[Combat-wombat]

Hey, I'm seriously trying to convince my parents to get a Ruger Mini-14. What do you think about that gun? What do you think about Ruger in general? I like the GP100, even though there's little chance I'll get it. Anyway, your thoughts would be appreciated. I know they're not too accurate, so you don't have to tell me.

[Topgun]

Mine's about 3" 100 yards. Open sights. Never a jam. Gets hot.

[synoptic]

When I fired one last time I didn't really pay attention, but I didn'at have any problems with it. My uncle is a deputy sherrif here in texas and he got one as his trunk gun. My aunt has one on her ranch to take care of dogs that are messing with her animals. I know if it didn't work for her she would happily go back to the 12 guage she was using before. Hope this helps a little.

[willyjixx]

i like mine!

lotsa accessories for me. although some aftermarket mags suck!

if you can get one cheaper than 300 grab it.
if they want 700 or more get an AR

[Combat-wombat]

I'd go with an AR if I could, but remember I'm in the PRK.

[natedog]

Here ya go, this is from a previous post.

The Mini-14's main problems are easily addressable.

1) Inavailability of reliable hi-capacity magazines:
A non-issue in California, as hi-capacity magazines are illeagal. 10 round Pro-mag brand magazines work great, as do the factory 5 round Ruger magazines.

2) Innacuracy:
Factory Mini-14's usually shoot about 4 MOA out of the box. It can be tuned to shoot accurately for less than $100.

A. Finding the ammunition your Mini-14 likes or working reloads for it.

B. Adding a muzzlebrake. This puts some weight on the muzzle end, improving barrel harmonics. It usually cuts groups in half.

C. Bedding the stock. This will improve group sizes considerably.

3) Other improvements that may or may not improve accuracy

A. Mike Knifong's gas bushing kit: It's a smaller gas port insert that allows less gas to cycle the action, thus reducing recoil and keeping your sights on target.

B. Mike Knifong's trigger job: improves trigger pull. what else do you need to know?


With all of these upgrades, I have seen Mini-14's shoot group sizes under an inch at 100 yards. If you don't want to mess around with all of these upgrades and just want to get instant results, it's going to cost you. Clarks Custom Guns does heavy barrel conversions, as does Accuracy Systems International. They are garunteed to produce 1 MOA or better, but will cost you about $300.

By it's own, the Mini-14 has there merits:

1. Lightweight and handy
2. Good sights on the standard model
3. 'Ranch Model' has nice folding peep sights, and comes with sturdy rings.
4. Good trigger
5. Garand-style safety
6. Reliable
7. Garand-style rotary bolt and gas system
8. Good looks
9. Eregronomic
10. Upgradable

[xjer]

I have had good luck with Ruger's. I have a mini14, 10/22, a couple of P95's and a SP101.

Mike

[Justin]

Personally, given the choice between a Mini 14 and a bolt action gun, I'd more likely go with the bolt gun.
:barf: Ruger.

What about looking into a CMP Garand? Those should still be California legal, and through the CMP should be about the same price as a new Mini. Only downside is that it's not in .223, and .30-06 ammo can be pricey.

[SodaPop]

I hit what i aim at from 100-500yds.

[CB900F]

Combat Wombat;

This is a first gun, right? I like Rugers & have several. But you might be better served with a 10/22 than a mini-14. Let's face it, .22 lr's are not near as scary to parents as center fire rifles. Or are you just going by bore size & hoping that they'll never know the difference? This can be dangerous you know. You do know that, right?

Far easier to get urban range time with a .22lr also. Do please let us know how this one comes out.

900F

[Combat-wombat]

Not a first gun. Kinda MY first gun, but we shoot a S&W M19 .357 mag with 2-in. barrel all the time, it's centerfire and it doesn't scare them. This would be my first rifle, and they are okay with it. They don't really like guns, but I opened them up more to them and now the big issue getting them to pay for a gun, rather than getting them to accept a gun. I know people might say that it shouldn't be my first rifle, but I am in a big hurry to get it because I might not be able to later, especially with HR 2038 (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23494) in the house.

[Art Eatman]

I've had four Minis, since they first came out; two stainless and two blued. All functioned just fine. With a Weaver K4, I had no difficulty in getting three-shot groups of around 1-1/2 to 2 MOA. Mine never seemed "picky" about ammo.

It took forty forevers to finally find a brand and type of ammo that suited my box-stock 10/22, but it came down to around one-inch groups at 40 yards.

I've had a couple of their bolt actions, and several single-actions; everything from .22 to .44 Maggie and .45 Colt. Some need a little trigger work, but no big deal...

Ruger products are quite good.

Art

[digex]

I have to say that I'm a huge Ruger fan. People may bust my balls about it, but I've nothing but really good experiences with them. The standard mini 14 is a pile of crap IMHO because it requires a nasty, janky scope mounting kit. the ranch rifle with the inegral scope mounts and rings is the only way to go if you're going to use a scope. i just got home from Cabela's tonite and i bought a beautiful (hardly) used Ruger model 77/22 magnum. I'm hoping to be able to go out to the ranch tomorrow to pop some prairie dogs and I fully intend to have a blast doing it. I believe that Ruger makes high quality products and that they are reasonably priced. Go for it and enjoy.

[David4516]

Never meet a ruger I didn't like

I think I'd prefer a M1 Carbine to a Mini-14, but thats just me. The Mini-14 has several advantages over the carbine (mainly cheap ammo), but I learned to shoot on a M1 Carbine and to this day it's one of my favorite rifles, so I'm a bit bias...

[TNT]

I've had two mini's and sold them. They function flawlesly with the right magazines and are overall a good rifle. I passed up a couple old one's with the wooden handguards for about $300 a piece a year ago. I'll get another one sometime.