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mini 14 folding stock question

jjmitchell60
Back in the early 80's I bought a mini 14 that was barely used and it had a flash suppressor on it as well as several 30 rd. mags. I went and bought a choate folding stock for it the following day and put it on so there is no question that it is pre-ban. Here lies my question: what about if I put the wood stock back on it during deer season so that my daughter can use it and then put the folding stock back after deer season, am I legal??? I like it with the folding stock and without a scope in the summer when I am working around my farm incase a coyote pops out. The folding stock makes it smaller and handier to carry on tractor or 4wheeler. My daughter likes the wooden stock and scope for deer season. How is the law on this issue of switching back and forth when I can prove that the folding stock & mini 14 were bought pre-ban?[?]
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • gap1916
    If your Mini 14 starts with the following serial numbers you are very legal: 181, 182, 183, 184, 185. My 2 cents [8D]

    Greg
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  • raskil
    Some of the stainless steel ranch serial # go into the 188-'s for pre-ban.

    We're split on the answer, some think that technically once you go "post-ban" you can't go back. Anyone else?
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  • cbxjeff
    Gap,

    You've got me worried! I bought a ss mini a couple of years ago and was told that it was pre-ban. My s/n starts with 186. Was I misled?

    cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.
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  • gap1916
    cbxjeff: I know for a fact that the starting serial numbers I metioned are Pre Ban. I am not sure about those that are higher. For that you wuld have to contact Ruger Mfg and ask. [8D]

    Greg
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  • raskil
    cbx, yes you were misled, I had the opportunity to buy one and was misled also but verified w/Ruger and came accross another one. Bought it and have a verification letter from Ruger. This one had a BC folder and choate bird cage front sight. The stock has a hollow pistol grip and I put a reduced size copy of the letter in it to resolve disputes. It is not all 188- series so you would have to verify before you buy. I had a dumb*ss dealer argue with me saying it was illegal. After showing him the letter, he realized what an *ss he made of himself (as did the other customers).
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  • jjmitchell60
    I appreciate all the replies but I think some of you are missing my question. The serial number is preban and the folding stock is preban that I know for sure but, DOES SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH BREECH THE LEGALITY OF THE PRE BAN? As raskil states if you switch back and forth on the stocks or go to post ban configuration then put the folder back on to preban configuration am I still legal? What if lets say that I was seen with the gun with folder one month then with fixed next yet a month or two later back to folder did I break the assault weapon ban law?[?]
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  • mark christian
    You are fine with your stock switching JJ. The law simply prohibits the assembly of any new assualt weapons which were not already in existance before the ban went into effect. You say that you can document that your Ruger had a folding stock installed nearly 20 years ago so there is nothing to prevent you from changing your stock back and forth at will. This type of thing is actually done quite often with preban AR-15 type rifle shooters, like Bushmaster, who like to blast away with their preban uppers and then target/match shoot with a heavy bull-barrel post ban upper- you don't need a bayonet lug or flash hidder for paper punching, you just want the heavy barrel. I have a set up like this for my rifle. When the match is over the evil upper goes back on and they head to the desert for plinking. This saves the cost of buying two complete rifles and allows maximum flexability. Your plan to change stocks on your Ruger is the same type of idea; use the rifle with a standard stock for hunting and then pop the folder back on when you need a smaller package for transport.

    Mark T. Christian
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  • cmumma
    quote:Originally posted by cbxjeff
    You've got me worried! I bought a ss mini a couple of years ago and was told that it was pre-ban. My s/n starts with 186. Was I misled?


    here is a site that has some tables. while i wouldn't take them as an absolute authority, they were correct with my preban 187-xxxxx ranch rifle.

    http://www.sportables.com/ruger_rifles.htm
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  • jjmitchell60
    Thanks Mark Christian, I thought that I was legal but with the gung ho attitudes of some people in reporting illegal weapons you never know.
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  • j1r11
    You can switch back and fourth as much as you want, your rifle and stock is pre ban and that is that. So it does not matter that you take it on and off. Just keep in mind that even though its pre ban that adding what they call "deadly characteristics" can still make it illeagal. These are things like a folding stock, flash supressor, detachable mag, and bayonet lug. They allow you three of these so you are right at the limit but still ok.
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  • Sunray
    I'm curious. Where are you that it's legal to hunt deer with a .223 and what bullet do you plan on using?
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