Mini 30 v. M1A v. AR 10 v. ?

[morningstar]

This is about guns. Gun haters go away thanks.

I am in a conundrum. I'd like to get an M1A, but the price tag is discouraging. If it is worth it, I will find it (Sell a couple of ESP's).

I am looking at Ruger Mini 30, but don't know what to think of the 7.62 X 39 "AK-47" round. I know what to expect from the Mini 14 223. I have seen the Hickok45 vids on You Tube (the real Dirty Harry BTW).

I hear SO many problems with the AR10 and 7.62 X 51 NATO (308) with extraction, especially the Bushmasters. I really don't want to spend a ton on one of these and then have to spend another ton on smithing and parts. Is it poossible to comvert an AR type to a more conventional appearance. Tp me. the whole M-16 thing is ugly to me and sends a bad message about the user.

The reason I want something like a Mini 30/14 is because I am trying to avoid something that looks like an assault rifle. DUH, I know, but it makes a difference to Joe Average and his fellow jurors, so it makes difference to me. Something conventional with HUGE magazines is the goal.

Help me bros. I need input from one of the few places I know I can get a brutally honest set of opinions. If you have a better suggestion, I am not married to any particular time, I just need to know hwat is the best bang for buck in a light format semi automatic rifle.

Thankee

morningstar

Some day I lurn to spel an TypE, I promiss.

[murkat]

Being a Vet and a dam good shot,

for a "black rifle", I went with a sigsaur 556.

There is a gun show here, somewhere, all the time (duh).

the new AR stuff just does not do it for me,

it is the same thing I had and issued to in the 80's.

The SIG is a lil heavy, but it is the biggin.

They do make a mini that is getting great reviews, results.

recoil minimal, no big slammin spring, folding stock is nice.

the 7.62 round... it be nice, but, really? (I thought hard on that as well)

but the 223 is very avail and on the cheap in bulk (walmart, federal rounds)

[Bloozguy]

Other than the Ruger Mini 30, I don't know of any commercial semi auto rifle that is "conventional" in appearance but will accept high capacity magazines.

If you are after something in 7.62 you could look at the Remington 750:

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-750/model-750-woodsmaster.aspx

Or the Browning BAR:

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?fid=002B&cid=031&tid=219&bg=x

Those are both available in a variety of calibers and configurations but I don't think either one will accept anything larger than a 5 round magazine.

A step away from strictly conventional appearance but still not purely assault rifle looking is the FN AR:

http://www.fnhusa.com/l/products/commercial/autoloading-rifles/fnar-heavy/

Those are only available in 7.62x51 (.308) but they are very reliable and will accept 10- and 20-round magazines.

I'm going through almost the same decision making process right now...I'm in the market for a semi-auto .308 and I don't want an AR style...but I don't really care if what I buy is black and ugly...it just won't be what I reach for if I ever need to defend the household

If you're not looking for long-range performance, the 7.62x39 in the Mini 30 is a good combination. Lot's of cheap practice ammo available too.

[morningstar]

Thanks guys! I am now leaning even harder to the 223 and mini 14. The Sig is a monster, but I need a sleeper, not something with "military" assault rifle looks. I had seen the BAR and Remington as well and was concerned about hi cap mags. Thanks for that info.

[murkat]

yeah, me bad.

I assumed mini as short barrel (10"), folding stock, etc.

Ray set me straight, got schooled....

as far a s shell, caliber size, I went with the thought "if the shit hits the fan",

there would be plenty of 223 to be had in many different opertunities.

Plus, the 223 is such a nasty lil fucker post penatration of target.

[Bennyboy-UK]

With mini 14 you'll look like you're in the A-team!

He's on the Jazz!

[Bloozguy]

Sounds like you’re leaning in a good, and perhaps the only, direction.

Ruger makes a “Target Model” Mini-14 that ships with only a 5-round magazine and is certain not to intimidate “Joe Average and his fellow jurors” (at least the laminated stock version probably won’t) should you ever find yourself in a position where you must explain the reason you have said rifle. It will accept the same magazines as the other versions. The only downside is that it comes without iron sights so you need to invest in optics right away.

If the proverbial fecal matter ever does collide with the large rotating object, you may have to carry your ammo with you and 500 rounds of 5.56x45mm (.223) only weighs 13 pounds whereas 500 rounds of 7.62x39mm weighs 20.1 pounds and 500 rounds of 7.62x51mm (.308) weighs 28 pounds.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

[Bennyboy-UK]

I think that the above is bang on... Certainly the "civilised" face of centre fire self loaders.

Not that we can even use any self loaders apart from .22 rimfre rifles over here any more....