Pre-ban Synthetic Ruger Mini-14?
Were Ruger Mini-14's made with synthetic stocks and stainless barrels, prior to the Assault Weapons ban? I saw one at a gun show with a folding stock (not the factory one). Unless it was made to stay open, it was my understanding that it could not have a folding stock unless manufactured prior '89. Is there any easy way to tell if it is truly preban?
-Marcus
When buying a new gun, remember, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
Edited by - gravedigger on 08/13/2002 00:09:04
-Marcus
When buying a new gun, remember, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
Edited by - gravedigger on 08/13/2002 00:09:04
0
-
This topic has come up several times. The only true Pre Ban Mini 14 is the GB series and one that starts with 185 or a lower number. Any Mini 14 that starts with 185-XXXX was manufactured prior to the ban. Only the GB is a true Pre Ban assult rifle.
My 2 cents0 -
Preban ruger mini 14 rifles did not come from the factory with synthtic stocks, But there were at that time aftermarket ones available. Not sure were you came up with pre 89, preban I belive was september 93.
They did offer a preban folding stock, It was made of wood, with a metal arm and butt plate that folded out.
Im not exactly sure were the serial no. cut-off was for preban-postban was, But I'm almost positive the 184 series and earler were preban.
Prehaps someone here knows the exact cutoff dat of pre-post ban rifles.
They just started puting synthtic stocks on the factory mini-14 a couple years ago.
Robert0 -
The question, as I read it, refers to whether a certain Ruger Mini 14 was manufactured prior to the 'Assault Weapons Ban' - not to whether Congress has classified the rifle (techically) as an assault weapon. The distinction is important, and to quibble over technicalities will only confuse many readers. When most people refer to a weapon being "preban," they simply mean that it was manufactured prior to the ban taking effect(which was September 13, 1994, see below). In common usage, the term "preban" means that a weapoon was made before the Assault Weapons Ban "(AWB"). Technically, only certain weapons have been classified by Congress as 'Assault Weapons.' Of the rifles in the Ruger line, only the GB Model (Government Barrel) was so classified. To argue over this misses the point: any semi automatic weapon that was not so classified before the AWB can later be converted into an assault weapon configuration, albeit illegaly, by addiding certain restricted features. The addition of over three resticted features renders it in non-compliance with the AWB. While the Mini 14 (with the exception of the GB Model) was NOT classified as an assault weapon, if for example a foldering stock and pistol grip is added to such a rifle after the date of the AWB, then it will have in excess of three "evil features," making it an Assault Weapon, and thus illegal. The exception would be if the weapon had a folding pistol grip stock prior to September 13, 1994, and a new folding stock is only replacing the older one. Ruger made Mini 14s in Stainless prior to September 1994. It did not make synthetic folding stocks, however. Buttle Creek and Choate, to name just two brands, make after-market synthetic folders for Ruger Mini 14/30s. An example of one is probably what you saw. If the rifle had a folder installed prior the the AWB, then it is legal. If the folder was installed after (or post-ban), than it is not. How can you tell? First call Sturm Ruger at (603) 865-2442 and determine if the rifle itself was made prior to the AWB. Give them the serial number, and ask for the date of manufacture. But how do you know when the after-market folder was installed? Well, without tracing back the records, and/or interviewing (deposing) the person who owned the rifle on the date that the AWB took effect, there is probably no way to tell. GOOD LUCK.
I will not repeat the characteristics restricted by the ASB. But for clarification: On September 13, 1994, Title XI of Federal Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (the "Act") of 1994 took effect. Sub Title A (the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Protection Act) of the Act barred the manufacture or importation of certain semi automatic firearms designated as Asault Weapons. This is commonly called the Assault Weapons Ban (or AWB). Please note that the definitions of an "assault weapon," as used in the AWB, are 'act specific.' That is, the definitions are specific to this particular law. They are NOT necessarily the "correct" definitions used by the military, or the definitions used by a knowledgeable source, such as the Glossary of Firearms Terms.0 -
As stated, the only factory-produced Mini-14 that would qualify as an 'assault rifle' is the GB model, so that is the only factory-produced model applicable to the entire pre-ban/post-ban concept.
Now, the law affecting domestic production guns (basically) hinges around the date of 9/15/94. The 1989 legislation pertains to imported rifles. Should someone have purchased a box-stock Ruger Mini-14 prior to that date (in the 185- prefix range) AND HAVE ASSEMBLED it with enough evil features to qualify it as an assault rifle PRIOR TO 9/15/94, then there would be a strong case to consider that assembled rifle "pre-ban."
By the letter of the law any Ruger Mini-14 regardless of the date of manufacture, if not assembled into 'assault-rifle' configuration prior to 9/15/94, can not be retrofitted now. Even if the receiver was manufactured in 1988, you can not now legally add a folding stock with a pistol grip.
We buy, sell and trade quality guns and scopes!Master Dealer for Kimber, Wilson Combat and Dan Wesson.Visit our website at www.ApaxEnterprises.com0 -
The -185 prefix is not necessariy the correct date as cut-off for those made before 9-1994 and those made after.
Ranch rifle versions of the Mini-14 have a difference prefix than do the standard rifles. There are ranch rifles with a -189 prefix that were made in 1985.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
Ruger use to have a list of dates of manufacture on their web site, they removed it because there were a few exceptions to the list they had published. A few people copied it before they removed it, and it is still a good general reference when it can be found. The web site I always use to go to for the list has shut down, but I found a partial list at another site. As you can see from this link, the Mini-14 Ranch Rifle with serial number prefix -187 was first made in 1982. If I could find the rest of the list it would show Ranch rifles with prefixes of -189 were made in the mid 80's.
http://www.sixgunner.com/FAQ/ruger_serial_numbers4.htm
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
Okay, I admit my memory was defective. But basically correct. Here is a site that lists Mini-14 serial numbers up into the 1990's. I had this list saved to my hard drive at one time, then my computer fried. I'll save it again, hope others out there do as well.
http://www.sportables.com/ruger_rifles.htm
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
Oh, the other thing, it only take two evil features plus the ability to take a detatchable magazine to make it an assault rifle. If it takes a detatchable magazine, it cannot have OVER ONE of the following:
Folding Stock
Pistol Grip
Bayonet Lug
Grenade Launcher
Flash Hider, or a threaded barrel that will accept one
TWO of the above items and the ability to take detatchable magazines throws it in the assault weapons classification (not three). A rifle cannot have over one of the five items noted above. It would have to have been configured as an assault weapon prior to the 1994 ban to be legal.
Consider, there are no rifles now made with two of the assault weapon items (unless made for LEO or military). Example: Springfield Armory removed the bayonet lug from the M1A but retained the flash supressor.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
quote:
Were Ruger Mini-14's made with synthetic stocks and stainless barrels, prior to the Assault Weapons ban? I saw one at a gun show with a folding stock (not the factory one). Unless it was made to stay open, it was my understanding that it could not have a folding stock unless manufactured prior '89. Is there any easy way to tell if it is truly preban?
-Marcus
Marcus,
You've got some good answers; but if your question means you're wanting a Mini-14 with a legal folding synthetic stock, email me. I have a pre-ban (literally pre-ban to the 1994 law by a few weeks!) stainless Mini-14 Ranch with a Butler Creek folding stock. I bought it new and never fired that one, and have been thinking about selling it to make a little more room in the gun safe. I can give you a letter certifying it's configuration prior to the 1994 law so you'll have proof of it's "grandfathered" status.
Joe
competentone@hotmail.com0 -
The Doctor saved me from having to give my "no such thing as a pre-ban Mini-14 except the GB and grandfathered rifles" lecture. The only thing I would add is that the ban to which he refers became effective September 13 (not 15), 1994. 0 -
I'm not extremely interested in one with a folding stock. I just saw one that had a good price for a Mini. I was actually thinking of buying it and possibly buying a factory Ruger synthetic stock for it. And yes I do know if I put it back in stock configuration I can't put the folder back on. I just wanted to know how to cover my ass if I did purchase it. It is NOT a GB. It has an aftermarket folder. I know it cannot have the pistol grip AND folding stock, since it has the ability to accept detatchable mags. If it was manufactured after the ban, it is very illegal to be in the configration it is in now. I know all this, I was just looking for an easy way to tell if it is legal. Thanks for all the replies.
-Marcus
When buying a new gun, remember, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
11 comments