Ruger MIni 14 Thread

[HOUSTON RICK]

Been looking at the Ruger Mini 14 online.
1)What calibers do they come in? I remember that they were a few different chamberings the last time that I looked, but it seems you can have any caliber that you want as long as it is .223/5.56.
2) What do they really go for these days. MSRP is basically $1K?
3) Pictures of your Mini 14 and stories about what you have used ot for are most welcome.
Thank you.

 

[eveled]

Only .223 now, they have made a .222 in the past. For places it was illegal to own a gun that shot a military cartridge.

 

[petepeterson]

The Mini-30 is a 7.62 x 39 option in the same package.

I'm happy with mine. It may not have AR accuracy, but with open sights, it shoots good enough for me. I like the "wood and steel" look over the AR style.

 

[smokindog]

Check out any Walmarts in your area that are closing down their gun counters. The Rancher in 223/556 was a normal stock item around her and incredibly priced BEFORE they started to close down the counters.

GREAT FIREARM and fun to shoot!

 

[BAM-BAM]

The newer ones...... last 5 years maybe?...... are better in the accuracy dept..... they have a heavier barrel from the chamber to the end of the forearm then a quick taper...... older models had a reputation for stringing shots as the barrel heated up..........Mine is set up with a 1-3x20 Weaver and 10rd factory magazines.... also a couple of 20rds for backup.....very low profile utility rifle

 

[ColbyBruce]

$800.00+ at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville, GA

Ruger made the Mini in .222, .223, 7.62x39, 6.8, and 300 Blackout. There have been several series of these rifles with various modifications. The most significant design change was the Ranch version. The Ranch rifle featured integral scope mounts, making scope mounting a cinch. Even a caveman could do it. This mount system was sturdy, compared to the old mounts that replaced the side plate cover and used one large support screw.

A properly mounted scope allows the shooter to see just where his bullets are going, as he likely is not hitting the target. A Ruger Mini will shuck shells all day long, I have never had one fail to function. The projectiles will not end up in the same place. A Mini is not a MOA firearm by any means. You never read of a Mini being used in a suicide, the accuracy is not there.

I have owned 8 1/2 Mini rifles, the 1/2 was a stainless Ranch .223 I had on lay-a-way and let a neighbor buy (<$250.00) back in 2011. I had six in .223, one each in .222 and 7.62x39. The 7.62x39 was my son's first deer rifle, I traded for it in 1995, and he still owns it.

A stainless steel Mini with a synthetic stock makes an excellent farm/ranch gun. It can be used to prop open gates and barn doors, and most likely will not be stolen if left outside.

 

[smokindog]

Merci me! The pre-closeout Walmart price was like $600ish (December 2014) for the Rancher 223/556. I've seen reports of them going for low $500's as part of the closeout but those may be long gone.

Ruger made the Mini in .222, .223, 7.62x39, 6.8, and 300 Blackout. There have been several series of these rifles with various modifications. The most significant design change was the Ranch version. The Ranch rifle featured integral scope mounts, making scope mounting a cinch. Even a caveman could do it. This mount system was sturdy, compared to the old mounts that replaced the side plate cover and used one large support screw.

A properly mounted scope allows the shooter to see just where his bullets are going, as he likely is not hitting the target. A Ruger Mini will shuck shells all day long, I have never had one fail to function. The projectiles will not end up in the same place. A Mini is not a MOA firearm by any means. You never read of a Mini being used in a suicide, the accuracy is not there.

I have owned 8 1/2 Mini rifles, the 1/2 was a stainless Ranch .223 I had on lay-a-way and let a neighbor buy (<$250.00) back in 2011. I had six in .223, one each in .222 and 7.62x39. The 7.62x39 was my son's first deer rifle, I traded for it in 1995, and he still owns it.

A stainless steel Mini with a synthetic stock makes an excellent farm/ranch gun. It can be used to prop open gates and barn doors, and most likely will not be stolen if left outside.

 

[Stevie]

My farmer/boss owned one back in the day...was fun to shoot..reliable...reasonably accurate. I'm not sure what series it was but was blue and wood handguard. We run out of something to do..we plinked with the Mini-14 carbine.

My first Mini-14 was a 1990's vintage 'Ranch Rifle'. Worked fine..seemed well made...shot fairly poor. I tried a couple times to scope the thing and it's accuracy was just not that good...about a 10" moa accuracy potential..hot or cold..a few shots or a hundred..I traded it to an acquaintance for an A2 rifle that the guy didn't like. That guy put some effort into the Ranch Rifle and got it shooting well enough to suit him.

I swore-off the Mini-14 for some years after the poor shooting Ranch Rifle. Then a friend who was working at a gunstore on the other side of the state wanted to order some LEO trade-in stainless Mini-14 rifles..."order five and their cheap!"...he e-mailed me a pic of the distributer ad which showed Mini-14 GB's...ehh? I went for the bait! A week or so later the Minis came in and I drove 200+ miles round-trip to find that what I really ordered was just a used standard Mini-14 in stainless! Was sort-of disappointed...but got a reasonably clean one.

I think my leo trade stainless Mini dates to 1981..it shoots pretty decent too and renewed my faith in the Mini-14 platform.

That's all the wisdom I can contribute concerning Mini-14 rifles. The newer versions are supposed to be re-engineered for improved accuracy(no experience with those)...The older versions from experience two out of three shoot well

 

[chuckster57]

Ruger mini 14 (.223) is standard issue for armed posts here. I liked it and had no problem qualifying from 100 yds no matter which one I used. The one I qualified with wasn't the same one in a tower I may have worked on any given day.

 

[W.E.G.]

I had a Mini-14 and a Mini-30.

Both were reliable with iron sights.
Good for short range (less than 100 yards) in good lighting conditions.

Hated the proprietary scalloped attachment point for scope rings.
Not at all conducive to maintaining solid attachment - as if the Mini's needed ANOTHER issue to condemn their mediocre accuracy.

If stored in a humid environment, the gas system will soon rust BADLY if you don't remove the stock from the gun and spray-down the gas system parts with rust preventative.

Unless you are disallowed from owning other types of 5.56 semi-auto guns, or you just love to collect Rugers, I can think of no reason for acquiring one now.

 

[Pre 29]

They look cool but the AR platform is so much better. They do seem to run well, I not aware of any problems and they have been around for a long time.

 

[loc n load]

Mini's

I have been shooting them since they were introduced....I had to LOL at ColbyBruce's summations.....The Mini's are what they are.....never going to be anything other.....I had a law enforcement only issue once that had the select fire toggle and the ruger folding stock....The one that I have shot the most is a stainless model with a Choate "M-14" style flash suppressor/military type front sight and a choate synthetic side folder....I have always been quite fond of my M-1 garands and M1A's....and other for the accuracy issue considered the Mini a little brother to those.

 

[ColbyBruce]

"I had to LOL at ColbyBruce's summations"

Bill Ruger laughed too...all the way to the bank!! He sold those things as fast as they could be made, boxed, and shipped. Every "improvement" or design change was to make it cheaper to produce, the company did not address the less than stellar accuracy issue for over thirty years.

Years ago I gave my brother a Winchester 1300 Shadow 12 gauge turkey gun. He added a sling, 4x Burris scope and mounts, and bought an extended choke tube. With 2 3/4" Brenekke slugs, off a bench rest, that Winchester will shoot five slugs into a fist size group. Our Mini 30 with a 3-9x Leupold will not shoot that well.

 

[gregintenn]

They are great unless you intend to hit anything with them. A trigger job is a must, but you can do that yourself.

 

[GatorFarmer]

There is a "now" vs. "then" issue with Mini 14s.

I am going to assume that you want one now. Current production is different from the A T eam days.

First, do not buy one at Walmart. Walmart here still stocks and sells the Mini. But they sell the 18.something" bbl version with no flash hider and five round mags. In blue it goes for about $750.

What you want is the "tactical" version, preferably in stainless. Why? Because the stainless looks nice and is not much more. The tactical version will have a 16.1" bbl with factory flash hider attached. It will come with two of the excellent Ruger factory 20rd mags.

I believe current rifling is 1:9....but maybe it is 1:8. You can can call Ruger and ask.

Current production has provision for Ruger rings, but forget about those. It comes factory drilled and tapped and includes a Picatinny rail piece. Go ahead and install that if you want optics. If it isn't in the box, call Ruger and they will send you one.

Current production seems to work fine with ProMag (metal), Tapco Gen II, Ruger Factory, Thermold, and generic mag from a bin at the pawn shop. I would suggest shopping around for the best deals on factory 20 and 30s, I got mine from the much maligned Cheaper Than Dirt. The Thermolds need the bolt open and locked back for best results when you lock one in, but they are cheap. Sportsmanguide sells three packs. These are good for range, expendable use, etc.

A tactical model as I describe should run about $850 ish off Gunbroker, give or take.

Make sure to buy an AR too, as everyone will tell you you should have got one. I have an M4 clone myself and have had a number of ARs. But I prefer my current production Mini, as seemingly do the random people I let try it. But you might as well form your own opinion.

I did not have issues with gas system or other rust in SC on the transitional 580 series I had there, a Walmart gun from circa 2007. But I had heard tales of it, and such played a part in my selecting a stainless gun this time.

Shorter barrels and flash hiders have long been part of the voodoo of getting good Mini 14 accuracy. It likely matters less on the post 580 series with heavier bbls, but...couldn't hurt and seems to handle better with the "evil" features.

I use primarily 30 and 40 rd magazines and have a Centerpoint red dot (Walmart clearance) mounted. My only complaint is that I get bored with a string of fire before the magazine runs dry as it is monotonous. Not a bad thing really.

The Nikon 223 carbine scope that I have on my M4 clone would likely work very well on the Mini 14.

Reloads are slower than AR, though will be familiar if you get used to an M1A. Something to be aware of in case of large numbers of zombies I suppose.

 

[gen3guy]

I have 2 of them. One I bought in 1981 and one in 1999. There seems to be a cynical dislike for them among AR elitists who to think we are claiming they are just as accurate. They are not. They are just great rifles that are functional and accurate enough to serve most shooters. If you have to hit the X ring every time, then get an AR.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I bought my first Ranch Rifle in '84. Three of us used them to shoot Jack Rabbits in SE Oregon's desert country. They worked fine. Mine shot about 3" @ 100 yards but that was good enough for this work. We shot 1000s of rounds -- Jack Rabbits were plentiful back then.

It got stolen ( CB is wrong about the not getting stolen issue) and I replaced it with one of the last skinny barrelled stainless RRs --- but didn't shoot it much at all. Finally, I scoped it and put it on the bags. The first shot from a cold clean/dirty/oily/dry barrel went 5"-6" out of the group --- but it wanted to group. I ended up putting an Accu-Strut on it ($95). Now it shoots honest 2" FIVE shot groups @ 100 yards with 55 grain soft points (Black Hills) and the first shot goes in the group. I still need to attack the trigger -- it's terrible.

Also, CB's comment about it being an excellent rifle for farm/ranch. Not really. A farm/ranch (mine anyway) needs a very accurate firearm with a good trigger to do what needs to be done. The RR is a great personal defense weapon for someone who lives where I do but I use a Tikka for the everyday work of predator/varmint control. The RR's accuracy and trigger put it at a disadvantage.

 

[getoff]

my mini was made in the 200 year of our great nation.(1976 for you younger generations) mine is dog accurate out to 200 yds. runs like a top. not made to mount a scope. the thing about these not being accurate enough is lost on me. i have had several over the years and all have proved to be plenty accurate. these things were designed to be knock around guns, or if you like, "truck" guns. mags from ruger are crazy spendy. for those who don't know, Tapco (i know, i know, Tapco stinks...) makes mags for 'em now and they are cheap. like 10-15 bucks. they have a metal horseshoe around the front where the pin goes in. really good mags. i have 6 and they do all the range work. my 20 and 30 round Ruger mags do the rest.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I did say a Mini "most likely would not be stolen if left outside"; however, some folks will steal anything.

The best modification a Mini owner can make to their rifle is to remove the front sight. Then, when you are fed up with the poor accuracy and grab the Mini by the barrel and heave it into the nearest lake or river you will not cut your hand on the launch ramp shaped sight.

 

[Stevie]

Yes..it's true..the blued models gas system can rust tight. I had that happen on my Ranch Rifle. Stored the thing for a month or so because I was pe-od over the poor accuracy. Got it back out and could not open the bolt! Had to whop it open with my boot-heel. The piston/nozzle doohickey was stuck in the op-rod...so much for clean and dry gas systems..at least with blue Mini-14 carbines!

My stainless steel Mini-14 seems immune to this affliction..although I usually wipe it down with an oily rag too.