mini 14 question

[cowmeateater]

One of my friends has a mini 14 and is positive the bolt is designed of the m1 bolt. The way it rolls when you pull it back. And since the mini is based of the m14 i guess the question is, is the m14 based of the m1?

Thanks

 

[FlyinBryan]

is the m14 based of the m1?

yes indeed.

the m14 was designed after the basic m1 garand bolt group and fire control group.

and the mini 14 was designed after the m14, only smaller, hence the name "mini"

 

[msgsummit]

Yup...the mini action is derived from the M1 and M14. Very rugged...very reliable.

 

[dmckean44]

The mini-14 is closer in design to the M1 garand than it is to the M14.

 

[Badger Arms]

The mini-14 is closer in design to the M1 garand than it is to the M14.

How so? I'd really like you to explain this!

 

[FlyinBryan]

The mini-14 is closer in design to the M1 garand than it is to the M14.

i think maybe you have the garand and the m14 mixed up because it is really a lot closer to the m14.

 

[Maverick223]

The mini-14 is closer in design to the M1 garand than it is to the M14.

Are you thinking of the M1 Carbine? Or because it was designed as a semi-auto? Other than that it is certainly closer to a M14 and really closest to a M1 Carbine.

 

[dmckean44]

Are you thinking of the M1 Carbine? Or because it was designed as a semi-auto? Other than that it is certainly closer to a M14 and really closest to a M1 Carbine.

I was thinking the gas system on the M14 is a bit different compared to the Mini-14. I guess comparing the Mini-14 to the M1 Carbine works too. They're all pretty similar to each other really.

 

[Maverick223]

I was thinking the gas system on the M14 is a bit different compared to the Mini-14. I guess comparing the Mini-14 to the M1 Carbine works too. They're all pretty similar to each other really.

True and all very reliable...with the exception of the Universal Carbine...which IMO is just a big muck-up.

 

[heviarti]

the carbine is not a member of the garand family. It's similar, but not a garand design. carbine is inertia based, gas system isn't designed as well, doesn't have an operating rod.... Trigger has nothing to do with a garand. the mini is VERY much M14 based. it is a garand action
John Garand did enter a rifle in the carbine competition, and there's supposed to be a pic of it in War, Baby... though I don't have a copy and can't see it. I can't say whether it was the regular garand action or not.

the mini feeds off box mags... put it next to an M1A sometime. you'll see what's up. Garand is built around en-blocs.. M14 is much simpler than the M1. box mag makes all the difference.

 

[Maverick223]

This is really just a trivial argument. Lets just agree that they are all different, and that there is something that sets each apart from the others. Whilst ALL are similar in design, NONE are the same...

 

[Rshooter]

Not trivial if uninformed.

The M1 Carbine has no place in this discussion period.

The Garand is the original.

The M14 is a box feed advancement of the Garand with some other modifications and enhancements.

The Mini-14 is a carbine enhancement of the M14 making it a member of the Garand family.

 

[SwampWolf]

Not trivial if uninformed.

Plus one to heviarti and Rshooter! You guys, along with others, have it right. And it is important to be right. Dismissing the subject of a discussion that is based on wrong information on the grounds of triviality only promotes continued cyberspace misinformation.

 

[MCMXI]

This is an informative discussion particularly since I have a Mini-14. The poor old Mini get's beaten down on a regular basis here, mostly due to accuracy concerns, but I've put thousands of rounds through two Mini-14s without a single issue. Not ONE jam, ftf, ejection problem ... NADA!! So are/were the Garand and M14 equally reliable? The Garand is obviously quite accurate but how about the M14?

Back to the Mini-14 beat down .... I'd never get rid of the one that I have. Talk about an indestructible, 100% reliable, lightweight, short, accurate enough for what is was designed for American icon.

 

[Runningman]

Right out of the book Ruger & His Guns By R.L. Wilson.

"The Mini-14 was a project developed at Southport. From the very beginning the rifle was to be of 5.56 caliber, sort of a reduced , scaled down version of the M14 but not exactly.

Bill wanted proportionally longer locking lugs. And to achieve this required enough geometry so that the magazine follower ended up with an extension. To do all of that and to get it to operate reliably and to feed correctly meant we couldn't simply scale it down from the schematic concept of the M1 and the M14. The Mini-14 is quiet a different rifle, and much of the geometry is different. Part of that is again due to some of the opportunities and limitations of investment castings." ....Jim Sullivan

 

[NC-Mike]

Got a Mini-14?

You will need plenty of this as well...

 

[Maverick223]

You will need plenty of this as well...

Ehh, the only thing a mini needs to be accurate is a new barrel, trigger group, stock, bolt, op. rod...and maybe a receiver. Did I miss anything?

Aside from accuracy, and they aren't that bad for what it was designed for, they are a good, reliable, fun, used-to-be-cheap gun.

 

[SHvar]

If you understand that the mini-14 are a closer range fun gun to shoot, and not worry about the accuracy (mainly after the first shot fired each group), then you arent disappointed in them at all.
They are extremely reliable, tough, and easy maintained.
Mine is my oldest firearm currently.

 

[Candiru]

I did some limited comparison of the Mini-14 to other designs in this review. The accusations of inaccuracy are no longer relevant.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

My rifles are at my dad's because I am in the process of moving. Next time I am there I will take pics of the Mini-14 next to my M1A to show differences, primarily in the gas system.

 

[Maverick223]

The accusations of inaccuracy are no longer relevant.

I too have heard good things about the newer Minis...but haven't fired one.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

They are very similar and related designs. I am a huge M1 Garand fan, and the design similarities is why I picked up a Mini-14 over an AR.

 

[SHvar]

Like I said, if you want a fun gun to shoot, but dont expect accuracy then get one.
Ive had one for years, and shot several others, they are not accurate, even the thin barreled M-16A1 was far more accurate than the mini-14. In fact I remember the article where the 18 inch mini was shot against the 16 in AR with a thin A1 barrel, the AR grouped in less than half the space the mini grouped in. How about comparing an 18 inch barreled AR against a mini 14, the mini would need 3 times the area to group in.
Now, comparing the AK to the mini 14, the mini groups a bit better.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Now, comparing the AK to the mini 14, the mini groups a bit better.

+1

the mini i had was terrible inaccurate. the garandwe have are far more accurate than my mini ever was.

i could out-shoot most ak47's with it though.

 

[NC-Mike]

I have a nice Romak 1 that does pretty well with Golden Tiger. I can hit steel with it at 300 yards when the mini would be dropping rounds twenty feet in front of the target as soon as the barrel heated. (second or third shot)

The day I sold my mini was a Happy Day. I took a beating on the price but I felt like I deserved it for owning one.