Mini 14 vs pistol cal carbine?

[EvilGenius]

Looking to finally get a rifle bigger than .22lr.

Don't really have a specific purpose I'm looking for, mostly just an auto loading plinker with minimal 100yd capability.

I really like the mini 14 (I know, accuracy/not an AR blah blah). I like the half tradition/half tactical m14 look they have, but cheaper to feed.

However I'm really hooked on the 9mm pistol mag carbines, specifically the CX4. But I feel like that wouldn't really fill the rifle role that well.


Shooting fun is primary, but I'd also like it to have a secondary role as HD (y'know, barricaded room and all that).

9mm would traditionally fit the bill better for that, but nowadays some of that frangible 5.56 ammo looks to be pretty safe for the same scenario and I'd assume much closer to one shot stop.

 

[briansmithwins]

.223 rifles are close to perfect for HD. You get power, accuracy, and lower penetration thru typical buildings than pistol ammo.

Light weight varmint loads are exellent vs humans. When the local PD shoot people with their patrol rifles, the 'victims' die.

BSW

 

[ugaarguy]

Don't really have a specific purpose I'm looking for, mostly just an auto loading plinker with minimal 100yd capability.

I really like the mini 14 (I know, accuracy/not an AR blah blah). I like the half tradition/half tactical m14 look they have, but cheaper to feed.

My posting history here shows I'm a big AR proponent. However, if a Mini 14 with some factory mags was my only option I'd get by just fine. A Mini will be perfectly adequate for your intended use.

However I'm really hooked on the 9mm pistol mag carbines, specifically the CX4. But I feel like that wouldn't really fill the rifle role that well.

Stretching a pistol caliber carbine past 100 yards can be done, but it's harder than shooting something like .223 / 5.56 further than 100 yards.

Shooting fun is primary, but I'd also like it to have a secondary role as HD (y'know, barricaded room and all that).

9mm would traditionally fit the bill better for that, but nowadays some o those frangible 5.56 l

Traditionally it was assumed pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) were better in that role. Testing revealed carbines in calibers like .223 Rem / 5.56 NATO, with all but the heaviest constructed bullets, have no more penetration (often less) than PCCs while offering much better terminal performance on the target.

A 9mm carbine like the CX4 is certainly a cheap to shoot fun gun, and I wouldn't feel under armed with one either. That said, a 5.56/.223 carbine is my choice for HD, and it's not that expensive to shoot either. Either of the rifles you list will work fine. There's also nothing to say you can't get one now, and start saving for the other as your next gun.

 

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

But I feel like that wouldn't really fill the rifle role that well.

Your right, at 100 yards 223 is going to beat 9mm every single time.

The mini would also fill the need of a HD gun slightly better, because I would trust a 223 to stop a threat quicker then a 9mm.

Really the only thing I can think of that the mini cant beat the Cx4 is the abillity to share ammo with your handgun.

 

[LoonWulf]

I chose the mini for pretty much the same criteria your looking at. Im confident with mine out to 250-275 on about an 8" target from a supported position. I still want to get a Keltec sub-2k or a Hi-point carbine in .40, but it wouldnt be my choice for HD, give the fact i already have the mini.

 

[Magog]

My MINI 14 is going in the box with me when I die. I love it so much.

MINI 14 tac form CDNN, $598.00 bucks.

Aimpoint 9000sc form Optics plant. $398.00 bucks.

Light weight built like a tank. Will not fail. Hard core mud gun for WROL.

The new ones are putting out 2 MOA out of the box.





This one is not mine, but it is what it looks like on my MINI 14 tac.

 

[wrs840]

I have a Colt LE6940 M-4, a FEG AK-47, an early 90's Norinco SKS and an early 90's Norinco SKS-D and like them all just fine.

That said I have three Mini-14s (one 1995 mfg Ranch, one 581- Ranch, and one 581- Tactical). I like my Mini-14s, and get golf-ball sized groups with them a 50 yards with the factory irons, even with my 54 year old eyes. Of all my choices, the Mini-14 Tactical is the one I choose to keep in the bedroom.

I also have a Marlin Camp 9, and while it would probably be the first rifle I'd hand to Granny if the Zombies were coming, it's not a favorite of mine.

 

[helotaxi]

The A-Team used the Mini-14! How can you go wrong there?!?

Seriously though. PCC are fun to shoot at close range but otherwise not much good for anything. Cheap .223 is only slightly more expensive than cheap 9mm. Good .223 is usually the same price or cheaper than good 9mm. Discounting brass costs, premium loads for each are roughly the same cost with the .223 being slightly more expensive because it burns more powder. It's a worthwhile trade though because the .223 is much more effective at all ranges. Best use for a pistol in a fight is to fight your way to a rifle.

 

[RX-178]

Between a Mini-14 and a pistol caliber carbine?

Well, the first thing in this consideration is the obvious. Pistols are pistols, rifles are rifles. There's really nothing that can be done to a pistol caliber carbine that can make it perform like a Mini-14.

On the other hand though, if you already have a 9mm pistol that would share magazines with a carbine, getting the pistol caliber carbine and loading it with the same defensive ammo as your carry gun does make a lot of sense. Pistol caliber carbines also tend to cost less than the Mini (although the CX4 you mentioned is an exception there, last I checked).

 

[almherdfan]

The Mini would serve you very well. The 5.56/223 cartridge is going to give you more performance and thus more options then a pistol caliber for roughly the same cost. Move up to a mini-30 and you have a nice deer hunting rifle.

However, there are many good pistol caliber carbines (auto & lever) that are fun and will fill similar roles. I had a Kel Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm that was very accurate out to 100-yards with open sights.

There are a lot of right answers to your question.

 

[jmr40]

I'd take a 223 carbine over a pistol caliber carbine every time. Even if it were a Mini-14.

 

[NG VI]

that frangible 5.56 ammo looks to be pretty safe for the same scenario and I'd assume much closer to one shot stop.

Many .223 loads are going to fragment at any range you could call defensive firing. You don't have to go look for specially marketed frangible loads like the Extreme Shox or DRT, just get any of the well-reccomended loads out there.

No weapon you can safely bring into your home will reliably stop a threat in one shot. It's a bad idea to see for yourself. However, the .223 rifle will give you much better performance on an aggressive person than a 9mm or other service pistol caliber. .223 loads are pretty much optimum for people, you can get a bit more horsepower out of other calibers, but with all of the alternatives you have to give up at least one of the many advantages the .223 holds as a combat cartridge.

Don't overthink it though, it's ultimately a gun you will be buying to have fun with and because you want it, and whatever you get will certainly work for defense if it is ever pressed into service.

 

[Aaryq]

If you want the gun just for putting lead into targets, go with the Pistil Calibre Carbine in 9mm. It's cheaper. If you want to put it into other roles like they have mentioned above, a .223 would be more versatile. A Hi-Point 995 can be picked up used around $150 or so. You can't argue with that.

 

[Welding Rod]

A 9mm carbine is fun and cheap to shoot. However in my experience they don't tend to be extraordinarly accurate compared to rifle cartridge carbines. Their use at longer range is minimal. The bullets drift a lot in the wind and drop like a rock at distance.

I currently have a RRA 9mm carbine. It uses very well built Uzi mags. It has been 100% reliable for me with various loads.

Unmagnified Red dot or Holo sights are a natural for the 9mm carbine, I think, due to the comparatively short effective range of the cartridge.

I have been enjoying shooting mine with $10 per box of 50 S&B ammo that I bought at Cabellas with additional discount coupons over the last two years or so... out the door for less than $10 per box. I bought several thousand rounds. I have bought several cases of Blazer brass for almost as cheap. Nice to shoot and not have to worry about bothering to reload the brass.

All that said, for a defensive gun, I would get a .223/556 variant... more power, more range, and just as small, light, and handy.

 

[EvilGenius]

A 9mm carbine like the CX4 is certainly a cheap to shoot fun gun, and I wouldn't feel under armed with one either. That said, a 5.56/.223 carbine is my choice for HD, and it's not that expensive to shoot either. Either of the rifles you list will work fine. There's also nothing to say you can't get one now, and start saving for the other as your next gun.

Yeah, that's the big plan ultimately. I wouldn't feel a big loss buying either as I intend to get the other eventually. I'm more or less at a tie. I guess when you get down to brass tacks, I want a rifle that has the ability to go beyond 100yds if needed. The CX4 doesn't necessarily fit that bill, but it is pretty nifty.

.Really the only thing I can think of that the mini cant beat the Cx4 is the abillity to share ammo with your handgun.

Which isn't really an advantage at the moment.

My only hand gun is a 1911. But in the future I think I'll definitely get a CZ 75 variant, probably an SP-01 tactical.


Thanks for all the responses so far guys! It's been a huge help!

 

[mtrmn]

If your first and foremost requirement is fun to shoot, then you need go no further than the mini14. Absolutely the most fun to shoot gun I ever owned. You obviously know about the accuracy deal, so I won't bore you with that. It would be my first choice of the 2 for HD as well. Get one of the Amega Ranges scout rails for it and stick a Burris fastfire on top in a mount with the protective ears.

 

[SGW42]

I sit at work and day dream about putting rounds through my Mini-14. I think it is really classy and super fun to shoot.

 

[Double Vision]

I sit at work and day dream about putting rounds through my Mini-14. I think it is really classy and super fun to shoot.

And reliable too!
I'm a big fan of the Mini-14 and Mini-Thirty rifles. Mine are both far more accurate than they get credit for on forums.

Whatever your decide on, best wishes and have fun.

 

[kfgk14]

If you have a Mini-14 with factory magazines and good ammo, it will work well. (also, lubricate/maintain often). Test it for at least 500 rounds before using it for home defense. In a gun fight at 200 yards, I'll take a reliable handgun over an unreliable rifle any day. The same applies here.

When in doubt, Remington 870 with buck shot and slugs in the side saddle. It will do most everything defensively that you'll need, if you train with it.

 

[M1key]

Nix on the CX4. Plastic hammer/trigger with heavy pull. Keltec Sub-2000...meh. I still keep my Ruger PC9 around as a secondary HD weapon. Mine has a reasonably good trigger, shoots five 115 +P+ rounds (@1600fps+) into a silver dollar at 50 yards. Very handy for inside the home and alot quieter than any .223 carbine.Too bad they aren't made anymore.

You would also be well served with the Mini, however. I like my Ranch Rifle with 1-4x scope. Effective to 200yds loaded with PPU 55 soft points.

Good luck

M

 

[Batty67]

I like my new-to-me Ruger PC4. Great reliabilty, accuracy (to 50 yards, I'm more like 6"), but I've only shot it once so I'll get better. Bit pricey to get, but they are available. I looked at a mini-14 but decided I'll stick with an AR when that time comes. I also have an AO M1 carbine. Great accuracy, hits plenty hard, pricey to shoot, and my AO still has more fail to load/ejects than I'd like 5-10%.

 

[mljdeckard]

I'm with RX-178. I seriously regard pistol-caliber carbines as fun guns.

Ask yourself this: How many police agencies and SWAT teams have dropped SMGs for M-4-type carbines?

 

[nipprdog]

Hard core mud gun for WROL.

 

[paintballdude902]

dick u check out m1 carbines? what about a lever action .357?

 

[EvilGenius]

dick u check out m1 carbines? what about a lever action .357?

Low quality .30 carbine isn't very expensive, but I don't see it everywhere. I haven't been to a place yet that sells ammo that didn't have any .223 or 5.56.

Plus with the mini 14 being a newer and popular design (not that there's anything wrong with the old one) I have the ability to change anything and everything about the rifle if I feel like I need to or I can easily get replacement parts if something wears or breaks.

I'd like to have a .38/.357 lever gun some day, but Right now I want something semi auto with at least a 10rd capacity and the ability to double or triple that is better. Even though I'm not likely to ever need to. Also, the .223/5.56 round is proven out to at least 300yds. Some say they can hit a 200yd target with .357, but it really wasn't designed for that. I'm not that interested in forcing a round to do something it wasn't really made for.