[Specialized]

I'm looking for input on how to accurize and increase the reliability of the Mini-14. I have just purchased a used-but-good-condition specimen in the 184- serial number range, and put a brand-new Hogue Overmolded stock on this beast, and will be taking it to the range on the weekend. I'm hoping to use it as one of my decentralized SHTF weapons, if it proves accurate and reliable enough.

Can anyone offer advice as to how/if these babies can be tuned or accurized? It has a pretty good 4.5lb. trigger that shows no sign of after-market work, only normal wear. Any other things I might try to increase my accuracy? Any and all pointers would be appreciated. Thanks!

[fisherman66]

I have been *told* that an adjustable pressure point at the tip of the stock help. It is a hex key in an epoxyed "nut" in the wood supporting a "v" shaped piece of plastic or teflon.

*I HAVE NOT DONE THIS* I have only heard about it.

[Solo]

Ways To Increase Accuracy/Reliability Of A Mini-14?

Step 1: Unload the magazine.

Step 2: Load ammunition into a USGI magazine

Step 3: load USGI into an SU-16

You have now improved your Mini-14 :neener:

[shermacman]

Ditto Solo.
By the time you have replaced the trigger, barrel, stock and magazine, you have bought an AR. That having been said, the mini is a great, fun plinking gun...until the barrel warms up.

[Darth Ruger]

You don't have to replace the trigger, barrel, or anything else. It only takes around $70-$90 to get the Mini shooting good. Replacing major components is an option, not a requirement.

Specialized,
check your messages.

[Dave Markowitz]

<sigh>

The Mini-14 is one of the most reliable semiauto rifles you can buy, provided you don't use POS magazines. Ruger factory are best, followed by PMI/Federal Ordnance, Thermold, and believe it or not, Pro Mag. You may be able to find cheap, no-name mags that function OK, but don't count on it.

As for accuracy, the Mini-14 is no AR-15. That said, there are a few things that can improve accuracy without spending a ton of money:


Proper bedding.
Sometimes syntethic stocks help.
Shortening the barrel to 16" to make it stiffer.
Installing a muzzlebrake or flash hider, which seems to reduce barrel whip.


The Mini-14 forum on the PerfectUnion BBS is THE source for Mini-14 info.

[nextjoe]

Assuming your gun has been well cared-for, reliability should be a non-issue. Minis usually run just fine.

As far as accuracy, the often-recommended approach is to shorten the barrel a bit and add a flash hider or muzzle brake. This is reported to change the barrel harmonics enough to improve accuracy considerably.

[Darth Ruger]

<sigh>
I know how you feel, Dave. I've given up trying to convince people how cheap and simple it is to improve the accuracy. Most are too biased against the rifle to believe that it's possible. That's why I only inform people that ask via PM's now. Too many sarcastic replies otherwise.

Incidentally, you don't even have to chop the barrel. That's just another option.

[Tom C.]

I improved the accuracy of my Mini by having it rebarreled. I will eventually put on a replacement stock. I did remount the front sling swivel on the forarm and off the gas block. Mine shoots very well now.

[atek3]

IMHO the only reason to own a mini14 is for the poor souls (like me) that live in kalifornia... everyone else should really be getting AR's. OTOH, pour 1500 dollars into a mini14 as one guy I know did, and you have a perfectly serviceable rifle for 3gun. But if he could have used an AR he would in a second.

atek3

[Luchtaine]

/\/\ thats why there is the M1a :D course its not .223 so ignore me.

[steve4102]

The Ruger Mini 14/30 can be made to shoot if you give them the same attention as any other rifle. Bedding the stock, serious load development, retorque the gas block, install a muzzle brake, and of course have the trigger worked. Here is a web site on everything you will need to know on how to accurize any mini.

http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showforum=8

I have a Mini 30 that shoots very well. I bedded the stock, retourqued the the gas block, had the trigger done and spent a lot of time with load development. I also installed a little device called the "Biathlon Stabilizer".

http://www.henrich3.com/biathalon_stabilizer.htm

I purchased a combo pack from Mike K over at the perfect union. It consists of a trigger job, gas port bushings and a step by step video on how to bed the Ruger Mini. I think it was about $60. Bedding the stock eliminated the fliers, retouqueing the gas block is a must, the trigger job won't help the gun shoot better but it will help you shoot better.

This is one of many of my Ruger Mini30 tagets at 100 yards.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/steve4102/File0044.jpg

[pax]

re reliability, get good magazines. Too many people stick magazines made out of spit-and-aluminum foil into these guns, and expect them to function well.

pax

[Onslaught]

IMHO the only reason to own a mini14 is for the poor souls (like me) that live in kalifornia... everyone else should really be getting AR's.
I have owned 5 or 6 ARs so far (still have 2, planning a 3rd) but for some reason I STILL managed to find a nice used "standard" Mini-14 and put it on layaway :D

I LOVE my ARs, but I think I'd get bored looking into a safe that had nothing but a row of evil black rifles...

I bought my son a Mini-14 because the ergonomics of my ARs did not work for his "shortness" at the range we shoot most (where you MUST shoot bench or prone). I bought him a used Ranch model and thought... "I'll buy this inexpensive, reliable but inaccurate rifle for him to play with while I have fun with my ARs". By the end of the day, both me and another shooting buddy with an AR had put away our Bushy's and were bugging my son for turns on his Mini :D Next thing I know, I'm in the local gun shop eying a stainless standard (iron sights only) then next thing I know, I'm handing the man behind the counter $100! :what:

I'm going to have the stock bedded. If it eliminates the flyers as reported, I expect his Mini to shoot 2" - 3" groups at 100 yards.

[Specialized]

Thanks for all the guidance, folks! Replacing the stock helped a bit, and the gun actually shoots pretty well. The trigger is just fine, a bit creepy but just under 5 lbs. Very serviceable!

[Thin Black Line]

Too bad Ruger never made a mini14 that would accept AR mags.

A skinnier front sight would help a lot with accuracy.

As far as reliability, well, just hope the guy at the steel foundry wasn't
drunk that day as parts will begin snapping in half.....