Mini-14

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I've owned 3 and have had direct experience with at least that number and they are much like those of Wildbillz.

Back in those days factory magazines were almost non existent and costly when found. Aftermarket were pretty much all crap so we were stuck with the factory 5rd. A couple guys I knew were hardcore pelt hunters who gave them a try and soon realized they were better off sticking with their old bolt guns. Everyone thought they had turned the corner with the "Ranch" rifle but all they did was integrate their very good scope mounts to a very inaccurate rifle. Ruger "jumped the shark" with the mini14 and while they could have had a vastly enduring popular rifle they ended up with something almost every owner finds shortcomings with.
 
In the late 70's and early 80's they had the .223/5.56 market for folks who wanted a rifle around for coyotes, home defense and recreation. Ruger failed to keep up with the times and make the improvements needed to make the rifle more accurate and flexible. They ended up losing to the AR15 crowd. The Mini's still have a following but I'm betting that crowd get's smaller with each passing day. It's too bad.
kwg
 
I got my first old blue Mini 14 sometime back in the early to mid-1980’s then upgraded to the stainless steel model in 2010. The Mini was my first .223/5.56 caliber rifle and I still like the Mini 14 platform. They aren’t AR’s or AK's but very decent durable rifles IMO. Is it the best candidate to toss around in the the back of your truck as asked by the OP, probably not? There are two negatives with the Mini as I see is it. The first is it’s not recommended to shoot the steel cased ammo and second is you are stuck with proprietary mags with the Mini 14. Maybe the steel cased ammo is debatable as with the AR but you’re still be stuck buying Ruger mags or using cheesy aftermarket mags which are problematic at best. Even Kel-Tec gets it, they make the SU16 series of rifles and they will accept any standard AR mag which will “drop free” at the touch of the mag release button just like the AR
 
I have 2 recent production Mini's and both have been great-----I've owned some sort of Mini since the '80's---they have always been reliable and durable provided you use FACTORY magazines.

I've always liked them better than AR's and also currently own 2 of them also (Colt 6920 and Ruger AR-556).

The new Mini's are very slick and come with 2 magazines---meaning if you buy one with 20 rounders included--you get 2 20 rounders--------they also include Ruger rings and are drilled and tapped for an included Picatinny rail. Both of mine are set up with the rail--but I'm running the irons on the Ranch Rifle and a low power Leupold Ultralite scope with Leupold QRW rings on the Tactical model.

Even with my old eyes and low power scope, I can pick off reactive targets at 100yds with ease. The irons are another story but that's me and not the rifle--it shot well when I had a scope on it---I didn't like how it handled with that particular scope(3x9x40) and took it off---thinking about another Leupold Ultralite or maybe a red dot.

If you jam up an AR --you have little project ahead of you------with a Mini just give the operating handle a good yank.

No, they aren't as cheap as the old days but they are also a way better rifle now---I'm considering getting another Mini-30 now.
 
I have owned 3 and currently own one. I keep it as my uncle left it to me - I received it NIB condition.

It is an older skinny version. Unlike most experiences I read, mine is pretty accurate and not very reliable. Opposite of what I commonly read.

In any case I think the AR is superior in every aspect. I am unable to come up with a reason to buy a Mini over a good AR.
 
Welding Rod said:
In any case I think the AR is superior in every aspect. I am unable to come up with a reason to buy a Mini over a good AR.
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If i needed a good club, shovel, or oar, id choose a mini over an AR
 
Yet Ruger still makes Minis and people still buy them and use them. When all is said and done, it remains a fact that for many of us, the AR is just not the rifle for us and the Mini does the job well. I've been here for more than a decade and the discussion has always come up and folks always say the Mini is not worth the money and yet the Mini is still being made. For many it might not be worth the money. For many, it evidently is.
 
I bought a used Mini-14 some years ago. It was a handy gun.Relaible, pretty good balance....very coarse sights. I wanted to like it. If I had need at the time for a truck gun, I'd have kept it but I gave it to my son....he keeps it on his boat to repel boarders.
THe big problem that I had with it was that it was not very accurate. Two to four inch 100 yard groups. Not precise enough.
ARs....
I would REALLY like a Colt AR15A4, which is the more "traditional" style; 20" barrel, fixed buttstock, carry handle. But they seem to be very hard to find..
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Yep that is the one.....or a HBar in the same configuration.
 
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I have 3 SS Mini 14's and a Mini 30. All of them are the same accuracy in my hands as the AR style firearms that belong to friends that they let me shoot. I have several of the the SS P-MAG's in 10, 20, and 30 rounds that work as well as factory ones in the Mini 14. For the price at the time I chose to purchase the Ruger I got the better deal than the AR platform cost wise IMHO. Now today, it might be a toss up due to price and such but I am in no hurry to change what is completely reliable and works well enough for my needs already. They are all within 1 1/2 inch at 100 YDS if I do my part and do not try doing 20 round mag dumps when accuracy testing.:p 300-500 YDS might be a different story but for a truck gun I would say SS Mini 14 folder.;)
 
My model "181" cost me $139 new when I bought it. I put a 3 x 9 scope on it. It has done its job well taking out squirrels and rabbits on my uncles ranch. My uncle and his ranch are gone and I still have the Mini. It has never failed to do its job. Provide entertainment and stress relief. To each his own.
 
Pete D. said:
THe big problem that I had with it was that it was not very accurate. Two to four inch 100 yard groups. Not precise enough.
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Honest question, no flame intended. "Not precise enough" for what? Target shooting? Varmints? What?
 
Hammer059 said:
I would REALLY like a Colt AR15A4, which is the more "traditional" style; 20" barrel, fixed buttstock, carry handle. But they seem to be very hard to find..

So now the question is, S&W or Colt?
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If you like the AR-15A4 length, neither.

Look at BCM and get a 20" upper with a BCG for around $520 altogether. You can either buy an assembled BCM lower to put it on with a fixed stock (from BCM, G&R Tactical, or Rainier Arms), or get a stripped lower from another company and assemble it yourself.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M16-Government-20-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-gov-20.htm

PSA also occasionally builds 20" uppers, and their $59 "blemished" stripped lowers are a great deal.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...7-moe-upper-with-bcg-and-charging-handle.html

I wouldn't buy a Colt just for the name. S&W's tend to be well though of, and the M&P Sports are among the good deals available today, but they're not the best deal in some ways.

Yep that is the one.....or a HBar in the same configuration.
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An HBAR A4 upper would have its uses, but I'd prefer the lighter government profile.
Really, I'd prefer a size between government profile and A1 - like the government profile weight but in a standard "medium" contour instead. But no one seems to make that.
 
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bluzman
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Join Date: April 28, 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete D. View Post
THe big problem that I had with it was that it was not very accurate. Two to four inch 100 yard groups. Not precise enough.
Honest question, no flame intended. "Not precise enough" for what? Target shooting? Varmints? What?
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Target shooting.
 
They should buy Colt AR's because of the consistant high quality and performance.
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The Colt that lost the M16 contract to FN? The Colt that made the All American? The pistol so bad it hastened Colt's 1992 bankruptcy?

The currently bankrupt Colt?

BSW
 
Malamute said:
And nobody should. They should buy Colt AR's because of the consistant high quality and performance.
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I also wouldn't buy a Colt if I wanted an full length A4 upper. As far as I know, Colt isn't making a full-length A4. I'd own one of their used rifles if I wanted an A2. IIRC, they may have also made an HBAR A4 at one point... maybe without flash hiders back during the ban? I don't really remember.

For quality, I'm not sure what Colt is cranking out now to try and get themselves out of bankruptcy. They used to be a solid rifle. But BCM is just as good, and they have positively no reason to cut corners to save money.

So if BCM is trustworthy and they make what you want... There ya' go.

But I would try a Mini, at least one of the newer ones. I've only shot a couple, but they do handle well.
 
The Colt that lost the M16 contract to FN? The Colt that made the All American? The pistol so bad it hastened Colt's 1992 bankruptcy?

The currently bankrupt Colt?

BSW
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Yes, thats the one. Their AR's are a consistant known quality. I didnt say they were the only ones at a higher than hobby grade AR, but they are a good standard for those that want better than the cheapest or the so-called "just as good" and cost much less. Some may be as good or close, many arent.

As far as I know, Colt isn't making a full-length A4
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They are.

For quality, I'm not sure what Colt is cranking out now to try and get themselves out of bankruptcy. They used to be a solid rifle. But BCM is just as good, and they have positively no reason to cut corners to save money.
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The Colts seem to be holding ok for quality as far as I know. I think BCM is a very good gun, it wouldnt hurt my feelings at all to have one of their guns, they have a very solid repuation among people that use them hard.

Why can't a thread about a Ruger Mini 14 actually BE ABOUT a Mini -14 and not deteriorate into a discussion about AR-15?
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In this case, its because the OP was asking about the difference. Not off topic at all.
 
Yeah - and the OP also mentioned that he'd like a full-length A4. So obviously, since I know of at least two possible sources, I brought that up. Why wouldn't I help a guy find the rifle he actually wants to buy?

Having said that, I plan to buy a couple factory Mini-14 magazines before too long just to have them... because I do want to buy a Mini eventually. I just like the way they handle and think they're fun.
 
FN makes a nice 20" gov forgery. The 2 I handled had the best factory single stage triggers I have pulled on a mass production AR, or M16.
 
I enjoy the Mini's, but I doubt they can go 10,000rds without cleaning like a quality AR can. The simple fact that it has a semi exposed operating mechanism makes it less reliable than the enclosed AR design. Same goes for the M14/M1A. Dont flame me, the proof is online for all to see.
 
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