Kel-Tec SU-16A or Mini-14: Help Me Decide

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35 Whelen

35 Whelen

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Being the owner of a couple dozen bolt rifles, a handful of levers and a couple of SKS's. I thought I might like to have a semi-auto .223 carbine. I don't care for the really short 16" barrels and prefer an 18 or 18 1/2". So after much pondering, I've narrowed it down to either a Kel-Tec SU-16A or a Ruger Mini-14.

In all honesty, I'd have already settled on the Ruger, but the fact that the Kel-Tec uses AR magazines is somewhat appealing.

Before anyone suggests it, I'm not interested in an AR, M4, etc.

Thanks,
35W
 
I vote Ruger........and I vote this thread will become a "my Mini shot 8" groups at 50 yards before I traded it for an AR that makes 1 ragged hole at 200 yards" :D

All kidding aside, The Mini is a fun, ACCURATE rifle - as long as you buy a 580 series or up. Mags can be had fron CDNN for $25.00, so it's not as bad as it used to be.

YMMV
 
I really am leaning toward the Ruger, but still open minded. I spoke with a friend yesterday whose friend just bought a new Mini. He said it was grouping 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" @ 100 scoped.

35W
 
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I always liked the ergonomics of the rugers, and I fancy the rotating flat bolt, but never liked the way you have to rock a magazine in (ala m14 or ak)

The keltec's are super light weight, so if you ever wanted a gun to pack around that would be it. Consequently, they do feel bit on the cheap side, and they need a little spit and polish before they are truly good to go. And I prefer the C model to the A variant.

But if you ever wanted to feel like the A-Team, you certainly have to get the mini.
 
I guess another thing that I somewhat dislike about the Kel-Tec are the sights. This will be a utility rifle and as such I want good, rugged, easily adjustable back up sights. If I'm not mistaken the Kel-Tec 16A's front sight is where the adjustments are made. Correct?

35W
 
I owned a Mini 14 I was not very fond of. I have no experience with the KelTec but like you find the use of AR mags appealing.
 
this guy here reviews the A model. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=127306
"The sights. Well, as I'm sure you have read elsewhere, they pretty much suck. On the plus side they are quite easy to see and very light, adding almost nothing to the rifle's weight. On the minus side they are very difficult to regulate properly and very coarse, the front sight post completely covers a six-inch-wide post at fifty yards. I plan to add the B-model sights as soon as possible; I understand that these are available from kel-tec and cost less than fifty dollars. Some gunsmithing is required to mount the new front sight."



the B and C models have an AR style front sight post that adjusts for elevation and a windage adjustable rear sight as seen here http://www.gunblast.com/images/KelTec-SU16C/DSC07088.JPG
The A model, that red plastic blade is held in place by a screw on each side at the top. windage is adjusted by unscrewing one side and screwing in the other. the elevation by moving the blade up and down while the screws are loosened. see description and picture on the 4th to last page here. http://stevespages.com/pdf/keltec_su16.pdf
 
I wouldn't get either...I would get the Saiga 223 and be happy. I certainly would not get the kelTec in preferance to Saiga. And, yes, I am one who had a horribly inaccurate older Mini 14. I have heard that the newer ones are better in this regard, so I would put one in the running.
But, the Saiga for $350 is hard to beat. I have one in 5.45 which has been a fantastic shooter.
 
If you want a Kel-Tec SU-16...
Then check out SU-16C, SU-16CA and SU-16E.
They are the better SU-16 variants.

From personal experience...
The Kel-Tec SU-16CA is more reliable and accurate than the older series (pre-2004) Ruger Mini-14.
 
If you want a Kel-Tec SU-16...
Then check out SU-16C, SU-16CA and SU-16E.
Click to expand...

Like I said in the OP: "I don't care for the really short 16" barrels and prefer an 18 or 18 1/2" and the 16E has the pistol grip which I feel detracts from the "handiness" of the rifle.

I'm really leaning toward the Mini, but I think I'll peruse some gunshops and try to handle both of them. I typically don't buy new rifles, preferring to let someone else eat the initial depreciation. But it's my understanding Ruger has addressed the accuracy issue with their latest models.

35W
 
35 Whelen said:
I really am leaning toward the Ruger, but still open minded. I spoke with a friend yesterday whose friend just bought a new Mini. He said it was grouping 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" @ 100 scoped.

35W
Click to expand...
this is plenty accurate for most people (and news to me)

the mini is much more traditional and feels more substantial in your hands
 
Accuracy-wise there isn't much difference between the two. the are other differences however. I have shot both a good bit tho I don't own either now (should tell you something).

Mags...you can buy 5 Ar mags for the price of 1 Ruger mag.
Optics...both are very optic friendly
Iron sights...the Ruger is much better
Price...the Kel-tec leaves you enough for a case of ammo

In addition the folding stock of the Kel-Tec is a bonus if used for a car gun, a good folding for the Ruger will add to the cost.

If you don't mind the higher initial costs of the gun and mags then the Ruger is the way to go. If on a budget there is nothing wrong with the Kel-Tec. I would try to find both for rental or a buddy with one so you can shoot each before deciding.
 
I'd go Kel Tec, but the model with the heavy barrel. SU16C? Thats the one for me. I would bet my money that the Kel Tec would not string vertically as bad. If I did go mini I would go with an Accu Strut.
 
Did a search and came across this thread. These are exactly the two I'm trying to decide between. I'm a new shooter and just starting to build a collection. Why these two and not an AR or AK variant? Honestly, just to have something different. I know that past Mini 14 haven't been loved but the newer models have been getting great reviews.


Which is easier to maintain/field strip? (I own a glock 23 and a benelli nova so I'm spoiled by their simplicity)
Which has better build quality? (Which is more durable/will last the longest with proper care?)
Which has easier to find parts and budget minded add ons?
Which do you enjoy shooting more? Why?


What I'm looking for:
Fun at the range
Defense - I have a pistol and shotgun already and planning to get a hunting rifle but I'd like another if shtf option
Ease - Something that would be easy for my lady to pick and handle.
Comfort - Something that still feels good to shoot after hours of range time
 
I have had a 185 series skinny barreled Mini 14 for a long time. Other then aftermarket mag issues it has never had any problems. I have made one shot kills on coyotes out past 200 yards, I have done a couple of mag dumps then kept 20 rounds on a hundred yard rifle target shooting as fast as I could. Yes it does string rounds when it gets hot but has plenty of combat accuracy. Only downside I can see with a Mini now days with Ruger selling 20 and 30 round magazines is that you can buy or build a decent AR for the price of a new Mini. Mini's rock.
 
The 580+ series Mini 14's are excellent.I am pleased with the accuracy and functioning.
 
Getting a Su-16 here would have cost me almost as much as my mini (500 compared to 620), and ive never cared for ARs, so that was why i ended up with what i did lol. As it goes, its accurate enough (1.5-3" from best to worst ammo), and comfortable to shoot. Compared to the Keltec its quite a bit heavier, with the stuff ive put on it mine is 8lbs or so loaded. On a note, i single loaded 5 rounds that id loaded out to touch the lands and got a group under 1". Not what the guns for and not something ill likely make a habit of doing, but interesting.
 
The Kel-Tec guns are just plain cool. Both guns are known to have wandering aim due to their lightweight barrels.
They're both great light carbines but I think the Kel-Tec does that a little bit better with less weight, take AR mags and can evern keep a few handy on the rifle, and it has a built-in Bi-Pod.
Plus if you buy the Kel-Tec and decide you like semi-autos, if you buy a whizbang AR, you'll already have magazines!
 
I have owned both. Both were reliable. If I needed to make one shot with either I would pick the Mini-14. As a hunting rifle it was more accurate than my Kel-Tec SU-16A. My very first shot with my Mini-14 was at a 4" target at 50 yards. I aimed at the six o,clock position of the target and scored an "X".

As stated above both string if you are just blasting away. I sadly do not now own either. I traded the Mini-14 in towards it's grandfather. I got the Kel-Tec as a gift to me for paying off the mortgage. As a one time QA engineer the idea of a plastic receiver intrigued me. So I got it and a case of Wolf ammo and shot it all off in two days. It never missed a beat and was certainly easier to clean than an AR15.

I think the Mini is a bit more rugged but the ability of the SU-16 to fold up makes it handy to stuff in your backpack. Between the two if i was carrying it over hill and dale a the ready I would go Mini-14. My Mini-14 Ranch was a real brass tosser. 20 to 30 fee easily. Kel-Tec is more subdued. Kel-Tec support is great too.
 
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