Is there a Mini-14 that isn’t the Mini-14?

[Dad_Roman]

Spreadsheet updated.

Feel like I walked in and stepped in a big pile-o-Schiff.

 

[Glenn B]

Will try not to hold that against you...

I'll try not to hold that against you!

 

[rl96ss]

No mention of a M1 carbine?

 

[gll]

I'm tired of seeing my bastardized SKS every time I come to the forum, lol!

 

[Maverick44]

No mention of a M1 carbine?

From what I've read, they are not the most reliable things out there, mainly due to the mags. Apparently, the newly made ones aren't that great, and most of the USGI mags have been used and abused for decades. I believe that Ian from Forgotten Weapons made the comment once that out of all the M1 carbines he's shot (both new and old), not a single one has ever been able to make it through a shooting match without jamming. Probably, your best chance at getting one to run perfectly would be to find a USGI carbine in great mechanical condition (no repros), and an almost mint USGI mag (again, no repros). Or at least, that's what I've been told.

They're still cool guns and I really want one.

 

[zackmars]

From what I've read, they are not the most reliable things out there, mainly due to the mags. Apparently, the newly made ones aren't that great, and most of the USGI mags have been used and abused for decades. I believe that Ian from Forgotten Weapons made the comment once that out of all the M1 carbines he's shot (both new and old), not a single one has ever been able to make it through a shooting match without jamming. Probably, your best chance at getting one to run perfectly would be to find a USGI carbine in great mechanical condition (no repros), and an almost mint USGI mag (again, no repros). Or at least, that's what I've been told.

They're still cool guns and I really want one.

they are very temperamental guns, and while mags are the weakest link, it's far from the only issue. in my experience, they need to be run wet, NOS USGI , and a chamber that is absolutely spotless, amongst other things.

a lot of it is simply due to the fact the newest USGI carbine was made in 1945, but also it was a rather quick design, and it doesn't hold up over time


stupid fun to shoot though, but very expensive, even for the sub-par commercial guns

 

[rl96ss]

From what I've read, they are not the most reliable things out there, mainly due to the mags. Apparently, the newly made ones aren't that great, and most of the USGI mags have been used and abused for decades. I believe that Ian from Forgotten Weapons made the comment once that out of all the M1 carbines he's shot (both new and old), not a single one has ever been able to make it through a shooting match without jamming. Probably, your best chance at getting one to run perfectly would be to find a USGI carbine in great mechanical condition (no repros), and an almost mint USGI mag (again, no repros). Or at least, that's what I've been told.

They're still cool guns and I really want one.

Very cool guns.
Have a couple of USGI ones and though I haven't put many rounds through them, I also can not remember having a single malfunction with them. Bought a box of surplus magazines awhile back and pretty sure that might change. It wouldn't be my first option, but wouldn't call it unreliable.

 

[Charlie]

I had a Mini 14 years ago, (20, 30?) and it worked wonderfully. I really enjoyed it and regret I sold it.