Is The Early Mini-14 Collectible?
I thought they would be, so I was happy to have received one in a lot of guns I bought. Very early gun with wooden handguard, external bolt hold-open mechanism, and no provision for scope mounting. It was made in 1975, according to Ruger.
There wasn't much interest in it on the auctions, so I withdrew it, intending to keep it, maybe to sell later, maybe to leave in my estate.
I am no Ruger expert. So what say you?
There wasn't much interest in it on the auctions, so I withdrew it, intending to keep it, maybe to sell later, maybe to leave in my estate.
I am no Ruger expert. So what say you?
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I have one also Nunn. Curious as to the responses you may receive. 0 -
Is it a southport Mini with the gold bead front sight?
Can you post a link to the auction or a photo?
Does the SSN start with 180-xxxxxx?
Is the rear sight like a M1's?
If the answer is yes then it is slightly collectable and maybe worth 750-850 depending on condition.
Like this:
Ruger redid the mini several times and they no longer support the early guns or at least that is what I have heard.0 -
The 180 series has a little bump in the price over the later models. When I get used minis in the store they only stay for a day or two. 0 -
I'd like to have one.
Just saying.0 -
Are you guys being supportive of a rifle that was issued to the French military and gendarme???
I thought I was the only one here who owned or liked any rifle or pistol used by the French military or gendarme...
The ones used in France - or identical in spec and model have a following...
The one pictured above that looks like the it belongs in a rifle display rack alongside the garand and the carbine and the M14 carries a premium (they all look more like brothers than cousins don't they)
The early A-team style folders are in demand
Chrome or stainless - flat or shiny seem to garner additional interest
You know ruger collectors are fanatics and odd ducks - they go after specific serial number ranges or model variants or limited furniture or finish examples
Mike0 -
Avoid the 180s like the plague. IF ANYTHING breaks it can't be replaced & you will be left with a very poor putter. There are serious problems with the bolt & there are NO replacement parts.
I found out about the problems when I tried to buy a replacement stock many years ago. Mine had the end of the stock cut off & a folding part added. I was going to have to register it as an assault weapon in Kalifornia.
I finally sold it at a gun show in Las Vegas & was GLAD to be rid of it.0 -
Here is mine:
https://www.GunBroker.com/item/789979492
Serial number is 180-26546.
According to Ruger, the rifle was made in 1975.0 -
Well the thing with Mini 14's is they are just not that accurate. That and Ruger just doesn't support them when it comes to accessorizing. Try finding a mag for a Ruger in 6.8 Remington. 0 -
Looks very nice. Was unaware of the lack of support and parts issue. Makes it risky to shoot. There has to be a Ruger discussion forum. Ask around there if collectors seek these and price it based on what they tell you and offer it in their classifieds. Or list it at auction with their advice in mind on a starting price. 0 -
To my understanding, the early Mini-14 was not built to be an accurate rifle. Accuracy came with the latest mini's. 0 -
I have one of those early 180 series Mini's with wooden handguard, second one from top.
Unlike the later guns the bolt lug has a roller on it. The roller on my gun broke years ago so I shipped it to Ruger. They not only fixed the roller, they also replaced several other parts they said were out of spec, all at no cost. Great company.
As far as collectability of the older models goes, I believe they might bring slightly more, but not much more.
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quote:Originally posted by gruntled
Avoid the 180s like the plague. IF ANYTHING breaks it can't be replaced & you will be left with a very poor putter. There are serious problems with the bolt & there are NO replacement parts.
I found out about the problems when I tried to buy a replacement stock many years ago. Mine had the end of the stock cut off & a folding part added. I was going to have to register it as an assault weapon in Kalifornia.
I finally sold it at a gun show in Las Vegas & was GLAD to be rid of it.
Jack First makes his own extractor for the 180 series and I am going to have one installed this week. Supposedly bullet proof.0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
Here is mine:
https://www.GunBroker.com/item/789979492
Serial number is 180-26546.
According to Ruger, the rifle was made in 1975.
That's the approximate range I get out of them, usually $550 for good shape.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
Unlike the later guns the bolt lug has a roller on it. The roller on my gun broke years ago so I shipped it to Ruger. They not only fixed the roller, they also replaced several other parts they said were out of spec, all at no cost. Great company.
Was that before I bought mine 11/7/96? I have the receipt for when I sold it but the year is not readable. It was when they were making people register rifles with folding stocks as assault rifles in the DPRK. If your experience was later than that they may have changed their policy. All the research I did at that time indicated there were no replacement parts for the stock, bolt, roller, extractor or any other parts that were different from the 181 & later rifles.0 -
quote:Originally posted by gruntled
quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
Unlike the later guns the bolt lug has a roller on it. The roller on my gun broke years ago so I shipped it to Ruger. They not only fixed the roller, they also replaced several other parts they said were out of spec, all at no cost. Great company.
Was that before I bought mine 11/7/96? I have the receipt for when I sold it but the year is not readable. It was when they were making people register rifles with folding stocks as assault rifles in the DPRK. If your experience was later than that they may have changed their policy. All the research I did at that time indicated there were no replacement parts for the stock, bolt, roller, extractor or any other parts that were different from the 181 & later rifles.
Yes, it was before 96, probably around 90, so your research is likely correct.0
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