1st they are chambered for different cartridges the mini 30 is a 7.62x39 (ak-47 round) the springfield socom is a .308/7.62x54 (M-1 round) the mini 30 is less than 1/2 the price of the Socom the mini 30 is a fun range toy/home defense gun any hunting applications are limited by the lack of good quality hunting bullets (unless you are a reloader) the Socom has a much wider range of ammo available it is fun range toy/home defense gun and can be a great hunting rifle prices mini 30 $850-$950 Socom $1500.00 - $1800

I work at a shooting range and the Mini-14's are not nearly as reliable as the SOCOM or any of the M1A series. If you have the money get the Springfield.

Hey Bob, these are 2 different animals. The Mini 30 fires the 7.62x39 AK47 round which is slightly less than the ballistics of a 30-30. The SO-COM 16 Fires the 308/7.62x51 round which is twice the power of the Mini 30 round. The best will be for 'What your intended purpose" is for. The Mini 30 is literally a more 'Politically Correct" AK47.