used mini 14 or new saga 7.62x39?

[KodeFore]

One local gun shop has police trade in mini 14 in stainless for 499$. These guns have what appears to be a bayonet lug but that seems weird for a leo trade in and i wonder if it might be a bipod mount or something? (The dealer thinks its a bayonet lug) Another shop has brand new saiga rifles (7.62x39)for 539$.

Which is a better deal? My purpose is mostly range use and possibly defense use for certain situations.

On the one hand the mini fires the same ammo as my DTI AR and considering CA restrictions on AR style rifles it's more user friendly. That all makes sense.

On the other hand I am leaning heavily toward the Saiga. It's new not used for one thing, another thing is I have no experience at all with the mini but I already have a saiga in .308. I like it but .308 is too expensive for me shoot on a regular basis. I wish they had the saiga in .223 but I can't find any in my area. Elsewhere I have priced new blue mini 14 for 600 and saiga in 5.56x39 also 600$. Also since the saiga is now is now banned from import and no more will be hitting our shores (legally) that is something to consider as well.

I have pretty much convinced myself that this is the way to go but thought I would post here just in case I might be overlooking some important factors.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

It seems you are leaning towards the Saiga rather strongly. I would tend to agree with you for the reasons you stated. I love the AK platform, so it would be hard to turn down in my eyes.

The one nice virtue for the Mini in your case is the sharing of the .223/5.56 ammo for your AR.

If you are comfortable with getting a new cartridge, then go for the Saiga.

 

[Willie Sutton]

In 20 years you'll be able to buy Mini-14's by the pile, and Saigas will be unobtanium.

Couple that to the fact that the Saiga is likely a better rifle, and it ought to take just a moment to make the choice.


Willie

.

 

[bannockburn]

I think you have your .223 and .308 bases nicely covered. I would go with the Saiga and then start buying ammunition for it.

 

[M1key]

I would go Saiga if you are a right handed shooter. I made the mistake of recommending one to a friend who was left-handed and it didn't work for him. Factory Saigas have a serious cast off stock that makes it very awkward for a lefty unless you convert to pistol grip configuration and change out the buttstock.

Good luck

M

 

[loose noose]

I would check with the first three of the serial number, if it is 181-189 I would go with the Saiga if it is 586 or so I'd go with the Mini-14. They had real problems with the accuracy of the mini-14 during the first productions of the gun, however both function perfectly and you'll never get a ftf,fte, or etc. with either of the mini-14's. Now if you're a reloader I'd go with the Saiga. Ah decisions, decisions, what's a guy to do? Also the bayonet lug was for a bi-pod and not a bayonet, if the rifle was from the police departments here in the U.S.

 

[mac66]

The original police Mini 14 was the GB model. It is pretty desirable and collectable. That is a very good price if it is an older GB. BTW, the lug on the GB model sure as heck was for a bayonet (same bayonet as an M16).

If it is the newer tactical version is still a very good price considering the price of new ones.

Having said that I have a Saiga x39 and an older Mini. The Mini is a better made, higher quality rifle. The Saiga is a good blaster and was considerably cheaper when I bought it about 12 years ago so was a good bang for the buck.

Personally I would go with the Mini even if it wasn't a GB.

Just so you know, I am not a big Mini 14 fan boy. I like ARs and AKs etc but the Mini is a higher quality weapon than any AK (and I own 5)

On the other hand since you already have a Saiga 308 (which I do as well) owning another Saiga is not a bad idea.

 

[NOMI WASP]

New Saiga, the mini doesn't like Russian ammo much and my Saiga is the one gun I would never sell.

 

[Jackal]

If you plan on converting it, the Saiga. If not, the Mini is a good rifle.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I think you have your .223 and .308 bases nicely covered. I would go with the Saiga and then start buying ammunition for it.

Having both Mini 14 and 7.62x39 Saiga, I agree with this.

The Mini 14 is a nicer, and better finished rifle. It's also reliable. That said, it is nothing special in terms of accuracy and you already have an accurate SA rifle that shoots .223

The Saiga is very reliable and as tough as any AK. It too is nothing special in the accuracy dept. But the Saiga will give you capability in a very common and popular cartridge that you now lack. This could be important in the future.

 

[brunowbe]

If leaving the Saiga unconverted, get the Mini. If converting the Saiga, get the Saiga. \

Personally, I prefer the Mini's feel over my converted Saiga as I am more of a classic wood and blue steel guy. Both will serve you well.

The good news is that 7.62x39 is fairly cheap right now for about $220 or less per 1000 shipped.

Whoever said the Mini won't run on steel ammo is wrong. Mine spits out anything, just make sure you use Ruger factory mags.

 

[Fishbed77]

The Saiga is the easy choice here. At that price it is still in the realm of reason to convert it to pistol grip configuration ($170 or so with a bullet guide) and have a very high-quality AK.

 

[KodeFore]

I went and bought the saiga today. I am not saying a mini isn't in the future on down the road but i think the saiga is the right choice for now. If I ever leave CA I would probably do the conversion. It's good deal for the mini but they will be around long after the saiga's dry up with the ban.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I would check with the first three of the serial number, if it is 181-189 I would go with the Saiga if it is 586 or so I'd go with the Mini-14

This would be my advice as well. Older Minis have a reputation for terrible accuracy once the barrel starts heating up. Ruger fixed this with their 580-series Minis, and by all accounts they are now much more accurate guns.

Because of the price, my hunch is that the police Mini is a pre-2006 model. In that case, I'd go with the Saiga.

 

[Kurastduuks]

New saiga hands down nuff said

 

[chris in va]

I'll be the naysayer, despite having owned an x39 Saiga.

Consider this. What if Russian x39 got banned too, like some 5.45 has? At least 308 can be sourced domestically, along with 223.

 

[Art Eatman]

See Post #13.