Ruger Mini 14 review UPDATE:Pics added and more ?'s

[flyerdoc]

OK, so I finally got to take my tactical mini 14 to the range and beat up on some paper. Warnings of poor accuracy concerned me initially but after the range visit those concerns vanished. 25 and 50 yards were extremely accurate and when I nailed a left over clay pigeon at 100 yards on the first shot I was extremely pleased. I shot some paper as well and will post some pics later. I shot seated at a bench rest as this is the only permissible way to shoot at the club range. BTW, used only the iron sights, no optics.

However, there were two hiccups that I believe may or may not be mag related. The new purchase included two 20 round Ruger mags and the first one shot flawlessly. But the second two problems, about the 3rd round the rifle failed to cycle. I lean towards a light charge on the Hornady factory round (I was shooting Horady .223 Rem 55 gr FMJ BT) but could it be a mag problem as well? All then went well until the last two rounds, the next to last round fired and ejected, but the final round ejected along with it! Could this be just a very powerful, not broken in yet spring/follower?

Your opinions appreciated. All in all, I was extremely impressed with the gun and how little recoil there was, oh, one more thing, I read somewhere that accuracy actually increased in the Mini 14's if you used heavier bullets than 55 gr, anyone have an opinion on that as well

Thanks

 

[surfgun]

Mark the magazine as a training/range magazine only. Some magazine just don't work. If after use, it may start to behave better. That would be good but I'm not sure if I ever would trust that magazine in a defensive situation. Keep it loaded till your next range trip and see if it helps at all?

 

[Rpg]

Folks forget that magazines are disposable: they aren't intended to last the life of the gun. Lots don't work well from the get go.

I buy 1911 magazines when ever I find a good deal. Each magazine is tested in all my 1911's. Any that won't work flawlessly in all pistols is discarded. About 10% of new magazines end up in the trash.

 

[k22fan]

Accuracy is not a Mini-14's strong point but apparently you were not expecting much so you are happy. They are usually utterly reliable so they make good carbines for self defense. For sportsmen .223 is a varmint cartridge for 300 yards and beyond. The accuracy complaints mostly come from them and target shooters. Just like in Remington's 740 series gas from the operating system is vented in between the barrel and wood. That heats the bottom side of the barrel causing the barrel to temporarily warp. If you need either for a precise shot, get your scope sighted in for a cold barrel and make the hit within a couple of shots.

 

[BAM-BAM]

There are Mini-14s from 1974 to about 200?ish......

then there are the newer ones with the short, heavy barrel.......... starting with the NRA Edition... about 2010....................

which one do you have?????????????

 

[robertrwalsh]

I used to work for the CA prison system. The Mini-14 was (and still is) our tower gun. Accuracy is adequate for our purposes but the weapons were (are) normally very, very reliable, easy to train with and shoot.

 

[flyerdoc]

There are Mini-14s from 1974 to about 200?ish......

then there are the newer ones with the short, heavy barrel.......... starting with the NRA Edition... about 2010....................

which one do you have?????????????

Bought it brand new last week, 583 series it has a short heavy barrel...

 

[SweetMK]

Mine was an impulse purchase,,, abour 10-15 years ago,,, I think,,,

Kinda hard to remember anything about the "back of the gun safe" guns,,,

I think I shot a box of shells through it,,,

 

[Engine49guy]

Just picked up my first Mini 14 from 1983 out of nostalgia identical to this,
Back in 1985 my best friend at the time had this same gun and loved it while I was a devout AR15 fan,
always had fun competing against eachother in which was better....of course the Colt always won ha ha.

Now just need to find one of these

 

[k22fan]

[...] which one do you have?????????????

I have no experience with post 2000 Mini-14s. It would take more shots or firing faster for the heat to change POI with a heavier barrel. That is the main reason why M-1A (M-14 based) 7.62mm/.308 match rifles have heavier barrels. They also empty the gas system into the space between the barrel and stock.

 

[waltonwarrior]

My 1st Mini 14 Ranch series 582 had a FTE issue from day one. Got worst over time till about 300th rd I sent it into Ruger. They allowed me to replaced it w/ a comparable model at N/C.
I got the Mini 14 Tactical Model 5819 Series 583 and it has fired w/o any issues. Love this rifle.]

 

[flyerdoc]

OK, updated with target pics:

At 50 Yards:

At 100 Yards:

ok, so a few more questions:

1 - what would be the best red dot (?) scope to put on my forward tactical rail (I don't want to mount it over the ejection port). I am trying to get it out further to make aiming easier. trying to get my head close enough to use the steel sights is a battle, I was constantly knocking into my safety glasses. Probably just have too big a noggin! Not looking to break the bank but don't want to cheap out either.

2 - do any of you mini 14 owners handload the .223 or 5.56 rounds? I do large bore revolver rounds, but those skinny .223/5.56 look tedious.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I would send the dubious mag back to River for exchange. Metal factory Mini14 mags are extremely reliable and last forever. There are ones out there that have seen 30 to 4o years of use and held up.

I shoot mine with iron sights.

You should be able to use Tqpco mqgs without problems as well

 

[BAM-BAM]

OK, updated with target pics:

At 50 Yards:

At 100 Yards:

ok, so a few more questions:

1 - what would be the best red dot (?) scope to put on my forward tactical rail (I don't want to mount it over the ejection port). I am trying to get it out further to make aiming easier. trying to get my head close enough to use the steel sights is a battle, I was constantly knocking into my safety glasses. Probably just have too big a noggin! Not looking to break the bank but don't want to cheap out either.

2 - do any of you mini 14 owners handload the .223 or 5.56 rounds? I do large bore revolver rounds, but those skinny .223/5.56 look tedious.

Mine wears a little Weaver 1-3x20 shotgun scope ......... it really won't see use beyond 100 to 150 yds. max. IMO

 

[flyerdoc]

Mine wears a little Weaver 1-3x20 shotgun scope ......... it really won't see use beyond 100 to 150 yds. max. IMO

I have to admit I am intrigued by those that shoot in the 200-300 yard range. I would imagine you would need a scope that has some magnification at that distance. At least I know the target would pretty much disappear on my aging eyes. Well, unless they are using the senior edition Reader's Digest issued targets

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have to admit I am intrigued by those that shoot in the 200-300 yard range. I would imagine you would need a scope that has some magnification at that distance. At least I know the target would pretty much disappear on my aging eyes. Well, unless they are using the senior edition Reader's Digest issued targets

If I shoot over 100 yds it would be with a bolt action/mini mauser CZ 527 in .223 with a heavier scope.....

 

[Chubbo]

Mini 14

I think I'v figured out how to post pictures again. Here goes. This is a picture of my Mini 14, with Ruger folding stock. I made ,and replaced the broken plastic hand grip, because the Ruger Co. would not sell me a new plastic hand grip . The New hand grip has a few things built into it, such as a compartment for two spare rounds, with a latchable cover built into it, has the same angle as a 1911 pistol, and will accept any standard 1911 grips. It's also much stronger.[http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=241126&stc=1&d=1466347106]
Chubbo

 

[gregintenn]

OK, updated with target pics:

At 50 Yards:

At 100 Yards:

ok, so a few more questions:

1 - what would be the best red dot (?) scope to put on my forward tactical rail (I don't want to mount it over the ejection port). I am trying to get it out further to make aiming easier. trying to get my head close enough to use the steel sights is a battle, I was constantly knocking into my safety glasses. Probably just have too big a noggin! Not looking to break the bank but don't want to cheap out either.

2 - do any of you mini 14 owners handload the .223 or 5.56 rounds? I do large bore revolver rounds, but those skinny .223/5.56 look tedious.

That looks about like what my Mini 14 will do. You may consider it accurate, but I don't.

I have a 4x Leupold scope on mine.

I've reloaded a BUNCH of 223/556 ammo. It isn't tedious any more than other rifle rounds. 380s, 32s, and 25 acp.....now THAT's tedious!

Reworking the trigger made mine a LOT more enjoyable to shoot.

 

[CS45Fan]

Bought it brand new last week, 583 series it has a short heavy barrel...

Your factory mags may just be a little stiff and need some breaking in.