A black plastic Mini 14. Is it wrong?

[Kiwi cop]

So I finally got around to taking the Ruger to the range today with some generic 55 gn JHP ammo to shoot through the factory fitted peep sights.

First 3 rounds all hit low left on the ISSF pistol target at 25 meters. I gradually walked the bullet impact up and right.

The three round group in the photo were shots 28, 29 and 30 fired standing and unsupported. After firing this group I moved the sights 1 click down and 2 left but did not shoot any more.

The next step is to handload some ammo, sight it in and move the target back quite a bit.

I doubt I can get my duty M4 to group like this.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

I have a mini14 ,the stainless version with a factory plastic stock . It is my hands down go to rifle and keep it in the bedroom with two twenty round clips and a case of Hornady varmint ommo .I own many rifles but it is the only semi I have .Good choice .

 

[jwk]

One advantage of wood other than you thinking it is prettier is that it is less offensive to some and less likely to attract attention. Put a short mag in a mini and it looks like a hunting rifle. May or may not be a factor to you. Not saying that it should matter but there are a lot of things in life that shouldn't matter but can usually at the worst possible time.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The wood looks nice, but you cannot deny the durability of polymer stocks. All a matter of preference, and if the polymer stock really bothers you, you can switch it with wood - probably even in the Kiwi Republic. If it is going to see significant "woods time" - I go with polymer. I too am looking at getting a Mini-14 when I get some things squared away, but expect it to be a range and home gun and will get wood, but there a dozens of them within an hours drive of my house available for sale on any given day. Best of Luck!

 

[SATX]

Wood has character but plastic is utilitarian.

I carried an M-16 every day at work for four years, no problem back in the day. I handle my son's AR now and think, this thing is heavy. Either I'm just old and weaker or this thing has too many gadgets attached to it.

 

[crsides]

I have had a eye out for one for years. A 181 series came by our table at a gunshow 2 weeks ago, including a hand full of mags. Banged up a bit, but I was going to ride it around on the 4 wheeler, so no big deal. Before I could shoot it, I read that the later improved versions were more accurate, better triggers. The next weekend I found one like new , a 581, with 3 20 round factory mags, for not much more than the 181 and bought it. Shot both this week ... lik'em both but ones got to go. I like the earlier one with all wood, but will probably keep the 581. Hope to shoot them again this weekend to help decide. I too like the 5 round mags.

 

[BB57]

Shot both this week ... lik'em both but ones got to go. I like the earlier one with all wood, but will probably keep the 581. Hope to shoot them again this weekend to help decide. I too like the 5 round mags.

I still prefer the older series. I added some things to both my 181 and 187 series rifles and they both shoot 1.5 MOA 5 shot groups now. I added:

- an Accu Strut;
- a tech sights rear sight;
- an operating rod buffer;
- a .045" gas port bushing;
- a Choate hand guard; and
- a Choate browning style flash hider/front sight.

Those additions, make the Mini 14 what it should have been from the start and almost everyone I know whos made those mods has a Mini 14 that will shoot at least as well as the taper barreled 58x series rifles.

 

[crsides]

What is approx costs of these mods