Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Fired one today, actualy I was kinda thinking about buying it from my uncle since he never uses it. It's 15 years old and I'd be shocked if more than 50 or 100 rounds have been through it. Looks like a new gun on the outside. Anyway the trigger sucks. Its dead at first than bam it fires. At first I wasn't pulling it all the way and was like WTF, but you just have to yank it. Mind you I oiled and cleaned the trigger assembly yesterday. That dead spot drove me nuts.

Next comes the weight, its heavy. Its like they stuck a tiny littler barrel on an M14 and called it good. Its to heavy for what it is, and the barrel is so light that it gets hot, very hot, very fast. When it gets hot good luck hitting much out past 100 yards. The group got lose, not like on the M1 Carbine, which remained consistant. Even after 60+ years and combat.

The stocks cheap, and iron sights suck. This one had a decent Bushnell scope on it which helped matters.

What I really disliked was the kick. Now the only other 5.56 rifle I'm used to is my friends M4. Comparing a mini 14 to the M4 is like comparing a Ferrari to a Chevy. Not even near the same league. I think it kicks so much because the freaken slide is to big and heavy, lots of mass moving.

Now I had my grandfathers .30cal M1 Carbine as well. Now that is how you shrink the Garand design. Very similer internals, exept on the M1 they got it right. Fantastic little rifle, very little recoil, accurite, easy to shoot. The shrank the action so its lighter, as the should for a smaller round. Even after a lot of use the trigger pull is quite nice. Not as good as the M4, but good enough.

So insted of the mini 14 I'm going to get a K98. I don't feel like dropping $1,800 on a full sized M14 or M4.

Just my 2 cents, I'm sure there are people who love it plus upgrades.