Mini 14

Yeah, they are a little over priced but I like the one I have. I put a stabilizer and a scope on mine and it shoots just fine, just don't expect it to shoot as good as an AR... Mine is one of the first ones made, a 180 series ...

What has happened is that the mini used to be a less expensive alternative to an AR, back in the days when AR's cost $900-1000 for an entry level one. Now the price on AR's has come down, but the price on Minis has pretty much remained the same. I would guess that their current price point is the price Ruger has to sell them for in order to make money on them, and that is why they are not willing to come down and keep their niche in the marketplace.

Based on observation and an educated guess, the way things are, I would say that new Mini sales have dropped way off. I'm sure that's why Ruger has now started selling an AR platform. I wouldn't be surprised if they phase out the Mini before too long.

The Saiga is now the cheaper alternative to the AR.

I really dug the mini and wanted one, but the prices are just too dear - I've never seen one for less than $600 (the price I paid for a M1 Garand) and I discovered the SKS (yeah, I'm late to the game) which can be found for half that.

I have a 188 series (my third) and I'm waiting for my strut to show up tomorrow. Once the strut is in place I'll head back to the range and see what it will do. To tell the truth I really like the the sound of the action cycling, that kerchunk kerchunk sound.

My Mini 14 is one of the new models. My wife & I both love shooting it.
It's plenty accurate for our needs and rock-solid reliable. I choose it over my AR every time.

CDNN has several 580-series models right now for $560 and up.
P. 45 of their current 2012 catalog, IIRC.

Q

I have one in the safe that was built in 1976. Other then having a flash hider put on it, it's just as I got it back in the mid 80's.
I gave it to my daughter on her 14th birthday, she's 28 now, but she keeps it ar my house.
It's a great shooter and has been 100% reliable, but never all that accurate.

Blued/wood for $617 at Walmart all day long.

My son keeps on me to get an AR, but they just don't float my boat. I'm very happy with my Mini-14, however and will shoot it all day long given the chance.

I bought mine for 629 new, cheapest AR on the rack was an S&W sport (i think), at 990. This is from my local BigBox, not a smaller shop, most smaller shops are STILL asking atleast 900 for your average AR...course used minis are going for 550+.
Anyway Id still take the MY mini

+1 Walmart $617 which now sells Bushmaster ARs for $897.

M

I personally like mine a lot. To the point where I'd choose it over an AR. From my perspective their not overpriced.

I've also noticed over the last 20+ years that if I waited for a firearm to the reach the price I'd like to pay, it would take a long time of looking for used firearms. Shortly after you buy one, you forget about what you paid for it.

you either like em or dont, your money. I love my minis cause I love the Garand action. Love my M1As too. my newest 581 series tactical shoot 1" groups. I love minis, like I said, if you dont, feel free to trash em, I for one dont care.

Wouldn't it be nice if Ruger came out with a Mini in .308?

Personally they feel too heavy and too overbuilt for a 5.56, but that's purely my opinion. The natural look has some draw, admittedly.

Didnt ruger have a near production prototype in .308?

Ruger XGI

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/mini-14-mini-30-gallery/38911-ruger-xgi.html

Too heavy? Last time I looked the synthetic versions only weighed 6.75 pounds, which is less than most AR-15s.

My stainless/synthetic mini was well worth the $475 I paid for it in 2000 (brand new). But at the $700+ they want today? They can keep 'em.

Accuracy in stock form was ~2.5-3 MOA. After cutting the barrel to 14.6" and adding a welded flash hider to keep it a title I firearm, it groups 1.5-2 MOA, which is about what I expect from a basic, no-frills AR carbine. Incidentally, my Armalite M-15A2C does a little better than that.

Basically, at under $500, they were a viable option, especially when you couldn't touch an AR for under $800. But today, with minis priced where they are and being able to assemble an AR for ~$550 that'll shoot cirlces around the mini all day long, it's a no-brainer.

Last time I looked the synthetic versions only weighed 6.75 pounds, which is less than most AR-15s.

Click to expand...

Most 16" ARs are 6-6.5 lbs.

If Ruger decides in the future to produce either a Mini 14 or 30 with even thinner front post sights than present models, then I might look for a used example.
The only reason I sold both my older 14 and 30 is because of the older front sights. They provided the cash for my first "Jungle Carbine" and Spanish FR8 carbine, both with Much better sights.

Maybe Ruger staff could really let themselves go and install Tech Sights as rear apertures, or their own version.
On my Norinco SKS with the fancier Tech Sight, it is an excellent improvement: of nine shots, five shots at 50 yards made a 1 & 1/2" group in the center of the bullseye.

I kept hoping I'd one day have the extra funds for a Mini in 6.8 SPC. Regrettably, the gun is no longer offered in that chambering. I don't understand... that cartridge (IMHO) made the most sense for that rifle.

Sigh...

Thinner front sight? Easy enough. Dremel tool.

Some of the older mini-14s did have accuracy issues. The 580 models solved this. Having said that, how much accuracy do you need in a defensive firearm? Given the distances involved for home defense, you and the bad guy both moving about, and the adrelin flowing, I'm sure 4 MOA would be more than adequate for self defense.

I think the older mini's that did have accuracy issues has tarnished the mini-14 reputation to this day. Much in the same way American autos from the 70s with poor quality have tarnished the reputation of cars made today the stats show new american cars as good as forign iron in terms of quality but that's not what folks believe.

Also, you have to like the Garand style action to like the mini-14. Its been around 50 years since the AR was introduced. Many new shooters just aren't familiar with the Garand action anymore plus its not what the military uses anymore.

I like mine. Many don't care for them and I'm ok with that. Above explains in part why some dislike them.

I have a 181 series that my father bought about 25 years ago. No idea what he paid for it, but I'm sure it wasn't that expensive.

It's not nearly as accurate as I would like. The M-16 I was issued from Uncle Sam was way more accurate as I remember. I don't currently own any AR's. With my mini 14, I really don't need one. It fills that niche just fine. That's one thing that has turned my off AR's is the price. Can't see paying that much for something that would just be apples to my mini-14 oranges, so to speak.