I realize Mini 14’s don’t get a lot of love, but I’ve always liked them. Also, who can argue with Hannibal, B.A., Faceman & Murdock

I had a S.S. Ranch model about 15 yrs ago & had to sell it to help fund some bills. I’ve always wanted to replace it, but never found one at the right price & time until last week.
A local shop had this one with the rare factory folder, 4 factory mags, 2 aftermarket mags & a 100rd drum. After researching how rare & valuable just the stock was I knew I’d be a “FOOL” to pass it up! Even though this one didn’t ship originally a folder, but someone added the stock afterwards. No biggie to me, I still think it’s cool!
I will have to say that the stock works nicer than any other folder I’ve ever handled. It also shoulders well & locks up like a vault, I’m really impressed with it. It’s sad that Ruger stoped production of these so soon.

Anyways, thanks for letting me show off my new gun & I hope that this post brings back some fond memories of how great it is “When a plan comes together”

Also, please feel free to show off any of your Mini’s!

Paul














Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Paul
SWCA #2864

Had this one since 1984. The plastic factory handle broke and I made one from solid aluminum, that accepts Ruger, Colt 1911 style grips, and holds two spare rounds inside. I hate anything plastic, so added metal handguard, and flashlight holder also. http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...1&d=1510443588

Attached Images

DSC00799.jpg (119.2 KB, 139 views)

I thought you were going to say you fired 200 rounds and the only thing you hit was a car tire.

And then it exploded.

Be nice to have a range report on it.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

Paul,

I grew up with the A Team. I had a stainless ranch rifle about 20 years ago.....I don't really remember what happened, but I traded it off for something else. I still have the itch for a SS version with the folding stock.

Thanks for bringing back some memories.

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On the Oak Savannah

Nice find! The Mini 14 factory folders are a great stock. Everybody should have a Mini 14, I have a Ban Era, Mini 14GB that was with the Branson Mo Police Dept.

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

How many home-made armored cars have you built since you bought it?

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Certified Curmudgeon

The car not the rifle

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Certified Curmudgeon

I’m on a look out for a 1983 GMC Vandura van.

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Paul
SWCA #2864

I traded mine for a Colt King Cobra a few years ago to my bro-inlaw. I started missing and offered to buy it back, he said he never fired it and it’s in the same condition I let it go for. It’s the plain wood/blues version 581 series. I really like it, because I loaded up a recipe for it that brings it close to 2” at 100 yards, that’s with a scope.

After watching the A Team for a while I'd figured their firearms weren't very accurate so I scratched them off of my list.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Where can I get some of those magic bullets that hit the first thing and then vanish in a flash and never ricochet?
Geoff
Who saw a A-Team van and a Scooby-Do Mystery Machine at a Daytona Car Show years ago.

WOW!! I had no idea Hannibal was aware the stock would open.

Had this one since, I believe, '81. Butler Creek stock.

Attached Images

Ruger Mini 14.jpg (39.0 KB, 42 views)

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I always take precautions

Funny that I knew from the title that this was about Mini-14s

Or a welding project involving a tractor and 100sqft of steel plate...

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Psalm 27:2

I have always been a big fan of the Mini. My newest one is a synthetic stock version that I purchased in 1999. I have one AR. Its a Bushmaster and is extremely accurate. Although the Mini-14 is not known for its accuracy (personally I think it's accurate enough) I still love shooting it. After adding a barrel brace and a new front sight, my newest Mini gives the Bushmaster a run for its money.

The Mini-14 used to be about half the price of an AR. Those days are gone and if I wanted a new semi-auto rifle now I'd probably get an AR.

Having said all of that, sometimes wonder whether the "hate" for the Mini-14 is legitimate frustration on the range or just "AR elitism". We Americans DO love our AR. I think that the Mini ought to at least come in second ahead of the AK47.

I love mine. I'd love it even more if I could hit something with it.

When it comes down to it the Mini doesn't even make my list of guns. Strictly speaking from a tool standpoint the mini offers nothing over the AR or the AK. It's not about elitism for me. Just use. The AR is easier to accessorize. I don't mean hang every doodad. But I can add a red dot without having to buy a whole new stock or other things. I can easily swap the handguards if I need to. Mags are plentiful and everywhere. It shoots more accurate. Generally more reliable. AK? Accuracy is about the same so I'd rather shoot a bigger round. Mags are cheaper and more plentiful. Reliable. Easily add a red dot without having to change anything.

To me the Mini is cool but it doesn't offer anything better over the AR/AK that would make me want to look for mags and accessories

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Got one of the "NRA" new 16" heavy barrel models when they came out....... not a tack driver but good to go as a general purpose/utility rifle........ added a Weaver 1-3x20 scope and some factory 10 round mags ( for carry/ not quit flush fit) and 20s for back up .......... Hogue "Ghillie green" stock


................for a low profile "modern sporting rifle"....... aka ........ SHTF ''civilian personal home defense rifle" .

Saving the ARs for TEOTWAWKI!!!!!!!!!!

I got my Mini because I could not afford a Biggie - recent college grad and broke... I eventually got my Biggie (or 3 M1A-NM) but I still have the Mini... was my first CF rifle... and I still enjoy shooting it... not my first or only choice anymore... but still a hoot to shoot...

I love my Mini. ARs are work guns to me and have no appeal. AKs are just blecch.

My Mini was a rez rescue. I replaced the busted stock, put on a rear peep which I sighted for 50 yards and red loctited for eternity. I got 8 mags in a trade, which all work fine. The gun has never jammed, and I’ve shot it fast enough to make the wood smoke.

Its my worst case scenario gun, which means it will almost certainly just sit in its case with all of its mags loaded until they pull the sheet over my head. I think it is up to the job.

Attached Images

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I got mine in the days before the AR revolution. If I had waited I could have got the Ranch Rifle with the scope mounts. It was not inexpensive, but it was available and cheaper than the alternatives.
Geoff
Who still remembers searching gun shows for the best price on 20 round Ruger Magazines. (Accept no substitutes!)

COOL!!

I had a Mini-14 Ranch Rifle but after I obtained an M1A I didn't care about it so much any longer and during the GHWBush era ban on imports I sold it for way more money than it was worth!!!

Top notch guns and thanks for the memories.

I hope you shoot it better than the A-Team did. Those guys couldn’t hit squat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got mine from a rancher who has neglected the poor thing in any possible way. I Traded it for an Astra Cadix .38 spl, that a friend gave me as a present.

Refinished it QPQ (melonite) added the flashider with an AR optic fiber front sight, the harmonic compensator (barrel stabilizer), also refinished the stock (was awful and smelly) with LBO and Teak Oil. Refurbished all the internals. Also replace the rear sight. Its a very good rifle shoots Aguila and Tula ammo without a hicup and hits were I aim. Just love my Mini!

Attached Images

Custom Ranch Rifle.jpg (264.6 KB, 37 views)

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"lets be careful out there"

...I've got a Mini...and a Maxi...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

Mini and Maxi, huh? While I don't own either of these anymore, I always liked this pic, which I call Pappy and Boy:




I've owned a half-dozen or so minis over the years, all older models, and none of them have had the problems that haters like to chant about. Maybe that's because I think 3" groups at 100 with irons or a dot sight is fine for yer average urban/suburban defensive carbine. I wasn't planning on sniping ground hogs at a quarter-mile. If I lived somewhere I had to take a 4x4 to get the mail I might think differently.



I remember David Spade doing a bit on Mr. T, in his typical droll deadpan style:

"Here's my Mr. T impersonation:

'I'll say I pity the fool for twenty bucks.




Alright, ten.'"

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TEAM DNF

Good Forum Friends:
After following, and contributing to this thread from it's start, I feel obligated to say something in defense of the Mini 14, and that old TV show series, the A-Team. First of all Paul started this thread to share his enjoyment, of his recently acquired Mini 14, and share a few memories of a long defunct TV show. Most of the actors staring in that show had probably never fired a live round in a real Mini 14. The show was intended for entertainment only, not to give the true capabilities of the Mini 14. The thread seems to have become a thread to bash a truly great rifle, and an entertaining TV show. Most of the gripers don't even own a Mini 14, Most of the ones that do, like them for what they are. What I'd consider an easy solution for all of the people that are bashing, and griping about the rifle, and the A-Team show, might be, to just sell their hated Mini 14, and hop over to a thread of their liking, and leave this one to the folks, that enjoy it. Too simple? Well, I hope I didn't offend anyone, but, just had to offer my $0.02.
Chubbo

Wow, the moderators must have removed all the hate filled posts bashing the Mini, Hannibal and his crew before I had a chance to read them.

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Certified Curmudgeon

I was thinking the same thing...