Why are these priced so low?

I'd expect the bids to go up closer to the end of the auction, but don't think the prices are out of line. The "buy now" price on the used rifle is $550 and is more than I'd pay. Around $450 seems fair for that rifle.

The new rifle sells at Walmart for around $650 and is way overpriced at that for what you get. The seller has it incorrectly labeled as having a walnut stock. It does not, it is cheap hardwood. Considering the hassle of buying on the internet, paying shipping and transfer fees the current bid of $ $541 is fair I think. Although both may well go up some.

They are older style Mini's with the skinny barrel. They are less desirable than the new 582 Mini's. kwg

Wonder what Ruger's production cost is on the Mini-14? Considering the fact that they sell NIB for as much as many ARs has to got to hurt sales.

Looking at their resale prices I would say demand must be pretty strong.

Maybe your post came a lot earlier in the auction, but right now one auction is up to $555, the other has a $550 reserve, and neither auction is over.

What I don't understand is why a mini would go for so close to the price of a basic AR15. In my experience, even basic AR's are much more accurate than any mini, and have so many more (and better) accessories and magazines. You also have the option to change uppers, or even rebuild an upper with a different barrel of whatever caliber, length, or weight you choose. And the parts are relatively cheap with many levels of how deluxe you want to go.

They will likely want $30-$40 for shipping. Then factor in FFL fee of $30-$50. Not a very good deal at all when you can buy one brand new for $650.

They are at Walmarts for $650. buds gunshop is showing them at $670

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...3+Remington+Ranch+Rifle+wBlue+Barrel+&+Hardwo


Anyone paying $550 for a used one is being taken advantage of.

According to Ruger the MSRP is $900. Now you can figure a bit lower than that, but not $650.

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Palmetto State Armory has the tactical model for $657 after shipping, out the door. http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/rifles/ruger-mini-14-tactical-223-16-1-5846.html

MSRP's are just about meaningless these days, with many makes/models selling for about 60% the suggested prices.

The Mini-14 price has gone up at Walmart. A month or so ago the 582 series Ranch Rifle (blue/wood/two 5rd mags) was $699 and now $724.

I also wonder how much profit there is for Ruger at these prices and if there is a long future for the Mini. They really can't raise prices much more since the Mini competes with very good $750 ARs and even Ruger's lower price piston AR is $1000.

Still, I love mine even though I have good ARs.

josiewales said:

I sure hope there will always be a market for wood and steel semi-autos.

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So do I!

The new rifle sells at Walmart for around $650 and is way overpriced at that for what you get. The seller has it incorrectly labeled as having a walnut stock. It does not, it is cheap hardwood. Considering the hassle of buying on the internet, paying shipping and transfer fees the current bid of $ $541 is fair I think. Although both may well go up some.

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Ruger has made some Mini-14 packages with Walnut stocks. The 1st rifle appears as though it very well could be one of them.

It wouldn't surprise me if Ruger doesn't drop the Mini 14. The .223 is competing with the AR and sales are are not that good although I would rather have one over an AR. Just call me old fashioned. Ruger recently did a survey asking for input on what people would like to see them build. On my wish list was a carbine like the Mini in 9 mm, 40 S&W or 45 ACP. Basically a pistol caliber carbine around $700. That one would sell.

2 cents is too much for a Mini anything. Owned on at one time and it was perhaps the least accurate rifle I ever owned. Sold it. Told the buyer it was a POS but he wanted it anyway.

The mini fills a niche that it has a virtual monopoly in. In many places it has flown under the prohibitionists radar. In some LE circles and especially in corrections it still holds its own as it gained a foot hold as the bargain alternative to the AR from its introduction in the 1970's. I will requal next month with a beat-to-hell Mini, .38 S&W and 870. They are cheap middle-of-the-road-rifles built to endure neglect and suffer abuse. The example with the add-on flash hider sold for a decent price, but I would have been more inclined to buy at 400.00 myself. But I have 1 and while I'll keep it, I don't want a second Mini. If I had the bucks burning a hole, I'd opt for a second cheap Romanian AK...

2 cents is too much for a Mini anything. Owned on at one time and it was perhaps the least accurate rifle I ever owned. Sold it.

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I owned a Browning Hi Power once. I bought it new. Trigger was a pos..sold it and never want another one. 2 cents is too much for any Hi Power.

I'll buy all the 2 cent Minis and Hi Powers you've got!

But I see a comparison, the Mini and Hi Power are pricy and having a tough time holding their own as their user base ages. Younger shooters tend to look at other designs, forcing some earlier firearms into niche categories.

The question should really be: Why is the Mini so darn expensive? When they were $350 and an AR was $1000, they made sense. Now, the Mini has near doubled in price over the years and the AR has dropped near half. What gives?

Ruger prices them based on their cost and market surveys. I also think they occupy a niche in the market not filled by any other rifle. Not everyone wants an AR platform rifle. Never liked the stock on the old pre-582 series. That is rectified with a Hogue stock however. But I seldom shoot mine anyway and I don't feel it's worth buying a better stock.

Yes, the older ones did have an accuracy problem when the barrel heats up. Minute of pumpkin is okay for my needs. They are very reliable guns with Ruger magazines.