Got my Grail gun finally. A mini 14.

Awesome! Ive always wanted one too.
I second a range report

LoonWulf said:

dosent seem likely if hes tru-oiling it.
The new mini stocks are a lot nicer than the older ones IMO. Dont thin the wood quality changed, but they fit me better.

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I remember some of the Walmart mini from 10 years ago had very plain wood, very light. and that was 1 reason I did buy a Mini 14 or 30 for $499…. lol…. no, just crying

A deputy in Wynne AR (note: Lots of drug trafficking on nearby I-40) —-

—-showed me the Mini-14 he kept in his patrol car.

Happy birthday and congratulations on the Mini. I have had good luck with the Mini and really enjoy shooting mine.

Let us know how it works out.

LoonWulf said:

Only gun I regret letting go was my 581 stainless mini......

Congrats on your new rifle, and knifes! Also happy birthday!

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I know the feeling. I had a 580 mini that had belonged to a law enforcement agency. All black, synthetic stock, flash hider. Very cool but only a 4 MOA shooter so I sold it. I didn't handload that caliber at the time. Now I'm sure I could've made it a 2 MOA rifle with handloads

An ex- soldier who understood maneuvering - you recall - used a Mini-14 in the infamous “Miami Shootout”.

The basic rifle iirc was considered quite effective (very short distance firefight in Miami-we know) against the agents - Not trained to maneuver? - with their handguns, even though the attacker's rifle was Not an AR.

Not Sure if the Mini-14 is that effective, nobody ever die on this old show from the 80’s

allisd17 said:

I know the feeling. I had a 580 mini that had belonged to a law enforcement agency. All black, synthetic stock, flash hider. Very cool but only a 4 MOA shooter so I sold it. I didn't handload that caliber at the time. Now I'm sure I could've made it a 2 MOA rifle with handloads

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Some little tweaks, and running heavier bullets often cuts the group size noticeably.
I realigned the gas block, installed an undersized gas bushing, and did a trigger job on mine. Thing would pretty consistently put everything into about an inch and a half to two inches.
Bedded the stock also, But I can't say that really made that much of a difference.

Mark_Mark said:

Not Sure if the Mini-14 is that effective, nobody ever die on this old show from the 80’s

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Ya because you can't hit nothing with the stock folded lol.

troy fairweather said:

Ya because you can't hit nothing with the stock folded lol.

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good Point!

Happy Birthday ! Beautiful carbine you have there. 32 years ago I bought my first Ruger Mini, in my case a 189 Series Mini-30. At the time it was the end all and beat all... everything I wanted or needed in a handy carbine. I absolutely loved it and still do. It only gets better with time. Like most firearms a Ruger Mini benefits from a little tweaking and fine tuning. It responds very nicely to some TLC.

Did your game department ever legalize semi's for hunting in pa.? I have seen the mini used for deer and if the shots are carefully taken it worked well.

That’s awesome, happy birthday. I have been looking for about 15 years for one of my “wanted” rifles. Nice to have one that’s actually available.

Enjoy the new Ruger ! I had a hard time deciding whether I should get an AR15 or the Mini14 , I wanted them both , but my budget only had room for one at the time. Back when I picked up my Mini14 they were a little less money than a AR15 , my how things have changed ! I still haven't gotten around to buying that AR yet .

I tried an AR and it wasn't for me. Sold it and bought a 584 series Mini-14.

Did as @LoonWulf did, aligned the gas block, smaller gas bushing, and a trigger job. A Nikon 2-7x32 scope on quick detachable rings and a M-14 sling complete the package. Didn't need to remove the rear sight, found a M-14 style straight magazine. Very happy with it now!

Good luck with your new gun!

Finally my 188 series Mini revealed why it couldn't hold a group. It now wears a LPVO.

troy fairweather said:

Ya because you can't hit nothing with the stock folded lol.

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But it's soooooooooooooo cool!!!!

Congrats OP for your new rifle, knife and achieving another one of life's milestones.

Happy Birthday! I turn 34 in a couple days. Last week i traded a small outboard boat engine and a couple bills for a like new 582 series tactical. I love the shorter barrel. And the ATI stock feels a lot nicer than i thought ot would.

I have owned a 187 series ranch for almost 20 years. It has a walnut handguard from Accuracy Systems, and yesterday the Samson A-TM folding stock i ordered in june showed up in a big brown truck. Cant wait to install it and don my 37 pounds of gold chains and overalls...

Only issue ive ever had was a sticky extractor plunger.

Happy Birthday to you. My 583 series Ranch is my favorite rifle. I've never had a stoppage in what must be at least a thousand of rounds fired. Hard to get in these times but Federal American Eagle 50gr JHP (AE223G) is a incredibly accurate round in mine.

CoalCrackerAl said:

I put a coat of tru-oil on it after i was done loading. I'll put another 2 coats on it in the morning then. Question run it wet like an AR? Or just light lube?

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I have a tube of automotive lithium grease that is the only lubricant and protector my mini has ever known. It was also all I used on my Garand and LRB Arms M14SA. They never had a issue with it.

BigBlue 94 said:

Cant wait to install it and don my 37 pounds of gold chains and overalls...

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You got a van with a red stripe on it too..?

Oh, and Happy Birthday.

Happy birthday. I have a good friend who has always loved his Min14 as well. I don’t hate them, but I’m not a collector & the AR’s I build simply are better in every way. Interesting you said you could never afford one until “now”. I could afford one 10 years ago…..I can’t afford them NOW!!

I can work some magic with a Mini though. In addition to what LoonWulf recommended, I could show you how to do a mean trigger job which will greatly increase accuracy. I also recommend one of the Barrel Stabilizers. They greatly limit barrel whip. Also, if you do an optic, I strongly recommend the side mounts. Like the GG&G or similar. They replace the side cover plate & screw directly to Receiver Action. I’m not fond of the clamp on style.

No, never much wanted one. But I do enjoy working on & improving the Mini-14’s accuracy & enjoyability so VERY much!

Here’s a quick video of the last trigger job I did for a member here. I also added an Overtravel stop after the video.