The Mini-14: The Plinker, Hunter, Assault, and Everything Else Rifle (Paperback)

~ Duncan Long (Author) "When firearms are introduced to the public or the battlefield, they generally function poorly until the final design bugs are worked out..." (more)
Key Phrases: blued rifle, stainless steel rifle, secondary sear, Ranch Rifle, Springfield Armory, Uncle Mike (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Mini-14 is the most versatile modern rifle, used by homeowners, hunters, survivalists, law enforce-ment agencies and military forces. An infinite number of Mini-14s may be constructed with the many marketed accessories. Here is the Mini-14's history, model specifications and much more.

About the Author

Duncan Long is an internationally recognized nonfiction and fiction writer of countless books and magazine articles on weapons and warfare. He is a best-selling Paladin author, with more than 20 firearms manuals in print.

Product Details

• Paperback: 114 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press; 1987. Corr. 11t edition (December 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873644077
• ISBN-13: 978-0873644075
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #247,232 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good book that needs updating, February 20, 1999

By A Customer

Much of the information in this little volume is worthwhile. Especially valuable are the field-stripping, trouble shooting and basic expedient gunsmithing advice. There is no guide to improving accuracy, however, which I was hoping to find, and not much on recommended ammunition or on actual experiences with owning and shooting this nifty carbine. The complete history of the development and usage of the "everyman's rifle" is interesting, but over long. Also, there is too much information in which I am not interested - M14's, M1A1's, and even AK's take up far too much space. Enough to make me think Mr. Long was deliberately trying to fill up a few pages. The book NEEDS a good updating - it was written before the crime bill, and much is made of various folding stocks and other "obsolete" accessories, and the reference section is mostly outdated. Overall I'm glad to have it on my reference shelf, where it will sit until I need to solve some problem or other, but otherwise it's not a satisfactory read.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Save your money for ammunition. . ., October 8, 2002

By A Customer

This book is very dated; it doesn't appear that the author or editor has looked at it, or revised it, since the mid-80s. As such, it fails to place the Mini-14 in the context of various recent crime bills and their effects on folding stocks, etc. Furthermore, there is too much in here about various Beretta designs, and a .22 cal. plinker. Much of the information is generic to all rifles, such as tips on scabbards and bipods, while there is relatively little timely information specific to the Mini-14, such as how to tweak better performance from the weapon. The author also digresses a bit too far afield on the Sturm Ruger corp. in general, and Ruger non-firearm information in particular.
Some current information on hand-loading for the Mini-14 would be a nice addition as well.
It appears this book was an early draft that was never finished for market, although it clearly shows evidence that the author is well-acquainted with his subject.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A good book for a beginner working with Mini-14s., March 18, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

I recently purchase a Mini-14 and I was looking for some resource materials. I purchased both this book and "Super Systems". This is by far the better choice of the two. While field stripping explaination is ok, I would have liked some pictures of this proceedure. If you are already an experienced Mini-14 user then save your money.