Which rifle would you prefer
- Thread starter Mr.Barty
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Andrew Wyatt
Member
What are you doing with them?
ForumSurfer
Member
If I'm using it to hammer nails into wood or using it as a boat oar, I'll take my trusty SKS. For all other scenarios I'll take the Ruger. If you feel differently, feel free to trade me a Ruger for my SKS. 
I don't own a mini-14, but I've shot my buddy's mini several times and I'm suffering from mini envy.
The Ruger is just plain more fun to shoot for me. It also has better ergonomics and it is American made. I am more accurate with the ruger. Is it the rifle? I don't know, but I shoot better with it.
If we're talking the end of the world, then it doesn't matter to me. Either would be too heavy and I would have much more important stuff on my mind than Mini-14 vs SKS.
My SKS is what it is. A com-block rifle that Dad paid $75 for way back when that isn't ergonomic, has a lousy trigger, fires cheap ammo with acceptable accuracy and will be an interesting piece to give to my kid one day that will be worth more than the $75 Dad paid for it.
I don't own a mini-14, but I've shot my buddy's mini several times and I'm suffering from mini envy. The Ruger is just plain more fun to shoot for me. It also has better ergonomics and it is American made. I am more accurate with the ruger. Is it the rifle? I don't know, but I shoot better with it.
If we're talking the end of the world, then it doesn't matter to me. Either would be too heavy and I would have much more important stuff on my mind than Mini-14 vs SKS.
My SKS is what it is. A com-block rifle that Dad paid $75 for way back when that isn't ergonomic, has a lousy trigger, fires cheap ammo with acceptable accuracy and will be an interesting piece to give to my kid one day that will be worth more than the $75 Dad paid for it.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Over the years I have bought & sold more SKS's then I kept count of.
In the same time period, I only bought one Mini-14.
I still have it, but I don't still have an SKS.
IMO: They are not even close to being comparable in ergonomics, trigger pull, ease of loading, or accuracy.
Dependably is arguable, but my Mini has never missed a lick in 40+ years.
rc
In the same time period, I only bought one Mini-14.
I still have it, but I don't still have an SKS.
IMO: They are not even close to being comparable in ergonomics, trigger pull, ease of loading, or accuracy.
Dependably is arguable, but my Mini has never missed a lick in 40+ years.
rc
sansone
Member
The Ruger is certainly my choice ..
mini 30 if you need to shoot 7.62x39
mini 30 if you need to shoot 7.62x39
TexasPatriot.308
Member
the M14 is one of the best battle rifles ever as is being proven by their coming out of retirement and the mini 14 is its little brother, I love my M1A and my mini 14 & 30s too. the SKS is OK, guess just personal preference and I love American made firearms
JustinJ
Member
"the M14 is one of the best battle rifles ever as is being proven by their coming out of retirement "
Wasn't it also one of the shortest lived battle rifles in service? It's my understanding that they were brought out in a pinch bc the military was in need of an accurate semi auto with more range than a 5.56 due to terrain but are being quickly replaced by SCAR 17s as they become available.
Wasn't it also one of the shortest lived battle rifles in service? It's my understanding that they were brought out in a pinch bc the military was in need of an accurate semi auto with more range than a 5.56 due to terrain but are being quickly replaced by SCAR 17s as they become available.
Zerodefect
member
I'd pick the SKS. Isn't it cheaper, and shoots cheap commie ammo? I have no need for a 5.56 Mini when I allready have an AR.
I've been wanting to get a decent AK or AK pistol for a while. But they allways seem only a hair cheaper than a low end AR......
I've been wanting to get a decent AK or AK pistol for a while. But they allways seem only a hair cheaper than a low end AR......
this is a tough one becuse i like the mini 14 more then the sks but i also like the 7.62x39 round more then the 5.56/.223 round. if the newer mini 30's were as bullet prof as the mini 14's i would pick the 30. in this case i would go with the mini 14. if these are your choices right now i would say save up a little more & get an ak. the extra money you spend now you will be able to make up in ammo in a very short time. i went with a arsenal sgl 21 and couldn't be happier. it is light, accurate & accesories are cheep, weather you buy new or military surplus. i paid $750 for mine & i like better then my mini 14, ar 15 & almost as much as my m1a's. i used to be an ak snob but after doing research for a friend of mine who was looking for one i was sold. btw if you don't want to spend more now, you can get a new saiga 7.62x39 for $350 & convert it later as long as you stay 922r compliant. these are real russian semi auto ak's sportorized for import.
This is apples and oranges. If someone was offering to give me a rifle and I had to choose between an SKS and a Mini 14, I'd take the Mini 14. If I was buying the rifle and had the money to buy the Mini 14, I'd buy an AR. Now, if you can get into the Mini for around $300, buy it.
briansmithwins
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If the Mini-14 is the M14's little brother it's daddy was the milkman. Those rifles just don't have a whole lot in common with each other.
As far as the M14 being a great battle rifle, I'd agree with that. The problem is it was competing against assault rifles and was soundly whipped.
Since I sold the Mini-14 I had and kept the SKS, I guess that's my answer.
LK
Plan2Live
Member
When I bought my SKS Paratrooper for $125 the Mini was about $350 and the ARs were about $500. Economics won. Since then I have read many articles extolling the robustness of the SKS. Mine is as acccurate as I am capable of being and I doubt/hope I never get into a situation where I need 30 round detachable mags. I like the 7.62 round over the 5.56/.223. Watching the 300 Blackout with great interest. I recently put a Winchester 7.62x39 FMJ round through the center of a 12 inch pine tree from about 30 yards away. Note, just one round of 5 fired penetrated, fluke? I will keep this rifle as my 7.62x39 capable weapon but will be adding an AR to the herd at some point. I would grab my SKS out of the mud and fire it before I would grab a Mini or an AR under similar conditions. However, it is a fire breather so I would be reluctant to use it while trying to remain hidden.
If you want redundancy in .223, in case your AR fails, buy the Mini. Need a marine ready (stainless option) rifle, buy the Mini. Want a reasonably priced rough and tumble penatrator, with a built in cleaning kit, buy the SKS. Oh, and mine came with the folding bayonet. Does that count for style points?
If you want redundancy in .223, in case your AR fails, buy the Mini. Need a marine ready (stainless option) rifle, buy the Mini. Want a reasonably priced rough and tumble penatrator, with a built in cleaning kit, buy the SKS. Oh, and mine came with the folding bayonet. Does that count for style points?
FlyinBryan
Member
i would do the sks.
ive owned a mini (stainless early 80's) and never bonded with it.
now i have ar15's and a shorty sks.
an sks shoots like an sks looks.
a mini shoots like an sks looks.
take your pick.
ive owned a mini (stainless early 80's) and never bonded with it.
now i have ar15's and a shorty sks.
an sks shoots like an sks looks.
a mini shoots like an sks looks.
take your pick.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I'd take the mini, though I'd prefer a 580+ series over my old 188-series. Accuracy is better (assuming a new mini), fit and finish is better, .223 is (IMO) a better HD round, it's shorter and lighter, it's easier to fit optics to, and it uses detachable mags right out of the box.
Having said that, SKS's are great little (well, not so little) rifles in their own right, and if deer hunting were part of the reason for ownership then obviously the SKS (or a Mini Thirty) would be a better choice.
Having said that, SKS's are great little (well, not so little) rifles in their own right, and if deer hunting were part of the reason for ownership then obviously the SKS (or a Mini Thirty) would be a better choice.
mr.trooper
Member
Old Style Light is AUTHENTICALLY KRAUSENED you deviant.
On a serious note, I would take the mini - Reliable high capacity factory mags are now a reality. I also prefer the 223 cartridge for several reasons.
Both are good rifles. The Mini-14 is badly overpriced for what it is. The Mini magazines are expensive and most off-brand aftermarket mags won't work well. With the SKS, learning the stripper loader drill might take some time for those unused to it. I suppose the choice should hinge on the relative merits of 7.62X39 and .223. Both have their merits depending on your possible self-defense environment.
If someone else is willing to foot the bill, then make it a Ruger. If I'm picking up the tab, a used SKS. Both are overpriced if you ask me.
I.....er...the wife found this, and picked it up for 175 bucks.
About what they are worth IMO.
I would trade all 3 for an LRB Arms M14SA or M25 however.
11B
I.....er...the wife found this, and picked it up for 175 bucks.
About what they are worth IMO.
I would trade all 3 for an LRB Arms M14SA or M25 however.
11B
Yes. Overpriced at $250...if your referring to the SKS. The last one I bought was at a garage sale for $70.00 (Norinco). I still have it, along with the AK posted above.
With that being said, I wouldn't pay $50 for a Yugo SKS, unless the plan was to sell it at the "going rates".
But I see your point, in regards to the "going prices" for both of these types of firearms. I refuse to pay that much for either when there is no need to.
Different strokes for different folks however...
11B
With that being said, I wouldn't pay $50 for a Yugo SKS, unless the plan was to sell it at the "going rates".
But I see your point, in regards to the "going prices" for both of these types of firearms. I refuse to pay that much for either when there is no need to.
Different strokes for different folks however...
11B
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Sav .250
Member
If I could only have one, I`d pass. Neither is on my radar.
Last year. Person to person sale.
When did you buy your SKS, what type is it, and did you spend $250 for it?
I wasn't bashing on either choice. Nothing wrong with them. i'm saying that I would not fork over the current asking $$ for either, and to include the AK, and AR types out there.
Shop around a little, ifn's ya ask me.
11B
When did you buy your SKS, what type is it, and did you spend $250 for it?
I wasn't bashing on either choice. Nothing wrong with them. i'm saying that I would not fork over the current asking $$ for either, and to include the AK, and AR types out there.
Shop around a little, ifn's ya ask me.
11B
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