Galil vs mini 14?

[erwos]

Like erwos, I also have a Galil in the process of being built. His numbers are right on, other than Tenngalil quoted me about $700 for the build due to some extras I wanted (Hebrew markings, pinned flash surpressor, moly coated, ect.).

Sounds like the same price I got. In truth, there are other good builders who are cheaper (InRange), but don't have the same cachet when it comes to Galils in particular.

And the truth is, as they go, the prices we're talking about for a good Galil isn't completely outrageous. Valmets, which are about the only AKs remotely comparable in quality, go in the same price range. It's one of the reasons I was so uptight about getting a true SAR build with engravings... if I haul it out at the range, I damn well want people to understand they're not looking at a Golani.

On a budget, I'd be looking at a converted Saiga or a Mini-14. If you're willing to use stripper clips and a StripLULA to reload magazines real quick, you can get away with fewer magazines on the Mini-14 (and thus remove my major complaint about the gun, the magazine prices). Hell, one of these days, I ought to get a Mini-14 and do just that...

 

[krashmania]

you dont want to go down that road... trimming trunnion and stuff. my buddy uses polish beryl mags or east German weiger mags

Got it, just curious.

 

[DarthZed]

There is an adaptor available that allows the use of AR mags. It usually requires some "fitting" to your particular gun. I understand that its removable, so you can restore the gun to its standard configuration, should you choose. Surplus Galil mags are getting hard to find, and I'm glad I picked up a bunch when when I did; but Tapco makes them, so mags are still available fairly cheap (yes, yes, I know BLACKTALON, they're not milsurp. ).

 

[SCARCQB]

If it is not an original IMI Galil... chances are, you are going to have issues with it.
Genuine Galils are 3K +, you are better off with a Ruger Mini-14. Both guns use proprietary mags( You can get a Galil AR mag adapter). Ruger mags are great.. aftermarket ones tend to suck. If you can get a Ruger mini in an original Ruger side folding stock.. you will have one of the nicest looking carbine at the range.

 

[browning guy]

go with the mini its a good reliable weapon. The price is right and they eat anything you feed them. Its a good go to gun

 

[krashmania]

Funny, in the poll, galil is winning 18-16, but by my count, those in explanation are pro-mini by 10-4. Interesting...

 

[mbz300sdl]

Funny, in the poll, galil is winning 18-16, but by my count, those in explanation are pro-mini by 10-4. Interesting...

That's because mini-14 owners are able to give reasons to back up their reasoning and galil owners aren't that's right i said it.

 

[AwesomeBill]

So, they have to take galil mags? Could one be made to take ar mags?

I looked into the adapter(s), and i didn't like the amount of work that had to be done to the receiver. So, i put in a bullet guide, and decided to see which surplus mags the gun liked. I started with the steel Galil mags and got lucky. Fit and function were perfect. I never bothered to try the Orlites or Weigers. I did try the Tapco plasic galil mag and they wobble but work.

Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of being able to use the same mags in the saiga and ar. I just wasn't comfortable with what had to be done to the saiga, and i had too many horror stories about botched adapter installs.

If you want to run AR mags, I would stick to a platform designed for them.

 

[erwos]

If it is not an original IMI Galil... chances are, you are going to have issues with it.

Eh... not entirely true. It's easy to pick up a so-so one (Golani, Blackthorne, ORF, etc.), but you can build a damned fine one for $1400-$1500 using a CNCW receiver. Remember that the imported IMIs are in no way perfect: receiver isn't heat-treated, barrel twist is usually 1:12, flash hider is often incorrect, barrel length is sometimes non-standard (16", when it should be 18"), etc.

That's because mini-14 owners are able to give reasons to back up their reasoning and galil owners aren't that's right i said it.

A good Galil is the better gun, hands-down. It's just that this poll is inherently flawed because the price range for a good Galil and a good Mini-14 are completely different, and the OP didn't realize that. If you normalized the prices to "Golani vs Mini-14", by all means, the Mini-14 is the clear winner.

 

[-Z/28-]

This thread needs some mini-14 porn. So I'll add some.
Same rifle in both pics. 581 series tactical with 16" barrel/fh.
Currently its in the wood configuration.

 

[HappyCamper]

My experience with a Galil/Golani was great. Over 800 rounds through it without issue. 35 round mags rock and are cheap. Functionality of the rifle is great, it ran anything I put through it from match to wolf. Ergonomics is great. Cost was under $600.

My experience with a Ruger was not as good. Picky about mags unless they are factory, and factory mags are expensive. Picky about some ammo, some worked well, some did not work so well. Shot larger groups than the Golani. Egronomics were less than satisfactory.

 

[mbz300sdl]

This thread needs some mini-14 porn. So I'll add some.
Same rifle in both pics. 581 series tactical with 16" barrel/fh.
Currently its in the wood configuration.

Mini-14's just look better in wood!

 

[rj1974]

Mini-14's just look better in wood!

here ya go . A couple of mine .

 

[ATTom]

To me you are comparing apples and tunafish. IMI galli's (SP) are a $3000 collectors rifle. A mini 14 is a cheaper alternative to an ar but does every function half as well. Optics are not as easy to mount, magazines are more expensive and harder to find and they're not as accurate. The only advantage is that their cheap, but with spikes ar's at 800 dollars and 6920's at 1050, I cannot see a reason to not own one unless you are just 100 percent against one.

 

[Hit and Run]

I have owned 3 mini+14's over the years. Highly recommend the new mini-14 ranch rifle. These used to take a hit in accuracy. The new ones are much improved and they eat anything. I have never had malfunction with my current mini

 

[-Z/28-]

To me you are comparing apples and tunafish. IMI galli's (SP) are a $3000 collectors rifle. A mini 14 is a cheaper alternative to an ar but does every function half as well. Optics are not as easy to mount, magazines are more expensive and harder to find and they're not as accurate. The only advantage is that their cheap, but with spikes ar's at 800 dollars and 6920's at 1050, I cannot see a reason to not own one unless you are just 100 percent against one.

Not true. There is one thing a Mini-14 does exceptionally better than an AR; function. My mini has never failed in anyway. In the 3 years I've had it, it has always gone bang. My AR on the other hand has already had a couple failures in less than 500rds. Also it doesn't need to be pampered with constant lube and cleaning like an AR. Now while the AR is better for target accuracy, in terms of combat accuracy out to 100yds I'd say they are both plenty effective.

 

[ATTom]

I forgot that's why the us military is tripping over itself to replace the ar with minis. I don't think I have ever had a problem with my ar and if I did it was def not 3 failures per 500.

 

[sailskidrive]

Funny, in the poll, galil is winning 18-16, but by my count, those in explanation are pro-mini by 10-4. Interesting...

It's all about experience. Mini fanatics have had far more time reading and writing dissertations about the merits of the Mini from the endless Mini vs ARs threads.

The Galil folks have yet to organize!

Below is a picture of my Mini sporting cutlery so that no one thinks I'm an unreliable AR "Space Gun", fan boy.

 

[niftyvt]

Not true. There is one thing a Mini-14 does exceptionally better than an AR; function. My mini has never failed in anyway. In the 3 years I've had it, it has always gone bang. My AR on the other hand has already had a couple failures in less than 500rds. Also it doesn't need to be pampered with constant lube and cleaning like an AR. Now while the AR is better for target accuracy, in terms of combat accuracy out to 100yds I'd say they are both plenty effective.

I ran 2500 ish rounds through my AR in a 2 day class with zero problems, all I did was wipe the bolt down with a towel after day 1, lubed and reassembled and yes its a DI gun. You might want to get your AR looked at if its failing that often.

I vote mini14 because of what everyone else has said but mostly because it gets a high bang for your buck mark on my value scale compared to the Galil builds.

 

[sailskidrive]

Not true. There is one thing a Mini-14 does exceptionally better than an AR; function. My mini has never failed in anyway. In the 3 years I've had it, it has always gone bang. My AR on the other hand has already had a couple failures in less than 500rds. Also it doesn't need to be pampered with constant lube and cleaning like an AR. Now while the AR is better for target accuracy, in terms of combat accuracy out to 100yds I'd say they are both plenty effective.

My case in point.