mini-14 vs. keltec su16b ?

[Jayne]

I have a mini-14 I never ever use, and based on the happiness the sub2k I picked up is brining me I'm wondering if I should sell the mini-14 to finance a keltec su16b.

Pros/cons are varied, I'm thinking using AR mags in the su16b is a huge win over the mini-14 proprietary. Neither rifle is probably all that accurate vs. an AR, and if the sub2k is any indication the su16 should work really, really well as far as reliability is concerned. su16b folds nicely if needed, holds a mag in the stock which I really like. Mini-14 is a known quantity, there is something to that.

Anyone have/had both and been able to play with them side by side?

I've got enough ARs, this falls in the "something different" category.

 

[JRHorne]

I'd love to try the su16b for all the reasons you listed. Sell the mini, buy one, and give us a write up. If you don't like it, you can always sell it or trade back for another Mini.

I also want to try the 805 Bren, but that's basically an AR.

 

[CZfool68]

I'd love to try the su16b for all the reasons you listed. Sell the mini, buy one, and give us a write up. If you don't like it, you can always sell it or trade back for another Mini.

I also want to try the 805 Bren, but that's basically an AR.

Bren!!!!!! Now you are talking.

 

[NCFubar]

I think you mean the 16C if you want the underfolding stock. I hate the SU16 family's PLASTIC trigger! It gives and bends way toooooo much. It can be replaced with an aluminum one for about $30 and it pretty much goes to an "okay" trigger which for what this little carbine is designed to do is just fine. If you're thinking a backpack ping or truck gun then AFTER swapping the plastic trigger for aluminum I'd think you'd be happy. As to the folding hand guards bipod thing ... it works okay but does have some flex. The little carbine with a red dot up to a 3X Vortex Spitfire would handle things to a 100 yards pretty easy. It to me is a little to much plastic for a primary carbine but like the Sub2000 it fills a special niche. Oh, if you do suppress it be ready to have a fair amount of gases blown back. As to the Mini 14, I don't think it a fair comparison ... it's kinda like comparing cantaloupes and honeydews. They are somewhat alike but not enough to really be fair.

Now to throw a monkey wrench in your thoughts, the SU16 folded is 25.5" but Kel Tec's RDB bullpup is 27.3" ... less than 2" longer in normal trim. The RDB to me is nicer than either the Mini 14 or SU 16. It's piston system is cleaner. The trigger is very nice especially for a bull pup. The downward discharge of spent casings is excellent. If I am correct in thinking of what you're doing I'd look at the RDB also.

 

[Geezer]

I had a 16C and it worked like a charm. And, you could fire it when it was folded.

 

[Burt Gummer]

And, you could fire it when it was folded.

Glad you didn't shoot your eye out

 

[Tom7]

Pros/cons

In my thinking, it's apples to oranges of sorts. It's a rifle round vs. a pistol round.
I had a Beretta Cx4 and really wanted to love it. I just couldn't.
At the end of the day, a PCC is still a "pistol".

 

[Errorhead]

ahh... I think you are thinking about a sub 2000, which comes in 9mm and .40. The SU16's are 5.56.

In my thinking, it's apples to oranges of sorts. It's a rifle round vs. a pistol round.
I had a Beretta Cx4 and really wanted to love it. I just couldn't.
At the end of the day, a PCC is still a "pistol".

 

[Tom7]

AH! My bad. I see 'Keltec rifle' and immediately 'think' PCC. Disregard, carry on.

 

[Jayne]

I think you mean the 16C if you want the underfolding stock.

The 16B looks like it folds too, just not as well as the C with the full underfolder. The 16CA looks like a B, but with the sights moved onto the handguard instead of the end of the barrel and the barrel is threaded. Strange nomenclature.

If I am correct in thinking of what you're doing I'd look at the RDB also.

I have looked a little, but I don't care for the look of it, even without the pistol grip. I also (and this is just a theory) think that it would be more prone to malfunctions and they would be harder to clear with the ejection system on the RDB vs. just throwing the brass out the side like every other rifle. Still, it's worth a look if I can ever find one in real life (gun show I suppose).