "drunken monkeys" , oh i own both a Mini-14 and a WASR 10/63, so why choose, get both.

 

[frankiestoys]

Remember everybody has an opinion some are based on actual experience some are only what they herd. I've owned both and option C . That being said it comes down to personell likes and dislikes the newer Mini 14/30 are very reliable ,I have a 580 Ranch that is scoped and has some trigger work it consistently shoots 1 1/2" groups all day and has eaten over 2000 rds of both steel and brass w/o any issues. The other one is a 582 tactical, setup completely different and had also performed well.My two AK's were both reliable and shot accurate enough but the Mini's are slightly more accurate at least mine are. The AK's are rather crude but finctional in design however and just never felt right in my hands more of a spray and pray kinda thing ...and yes I know the whole A team joke but that's not the new run of Mini's . For me the choice was the Mini. Now the AR platform is loved by so many including myself infact I'm trying to decide on my next one. But lets be honest none of these rifles were made to be bench rest rifles and in a real world SHTF anyone of them would be my best friend if it were the only thing I had . My last two cents for what its worth stick with Ruger mags in the Mini if you buy an AK buy a quality made model they are not all the same and that goes for the AR as well , cheap is nice if you don't have to replace everything to get what you want. Again just my opinion .

 

[Tirod]

At one time traditional guns in the same style as the Mini 14 ruled in 3Gun competition. And the AK showed well, too. They do a decent job.

Once the bias against anything but a .30 cal rifle was overcome, tho, they fell by the wayside and are still back markers. It even happened in Service Rifle matches, the M14 and Garands rarely place better than 11th and lower. The AR dominates.

The reason isn't that The AR is direct impingment or what round it shoots as much as the control layout is definitively superior. You can load and operate the AR faster with less mistakes, and they take less time to correct. The rifle is lighter and fatigues the operator less, and it's design is much more modular requiring very little in the way of complicated gunsmithing to assemble or alter.

The Mini and AK now have a lot more options, but it's more because marketers are applying the better features of the AR to them. That's where the rails, adjustable stocks, accessories, and especially the left hand cocking and revised safety has come from for the AK. It's not getting improved by Mr. K, it's getting upgraded by AR shooters who bother to care.

For a plinker, go Ruger, use it and have fun. You won't be tempted alter it much, and as you study into what makes a firearm, you'll have some experience with one the represents a lot of the thinking of the 1930's in controls, construction, and layout. Nothing wrong with knowing where firearms came from. But on a value basis for the money spent, you get a far superior rifle with the AR. It's inherently more accurate and easier to make more accurate for less work and money. It can be fitted to suit you with less expense, and will operate more easily earlier in the learning cycle, too.

There are some watershed designs in firearms history that set the bar in a lot of areas, and of the three, the AR is the better choice. Nobody has to jump to the front of the line, tho, like as not all three may be in your gun safe in ten years time.

 

[HexHead]

AKs and Minis made sense when ARs cost twice as much. With the S&W MP15 Sport being in the $600-700 range, there is no good reason to give up the superior accuracy the AR brings to the table.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

ARs don't really appeal to me. I'm not too interested in one, unless it's some screaming deal too good to pass up.

Get the Mini. It is an awesome plinker and makes a pretty good small game hunting carbine too.

 

[bannockburn]

KF7LCE

Some current prices to help with your decision (courtesy of Bud's Gun Shop):

Ruger Mini 30 (something to add to the mix)-$710
Ruger Ranch Rifle .223 (w/5 rd. mag)-$671
Ruger Ranch Rifle .223 (w/20 rd. mag)-$709
Century Inter. Arms PAP 7.62X39-$530
Century Inter. Arms GP1975 7.62X39-$494

So if your going to spend $500+ more anyways for a Ruger Mini over a CIA AK, maybe make it a Mini 30.

 

[scramasax]

I've owned three different generations of minis. They were all good guns for their type. Aks are rough, tough and like a Timex "keep on ticking". They are also crude, rude and rough around the edges unless you opt for an expensive one. You don't have to just settle for the .223 in a mini they also come in 6.8 and 7.62X39. The best of the bunch is the SS Ranch. It is as reliable as any AK has better ergonomics is more weather resistant and easier to mount a scope or red dot. Might cost a little more but you will be better served.

Having stated that I am on my 16th AR build. It is an addictive erector set issue. So many Different calibers, barrels and stocks in such a variety that I can't seem to stop adding to the pack. It is also my least favorite looking rifle but the most accurate and adaptive semi auto.

Now a SS Ranch mini will cost more than you can get a much more accurate AR-15 for these days, But aesthetics and enjoyment are what we want.

BTW My favorite fun carbine is a Mannlicher stocked m1 carbine. It will hold 2moa off the bench. A lot harder to build and tune than any of my AR-15s.

That's my opinion and is worth what you paid for it.

Cheers,

ts

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I hate to be that guy who says "C" when the question is "A or B?" but I've just got to point out that PSA is selling new midlength ARs with free float tubes and a stainless barrel for less than any of the options you are looking at.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I had a GP-1975 that I gave $400 for (pre-Sandy Hook). It was in excellent condition...except some-one had painted it(the guy I got it from said it was like that when he got it) with tan spray paint. I stripped it and glass beaded it, then hot blued it. I would still have it but a guy offered me a 580 series Mini-14, several factory and aftermarket mags plus 200 rounds of ammo for it. Just couldn't pass that up.

 

[Art Eatman]

My main reason for preferring a Mini in .223 is that it is easy for a hunter to carry it at the balance point. Very reliable for first-shot (and second) accuracy when messing with coyotes or jackrabbits. Uber reliable. And that was with the early "skinny Mini" barrels.

Plinking? "Minute of beer can" was easy. I never spent much time punching paper.

But they sorta priced away my interest...

But I still have a factory 10-round mag if I run across a good-used good deal.

 

[rbernie]

My main reason for preferring a Mini in .223 is that it is easy for a hunter to carry it at the balance point.

As a guy that's carried an AR for miles and miles in the field hunting for more than a decade now, I have to concur with this statement - anything with a magwell simply doesn't carry in the same way as does a more traditional gun. That doesn't mean that the AR (in a suitable chambering) or AK is bad for hunting. It just means that you can't carry it in the most natural of ways - by wrapping your strong hand around the balance point of the gun and just toting it around.

I'll also point out that it's harder to make an AR 'noise disciplined' than it is a Mini. In fact, a lot of the stuff that's sold as 'tactical' works great on the range but spends too much time poking you or clacking around to work well if being super-sneaky is on the agenda. My hunting ARs do not have extended ANYTHING on them (wait until you start tripping the extended charging handle release as you carry it around or belly crawl through the brush), and sport a lot of camo cloth wrap to dampen the natural noises that the platform wants to make (mostly via things like rotating sling mounts).

 

[Neo-Luddite]

I've had a Mini since '90 and use them for duty at work--in fact I requal next week. I got into the AK about a decade ago after long resisting 'commie bloc' hardware---and I love the damn clunky things.

Minis are plenty rugged for most purposes, especially in stainless (I have blue, but we use stainless at work) but an AK will trump them in my book in very extreme circumstances.

I wouldn't worry a moment about some AWB--we'll make sure THAT doesn't happen and remember--they want them *ALL* sooner or later. My point is make your choice now based on the use of the weapon for your purposes and the 'bang for your buck'.

For my money, I'd go AK over Mini these days as the Mini is too expensive to clothe and feed compared to the AK--you can pick up steel AK mags for like 8 or 9 bucks .vs 20 for factory Rugers.

But the Mini is easier to handle and function, that is true. Either way I doubt you'll have regrets. I have WASRs AKs in both 7.62 x 39 and 5.54 x 39. My only caution these days is to stick with the 7.62 x 39 owing to ammo import situations with the 'little' AK. Plus, that .30 AK has got more punch than the AK74 and that's just flat fact.

Best advice--shoot both if you can. But don't fret your choice~ sooner or later you'll likely own both.

 

[NOMI WASP]

Mini's are famous for being brass only eaters. Get used to $1 per round if you go that avenue. PSA has a Century Arms AK variant for $399 right now, that would be hard to beat. The price of ammo would be the factor most important to me.

I hardly consider the Mini a battle rifle. My Iazmash Saiga is my most beloved firearm I own. A quality AK variant will serve you well the rest of your life and they love steel cased com block ammo.

 

[Jackal]

Mini's are famous for being brass only eaters. Get used to $1 per round if you go that avenue.

Wherever your buying your ammo, you need to stop. Brass cased .223 is available for about 33 cents per round for FMJ and about 50 cents for HP's/SP's.

 

[M1key]

Mini's are famous for being brass only eaters. Get used to $1 per round if you go that avenue. PSA has a Century Arms AK variant for $399 right now, that would be hard to beat. The price of ammo would be the factor most important to me.

I hardly consider the Mini a battle rifle. My Iazmash Saiga is my most beloved firearm I own. A quality AK variant will serve you well the rest of your life and they love steel cased com block ammo.

Agree on the Saiga, but the Mini-30 is viable IMO with brass cased ammo, and it's nowhere near $1 per round. Bulgarian non-magnetic, brass cased, reloadable boxer primed ammo for a bit over 50 cents per round:

http://www.sgammo.com/product/surpl...ore-premium-ammo-arsenal-bulgaria-non-magneti

Good luck

M

 

[toivo]

Mini's are famous for being brass only eaters. Get used to $1 per round if you go that avenue.

I have a Mini and a .223 Saiga. I agree with the "brass only" policy for the Mini, but $1 per round isn't realistic. It was the "panic" price, and those days are over (for now). I've found plenty of brass .223 locally in the 50¢-per-round price range, and I've seen bulk buys online that would get you down around 30¢.

 

[benEzra]

If you are talking a .223/5.56mm Mini-14 vs. a 7.62x39mm AK, I personally like the .223 somewhat better. If it were a 5.56mm AK, it'd be a tougher call.

The main pro for the mini (IMO) is that it is a little easier to scope, unless you use a Russian scope made for the AK's siderail mount. A *new* 5.56mm mini-14 (581-xxxxx and up) should be more accurate than a 7.62x39mm AK, all else being equal, and will be a little easier to shoot well---not a bad consideration for a first rifle.

If you get a mini, stock up on Ruger factory 20- and 30-round magazines. One downside of the mini is that it doesn't take standardized magazines, and in my personal experience aftermarket mini-14 mags vary widely in quality.