[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Mini 14 prices (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 1/15/2015 9:14:16 AM EDT
So what is the deal with the prices (both new and used) for Mini 14's? I sort of want to get one, but can not bring myself to spend more for a Mini 14 than an AR15 costs. Why is this, what makes the Mini 14 worth ($700-800 New), and $650-700 used? Am I missing something? 
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Whatever answers you get below, you will get the opposite on Perfect Union.
How many people make a Mini-14? How many people make an AR-15? They are excellent rifles nowadays. Just no competition. Make sure you get one of the newer ones with the tapered barrel. They have the same accuracy as the average AR. |
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Quoted: So what is the deal with the prices (both new and used) for Mini 14's? I sort of want to get one, but can not bring myself to spend more for a Mini 14 than an AR15 costs. Why is this, what makes the Mini 14 worth ($700-800 New), and $650-700 used? Am I missing something? Newer guns are made on new machinery, which drove up production costs. Lastly, only Ruger makes Mini-14s, everyone makes AR-15s.
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Quoted:
Whatever answers you get below, you will get the opposite on Perfect Union. How many people make a Mini-14? How many people make an AR-15? They are excellent rifles nowadays. Just no competition. Make sure you get one of the newer ones with the tapered barrel. They have the same accuracy as the average AR. But they cost more than the average AR, and the mags cost way more than the AR. I guess I don't understand the appeal. I want one because I and bored of AR15's, but sheesh, I am not sure if I can justify paying what the current market wants for one. 
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I agree, OP. I saw a plain Jane Mini at Walmart a few days ago for $778.
A lot Fudds like them and they're legal to own in some ban states. I can't fathom why anyone would buy one over an AR at that price. I've tried to think about it objectively and the Mini has not one single advantage of any kind over the AR platform. |
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Quoted: But they cost more than the average AR, and the mags cost way more than the AR. I guess I don't understand the appeal. I want one because I and bored of AR15's, but sheesh, I am not sure if I can justify paying what the current market wants for one. Quoted: Quoted: Whatever answers you get below, you will get the opposite on Perfect Union. How many people make a Mini-14? How many people make an AR-15? They are excellent rifles nowadays. Just no competition. Make sure you get one of the newer ones with the tapered barrel. They have the same accuracy as the average AR. But they cost more than the average AR, and the mags cost way more than the AR. I guess I don't understand the appeal. I want one because I and bored of AR15's, but sheesh, I am not sure if I can justify paying what the current market wants for one. |
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I agree, OP. I saw a plain Jane Mini at Walmart a few days ago for $778.
A lot Fudds like them and they're legal to own in some ban states. I can't fathom why anyone would buy one over an AR at that price. I've tried to think about it objectively and the Mini has not one single advantage of any kind over the AR platform. I just want one because it it different, but man...those prices freaking suck. |
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Quoted: I'd like a new Ford F250 for 30,000 dollars too....Those days are over too. Quoted: Quoted: I'd really like a SS tactical model,but would like it new for 500-  I'd like a new Ford F250 for 30,000 dollars too....Those days are over too.  |
| I like mine. Newer series - paid $700 for it out the door with a 20 round mag and two 30 round mags back when I lived in CT, before they banned everything. I wasn't into ARs then and loved the M14ish looks and action of the mini. Also, the new ones shoot just fine. |
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I'd really like a SS tactical model,but would like it new for 500- I'd like a new Ford F250 for 30,000 dollars too....Those days are over too.
but its not a King Ranch |
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Eventually I'll have a new production model.... http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz50/billt460/RugerMini14Tactical002.jpg I have the top version. When the new style came out I bought a standard wood stocked version. I could hardly hit paper with it. I brought it back and got the tactical version. I got lucky with that one, its very easy to shoot. |
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The receivers on the newer versions look like they just left the exterior in slab/billet form...bare minimum of machine work... I bought a 'surplus' mini 14 not too long ago...$300 Where did you find it? I have been looking everywhere, and the used prices are more than a new AR15. |
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I agree, OP. I saw a plain Jane Mini at Walmart a few days ago for $778.
A lot Fudds like them and they're legal to own in some ban states. I can't fathom why anyone would buy one over an AR at that price. I've tried to think about it objectively and the Mini has not one single advantage of any kind over the AR platform. It's not scary looking. That, to some, is an advantage. |
I got a Mini Thirty, wanted something to shoot the 7.62x39 ammo. I like the action on it, and it sounds really cool when you're working it.  Yea, $700'ish is a bit to pay for one. And in this fuckhole of a state, I'm stuck with 5rd ruger mags, or 10rd promags. Y U NO A-TEAM, Bra?! Now I want a matching Mini-14, just because. But will have to sell off other stuff first. |
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Where did you find it? I have been looking everywhere, and the used prices are more than a new AR15. Quoted:
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The receivers on the newer versions look like they just left the exterior in slab/billet form...bare minimum of machine work... I bought a 'surplus' mini 14 not too long ago...$300 Where did you find it? I have been looking everywhere, and the used prices are more than a new AR15. A pal that works in a gunstore part time forced me to order one so we could get 'dealer discount' for an order of five or more. I thought we were getting Mini 14 GB law enforcement rifles...but no..just standard stainless Mini 14 rifles from the 1980's...I think these came from CDNN...actual cost was like $340 tax and all...Really wouldn't have gone for the deal if I had known I wasn't getting a GB...
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A pal that works in a gunstore part time forced me to order one so we could get 'dealer discount' for an order of five or more. I thought we were getting Mini 14 GB law enforcement rifles...but no..just standard stainless Mini 14 rifles from the 1980's...I think these came from CDNN...actual cost was like $340 tax and all...Really wouldn't have gone for the deal if I had known I wasn't getting a GB... Quoted:
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The receivers on the newer versions look like they just left the exterior in slab/billet form...bare minimum of machine work... I bought a 'surplus' mini 14 not too long ago...$300 Where did you find it? I have been looking everywhere, and the used prices are more than a new AR15. A pal that works in a gunstore part time forced me to order one so we could get 'dealer discount' for an order of five or more. I thought we were getting Mini 14 GB law enforcement rifles...but no..just standard stainless Mini 14 rifles from the 1980's...I think these came from CDNN...actual cost was like $340 tax and all...Really wouldn't have gone for the deal if I had known I wasn't getting a GB... I can never find deals like that. Every pawn shop, gun shop, and private sale around here is all between $600-750.
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But they cost more than the average AR, and the mags cost way more than the AR. I guess I don't understand the appeal. I want one because I and bored of AR15's, but sheesh, I am not sure if I can justify paying what the current market wants for one. Quoted:
Quoted:
Whatever answers you get below, you will get the opposite on Perfect Union. How many people make a Mini-14? How many people make an AR-15? They are excellent rifles nowadays. Just no competition. Make sure you get one of the newer ones with the tapered barrel. They have the same accuracy as the average AR. But they cost more than the average AR, and the mags cost way more than the AR. I guess I don't understand the appeal. I want one because I and bored of AR15's, but sheesh, I am not sure if I can justify paying what the current market wants for one. 
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The Mini 14 costs more to make than the low end ARs you're comparing them to. Yep it's hard to beat a design that's in the public domain and just about everyone is making or making parts for. Even people with a few tools and a little know how can make the lower at home... |
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Yep it's hard to beat a design that's in the public domain and just about everyone is making or making parts for. Even people with a few tools and a little know how can make the lower at home... Quoted:
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The Mini 14 costs more to make than the low end ARs you're comparing them to. Yep it's hard to beat a design that's in the public domain and just about everyone is making or making parts for. Even people with a few tools and a little know how can make the lower at home... So I guess that the Mini 14 is now a niche market? |
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A lot of us older guys shoot the old standard stocked rifles better than our ARs. Maybe not always more accurately at least on a static target, but at least for me, I can can get on a moving target faster and get more hits quicker with an M1 carbine , M14/Garand, Mini 14/30. That's the stuff as lot of us grew up on and we just naturally fit into them better.
Cost is economy of scale for one, production methods and associated costs is another. My one peeve though, is the magazine deal. If they were able to mod it to use AR mags it would be great, but I don't think the bolt mechanism / feed design allows for it. I would love to see one in .30 Carbine too, using M1 carbine mags. |
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Quoted: I can never find deals like that. Every pawn shop, gun shop, and private sale around here is all between $600-750. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: The receivers on the newer versions look like they just left the exterior in slab/billet form...bare minimum of machine work... I bought a 'surplus' mini 14 not too long ago...$300 Where did you find it? I have been looking everywhere, and the used prices are more than a new AR15. A pal that works in a gunstore part time forced me to order one so we could get 'dealer discount' for an order of five or more. I thought we were getting Mini 14 GB law enforcement rifles...but no..just standard stainless Mini 14 rifles from the 1980's...I think these came from CDNN...actual cost was like $340 tax and all...Really wouldn't have gone for the deal if I had known I wasn't getting a GB... I can never find deals like that. Every pawn shop, gun shop, and private sale around here is all between $600-750. |
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A lot of us older guys shoot the old standard stocked rifles better than our ARs. Maybe not always more accurately at least on a static target, but at least for me, I can can get on a moving target faster and get more hits quicker with an M1 carbine , M14/Garand, Mini 14/30. That's the stuff as lot of us grew up on and we just naturally fit into them better. Cost is economy of scale for one, production methods and associated costs is another. My one peeve though, is the magazine deal. If they were able to mod it to use AR mags it would be great, but I don't think the bolt mechanism / feed design allows for it. I would love to see one in .30 Carbine too, using M1 carbine mags. It's funny that you mention that, I actually picked up a pretty nice Winchester M1 Carbine for cheaper than a used mini costs. |
| I bought a new model mini 14 at Walmart last year for $627, and am happy with it. I put recoil buffers in, and made a reduced diameter gas bushing on my lathe for it, so it ejects brass in a neat pile instead of in orbit. It is enjoyable and easy to shoot, and has proven to be reliable. If I were to move to state that did not allow ARs, it would do just fine for sporting and home defense purposes. |