Ruger mini 14
I heard and read many pros and cons with the mini 14. I was looking to make mime more practicle with some tactical applications i.e. railings, adjustable stock, optics. What do you experts think?
Should I attempt this or should I sell it and get something else?
What aftermarket mags do you recommend?
thanks
Should I attempt this or should I sell it and get something else?
What aftermarket mags do you recommend?
thanks
0
-
What makes a mini 14 a ranch model? Is it the receiver that has a dove tail for scope rings or the drilled and taped for a base that makes it a ranch model? I've heard conflicing stories about this and would like to find out one way or the other. Thanks...[:)] 0 -
Bill Ruger based the Mini off the M-14.
The only thing I've seen in the few I've had, is the tight chambers.
Reloads have to be sized with a small base sizing die.
Have heard they don't do well with steel case ammo.
Some older ones shoot patterns instead of groups.0 -
As a MARINE, I trained lived and slept with my m-14, then took it to Viet-Nam for 2 tours. I think I know it pretty well. Ruger's Mini-14 is quite similar in operation, just in minature form. everything is much smaller. like the original, the Mini is mostly wood and steel, and rarely jams. while take down is not exatly the same, it is very close and easy to take down. I've owned several Minis and they are fine self defense or BIG varment guns, anticipate 2-3" 100 yard groups, and you wont be disappointed. 0 -
Our office and the County Sheriff's office uses them, and over the past oompteen years we have found them to be reliable and accurate enough for LE/defense work. MOA groups for varmints? Don't expect them, but the previously mentioned 2"-3" groups are what we're seeing with 55 grain bullets we use. Takedown for cleaning is a snap, and in the "ranch rifle" guise you can add optics with the supplied scope rings very easily. Ranch rifle open sights are pretty lame, however.
Check the rate of twist, as they've changed from a slow rate to a faster rate in recent years. Slow twist barrels would not shoot 62 grain and up bullets very well for us. Once you have the twist rate, you can zero in on the weight of the rounds you'll want to shoot.
Non-factory mags are a real crapshoot, with the shoot being mostly crap. Ruger factory mags have always worked very well, in both mini-14 (.223) and mini-30 (7.62x39) form. I have never had an aftermarket be reliable enough to count on, and most have been a total waste of cash.
Steel-cased ammo often won't go bang the first time, possibly from light primer strikes . I added a high-power hammer spring to my personal mini-14 and mini-30 to help with this, since I can't always find budget-priced brass cased ammo in the Russian form. Since this changeover, all has been good (so far).
Yeah, the AR group will say that you need one of these, and the AK group will say you need one of those, (I have several Ar-15's and they're on average more accurate and have a gazillion add-ons, and Ak's are truly bullet proof) but for an American made relible and affordable knock-around, "I won't have a huge fit if I drop it" truck gun, the mini 14 and 30 are good ones to have.0 -
I too trained with and carried an M-14 when in the army . I have had a Mini-14 of one form or another for a long time . The stainless/syn Ranch that I now have is not a tack driver by any means . I feel that what it lacks in accuracy it makes up for in volume . I met a guy ( who shall remain nameless ) that was one of the engineers that designed the mini when he worked for Ruger . He is now retired to the Bee business now . Anywho , He had a good supply of Factory Mags in 5 , 10, 20 and 30 Rd. and after crying the blues about after market junk , I was able to trade him out of a few of each . My gun shoots Wolf steel cased ammo without a hiccup . It's under my bed with a 30 Rd. in it , and I sleep great . Would totaly trust it in a fire fight ! 0 -
The newer heavy barreled ones shoot better than the older pencil barreled, having owned one I wouldn't again buy the thin barrel version. Some after market mags work well, others don't. I have about 30 of them and they work fine, maybe I got lucky. I have about 8 of the newer factory +10 capacity ones and they work perfectly.
My older Mini was sent to Accuracy Systems, shoots 1/2" at 100 yds and only cost $500.00 ....[:(]
It's a fun gun, sort of a modern day version of the M1 Carbine that looks like an M 14. Except it's not quite the PITA to scope as the 14 or M1A. Very reliable.0 -
Thank all of you for the information 0 -
i have to diagree with the steel cse ammo arguments
i have a stainless ranch and i shoot wolf and silver bear ammo though it all the time and have never had a jam these are great guns
good luck
thanks0 -
The NYPD SWAT teams have shot guns out of peoples hands with open sight Mini 14s. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
9 comments