I've read many posts on other forums that really bash the Mini14 . They say that it isn't acurate and is a piece of junk . Many say they have a problem with after market magazines . But , the Ruger 10/22 is said to be one of the best 22's around . The Ruger handguns , especially the revolvers , are built like tanks and very reliable and acurate { I own 2 } . Isn't the Mini design based on the M14 . Why do so many hate the Mini14 . What is the truth . I wish I knew someone who owned one so I could see for myself .
Mini 14 ???
- Thread starter Handyman
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I've owned two & sold them both. A fun gun @ the range ? yes. A gun I'd hunt w. ? no. I,ve never had a jamb and found them to be 100% reliable. Accuracy leaves a lot to be desired and in view of the price of the gun, to me it's just not worth it. Good Hunting.............
Thin Black Line
Member
Do a search on my user name, the word mini, and in the rifle section. That
should answer all your questions.
should answer all your questions.
Silly isn't it?EvisceratorSrB
Member
My experience with Mini-14's were dissappointing. I've never owned one, but put about 400 rounds through them in my shooting career. Accuracy is no better than 5 MOA.
One of the owners claims it is ridiculous to put the bolt back in the rifle, it supposedly needs to be "jiggled" into place according to him.
I'll stick to my SKS as a plinker.
One of the owners claims it is ridiculous to put the bolt back in the rifle, it supposedly needs to be "jiggled" into place according to him.
I'll stick to my SKS as a plinker.
Dave Markowitz
Member
It's basically the same as putting the bolt back into a Garand or M1 Carbine. No big deal.
I like the Mini-14. It's a simple, reliable rifle that will stand up to neglect and works well as a defensive carbine out to a couple of hundred yards. It's neither a battle rifle nor an assault rifle, but Ruger did not design it as such. Feed it halfway decent ammo and use good magazines (i.e., not USA or no-name crap), apply a modicum of maintenance, and it'll work when you need it most.
Some have reasonable accuracy (I have shot them). The one I owned for 20 years never put more that 3 out of ten shots in a 1 foot circle at 100 yards. I messed around quite a bit with different ammo , trigger work ect. Same result. The accuracy of mine (bought brand new) was considerabbly worse than the nastyiest rust and cosmo encrusted $50 mil surp I have ever owned. The turkeys at the factory will not even support the brand with decent normal capacity mags .
Happiest day in my shooting life was when I dragged that pos out of the back of the safe , threw it on the gunstore counter and traded it for my first Bushmaster AR .
Don't ever consider buying a used one without a test fire for accuracy
Happiest day in my shooting life was when I dragged that pos out of the back of the safe , threw it on the gunstore counter and traded it for my first Bushmaster AR .
Don't ever consider buying a used one without a test fire for accuracy
shotgunkevin
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Any problem other than accuracy?
I've had my Mini for 9 years or so, and it simply will not jam unless using USA mags, which are widely regarded as junk. It will feed Winchester, Wolf (say it ain't so!), Hornady TAP, Remington softpoint, 5.56, .223 - anything. My rifle has never failed me. It is durable, having digested 4000 or so rounds without even so much as a hint of abnormal wear. No small parts breakage, nothing replaced except for the recoil spring. I replaced it early on with a Wolff extra power spring to slow the slide velocity. I also installed a buffer, which is a great help.
So, my question to Mini-14 bashers is, do you have any complaint besides accuracy, or lack thereof? Mine will shoot 3-4 inch groups at 100 yards with Winchester ball or 55 gr. TAP from a makeshift bench. This satisfies my requirements for defense, from inside and around the house, all the way to the end of the block. Beyond that, I have a real obligation, legally and morally, to retreat or de-escalate the situation.
I've had my Mini for 9 years or so, and it simply will not jam unless using USA mags, which are widely regarded as junk. It will feed Winchester, Wolf (say it ain't so!), Hornady TAP, Remington softpoint, 5.56, .223 - anything. My rifle has never failed me. It is durable, having digested 4000 or so rounds without even so much as a hint of abnormal wear. No small parts breakage, nothing replaced except for the recoil spring. I replaced it early on with a Wolff extra power spring to slow the slide velocity. I also installed a buffer, which is a great help.
So, my question to Mini-14 bashers is, do you have any complaint besides accuracy, or lack thereof? Mine will shoot 3-4 inch groups at 100 yards with Winchester ball or 55 gr. TAP from a makeshift bench. This satisfies my requirements for defense, from inside and around the house, all the way to the end of the block. Beyond that, I have a real obligation, legally and morally, to retreat or de-escalate the situation.
telomerase
Member
The one I shot for several years jammed fairly often. IIRC it wouldn't chamber SS109 (? or just shouldn't? Can't remember). Accuracy was much worse than a vanilla Colt AR15.
Your spring fixes might have made it work better.
Evil Monkey
member
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Yeah I think the mini14 is chambered for .223, not 5.56mm, even though they're the same rounds.
5.56mm NATO is hotter than commercial .223.
You can shoot 223 in a 5.56mm chamber, but you SHOULD NOT shoot 5.56mm in a 223 chamber. The 223 chamber isn't designed for 5.56mm pressure.
5.56mm NATO is hotter than commercial .223.
You can shoot 223 in a 5.56mm chamber, but you SHOULD NOT shoot 5.56mm in a 223 chamber. The 223 chamber isn't designed for 5.56mm pressure.
enkindler
Member
Why People hate it:
It is not a bench rest rifle
It is not a real military rifle
It's not accurate enough to be a long distance varmint rifle
Why People like it:
It eats any ammo
It is inexpensive to purchase
The first shot always seems to go the same place
It's light weight
It points like a rifle, if you don't like how modern military rifles shoulder
You can carry it around without looking taticool
I love My mini-14 but I use it as a plinker and a ranch rifle. It has taken more then it's share of coyotes and Jacks and it has definitely poked a lot of holes in paper and cans etc. If you are looking for a good plinker and a rifle that still shoulders like a traditional rifle check them out. If you really want an AR or something to pop ground hogs with at 200 yards look elsewhere.
It is not a bench rest rifle
It is not a real military rifle
It's not accurate enough to be a long distance varmint rifle
Why People like it:
It eats any ammo
It is inexpensive to purchase
The first shot always seems to go the same place
It's light weight
It points like a rifle, if you don't like how modern military rifles shoulder
You can carry it around without looking taticool
I love My mini-14 but I use it as a plinker and a ranch rifle. It has taken more then it's share of coyotes and Jacks and it has definitely poked a lot of holes in paper and cans etc. If you are looking for a good plinker and a rifle that still shoulders like a traditional rifle check them out. If you really want an AR or something to pop ground hogs with at 200 yards look elsewhere.
Dave Markowitz
Member
According to the Ruger owner's manual, the Mini-14 is chambered for ".223 (5.56mm)" cartridges. I have run both South African surplus and XM-193 5.56 through mine with no apparent ill effects.
Squidward
Member
I agree with many of the opinions shared here. However, they are not so inexpensive anymore!
As with any thread on this site, the answer is usually begun with , "it depends on what you want the rifle to do". I have a mini 14 and will probably keep it because its a .223 and that ammo it plentiful. but, any other rifle I buy will most likely be milsurp.
As with any thread on this site, the answer is usually begun with , "it depends on what you want the rifle to do". I have a mini 14 and will probably keep it because its a .223 and that ammo it plentiful. but, any other rifle I buy will most likely be milsurp.
RNB65
Member
I used to have two Mini-14's. Sold one to my dad because I never shot it. The other one would reliably shoot 3" groups at 100yds. Both ran 100% reliably. I eventually got tired of the crappy iron sights and no easy way to mount a scope. Sold it and bought an AR15.
I'm not a Mini-14 basher, but it's been my experience that most folks who buy them eventually dump them in favor of the AR. For a good plinker, I'd go with an SKS or a KT SU16 before I'd buy another Mini.
For many years the Mini filled a niche -- cheaper than an AR, chambered in .223/5.56mm, and looked vaguely like a cross between the beloved M1 Carbine and an M-14. But, IMHO, today the lower entry level price of the AR and the availability of cheap SKS's and SU16's makes the Mini no longer a desirable choice.
I'm not a Mini-14 basher, but it's been my experience that most folks who buy them eventually dump them in favor of the AR. For a good plinker, I'd go with an SKS or a KT SU16 before I'd buy another Mini.
For many years the Mini filled a niche -- cheaper than an AR, chambered in .223/5.56mm, and looked vaguely like a cross between the beloved M1 Carbine and an M-14. But, IMHO, today the lower entry level price of the AR and the availability of cheap SKS's and SU16's makes the Mini no longer a desirable choice.
I've had a Stainless Ranch model for 14 years. I have shot the snot out of it and it keeps going. It's a great plinker, but that's all I use it for. I have fitted my Bushmaster AR (M4 style) for work and carry it daily. We are allowed to build Mini-14s for duty; however, with over 100 cops, there is not one Mini-14 on the street. It's a light, fun, gun.
ive seen them used in lots of prisons,in the guard towers, so they cant be too bad.i had one about 15 years ago, was reliable,not bad,but it was much cheaper then.the only thing i dont like about it besides accuracy is all the tooling & machine marks,mostly on the stainless ones.
byf43
Member
I read an article several years ago about a company that (I think) is in Texas.
"Accuracy Speaks" or something like that.
The inaccuracy comes from (some sources say) the harmonics/vibrations set up in the barrel, because of the way the barreled action locks up in the stock, at the forend tip of the stock. That and the buggy whip skinny barrel that comes from the factory.
One of the things that I read that this company does is to install a heavyweight barrel, not too far from what an AR-HBAR barrel looks like.
Accuracy is supposed to shrink considerably.
A buddy bought a Mini-14 from a gunshow and loves it. It won't shoot any tighter than 5-1/2" at 100 yds, but, he's happy with it. (Hey, whatever get's you through the night, I suppose!)
"Accuracy Speaks" or something like that.
The inaccuracy comes from (some sources say) the harmonics/vibrations set up in the barrel, because of the way the barreled action locks up in the stock, at the forend tip of the stock. That and the buggy whip skinny barrel that comes from the factory.
One of the things that I read that this company does is to install a heavyweight barrel, not too far from what an AR-HBAR barrel looks like.
Accuracy is supposed to shrink considerably.
A buddy bought a Mini-14 from a gunshow and loves it. It won't shoot any tighter than 5-1/2" at 100 yds, but, he's happy with it. (Hey, whatever get's you through the night, I suppose!)
I put a heavy barrel on my ranch rifle, it will shoot sub MOA and is very reliable. I have a machine shop and used all of it. I would rather have an AR series rifle, but here in Ca. it is not really an option. The Ruger integral bases make scope mounting easy, and the M 14 action is proven, I really don't understand the level of emotion for what seems to me to be a non issue.
go check out perfectunion.com they have a mini-14 discussion board with anything you would want to know. my opinion...wonderful rifle. it has it's plusses and minuses, but to me, it's main selling point is that it's a rifle you can fall in love with. it has incredible traditional looks, with factory magazines it is very reliable, and it is extremely ergonomic and handy.
308win
Member
It isn't a benchrest rifle but it goes bang when it is supposed to. I use 10rd magazines I bought from John Masen and they function reliably. Bed the action, put a muzzle brake on it and it should shoot 2moa all day.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I think the main objection to the Mini-14 is that at the current suggested retail price, you can buy a better rifle. Heck, you can get the original M1 Garand that the Mini-14 is based on cheaper than the current suggested retail price for a Mini-14 ($809 according to Ruger).
Even if it were back when you could pick up a new Mini-14 for $350, you now have the Keltec and Saiga semi-autos. Both of those are also arguably better rifles than the Mini-14.
Even if it were back when you could pick up a new Mini-14 for $350, you now have the Keltec and Saiga semi-autos. Both of those are also arguably better rifles than the Mini-14.
bhk
Member
I am on my second mini, this one a new 580 series. The peep sights are much better on the new ones as compared to the older ranch rifles. Mine is scoped though, and shoots about 2 1/2 inches at 100 yards (5 shot groups) with white box 45 grain hollow points from Walmart. If sighted properly, that would place any shot withing 1 1/4 inches from my point of aim, good enough for any coyote out to 150 yards. My mini does not replace my super accurate Sako bolt .223, but serves as my farm/truck/security rifle and does a fine job of it. I am sure it will continue to do just fine at those chance-encounter coyotes I often come across and anything else that suits it. By the way, neither of my minis has EVER jammed (even with a variety of aftermarket magazines of varying capacities).
As I have stated before (possibly in the forum), at my age I have way to much 'drive time' with standard-style stocks to switch to any military style, pistol gripped affair. I have tried. Even when I was in the army decades ago, I had spent too much way too much time with regular stocks to ever feel comfortable with my M16. The mini suits me just fine.
By the way, regardless of the suggested retail price, they are available (stainless) for considerably under $600 many places. Expensive, yes. But given the choices - it is the best for me and the purposes I have assigned to it. As I said, I can't 'do' the Ar15 stock and the only SU-16 I shot jammed like crazy and I find it too light.
As I have stated before (possibly in the forum), at my age I have way to much 'drive time' with standard-style stocks to switch to any military style, pistol gripped affair. I have tried. Even when I was in the army decades ago, I had spent too much way too much time with regular stocks to ever feel comfortable with my M16. The mini suits me just fine.
By the way, regardless of the suggested retail price, they are available (stainless) for considerably under $600 many places. Expensive, yes. But given the choices - it is the best for me and the purposes I have assigned to it. As I said, I can't 'do' the Ar15 stock and the only SU-16 I shot jammed like crazy and I find it too light.
FrogClan
Member
After reading through this thread yesterday, I decided to take my fairly new Mini-14 (a 580- series model) to the range today for some first hand observation.
It was not a good day for shooting... wind gusting from the right at speeds from 5mph to 15mph or so, with the occasional dust devil to make things interesting. Clear skies with temp in the low 70s and humidity about 35%. Altitude about 5200' MSL. Used a mix of Winchester White Box and Remington 55 grain ammo. No scope... iron sights on a completely "stock" gun. Forestock rested on a hard plastic bench rest.
I started by checking the sights with 15 rounds at a target at 25 yards. Had a little vertical stringing, for which I blame my own tired old eyes... about 2" from top to bottom. Horizontal spread was about 1/2". The "group" (for lack of a better word) was centered on the "X" ring.
Put the target out at 100 yards and fired another 25 rounds resulting in a "group" about 5" diameter. Center was about 3" downwind of the "X" but elevation was centered good enough to suit me. Not terribly impressive but might have done better on a less windy day.
Fired another 20 rounds at 12" x 12" gongs posted at 125 yards and 150 yards, hitting with all but one shot (which may have found a hole in the metal plate).
For comparison I fired 40 rounds (Wolf) with the trusty Yugo SKS. A ten-round group at 25 yards would have been covered by a two-bit piece. The 30 round group fired at the 100 yard target was about the same size as the group fired from the Mini-14, with perhaps only 2" of downwind drift.
No malfunctions with either rifle. The still new trigger on the Ruger was a little gritty and stiff. The well-worn SKS had a much cleaner breaking trigger. Both were fun to shoot, but I think the lighter recoil and the sound of the Mini-14's action working made it more enjoyable. I rate it a good ranch gun well suited to jacks and coyotes at ranges out to 100 - 150 yards. Long range shots on smaller varmints might be doable with a scope but the groups I got today argue against that kind of use... I'll give it another try on a calmer day. It's not a target rifle... I sure hope no one is complaining because they discovered that AFTER they bought it.
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de
member
I have owned 7 of them. After I glass bed them, float the barrells, do a trigger job on them, and a couple of other little things, they shoot very well out a little beyond 200 yds. They aren't match grade, but I haven't spent more than $15.00 on them to get them to shoot the way they should.The trigger groups on these little rifles clean up to near match grade very easliy. When I finish one and someone shoots it they usually want it. So, I sell it. I haven't done one in a while, because I am getting old and don't want to fool with them. You can by a Bushmaster for a little more, and a trigger job is all they need.
Mini-14 w/can and M203
Same feelings about the Mini that's already been expressed. But I can add:
My Mini is one my father bought on my advice just prior to the '94 Assault Weapon ban. He was always unhappy with the accuracy, so I bought it from him instead of letting a pre-ban leave the family.
Very handy (especially with the Butler Creek folding stock). Didn't care for a vertical foregrip on it, which for some reason seems to be the rage on everything else these days...
Very reliable, of course.
I cut back the barrel on mine (front sight slips over a turned-down portion of the barrel and is pinned across a groove in top of the barrel). Then threaded the new muzzle.
I'm told that unscrewing the barrel on stainless Mini-14's tends to crack the investment-cast receiver
With a decent .223 can, I get an uncomfortable amount of blowback from the breech, something I don't notice with the same can on my AR-style guns. After all, the Mini's breech is pretty much wide open on top.
I also adapted an M203 40mm GL to it, since I didn't have an AR at the time. Used quick-detach ball-lock pins to mount it to a recess I cut under the forearm, with a barrel clamp/front sight assembly I made up (this was after I threaded the muzzle). Worked fine.
Ugly but handy and reliable.
I even dug up a coupla old pics, in case anybody was wondering what this monstosity looked like:
Same feelings about the Mini that's already been expressed. But I can add:
My Mini is one my father bought on my advice just prior to the '94 Assault Weapon ban. He was always unhappy with the accuracy, so I bought it from him instead of letting a pre-ban leave the family.
Very handy (especially with the Butler Creek folding stock). Didn't care for a vertical foregrip on it, which for some reason seems to be the rage on everything else these days...
Very reliable, of course.
I cut back the barrel on mine (front sight slips over a turned-down portion of the barrel and is pinned across a groove in top of the barrel). Then threaded the new muzzle.
I'm told that unscrewing the barrel on stainless Mini-14's tends to crack the investment-cast receiver
With a decent .223 can, I get an uncomfortable amount of blowback from the breech, something I don't notice with the same can on my AR-style guns. After all, the Mini's breech is pretty much wide open on top.
I also adapted an M203 40mm GL to it, since I didn't have an AR at the time. Used quick-detach ball-lock pins to mount it to a recess I cut under the forearm, with a barrel clamp/front sight assembly I made up (this was after I threaded the muzzle). Worked fine.
Ugly but handy and reliable.
I even dug up a coupla old pics, in case anybody was wondering what this monstosity looked like:
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