A little info about the Mini-14 please.
- Thread starter 2@low8
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ID-shooting
Member
Wow! Much good info...thanks!
Sorry for the delay in reporting on the function test. The flu bug scored a bullseye on me and I will be side lined for a few more days.
Jackal - “This has been beaten to death on this forum and elsewhere online…” I just got here on Jan. 23, 2013 and I was unaware that this was beaten to death. I did try the search function, but failed miserably. If I stick around long enough maybe I’ll get the hang of it.
I do want to thank you for getting me in the ballpark with my offer. I wasn’t really looking for a Mini-14, but the opportunity and price brought me around. From some of the remarks it looks like you helped me to seal a really good deal.
ID-shooting - The original 5 round Ruger mag was in the box. I didn’t think to ask him if he had any other mags for sale and as a second thought he brought out:
2 - 30 round Ram-Line mags (designated for: Mini--14/AR-15).
2 - 30 round Thermold mags (no gun designation, but has the Ruger hole).
1 - 30 round U.S.A. Magazine (still in sealed wrapper).
NO CHARGE. I have some Thermolds for My AR-15 and they have worked without issue. I have never even seen anyone use a Ram-Line mag for a Mini-14 or AR-15. I have no experience with U.S.A. mags, but I have heard them being bad-mouthed. Any comments on these?
If I like the gun then I think that I did much better than just okay!
Izhevsk - Thanks for the links on the accurizers. Now I’ll know some places to go to fix any accuracy problems.
1KPerDay - Do you know how the Accu-strut measures up against the Har-Bar or the Mo-Rod? Anyone else with an opinion?
Many thanks to everyone for their input. I got a whole lot more than I bargained for.
Sorry for the delay in reporting on the function test. The flu bug scored a bullseye on me and I will be side lined for a few more days.
Jackal - “This has been beaten to death on this forum and elsewhere online…” I just got here on Jan. 23, 2013 and I was unaware that this was beaten to death. I did try the search function, but failed miserably. If I stick around long enough maybe I’ll get the hang of it.
I do want to thank you for getting me in the ballpark with my offer. I wasn’t really looking for a Mini-14, but the opportunity and price brought me around. From some of the remarks it looks like you helped me to seal a really good deal.
ID-shooting - The original 5 round Ruger mag was in the box. I didn’t think to ask him if he had any other mags for sale and as a second thought he brought out:
2 - 30 round Ram-Line mags (designated for: Mini--14/AR-15).
2 - 30 round Thermold mags (no gun designation, but has the Ruger hole).
1 - 30 round U.S.A. Magazine (still in sealed wrapper).
NO CHARGE. I have some Thermolds for My AR-15 and they have worked without issue. I have never even seen anyone use a Ram-Line mag for a Mini-14 or AR-15. I have no experience with U.S.A. mags, but I have heard them being bad-mouthed. Any comments on these?
If I like the gun then I think that I did much better than just okay!
Izhevsk - Thanks for the links on the accurizers. Now I’ll know some places to go to fix any accuracy problems.
1KPerDay - Do you know how the Accu-strut measures up against the Har-Bar or the Mo-Rod? Anyone else with an opinion?
Many thanks to everyone for their input. I got a whole lot more than I bargained for.
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I have a older 185 Mini 14, it "ain't" a tack driver, but neither am I at age 68. But, it never, never gives me any grief. I went that way after some bad, very bad sessions with the early M 16's in Nam (before the thumb assist) and had the Btn. armorer replace the second one issued to me.
I have a newer AR 15, has a lot of improvments, but will still give me troubles that the Mini 14 does not, with the same ammo. Like someone earlier said it is the American AK. If I had to grab something that I needed to go bang, it would be the Mini.
I have a newer AR 15, has a lot of improvments, but will still give me troubles that the Mini 14 does not, with the same ammo. Like someone earlier said it is the American AK. If I had to grab something that I needed to go bang, it would be the Mini.
JackDaniel
Member
2@low8: About 10-11 years ago I bought 10 USA mags on sale for my Mini-14 at $4.95 each from Midway.
Eight of them would not function right. I packed them all up and sent them back for a refund. Maybe the ones produced today are okay, but I can’t help you with that.
Eight of them would not function right. I packed them all up and sent them back for a refund. Maybe the ones produced today are okay, but I can’t help you with that.
jimmyraythomason
Member
It only takes a little knowledge of how a magazine works and a little tweeking will get those aftermarket mags humming with the best of them.
I recently sold my 185-series Mini, simply because the current sales prices were too good to pass up. If it wasn't the case, I would've kept it forever. It was amongst the most reliable semi-autos I've owned...steel cased or brass ammo, .223 or 5.56, it didn't care. Ate it all. I primarily ran Precision Mag Industries & USA Magazines 20 & 30 round mags through it with no problems whatsoever. I used an Accu-Strut LT for a little while, and although it made a bit of a difference once the barrel heated up, the added weight was off-putting as I saw it running contrary to the purpose of the rifle.
I'd recommend a Mini-14 to anybody provided they had reasonable accuracy expectations (it's no AR-15), though I'd probably spring for a new model with the better barrel to improve upon that.
I'd recommend a Mini-14 to anybody provided they had reasonable accuracy expectations (it's no AR-15), though I'd probably spring for a new model with the better barrel to improve upon that.
1KPerDay
Member
Yes, they're safe for the rifle. Whether they're safe in your locale is another issue. 
1KPerDay
Member
I guess I should add a disclaimer... they're as safe as tracer rounds are out of any 5.56... they've been known to go off in the barrel, etc. Consult your lawyer and get written approval from Barry O before shooting, etc.
Ash
Member
I have a Mini-14 GB and it has never given me problems. It came from the MS State Troopers and it is in that small group of rifles I will never sell.
BigRob6852
Member
I have a 581- series Mini-14 wood stock that is blued that came with the factory 5 round mag. I also have 4 ProMag 20 rounders that work
flawlessly in it. I have a Centerpoint 3-9x 40 scope on it and it shoots very well with iron sites and with the scope.
Best money I have ever spent on a rifle.
flawlessly in it. I have a Centerpoint 3-9x 40 scope on it and it shoots very well with iron sites and with the scope.
Best money I have ever spent on a rifle.
Sun Tzu warrior
Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2012
- Messages
- 384
Every mini 14 I have ever had would hit the gong at 300 yards, every time, with the military style peep sight, just make sure the ammo you use is correct for the rate of twist in your barrel. Not sure about the fold down sights on a ranch, never owned one!
Welding Rod
Member
I own a stainless / wood that my Uncle willed to me and have owned 2 or 3 others prior, including one current version.
Oddly my Uncle's, which was built in '93, is as good shooting as the current version was. It shoots about 2 MOA and the POI doesn't move with barrel heat under a normal shooting cadence.
It put a Tech Sight on the rear and though it was a worthwhile improvement.
The gun is great fun to shoot off hand.
The triggers on all of them have been horrible though.
I didn't find my Minis to be nearly as reliable as my ARs either, and I shot and shoot the ARs at about a 10 fold volume over the Minis. Ruger seems to occassionly butch up their guns with sloppy machine work. I seem to be lucky about finding these specimens.
Oddly my Uncle's, which was built in '93, is as good shooting as the current version was. It shoots about 2 MOA and the POI doesn't move with barrel heat under a normal shooting cadence.
It put a Tech Sight on the rear and though it was a worthwhile improvement.
The gun is great fun to shoot off hand.
The triggers on all of them have been horrible though.
I didn't find my Minis to be nearly as reliable as my ARs either, and I shot and shoot the ARs at about a 10 fold volume over the Minis. Ruger seems to occassionly butch up their guns with sloppy machine work. I seem to be lucky about finding these specimens.
Ash
Member
In the great white North, the Mini is long favored over the AR when things get really cold. Reliability is certainly a location, location, location thing.
Though in the muggy Gulf South, my Mini has never jammed - of course, I only use Ruger mags.
Though in the muggy Gulf South, my Mini has never jammed - of course, I only use Ruger mags.
I'm on my third Mini so I know a little. Every individual rifle seems to shoot differently in regard to the older ones, newer ones can be quite accurate.
First was a blued 185 series ranch, 1.5 inch groups at 100 yrds with a 3x9 scope and hot barrel. Regret selling this one.
Second was a stainless standard 186. Best it could do was 4" @ 100 yrds. It was a dog but never malfunctioned.
Third my 582 Tactical. 1.25 " @ 50 yrds with irons and a hot barrel and progressively worse eyesight. I can get that down to an inch easily. Here it is with a 30 rd Thermold, the only aftermarket mags I trust.
Between the three and thousands and thousands of rounds I can remember approximately 2 malfunctions. Thats pretty darn reliable.
First was a blued 185 series ranch, 1.5 inch groups at 100 yrds with a 3x9 scope and hot barrel. Regret selling this one.
Second was a stainless standard 186. Best it could do was 4" @ 100 yrds. It was a dog but never malfunctioned.
Third my 582 Tactical. 1.25 " @ 50 yrds with irons and a hot barrel and progressively worse eyesight. I can get that down to an inch easily. Here it is with a 30 rd Thermold, the only aftermarket mags I trust.
Between the three and thousands and thousands of rounds I can remember approximately 2 malfunctions. Thats pretty darn reliable.
Roadking Rider
Member
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2012
- Messages
- 466
For a pistol,it would be a 1911 or a CZ75B. For a rifle it would be a Mini14 ranch rifle or a 30/30. Own all four all,love them all.
Good looking mini's greyeyezz, that tacticle one you have pictured is the same as the one that I picked up recently, so far I sure like it. I have an ATI folding/ adjustable stock that should arrive shortly, hopefully that will go on ok. Plan to get a forward grip and mount a light and pressure switch on the front rails and maybe later on get a good red dot like an aimpoint but the iron sights seem to work great for now.
I like it!
This morning I cleaned the barrel and chamber then I oiled it and took it out to the backyard for some function testing. Even though there is no restriction on shooting on your property as long as you have 5 acres or more, I limited myself to 15 shots because there are neighbors who are in earshot.
I put 5 rounds in 3 of the different types of mags and there were no glitches. I shot at unopened soda cans and water filled 2 liter plastic bottles with nary a miss… not hard to do at 25 yards. I’ll give it an accuracy test using full mags at the range in 10 days when it reopens.
I can see why so may posters had good things to say about it. I thought it was very handy and compact. It came up to my shoulder very naturally… just like the shotgun I use for international skeet. I can see that this rifle is going to become a favorite. My English-stocked 1100 that I usually carry on my walks on my property may have to share duties with the Mini-14.
This morning I cleaned the barrel and chamber then I oiled it and took it out to the backyard for some function testing. Even though there is no restriction on shooting on your property as long as you have 5 acres or more, I limited myself to 15 shots because there are neighbors who are in earshot.
I put 5 rounds in 3 of the different types of mags and there were no glitches. I shot at unopened soda cans and water filled 2 liter plastic bottles with nary a miss… not hard to do at 25 yards. I’ll give it an accuracy test using full mags at the range in 10 days when it reopens.
I can see why so may posters had good things to say about it. I thought it was very handy and compact. It came up to my shoulder very naturally… just like the shotgun I use for international skeet. I can see that this rifle is going to become a favorite. My English-stocked 1100 that I usually carry on my walks on my property may have to share duties with the Mini-14.
Welding Rod
Member
I think you are right. I find the qucik handling character of the Mini one of its greatest assets.
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