What are your thoughts on mini 14/30's?

[TonyAngel]

Although the original post didn't mention ARs, the comparison inevitably comes up in these sorts of threads. I've owned quite a few Minis over the years and have always liked them. The ones I've had would shoot at least minute of clay pigeon at 100 yards. It is was it is and what it's supposed to be. It's a handy rifle to have around. I find them to be easier to carry around than an AR and I like the ergonomics of the Mini. My biggest gripe is now and always has been the price of magazines. Although it is a good plinker, I wouldn't look forward to putting 500 rounds through it in an afternoon. The accuracy really declines when the barrel gets hot and it gets hot quickly.

On the flip side, there are those that will say that the AR is a piece of trash and that Mini is a "real" rifle. That really isn't a fair comparison because there certainly are lots of junk ARs out there. A more fair comparison would be to compare the Mini (which is obviously a reference to the Ruger product) to a specific model of AR, such as a Bravo Company, Spike's or Larue. Still, all things considered, I'd take a Spike's AR over a Mini any day of the week. I used the Spike's as an example because they are pretty closely priced.

 

[Welding Rod]

Two of the 3 I owned did have reliability issues.

Right out of the box, my new model's bolt hold open wouldn't release the bolt. The hold open operating plunger would jam in its hole and not move freely.

My 186 has only been on one shooting outing, ever. And it suffered from light firing pin hits, and experienced an extraction problem.

I don't buy into the "But Minis are more reliable than <some other gun>" argument.

 

[Squid]

Someone stated at the beginning of this thread that opinions would vary widely and they do! I appreciate all the input. I purchased a stamped Romy Ak last night so I had something in my collection that is of a more robust platform that can deal with a variety of ammo. More than likely Ill augment this with an AR somewhere down the road. Thanks folks!

 

[HoosierQ]

Well I want to like the mini. I had a mini and I sold it cause I needed money at the time. I didn't get to shoot it much but mine was dead on reliable...never really got to put it through its paces accuracy-wise before I "went broke".

But here's the thing. Now that I can afford a new one, and have been looking at new ones, with the improved rear sight and all...sticker shock. $800 for crying out loud. My old one was a Ranch and it was nearly-unused used so the price was right.

For $800, nice wood or not, I'd look for an AR and have a lot more gun. I think the old saying applies here. "The Mini-14 is the best $300 gun $800 can buy".

So, it just doesn't make a very attractive option when all things are considered.

 

[Ignition Override]

When people state that the Minis are accurate, they do not say whether they have older, original iron sights.
Also, few mention whether they added a barrel stiffener (Accu-strut). The descriptions can therefore be misleading.

It makes no difference to me, because most of my targets are floating in water or on a sand bar about 100 feet away, maybe less.
The rifles were supposedly designed to fit easily onto a saddle or in a truck rack.

My only complaint about my older Mini 30 is the thick front post sight.
Yes, have read on "Perfectunion" that adding a flash suppressor also gives the rifle a thinner front post.

 

[Skyshot]

I have had 3 mini's over the years the first one was a pretty good shooter and very reliable (with ruger mags) the second one was reliable also but wasn't very accurate 5-6 moa at 100 yards. Last year I bought one the 581 series tacticle patrol rifles with the 16 in. barrel. Its a great shooter,1 1/2 moa at 100 yards. Its very light with the composit stock. Here is the kicker, when I take my wife or my nephews to the range and they shoot the mini and my stag arms AR, they always want to shoot the mini again.

 

[Observer]

I have probably had a dozen Minis. I have never had a problem. I do not use them for bullbarrel .22-250 shooting precision. The are always accurate enough to shot everything I shoot, even small items. Never a problem.

I prefer other weapons, ARs, FALs, ect., but I do love the Minis!

 

[Fishman777]

Plan on getting one, eventually...

I don't like guns that look like assault rifles. I'd never buy an AR-15 for this reason.

I haven't decided which one to get, but it will definitely be a synthetic, stainless variety.

 

[merlinfire]

as with the others have said, an mini is an alternative to an ar or an ak, but since both are cheaper than a new production mini....eh....

 

[Skyshot]

Bought mine NIB for $615.00 can't get an AR for that!

 

[skoro]

What are your thoughts on mini 14

I've had my Mini-14 ranch rifle for a little more than two years now and I'm VERY happy with it. I've fed it all kinds of ammo, from the cheapest commie-bloc junk to decent name brand fodder and it's digested all of it w/o a single problem. Definitely a fun plinker. Not a target rifle, if that's what you're looking for, but accurate enough for my purposes.

 

[greyeyezz]

True story. Myself and a freind are shooting at 50 yrds at a 3/8 in. thick steel plate. He with his Mini 14, me with my standard colt H-Bar. We both are pulling ammo from the same can. The AR would punch holes like a paper punch the mini would NOT penetrate the plate. End of story
Mini's are junk

Heavier bullets in a 1:10 twist(early Mini) will keyhole. But the rifle is junk.

 

[BrocLuno]

Yeah, but they are sure having fun running up the prices and selling that junk

 

[lucky-gunner]

I don't think the Mini is junk but I do think that it is overpriced a bit. When the mini was a lower cost option it made more sense. Now I just don't see the niche they are supposed to fill.

The Mini-30 could be a good option if you are good for an AK like rifle. If there was a cheaper option for high cap magazines or a way to modify them to accept AK mags. If that was possible I would be more interested. As it sits I think there are better options available.

 

[ElPasoCounty]

I've got a mini I'm really happy with...except how the magazine seats.

 

[Myles]

They are a great rifle. Very well suited for field use by the average ranch/farm owner. The sights available will make the difference. If you cannot hit a target using basic fundamentals, changing to another rifle will not change that. The mini is less accurate but more robust (less cleaning/lubricant required, less finicky parts, better designed to handle debris) than an AR platform; the AR definitely holds accuracy under sustained fire.

I own both, so before the AR crowd jumps in to argue the point of spare parts and lubrication - be honest about what parts and oils are in your range bag.

 

[CDawg]

I've had a Mini Thirty for almost 20 years. Shot lots of rounds through it without any problems. Brass cased ammo, steel cased ammo, they all work well for me. I put a folding stock with pistol type grip on it years ago and it's proved to be a good addition. If I wanted to hunt with it I'd put the full length stock on it and probably mount a scope. It does throw brass quite a ways at the range, so I try and get the shooting station on the end of the line, because it will pelt folks with brass. Whenever I've taken novice shooters to the range they seem to warm up to the Mini Thirty very quickly. The new female shooters have all liked it. It's not hard to shoot well. It's a sturdy platform and has been dead reliable with the Thermold hi-cap mags I purchased in the 90's. Now Ruger makes factory 20rds for it too. Got a few of those too, but haven't tried them yet.

 

[pacpiper]

I was wondering how the AR came up when the original poster asked about the "MINI 14". :banghead:

There are a dozen semi-auto rifles out there which are a blast to own and you asked about the Mini 14 so here is my take.

It's fun, it has enough aftermarket mods that you can play (and pay) to make it your own, 223 ammo is cheap, it isn't high maintenance, and depending on how you set it up, it can be as accurate as you want. Even the worse Mini should at least get you on paper at 100 yards and if someone thinks it's accuracy isn't good enough as a SHTF rifle then I dare you to let someone cap off one round at 100 yards at you. I'm sure you'd decline.

Enjoy the Mini and forget the haters

 

[Observer]

I think they are overpriced, but I am a cheapskate. I generally buy then with whatever accessories for $450-500 used at gunshows. I love them for this price. The last one I bought was in December. I paid $510 for a stainless steel that looked like it had never been fired. Gave it to a 13 yr old stepson for Christmas.

I do not buy anything new because I am cheap. I think the last new rifle I bought was a BLR in .308.

 

[henschman]

The accuracy of a cheap AK with the reliability of a cheap AR.

The worst of both worlds.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Both are well made,reliable to a fault and are tin can accurate plinkers. They are easily scoped (later models) and make very good varmint to deer hunting rifles. I have owned my last AR or AK variant. With the longer LOP on the later models they are very user friendly. I regret losing both my Mini-14 and my Mini-30.

 

[asahrts]

I'll start by saying that I love my mini14. I live in CA so i went with the mini over a modified AR, however for most here that isn't an issue.

I have a 581 series & while I'll admit it is not phenomenally accurate, it definitely gets the job done. It's easy to carry & feeds any ammo. A friend of mine has a 15+ year old model that can't shoot nearly as accurate as the new models so I'd recommend a new model with the tapered bbl.

While I hate to recommend another forum, Perfect Union has over 150,000 posts on the Mini14 alone, so you really should check it out.

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-talk/

 

[jmr40]

Skyshot
Member



Join Date: January 23, 2011
Location: Tn.
Posts: 30 Bought mine NIB for $615.00 can't get an AR for that!

Oh yes you can. I paid $607 for my last AR. With tax it came to $650 but it included a hard case, a telescoping stock, cleaning kit, and 2-30 round magazines.

Buy all that separately for your mini, pay sales tax and you are closer to $800. For a gun with far less accuracy.

 

[swiftak]

Owned a Ranch Rifle for about 12 or so years. Was never very impressed with it. Throws my brass about 40 feet. Which, as a reloader really pisses me off. Haven't fired it in 5 or 6 years. May sell or trade it towards something else.
I've started to see quite a few of them sitting in gunshops the last couple of months. I wonder if sales are slow on them.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I've started to see quite a few of them sitting in gunshops the last couple of months. I wonder if sales are slow on them.

None of the shops even close to me have any at all. All of the folks I know who own one locally won't part with them.