Mini14 advice

[xtrtsqrt11]

Mini 14s have been issue for decades with my department. The early models just got shot to pieces by all the XM193 we were using. It was a bit of a hassle having to send them back to Ruger. They had lots of rounds through them. They do break down, but that typically won't be an issue for most people. I prefer to have a Department armorer be able to repair firearms...

We've been replacing them with recent models.

I like the sights better on the new ones. We had (on the older models) some GB barrels, but mostly blued and stainless models with just the front sight (no wings). No optics.
The new models with the full length sight radius and improved rear sight works much better for most of us. The newer rifles get grabbed up first when people are lining up for quals.

I will add my .02 that the Ruger factory mags are the way to go, but they are spendy compared to say a PMAG. Even when the Rugers are used.

When I chose my M4 type BCM rifle over a Mini, it was based on the criteria that the retooling at Ruger hadn't happened yet and Ruger mags were not released to the public yet. Lastly, I wanted something that I could easily mount a red dot (Aimpoint with magnifier-way before the current LVPOs of today), a good sling mounted properly and a flashlight again mounted properly. I also wanted something a little closer in handling compared to the MP5s and UMPs in .40 we issued. We did have the Mini's but it was not considered too heavily in the deployment idea, because upper management didn't want rifle rounds potentially unloosed in most situations. They were used almost entirely as an overwatch secondary rifle to the bolt guns.

Then lastly, while I love my M1 Garand, the safety in the trigger guard is a weak point in training mentality today. Not an absolute IMHO, but it does have merit in that mindset...

 

[rockquarry]

I've been curious about the Mini-14 since it came out in the '70s but have never owned one, mainly because of reports of mediocre accuracy. That was long before the Internet.

I intend to buy a new Mini-14 soon, but will first dispose of three out-of-the-box unmolested Colt ARs that I bought less than ten years ago. I did some extensive load development with the Colts. They're accurate and function perfectly, but I've yet to find the attraction to these guns. I no longer shoot them.

Other than a plain good quality scope with a plain reticle, and sometimes a sling, I don't accessorize guns. If they don't work as they should, I'll usually part with them. I might mount a scope on a Mini-14 long enough to develop some good loads, but these guns certainly look better without the adornment of a scope sight. For the practical range of the .223 cartridge, an aperture sight should be plenty.

 

[BB57]

I've been curious about the Mini-14 since it came out in the '70s but have never owned one, mainly because of reports of mediocre accuracy. That was long before the Internet.

I intend to buy a new Mini-14 soon, but will first dispose of three out-of-the-box unmolested Colt ARs that I bought less than ten years ago. I did some extensive load development with the Colts. They're accurate and function perfectly, but I've yet to find the attraction to these guns. I no longer shoot them.

Other than a plain good quality scope with a plain reticle, and sometimes a sling, I don't accessorize guns. If they don't work as they should, I'll usually part with them. I might mount a scope on a Mini-14 long enough to develop some good loads, but these guns certainly look better without the adornment of a scope sight. For the practical range of the .223 cartridge, an aperture sight should be plenty.

The majority of My AR-15s are either retro or retro clones with a few more that are intended for very well defined purposes. I have

- a Colt SP1 carbine in 9mm,
- a Colt SP1 AR-15 M16 style upper (department surplus) on an NDS 601 lower;
- a Colt M16A1 upper (department surplus) on an NDS 601 lower;
- an XM177E2 clone;
- an M-16A2 style match rifle for National match shooting;
- a 24" bull barrel AR-15 Varmint rifle;
- a lightweight AR-15 carbine (16" pencil weight barrel);
- a 16" AR-15 carbine build in 9mm; and
- an 8.3" braced pistol -15 build in 9mm.

I like the M16 and M16A1 clones as they have superb handling and utility out to 350-400 yards, and I am particularly fond of the A1 as it's what I was issued and carried.

I was an early adopter of the AR-15 Varmint rifles, back in the day when we milled off the carry handle and added a weaver rail for optics before the A4 uppers were a thing. They offered excellent accuracy and were well suited to varmints out to 350-400 yards.

I was also a fairly earlier adopter of the AR-15 for National match as it was a lot cheaper to feed once I lost team support, and the ability to use reloads was an advantage in an era where M118 special ball and M72 match ammo accuracy was poor due to the decline in the tooling used to make the 173 gr FMJ BT bullets used in those loads.

I have a soft spot for Colt 9mm carbines and braced pistols. The MP5 is a much better choice for short range work. However, a9mm AR with 115 gr HAPs or 115 gr XTPs and a ballistic advantage barrel will give 2 MOA accuracy out to 200 yards and has the edge for longer ranges near the 9mm cartridges limits.

—-

All that said, I really prefer any of my three mini 14s to my ARs when the ranges are 300 yards or less. They are better balanced and easier to carry, are extremely reliable, not prone to stoppages with dirt and frankly just have more eye appeal and class than an AR-15.

 

[cjcutter1]

Took the Mini outback today ran 136rounds of PMC 55gr fmjbt through it all factory magazines 5,20 & 30 rounders. 37-38 rounds in a fte with a 20 round mag spend case on top of live round open bolt. Cleared spent casing no issues otherwise.

 

[djohns6]

That is what the A-Team used. It has to be good!

But they never hit anybody !

 

[Gene L]

I've got one, an entry-level gun that was formerly a patrol-rifle. For what it is, it's fine. Don't compare to an average AR and certainly not a varmint round, but a good cheaper patrol-rifle. Most LE shots that require a rifle are at 75 yards or closer, and for longer ranges, it's time to call SWAT. When we qualified just about every shooter, and some had never shot a rifle before could keep all rounds in the chest at 75. A scope on one (mine can't mount a scope) is not going to make the rifle any more accurate and will slow down operation of the rifle.

The first time we qualified with the Minis was on 9-11. Won't forget that day.

 

[sigp220.45]

I've had my current one for 10 years now - a rez rescue:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firear...-el-cheapo-project.html?176428=#post135815421

It is utterly reliable and sufficiently accurate for my needs.

I love the old Mini.

 

[cjcutter1]

I've had my current one for 10 years now - a rez rescue:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firear...-el-cheapo-project.html?176428=#post135815421

It is utterly reliable and sufficiently accurate for my needs.

I love the old Mini.

Should I be concerned by the one fte out of 136? Ruger said most likely ammo related, Thank you! Sweet setup on you're mini.

 

[sigp220.45]

Should I be concerned by the one fte out of 136? Ruger said most likely ammo related, Thank you! Sweet setup on you're mini.

I would agree it was ammo related and not worry about it.

 

[Univibe]

Skip it and get an AR. FAR better rifle for the same money.

The only mags that work are the factory 20 round. 2x the price of an AR mag.

No parts availability. Something breaks, you must send it to the factory.

I had a stainless one for years, for a truck gun. Sold it and got a 6920.

 

[BB57]

I've got one, an entry-level gun that was formerly a patrol-rifle. For what it is, it's fine. Don't compare to an average AR and certainly not a varmint round, but a good cheaper patrol-rifle. Most LE shots that require a rifle are at 75 yards or closer, and for longer ranges, it's time to call SWAT. When we qualified just about every shooter, and some had never shot a rifle before could keep all rounds in the chest at 75. A scope on one (mine can't mount a scope) is not going to make the rifle any more accurate and will slow down operation of the rifle.

The first time we qualified with the Minis was on 9-11. Won't forget that day.

Minor point, but year after year the average engagement range for a police sniper is around 75 yards.

So the SWAT snipers are not generally shooting any farther.

What they are however doing is getting immediate neurological incapacitation by hitting a 2 square inch target on command, often through plate glass.

——-

As a patrol rifle I agree with you. The average officer won't shoot an AR-15 any better than a Mini 14, and on torso sized target at 75 yards it doesn't matter.

 

[cjcutter1]

I would agree it was ammo related and not worry about it.

Thank you I appreciate it!

 

[Imshootin]

That is what the A-Team used. It has to be good!

I don't recall the A-Team ever hitting anyone they ever shot at. LOL

I had a wood/stainless Ranch Rifle for a short while. Never missed a beat as far as dependability went. Heat the barrel up with a few rounds and POI definitely started wandering.
Sold it and put another AR together. I wished it had been more accurate because I definitely enjoyed shooting it.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

After a lengthy search, I went to Cabela's in Webster, TX to order one a few months ago. Somehow, I got there when they were unloading exactly what I was looking for from the truck and it went from the truck to my greedy hands. A great all purpose rifle, the centerfire equivalent of the also excellent Ruger 10/22.

 

[Glashaus]

After a lengthy search, I went to Cabela's in Webster, TX to order one a few months ago. Somehow, I got there when they were unloading exactly what I was looking for from the truck and it went from the truck to my greedy hands. A great all purpose rifle, the centerfire equivalent of the also excellent Ruger 10/22.

Very nice, that Cabela's is right in my neighborhood, just about.

 

[VictorLouis]

About 30 years ago I "corrected" the accuracy problem on my Mini 14 by adding RTV silicone sealant inside the cam track of the operating slide so as to cause the closed slide to place pressure on the operating lug of the bolt. This simple "fix" eliminated the pressure normally placed against the gas take-off block up front which cause the pencil thin barrel to be torqued "up", then suddenly snap down as the gun fired and the bullet passed the gas port, creating an exaggerated whipping motion. Before the sealant, 100 yard groups were around 8-10 inches...they made AK groups look high tech! After the fix, groups shrunk remarkably down to 3-4"!
.

Is there any chance you could post a couple of pics? I'm having a hard time grasping your mod/s. Thanks!

 

[quikdraw67]

I am so old that I tell youngsters I remember when Mini-14 were cheap and ARs were expensive!

I have the first series Mini-14 Ranch rifle, about 4 MOA, but that is good enough for what I use it for.

Yep. A Colt SP-1 went for approximately $425 at Sugerman's in the early 80's. They would go on sale once in a while for $399.

A Mini-14 would sell for about $329 IIRC and go on sale for $299(?).

I really don't remember the exact price of the Ruger since I was much more interested in the Colt.

But yes, the Mini-14 was cheaper than the AR-15.

 

[cjcutter1]

Took Mini outback for round two after work ran 24 rounds of same PMC ammo through 6 factory magazines two in each mag twice had a failure to feed out of a 30 round magazine. Called Ruger said send it in so away it goes.

 

[BB57]

You can change the bushing in the gas block to suit your ammo and preference for how far you want your rifle to sling brass. Mine only goes about 5 feet. The bushings come in a 4 pack of different diameters and it took me about 15 minutes to change the factory bushing. The factory bushings are small and will sling brass into the next county. People complain and brass is lost.

The factory gas bushings on the 181 and later series are all.080" and provide an excessive amount of gas.

The earlier 180 series used a bushing around .050". The 180 series slide was lighter, and Ruger apparently beefed up the slide in the later series and over gassed the later series to improve reliability in the full auto version. More gas meant it needed a heavier slide for durability. However the greater slide weight and velocity negatively impacted accuracy.

I find that a bushing in the .045" to .050" range works well with nearly all .223 or 5.56x45 ammo and you'll see improved accuracy as well as reasonable brass ejection distances.

I turn them and drill them on my lathe but Accuracy Systems Inc sells them individually in various sizes, and in a variety pack with .035, .040, .045 and .050" bushings.

You may need to fit them for length depending on what gas block and gas pipe you have.

 

[7tenz]

I consider mine a PHTF gun. This setup isn't exactly for accuracy out to 500 yds. I had some rail (GG&G) left over and decided to stick a Crimson Trace rail laser on. It sits low enough that it doesn't show up in the view.

During our brief CA Freedom Week a while back I got some factory 15, 20 and couple of 30 mags for it.