Current Mini-14 - Worth the $$$

Perfect Union

This was created years before 2008, mostly as a discussion board for the Mini 14 and 30.

The reason I sold my '94 or so "State of KY" (on the sticker) Mini 14 was because I didn't like the thick post sight on those early guns-- and had no desire at that time to try to change any gun component. Actually, I hadn’t yet found the Nerve/—-

And I also wanted avail. cash to look for an Enfield "Jungle" #5.....

* Pudge: That's an interesting way to put it.
I bought a Czechpoint VZ-58 (milled) in early 2019 for variety with my imported AKMs, instead of simply buying a pricy flavor of an AKM.

They're not remotely worth the current prices IMO. Years ago I had one because they were cheap and AR15s were expensive. Now ARs are cheap and Mini-14s are expensive. Unless for some reason you just burn to have a less accurate rifle with poorer ergos, just stick with the AR.

I got one a few months back, but - to me it was not a comparison between AR15 and Mini-14. If I was wealthier I'd probably have a collection of Garands and M1 Carbines, and the Mini-14 to me, was a way to have something that is remniscent of those firearms, but one that is newly manufactured, and shoots a current 5.56/.223 cartrdige. An AR didn't factor into the decision to me, I just wanted a Mini-14 - and comparing to prices of Garands and M1s, to me it was reasonable, although I'm sure I overpaid. I migth go down the AR path at some point, but I just like blued steel and wood stocks, so - is what it is.

JDGray said:

You can make the pencil bbl Mini's accurate, just chop off the whip! Mine shoots much better now, after building it into an AC556F clone.
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That's a very nice looking rifle and is the only Mini 14 configuration I would own. I was not impressed with the Mini I had for years.

I'll probably eventually maybe get back into a Mini when things get back to normal---mainly because I have a pretty good stockpile of factory mags and for a little variety from the AR standard.

I shot a Ruger Mini 14 that was made in 1976. I thought it shot well despite not liking how low the iron sights sit. I believe I could have done better with a good red dot. It is a handy little rifle for carrying around. This particular rifle seemed to shoot as well as run of the mill AR's. The Ruger magazines are very expensive compared to AR mags. I like the rifle's look but I wouldn't want to invest in a new one.

For the price of a new Mini 14 these days, you can get a very solid AR and all the mags and accessories will be cheaper and easier to find.

Mosin77 said:

I love the idea of a mini-14 but the real world price to lack of stellar performance to reported ammo finickiness just kinda makes me keep looking.

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I wouldn't go as far as to say they're fickle about ammo, but definitely not as durable or reliable as the AR and some other 5.56 weapons.

I bought my Mini 14 Ranch rifle somewhere around 2008. I paid about $750. Even given inflation, I wouldn't pay more than that today for what they offer in performance. Which is to say, accuracy is acceptable, reliability is high, but 5.56 and 7.62x39 aren't of much interest to me. I keep what I have because I have ammo and mags, and the rifle does exactly what I expect it to do.

However, what a Mini 14 is worth to you, is entirely your decision.

I like the Mini 14/30 a lot but not enough to buy one. I still think they have a cool factor that ARs lack, but ARs are objectively better, more accurate, cheaper, and much easier to customize the way you want.

S&W just released a new AR-15 in .223, that includes the common upgrades people end up getting anyways ... $1,700 ... way more than I paid for my Mini-14 and I overpaid for my Ruger for sure ..

I have a new Mini-14 Tactical in .300bo, I love it.
Always wanted a Garand or M-1, this is close enough for me and comes with a factory warranty.
Accuracy & reliability are as good as my .300bo ARs.
You can compare any platform to an AR, whether a Mini, a Tavor, a SCAR, the AR is always gonna be best bang for the buck. But why not try something different?

Minis are pricey cause they require a lot of hand fitting. And that can create a lot of ‘variation’ in production. Ruger customer service is great but they don’t sell all parts direct to owners so if you want to be your own armorer, it’s not as simple as an AR.

I have one cause any self respecting gun nut should. It's a modified target model I cut the barrel and stuck a faux suppressor/linear brake on it. It absolutely loves the old American Eagle grey tip.
An AR is a better buy though

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Sorry- I’ve forgotten how to Show somebody’s quotes——-.after clicking the word “quote”…..

I wouldn't sell mine.

I love my mini 14, Chambered .223 & yes I am aware that even though it’s a ranch chambered in .223 and a 582 series; that it will shoot 5.56x45 too.
I have considered going through accuracy systems to have the new thumb hole stock put on with the three point mount, where the mount the gun frame using 3 stainless bolts and machining to place anchors within the stock.

Ignition Override said:

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Sorry- I’ve forgotten how to Show somebody’s quotes——-.after clicking the word “quote”…..

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Click "reply" instead.

The looks resembling the M-14 appeal to me in a way which almost nullified any drawbacks.

But the thick post sight on the older Minis got old, and I never wanted to consider any component changes.

Accuracy itself didnt matter to me, but I wanted just a thinner front Post - and a trigger which was not so stiff.

For me the appeal of Ruger Minis lies in fine tuning and accurizing them by old school gunsmithing. It's all about being a bit different and showing off what can be done when you can't just order a crate of replacement parts from the nearest mall ninja store and bolt them on.

In addition to that, they're just about perfect little guns for driven hunts where you shoot running deer offhand. I really like my Mini 30 and mini-derived Deerfield Carbine for that.

As far as the current pricing is concerned, it's a matter of perspective. IMO a second hand 186 or 196 series Mini 14 or any Mini 30 is better value if you're even the slightest bit proficient in DIY gunsmithing, willing to spend an afternoon cleaning the fit & finish mess it left Ruger factory with and putting it right.

Then again, if Ruger chambered the Mini to .450BM or .458Socom I'd grab one in a heartbeat for whatever they'd be asking for it.

It's hard to compare any other rifles to AR's because AR's are basically dirt cheap due to economies of scale - and the thing is there's nothing wrong with the AR so it's a hard value to ignore.

Look at everything else that's not an AR (or AK) and they all tend to be expensive. AUG's, SCAR's, Bren, Tavor, etc. A lot of those run $1500 to $3000. With that in mind the Mini-14 isn't a bad deal.

Basically the situation is: if you're buying a semi-auto .223/5.56 rifle purely for utilitarian purposes, just go buy an AR and don't worry. If you're specifically in the market for "not an AR" though, then you have to shop based on a whole different pricing scheme and amongst the "not an AR" guns the Mini-14 is priced relatively well. Granted, I paid $400 for mine (Wal-mart clearance) but I like it well enough.

Always wanted a mini 14 years ago, but the prices at the time were pretty high. But prices doesn't seem to be coming down, so decided to throw in the towel and finally bought one. It's the 584 series stainless tactical.

This thread has been a good read for me. I have always wanted a Mini-14 since buying my M-1 Garand many years ago but I keep balking at the price for one. I think I have decided to just buy a nice bolt action in .223 and call it good. The idea is to bang away at some steel plates in the 100-300 yard range.
Just to be clear, I have no interest in the AR platform. It is a very good platform, I had to qualify with one every couple of years in the Air Force and I have shot some of my friend's ARs since then. I just don't enjoy shooting them.

I would buy one for fun if you already have an AR15. It wouldn't be my only rifle.

It's like a lever-action - buy it for fun or nostalgia, not because it's the best platform for its purpose.

valnar said:

It's like a lever-action - buy it for fun or nostalgia, not because it's the best platform for its purpose.

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It's not a platform. It's a carbine, and that makes it so much more interesting than anything that you can customize with zero gunsmithing skills and a couple of screwdrivers.

BobABQ said:

This thread has been a good read for me. I have always wanted a Mini-14 since buying my M-1 Garand many years ago but I keep balking at the price for one. I think I have decided to just buy a nice bolt action in .223 and call it good. The idea is to bang away at some steel plates in the 100-300 yard range.
Just to be clear, I have no interest in the AR platform. It is a very good platform, I had to qualify with one every couple of years in the Air Force and I have shot some of my friend's ARs since then. I just don't enjoy shooting them.

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I would recommend a Ruger American Ranch if you are looking at a handy 223 bolt action.

Handle one and you will see why. Keep the scope small and light. Mine likes 77gr. I like the 7.62x39 one better, but the .223 one is more accurate.

I just picked up this NIB Mini 14 Tactical. Also came with 12 NIW Ruger Mini 14 30 rd mags. I am going to sell the Rugers Tactical Stock and replace it with a Walnut Stock. This is the first Ruger Mini 14 that I have ever owned.

I also picked up, from the same estate sale, a NIB Swiss SG 510 T AMT Rifle and a NIB Finnish Valmet-S in 7.62x39.