The Mini 14’s real purpose and being realistic
I have been and always will be a Mini 14 enthusiast, I guess I won too many merit badges in gun forum arguments with the AR15 blowhards, and I’ve done plenty of 500yd shooting with my guns to know that they are still viable defensive and target shooting guns even though there is an obvious limit to how many rounds can be accurately fired. The M4 is an excellent firearm, but eleminating a few pounds of weight during a trek is going to matter. I was never a fan of making an AR15 or M4 Carbine too light because in my opinion, the gun needs to handle a firefight and not melt on me and I don’t think this will happen with a Coyote sighting. Still though, I’ve seen what a Mini 14 with 20rd and 30rd magazines is capable of doing and although it’s not a combat gun but it’s a very good SHTF weapon.
I see all kind of tactical stocks showing up from Tapco and other companies and I’m not on that level of converting a Mini 14 into, but I still prefer the folding stock standard carbine for self defensive and the Mini 14 Ranch rifle with a 3-9×40 scope. I’ve had Sightron and Leupolds on mine and have thousands of rounds through them and still get MOA with three shot bursts. Another issue that I find common amongst many of the tactical shooters is sighting in and shooting off of tables, it’s not that much of a headache if you have a good rest, but it becomes easier if you have gun magazines that is 5rd or 10rds. The standard Mini 14 magazines are extremely reliable and if you are using it as a traditional ranch gun, this is one of the most balanced semi-autos in existance.
Back when the 1994 assault weapons ban was into effect there were more headaches in the gun world due to the fact that factory handgun magazines were so expensive. People cut corners with other brands and had issues. When it comes to owning a handgun, especially an auto, I highly recommend having atleast 3 magazines. Not only can guns malfunction, but magazines do wear out and break at some points and its always good to have some extra comfort if one goes down. Most of the time it’s the floor plates that come loose and a loaded mag will just dump rounds on the ground. I’ve seen it happen with rifles and handguns. If you ever run a Carbine course, you’re defanitely going to want to have atleast 3 mags for your pistol, too.
I’ve got my credentials from the NRA to teach students, but it wasn’t for any financial gain or to be a full time teacher. The real reason I got into training was because of all of the bad instruction I’ve witnessed from untrained teachers. I’ve seen guys show up with their girlfriends and basicall load up a handgun to full capacity and begin their first experiences on the firing line by telling them to “rack the slide”. I believe I’ve seen that type of firearm instruction one too many times, and I believe i’ve seen it atleast 3 times. The female has her finger on the trigger while she fearfully tries to pull back on the slide and sometimes instantly jams the gun. The first time I saw this happen there were shooters on a firing line on both sides and I just stood there shaking my head. Not only are we going to see an accident about to happen, but this girls first experience wasn’t going to be a good one. I know now to be more assertive and speak up when I see stuff like that, but luckily there were no major mishaps.