Mini-G as a SHTF Rifle

[HerkyBird]

Curious...How many of you Mini-G owners consider your MG your primary centerfire rifle for when/if the proverbial S hits the F?

[timshufflin]

Not me. The S ain't hitting no F so I'll be listening to spandau ballet while you all prep :)

[Erj]

My BMini59-G is my high-power backup for my Mini-14, Winchester Model 12, and S&W Model 29.

As far as whether the S will HTF: I'm agnostic.

[HerkyBird]

I hope the S never hits the F; but if the Muslim Communist gets reelected, things ain't gonna be good. I think you'll see the economy just get worse and worse and constitutional rights disappear. After all, he'll have "more flexibility." At any rate, I think the Mini G is a very fine choice for a primary centerfire rifle. Relatively light, handy, powerful, quick reloads, common caliber, and, most importantly, positively gorgeous.

[Delta-3]

Well, since I received my new SIG 556R it's a toss-up with my mag fed Mini-G. Since I'm going to re-scope my "G" it will probably be my longer range backup to the SIG.
Of course, I'll probably get shot in the back looking at the gun safe trying to decide which one to take!

[dan]

The only downside I see to a -G as a primary defense piece is the op-rod spring. It's a wear item and not a standard Garand piece. Probably a good idea to store a few spares. I think it makes a great "truck gun" and is robust,potent, pretty and just plain cool.

[timshufflin]

The only downside I see to a -G as a primary defense piece is the op-rod spring. It's a wear item and not a standard Garand piece. Probably a good idea to store a few spares. I think it makes a great "truck gun" and is robust,potent, pretty and just plain cool.


The mag fed G uses a standard Garand spring :) It's just cut down.

[deputy85]

when the ''shtf''' someone please call me, let me know,

[LEAD POISON]

Ak 47.........

[HerkyBird]

Ak 47.........


Doesn't fit my definition. The round is not versatile enough. I'm not talking about pitched battles here. I'm talking about EVERYTHING. Hunting anything on this continent, survival, self defense, bugging out, bugging in, etc. I think the .06 acquits itself well for all of these (as would a .308).

[Eli]

I'm leaning slightly towards a G-3 myself. Small, AK reliability.

Eli

[axemurderer]

I know I will most likelt not be in the majority in this, I love both my Gs, but my SHTF rifle is my Mitchells M-63 tanker in 8mm. Long eye relief Leupold M8 2.5x perfect for everthing but low on firepower. And reliable as hell!
Mike

[mikebaker1129]

The late survival guru Mel Tappan preferred the BM62 as an all around survival rifle. The mag fed mini G is almost the same rifle.
With a scout rail for an upper handguard it fits into Jeff Cooper's "Scout" concept also.

[grumpyoldretiredcop]

I know Mr. Shufflin will excoriate me for this, but as much as I love my Mini-G, if I had to depend on one rifle for all the uses the OP listed, it would be... my M1A. Too hard to find parts for the Mini-G if it breaks and since I'm too busted up to run far, the extra weight of the M1A isn't a problem. (heading for hard cover)

[Delta-3]

I think the M1A is a fine choice but the Mini-G, either "regular" or mag fed, uses regular M1 parts that are plentiful. The only parts that aren't M1 specific are the op-rod. For the mag fed, it's only the front portion of a regular M1 trigger group. Spare parts shouldn't be a problem.
I had Tim bend me a spare op-rod & modify a spare trigger group on the off chance I had a issue in the future for my mag fed Mini-g.

[grumpyoldretiredcop]

Delta-3, I'd agree except that my Mini is equipped with the Beretta gas system. Not too much of that stuff lying around to pick up in the ruins of civilization as we know it. I don't have Tim's skills by a long shot and there's parts on the Mini that I couldn't replace. OTOH, there's lots of M1As in the world and a shop right in my home town whose owner is a M1A fanatic and has plenty of parts on hand. I'd say small chance of that coming to pass, but that's what the thread was predicated about... :SHTF:

[Delta-3]

Good point. That definitely would make parts hard to come by.

[HerkyBird]

I think the M1A is a fine choice but the Mini-G, either "regular" or mag fed, uses regular M1 parts that are plentiful. The only parts that aren't M1 specific are the op-rod. For the mag fed, it's only the front portion of a regular M1 trigger group. Spare parts shouldn't be a problem.
I had Tim bend me a spare op-rod & modify a spare trigger group on the off chance I had a issue in the future for my mag fed Mini-g.

That, good sir, is an outstanding idea. What did Tim charge you to bend the spare rod?

[Delta-3]

Don't quote me on this but if I remember right, he only charged me for the trigger group mod. I can't say for sure though.

[GarandGrabber]

Well, since I received my new SIG 556R it's a toss-up with my mag fed Mini-G. Since I'm going to re-scope my "G" it will probably be my longer range backup to the SIG.
Of course, I'll probably get shot in the back looking at the gun safe trying to decide which one to take!

Now this is "GD" Funny...I can't even decide which rifle to pull out for the M-1 for Vets Match this weekend. That would be me..Shot in the back deciding which rifle to protect myself with...Priceless!

[timshufflin]

Prices for an extra rod being bent up ala carte is pretty high. You don't just need a rod bent, you need it cut, bent, new piston, parked. $100 shipped.

[Delta-3]

Thanks for refreshing my memory Tim. I knew you let me off easy, I just couldn't remember how easy.
Gent's, I don't really think I will ever need my spares but I'm a "just in case" kind of guy. FWIW, I've swapped the parts around & they have (as suspected) performed flawlessly.

[jbkf1003]

I don't know about SHTF, but rioting urban youths is a possibility the way things are going..

I'm gonna have Tim build mine to fill the black rifle niche.. I have the CMP rifle of choice, I took the drive to the North Store a few weeks back with my wife for our 10th anniversary. Man I love her... I just got my new Criterion 30-06 barrel on Friday, she'll be boxed up and off early next week.

I have a Fulton Armory M14 SA, but I have 3 Garands, and parts are easier to find for a Garand. Just buy or make a few extra oprod springs (per an email a few months ago Tim says Wolff Tanker Springs are fine), and get yourself a spare oprod, you'll be GTG.

Why would I use a black rifle that has a round that is not even legal for deer in a scenario like this?

Justin

[HerkyBird]

I sold my black rifle to help finance my Mini G build. Did pretty much the same thing you are, Jbk. Had a service grade CMP rifle I hand-picked from the South store, bought a new Criterion barrel, and sent her off to Shuff last October. I also put new furniture on to make sure she locked up nice and tight. Vivien has been a great rifle and always draws comments when I'm shooting around other folks. And she's accurate, as far as Garands with 16" barrels shooting Greek surplus ammo go. Just tonight I was pinging 8" steel plates at 100 yds with my irons. 4 out of 4 nailed the steel. 3 out of the other 4 hit the 10 ring on a shoot and see target at 100 yds with the 4th 1/4" outside. I didn't measure, but she was shooting about 3 MOA. I've also stocked some parts. Firing pins, extractors, ejectors, etc. I would absolutely trust my life to that rifle in any survival scenario. Congrats. You're going to love your new rifle.

[Pandaz3]

As I don't have a G, I would use my Armalite AR-10. I prefer the .308 to the 30-06 and was looking at getting a "Navy" Garand from CMP Until the elections hit and I decided to buy something right now. I agonized over a M1A SOCOM and the AR-10. I finally used the reasoning that the Military is moving away from the M-14 toward the Stoner design. I have a lot of time with a M-14 to the shoulder and I could shoot beyond 300 yards very well with open sights. But I would have to wait on one and that did not seem like a good idea to me. I beat the rush by a couple of weeks. Only so much Gun Budget!

[Old Guard]

Guys, All these replacement parts???it sounds like the Ar stuff, ya know that pile of springs and pins kept in the rifle butt?Really?? Some of these Battle rifle have performed for hundreds of rounds and not all have had reg. cleaning...Other than my recent goofs with a couple of them...Save the money, and get more ammo..and have plenty of fresh water...just wish I could sent Tim , my oldest shooter and get it cut down...But I had to get that little short XM rifle to play with, and I can carry three times the shells.....Long-range, nah..But,Still saving for----Tim...

[NE450No2]

After the H&K 91 became avialable Mel Tappan tested several of them and it became one of, if not, his most favorite Bad Days rifle.

I believe in the Principle of Three... ie. One is NONE, Two is ONE, Three is what it takes to get the JOB DONE...

So, whatever rifle I picked for the Bad Days, or considering the current increasingly strict gun laws, just for future use, I would want at least two of them, with a good supply of spare parts.

One rifle would be my everyday,current user/shooter, with a No2, and even a No3, that had been shot and tested, standing buy in reserve.

A M1 Garand, stood the test of a WAR Rifle, I think we can all agree. A Mini-G, just makes it more handy. You can get it in 308 or 30/06.

One of the advantages of a Garand in 30/06 is that you can back up a Mini G or two with a few CMP standard sized 30/06 Garands.

IMHO, a CMP Garand is definately a best buy, in todays world.

[Paltik]

I like the Mini-G as a SHTF gun. I just published this article about it (http://stillgettingready.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-mini-g-all-purpose-carbine.html) on my prepper blog.

[ttwn0324]

Well, if a filtration straw will fit in the butt of the stock, then it sure as sht will be. :D

[Corpsie]

Well, since I received my new SIG 556R it's a toss-up with my mag fed Mini-G.

I'm going with the Sig 556R, Sig 556 and PTR 91 (Yes, all 3). Just need to get the right stock so the "muscle memory" between the PTR and Sig's are the same. All have HK style diopter sights and ACOGs.

Alas, if I had to grab a single rifle, it would probably be (my to be ordered and built) Mini-G since I keep Garand clips loaded.