Ressurect my Mini-14

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Texasred

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My first rifle was a Mini-14 given to me by my uncle when I was 7 years old. I recently noticed that I have been ignoring this rifle and want to get it back in the mix. I'll start by making it my official truck gun.

Any suggestions? I have a few that I am sure of,

1. New sights, mine is a ranch rifle and I don't trust the flimsy folding sight as it's already lost one screw. Or maybe suggest a good sighting device considering the limited accuracy of this series.
2. I need a source of high capacity magazines, 20 or 30 rounders would be fine.
3. Most likely I would like a folding stock for it to keep it alot handier for riding behind my truck. Any reputable brands or styles.

In final, I honestly like this gun alot and I made an oath to never sell any of my guns. It has never jammed or failed in any kind of way. The use of this rifle is as a truck gun, and general purpose rifle with the occasional hunting element thrown in. Any extreme tactical situation that would arise while I am away from home would send me to this. Any of your suggestions and experiences are greatly appreciated.
 
I may be able to help with question 2. 44mag.com and cdnninvestments.com both have Ruger factory 20-rounders for $49.99 each. I've bought Mini-14 mags like these from both sources and they are new in the box. Ruger-made mags are 100% reliable IME.
 
I like the Choate pistol grip stock. It's not a folder and not pinned. It is a solid mold, very durable and very comfortable.

Mini PG2a.JPG

Try this for the rear sight, If I read it correctly it's fits the Ranch Rifle but not the standard Mini-14
. EDIT I guess I didn't read it well enough, the rear sight comes in both Standard and Ranch models
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&indexId=cat601639&hasJS=true
 
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Texas,

Just get a fixed stock like the Ramline polymer one or an original Ruger wood. Plenty of them around. I've got both and I can tell you the ram-line is fine and dandy. Sights? Ashly makes a bang up sight. And so does these guys:
Accuracy Systems Inc.
http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php

They make a real good Milled Rear Sight for Ranch Rifles! A real good one! Just click to the Mini-14 accessories and scroll down hall way. Notice the wood stocks for the Mini to!

I think they have just about everything you could want on a Mini.. and then some!
 
Clark Custom Guns has an inexpensive polymer recoil buffer pad that might work on an older Ranch Rifle. (It doesn't on my made-in-'97 piece.) It minimizes shakes 'n' rattles while the op rod is leaping about. ;)

Clark (and several other guys) offer Hogue's Overmold stock. I like it. The forearm has more to hold onto, the grip area is more generous than original Ruger stocks and it doesn't violate the "KISS" rule. :D

Sorry about sights: I slapped an old red dot scope that was unemployed on a Weigand rail so I haven't explored replacing the original irons. :eek:

Ditto the magazine suggestion: the Ruger factory 20-round is THE magazine for this rifle. They're out there. Get yours while you can!
 
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How much do you want to spend? For a couple hundred you can dramatically improve your trigger and shorten the barrel, improving accuracy.

Add a folding stock and a LEO mag or two and you are set.

Clarks is good, so is Great West. Over on the Perfect Union BBS they have a Mini14 aftermarket vendor section...
 
1. New sights, mine is a ranch rifle and I don't trust the flimsy folding sight as it's already lost one screw. Or maybe suggest a good sighting device considering the limited accuracy of this series.
Click to expand...

I have read that the rear sight from an M-1 carbine will work on the Ranch Rifle.

2. I need a source of high capacity magazines, 20 or 30 rounders would be fine.
Click to expand...

I never had a problem with ProMag Mini-14 magazines. Ruger factory magazines are available (just not from Ruger).

3. Most likely I would like a folding stock for it to keep it alot handier for riding behind my truck. Any reputable brands or styles.
Click to expand...

Butler Creek.
 
Butler Creek makes the best mini-14 folder, IMHO.

gallery_260_23_30429.jpg


gallery_260_23_11270.jpg
 
Well, in my search for the Pro-Mags I found that most people have success with the clear polymer "Ramline" 30rd magazines.

The part that intrigues me is that they are compatible with the AR-15 as well. Does anyone know if they still make these, or can anyone comment on their performance between the two rifle or with just one???
 
If you can't bear to rid yourself of that rifle, your money would be best spent on fixing whatever is broken and just leave it at that.

There is really nothing you can do to make that rifle better. It is well-established that the Mini-14 is reasonably reliable, albeit a mediocre performer in terms of accuracy and ergonomics. Notwithstanding my strong urge to launch into the internet's umpteenth Mini-14 bashing session, I'll just say that I recommend that you save the money you would have blown by adding "tactical" junk to that rifle, and spend it on a better rifle.
 
Texasred,

There's a terrific Mini14 forum at

http://perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86

...which will answer all your questions regarding modifying the Mini14 without pointless opinionated bashing.

The older Mini 14's and the new 580 series are capable of shooting 2MOA with a few inexpensive tweaks if you are a tinkerer. Ergonomics are modeled after the M-14 / M1A which is arguably the finest classic battle rifle produced by the US. For absolute hi-cap reliability stick with Ruger factory 20 round mags. Other after market mags may work also: I've had luck with Masen and Western 20 and 30 round mags but YMMV.

www.midwayusa.com has many parts and accessories including Butler Creek folder which IMHO is the most solid folding stock for the Mini.
 
Hello Texas Red,

The M1 Carbine rear sight is an EXCELLENT replacement for the Ranch Rifle.

Use ONLY Ruger factory magazines PERIOD! They're a bit pricey, but I would MUCH rather buy two 100% reliable factory mags than four cheaper aftermarket mags that I wasn't absolutely CERTAIN about. I've never seen a Mini 14 failure attributed to Ruger factory mags...ever!

If you like the compact size of a folding stock...go for a Butler Creek. If you can stand a fixed stock...Hogue Overmold is the top choice.

Listen to Eldomatic & Deaf Smith. I know them from the Perfect Union forum & they are EXPERIENCED Mini 14 tweakers. Go join Perfect Union & you'll have access to EVERY SINGLE PIECE of Mini 14 INFORMATION IN THE WORLD! From do-it-yourself improvements to sending your Mini to Gun Doc at Great West (He's the BEST) for a trigger-job, barrel-chop, and flash-hider installation. But more than anything...shoot your Mini. You WON'T wear it out.
 
Aside from the sights, I'd want to leave it alone. If any of my uncles had given me a gun when I was 7 yrs old, I'd try to keep it the same for nostalgia reasons.
 
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