I'd been feeling left out of all the TEOTWAWKI and SHTF fun, and woefully unprepared for the looming zompocalypse. Since I'm cheap and ARs hold no appeal to me - I've had one issued to me by some branch of the gubmint since 1983 and they just feel like a work gun - I began to look out for a Mini-14.

I owned one about 20 years ago - I put a folding stock on it, but traded it off when something shiny caught my eye. I gave the orphaned wood stock to my kids, who used it as a play Army gun. More on this later.

I was surprised that even plain jane Minis in my area were upwards of five hundred bucks. I was despairing of finding a cheap one when I stopped at an out of the way trading post on the edge of the Navajo Indian Reservation.

There amongst the ever present Marlin Model 60s and rusty single barrel shotguns I spotted this unlovely snout:



The nice Navajo lady fished it out and a deal was quickly struck - $325 out the door and this "Rez Ruger" was mine:



The awful barrel shroud had to go - but I left the flash hider on. I'd read Minis sometimes shoot better with them on, and I like the look.

The rear sight was broken, and fell completely off the first time I fired it.



The butt plate was likewise busted:



I prefer the look of the older curved buttplate stocks. I dug around in my youngest's closet and found the old stock - I cleaned it up but left a few war wounds to remind of the fun my little guys had with it. Cost - zip:



A fortunate trade with a very generous forum member put me in possession of four factory 30 rounders and four aftermarket ones - all work fine. Cost - nada.



I tried and tried for a trade to get a rear sight, but I wound up having to buy one from Midway. I could have gotten a replacement from Ruger, probably for nothing, but I wanted a sturdier sight. Cost - $27:



A cheapo sling from the junk box completed the package. I like it:



I'm going to sight it in for dead on at fifty yards and call it good.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

That turned out nice. I've always liked the look of those rifles.

Ranch or standard?Also,what series is it?

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WALSTIB

Its a 187 series Ranch Rifle.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Good lookin' project gun. I've owned Mini's for over 30 years, first center fire rifle I ever had.

And... you can't have too many magazines!



GF

Is that an aluminum butt plate I see?

Class III

Nice catch. That mini has character!

GF gave me the fever and I've got a couple. I was last bidder on this fancy carved stock gun.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

I modified these old M1 carbine sights to replace the flimsy factory ones.Them Williams sights you have look good!

Ranch-if you're going to a range,shoot on the last position on the right!I saw another shooter get his ear cut by a guy shooting a ranch on the left.I have a 187 series standard.Have fun shooting it!

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WALSTIB

I've got the same peep sight on mine. Unscrew the aperture and use it like a ghost ring for snap shooting and see how much fun you can have with it!! Oh and forget that advice about getting the far right lane. Get the far left one-they shoulda gotten there ahead of you

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Forum consigliere

Out of all the Mini's I have owned, I had two that would stay on a baseball at 100 yards until the barrel got hot. One liked 64 grain Winchester factory loads, the other would only shoot a handload with a Speer 70 grain RN bullet. I sent the trigger groups to a company in Odessa, TX and had them worked over as well. I think back then it cost me $35.00 apiece, and though you could feel the difference, it didn't seem to translate on paper. Try the heavier bullets.

Back in the 80s I bought my father a Never been Shot Stainless Steel Mini 14 from a close friend. My Dad finally went to the range with it and came back and told me, "Boy, that gun ain't accurate enough to committ suicide with." When he passed I got it back and gave it to my son.

Nice gun and after having it worked on, it now shoots two minutes of angle till it heats up, then all bets are off.

Rule 303

Nice piece at a reasonable price! Congratulations!