|
|
11-18-2012, 05:09 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Desert South West
Posts: 5,540
Likes: 7,356
Liked 8,688 Times in 2,312 Posts
|
|
New .223 not a Smith but a Ruger Mini 14
I am not sure where to post this so I'm choosing here. I have been looking for a .223/5.56mm nato rifle for quite awhile. I am pretty old school having fired/ carried the M16's of the 1970s. So all the black AR type guns just don't do much for me. So I decided on a Ruger Mini 14, the older style from 1976 with a wood top fore stock. It's a Bi- centennial edition and I took it out today to shoot. It's has the "out of date peep sights" that I prefer. It is quite a nice little firearm and I was very happy with it's performance and accuracy. There is just something I really like about wood on a firearm.
Mike
__________________
John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor
Last edited by mbliss57; 11-18-2012 at 05:43 PM.
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-18-2012, 05:15 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South West Suburbs IL
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 82
Liked 108 Times in 49 Posts
|
|
I prefer the mini to a AR also. It is a nice look with the all wood stock. I would like to have one with the factory folding stock but big $$. I have a older ranch rifle but would like to have a older mini in stainless and wood.
|
11-18-2012, 05:23 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern NY-AdirondackMts
Posts: 7,997
Likes: 12,856
Liked 13,380 Times in 5,043 Posts
|
|
I have a Mini Stainless, got the gun as soon as it hit the gun shop way back when they first came out.
I took an electrical drill and opened up the peep hole a couple of drill sizes. As you eye naturally sees the center of the aperture you have hurt nothing (accuracy wise) and it’s a bit easier & faster!
__________________
14 S&W Revs none with locks!
Last edited by NYlakesider; 11-18-2012 at 06:00 PM.
|
11-18-2012, 06:01 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Florence Arizona
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 458
Liked 3,828 Times in 1,106 Posts
|
|
Good little truck rifles.
Just hard to find certain parts for the 180 seires anymore.
__________________
Hold my beer and watch this!
|
11-18-2012, 08:30 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 1,286
Liked 1,204 Times in 380 Posts
|
|
The Mini 14 gets my vote too.
I picked up a hardly used 184 series at the gun show last month with 3 mags for $525. It came with a B Square scope mount, which I like.
I may put some type of scope on it in the future but the iron peep sights are fine out to 100 yds for me.
It looks good in the rack next to it's little brother 10-22.
__________________
Take your time..quickly.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-18-2012, 09:44 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 212
Likes: 9
Liked 25 Times in 20 Posts
|
|
Love my Ranch Rifle. Its a newer 582 but it rocks the wood stock.
|
11-18-2012, 09:53 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NW Suburbs, Illinois
Posts: 4,013
Likes: 3,272
Liked 3,961 Times in 1,871 Posts
|
|
Congrats! The Ruger Mini-14 is one heck of a nice rifle.
__________________
-John
|
11-18-2012, 10:02 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: South
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 2,026
Liked 1,451 Times in 555 Posts
|
|
I have them and love them. The are light, easy to clean and extremely dependable. They make a great SHTF rifle, you can carry them comfortably all day long, unlike a 10 lb tricked out black gun.
|
11-18-2012, 10:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Left coast
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 429
Liked 616 Times in 296 Posts
|
|
Very nice older mini. I have a 181 series from about 1978
It has a birchwood stock and I replaced the peep sight with a Burris fourplex mini scope
I tried a polymer hand guard but found I couldn't stand to look at it on the gun. Gave that away to the BIL.
I have never warmed up to the EBR's that are so popular.
A wood stock makes a great club in a pinch.
Enjoy your mini for the metal and wood that makes it a pleasure to look at, hold and shoot.
Bruce
|
11-18-2012, 10:14 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 1,286
Liked 1,204 Times in 380 Posts
|
|
__________________
Take your time..quickly.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-18-2012, 10:17 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 13,611
Likes: 491
Liked 1,883 Times in 987 Posts
|
|
Congrats on the Mini-14! Looks like you got a nice one.
|
11-18-2012, 10:27 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Left coast
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 429
Liked 616 Times in 296 Posts
|
|
If you reload I have the one recipe that worked the best in my mini.
I've posted it before, but a long time ago.
I have tried many powder and bullet combinations but only one gave me a one inch group at 100 yards. It was and still is my go to load. Just have to keep the barrel clean of copper residue.
Bruce
|
11-19-2012, 01:14 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Florence Colorado
Posts: 64
Likes: 73
Liked 31 Times in 11 Posts
|
|
OK Bruce Lee, what is the load?
|
11-19-2012, 07:01 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lafayette, Tennessee
Posts: 6,926
Likes: 6,833
Liked 8,936 Times in 2,910 Posts
|
|
I like my mini. I found a very good instructional video on youtube showing how to do a trigger job on them. Doing that made a big difference.
Bruce Lee M, What is the load?
|
11-19-2012, 09:02 AM
|
Junior Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Sheridan, Wyoming
Posts: 5,333
Likes: 159
Liked 3,889 Times in 1,361 Posts
|
|
The guys on the A Team added an unintentional bit of realism to their Mini 14 use. Once one heats up - particulary the old thinner bbl ones - shots start to string out and hitting the target can become a problem.
But... I have had three or four and still have a 580 series. They are good utility guns and the mags are now readily available.
|
11-19-2012, 11:20 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Left coast
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 429
Liked 616 Times in 296 Posts
|
|
FWIW Here is the load that works the best in my gun.
You are responsible for determining if this load is safe in your gun.
No other case,bullet,powder or primer combo has ever produced a one inch group.
My mini is one with the thin barrel. If you have the thicker barrel and try this load please let us know how it works for you.
PMC 5.56 case once fired
CCI primer
Remington 55gr FMJBT
22 grains IMR 4198
Velocity 2,955 3,069 2,992 fps
For comparison the PMC 5.56 ammo velocity.
3,280 3,227 3,263 fps
Almost all combinations I have tried have been just at or under 3,000 fps.
Bruce
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-19-2012, 11:25 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: so cal
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 539
Liked 764 Times in 399 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by StatesRightist
I have them and love them. The are light, easy to clean and extremely dependable. They make a great SHTF rifle, you can carry them comfortably all day long, unlike a 10 lb tricked out black gun.
|
More like a ton if you don't expect it. Friend showed me his custom AR and I went "Umph" when I grabbed it. I said "Nice!" when I really meant "You can put it where the sun don't shine"
I got my Mini new 2 1/2 years ago and haven't fired it yet.
__________________
9tenz
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-20-2012, 10:44 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: On da Bayou Teche
Posts: 18,410
Likes: 18,442
Liked 58,604 Times in 9,624 Posts
|
|
I LOVE the Mini 14. it is the American Kalashnikov. It will stand up to benign neglect and still shoot-impossible to jam-the minute man rifle Mine is a stainless ranch with upgraded Williams peep sight. It is also fitted with an old Ruger factory folding stock that I got from an LEO who owed me a favor. I can shoot 4" groups offhand at 100 yards ( at least until the barrel heats up then it's around 10"). The gun works for what it is made for. Period.
Got 5 30 round Ruger mags and 4 20 round ruger mags so I'm set there.
Every so often I get the urge to get an AR but then the voices in my head ask "why?" and it soon passes.
__________________
Forum consigliere
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-20-2012, 12:46 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8,075
Likes: 27,790
Liked 33,581 Times in 5,253 Posts
|
|
My old Mini is my only zombie apocalypse gun. It is 100% reliable and as accurate as it needs to be.
__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”
|
11-20-2012, 01:22 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: A Small Farm in Missouri
Posts: 235
Likes: 13
Liked 94 Times in 43 Posts
|
|
Best thing I ever did to mine was to add a Choate rubber butt pad.
Sticks to your shoulder.
__________________
Life Member NRA Since 1985
|
11-20-2012, 01:28 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 103
Liked 139 Times in 88 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by StatesRightist
I have them and love them. The are light, easy to clean and extremely dependable. They make a great SHTF rifle, you can carry them comfortably all day long, unlike a 10 lb tricked out black gun.
|
You know all that added stuff on a black gun is optional . Most of the people I know do not have all that **** on them.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
11-20-2012, 01:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lafayette, Tennessee
Posts: 6,926
Likes: 6,833
Liked 8,936 Times in 2,910 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Lee M
FWIW Here is the load that works the best in my gun.
You are responsible for determining if this load is safe in your gun.
No other case,bullet,powder or primer combo has ever produced a one inch group.
My mini is one with the thin barrel. If you have the thicker barrel and try this load please let us know how it works for you.
PMC 5.56 case once fired
CCI primer
Remington 55gr FMJBT
22 grains IMR 4198
Velocity 2,955 3,069 2,992 fps
For comparison the PMC 5.56 ammo velocity.
3,280 3,227 3,263 fps
Almost all combinations I have tried have been just at or under 3,000 fps.
Bruce
|
My Sierra manual says it's safe. I'm excited to try it once I collect the components. Thanks for sharing.
|
11-20-2012, 04:26 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: South
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 2,026
Liked 1,451 Times in 555 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaosrob
You know all that added stuff on a black gun is optional . Most of the people I know do not have all that **** on them.
|
What you are suggesting is borderline black rifle heresy, you do realize that don't you? Are you saying I can own an AR w/o all the cool things they sell at the mall for them?
Walks away shaking his head......now I'm confused.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
11-20-2012, 06:22 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: KY
Posts: 3,568
Likes: 4,479
Liked 1,189 Times in 509 Posts
|
|
I have owned a mini 14 for a long time and like it fine. I never owned an AR. For my intended use the mini does me fine. I added aftermarket folding stock but I switch it back and forth with the factory wood at times.
|
11-20-2012, 10:00 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: East St. Louis, Il.
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 3,592
Liked 617 Times in 343 Posts
|
|
Nice one Mike!
After many years of being issued one form of Stoner's "black rifle" I grew tired of it. So upon re-entry to civie life I bought one if the first 580 series Minis that came out. In a word RELIABLE!! And it's just a neat little knockoff of the M-14 I started with in the Navy, loads the same, works the same, cares not wether you've cleaned it lately, and feels like a real rifle!
Accuracy is all one could want for its intended roles, and factory mags are finally available!!
While I also have a SIG 556, I tend to tote the Mini more, since it just looks right. As John "Hannibal" Smith might say:"I love it when a plan comes together!" Dale
__________________
"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"
|
11-20-2012, 10:18 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 267
Likes: 183
Liked 56 Times in 36 Posts
|
|
i have one and never have figured out what model it is... all i know its a LEO model and dosn't not have the mounts for the scope rail. its a wood stock with barrel cooler, flash suppressor and lug.
|
11-20-2012, 10:21 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 5,215
Likes: 1,133
Liked 6,605 Times in 2,458 Posts
|
|
A few years back my local Walmart decided to dump all their Mini-14s fast because of the negative image of assault weapons. They marked them down from $509 to $240 bucks so out came my credit card and I wish I would have bought all they had! They later got rid of ALL their guns and sold their brand new revolving glass gun display cases. Now they recently have installed new gun cases full of Mini-14s and AR-15s.
|
11-20-2012, 10:29 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 162
Liked 224 Times in 172 Posts
|
|
Congrats...thanks for the pics.
__________________
Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?
|
11-21-2012, 10:14 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 1,286
Liked 1,204 Times in 380 Posts
|
|
I cropped the pic of mine, showing the pinch guard that the previous owner
had installed.
I had fired quite a few minis over the years and got bit a couple of times.
Anyone else seen or have one of these on theirs?
__________________
Take your time..quickly.
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|