Cut down a Mini 14 barrel?

[Tronster]

I have a stainless steel Ruger Mini 14 with the newer style 18.5" tapered barrel. Well couple years later they came out with 16" models with flash hiders attached, and what I've read the shorter barrel cuts down on harmonic whip and improved accuracy. Question is should I have my mini 14's barrel cut down to 16" and threaded for a flash hider, or should I just trade it in for the 16" model (and maybe only get half the value on trade in)?

And please don't suggest trading it for an AR, I've already got an AR. The mini is just fun to shoot, but that barrel does seem a tad long.

[Squib Joe]

You could also install an Accu-strut and accomplish the same without the loss of velocity

[codilly]

I have a stainless steel Ruger Mini 14 with the newer style 18.5" tapered barrel. Well couple years later they came out with 16" models with flash hiders attached, and what I've read the shorter barrel cuts down on harmonic whip and improved accuracy. Question is should I have my mini 14's barrel cut down to 16" and threaded for a flash hider, or should I just trade it in for the 16" model (and maybe only get half the value on trade in)?

And please don't suggest trading it for an AR, I've already got an AR. The mini is just fun to shoot, but that barrel does seem a tad long.

Trade it for an AR

[bensdad]

Trade it in for an AK.

[2in2out]

I'd use it as an excuse to sell it off and get what you really want.

There's always a risk that cutting it down won't produce the desired results.

[Tronster]

Already have an AR; I just like to have a variety of guns to shoot. And I'm too heavily invested in 5.56 ammo to start stockpiling a new caliber for AK's.

An accustrut is an option but wonder if adding that much weight up front would ruin it's light pointability. The short barrel mini points/handles even better. Looking around at estimates for cut/crown/threading, it would make more sense to just trade for the short barrel mini. I would need to decide blued or stainless again. I have a feeling the blued would be less suseptable to peening and barrel erosion.

[Countryfried Frank]

I've been tempted to do the same with mine. I spoke with another board member who mentioned that Bills can have it sent out to be done and I am a little fuzzy on the price he mentioned but somewhere in the 100USD range sticks in my head.

[bensdad]

Already have an AR; I just like to have a variety of guns to shoot. And I'm too heavily invested in 5.56 ammo to start stockpiling a new caliber for AK's.

They make AK's in 5.56. JUst sayin.

[JustPlainT]

Already have an AR; I just like to have a variety of guns to shoot. And I'm too heavily invested in 5.56 ammo to start stockpiling a new caliber for AK's.

They make AK's in 5.56. JUst sayin.

But the mags are a huge pain in the butt to find.

I'm glad I got my 5.56 AK set up back before any of the gun/ammo rushes. The magazines are near impossible to find anymore, and when you do they are extremely expensive.

[Tronster]

I'm well invested in ammo and factory 20 round ruger mags for the Mini 14, and the Garand action is reliable, so it'll probably stick around for awhile.

AK's are fun but they have few redeeming qualities as far as fit, finish, ergonomics or sights, and nowadays a good AK is almost as much as an AR. They are simple and reliable, but thats about it. The mini 14 is just so light and even softer recoiling than an AR (and a little more PC around the old guys at the range). When the bore is cold, it's almost as accurate as an AR, but after one or two mags it's groups really open up. Maybe I'll try an accustrut and see if it helps before I trade it for a short barrel mini.