Anything a new Mini-14GB owner should know?

[Deaf Smith]

The original Ruger GB Mini-14, to me, was what the M1 Carbine was supposed to be. Yes I've owned a few. Very reliable, ok but not great accuracy, and easy to shoot like a hunting rifle.

I even got one deer with a 'Ranch' rifle version. One shot at about 100 yards using Speer 70 gr. SP reloads I made.

Deaf

 

[rodregier]

Ruger improved barrel production methods in later generation Mini14 units. I don;t know where the
improved cutover happened. My 183 series unit walked zero as it heated. Sold it to get an AR15 pattern.

 

[hdwhit]

I have a Choate plastic stock on mine (fixed, not a folder) and I love it. The folding stock is similar. I also recommend the Choate heat shield.

Where I shoot the accuracy standard is getting 9 out of 10 rounds into the circular divot on the side of a gallon milk jug at 100 yards shooting offhand. My mini will deliver that, so I'm happy with it.

 

[Legionnaire]

Good luck. We'll want a range report. I went the opposite direction. I'm mostly a bolt action guy, but thought I ought to have a semi-auto in the safe. Settled on a Mini-14 Ranch. It was reliable with Ruger magazines, but no matter what I did with it I couldn't get it to shoot less than 3 MOA. With my bolt action background, I thought 3 MOA was unacceptable. Sold it and bought my first AR. Never looked back.

I really liked the ergonomics of the Mini-14, and if Ruger ever gets the accuracy puzzle solved, I might be interested in another. I did put mine in a Choate sporter stock (non-folding) and really liked it.

 

[desidog]

First rifle i ever bought was a stainless Ranch. Kept it on my boat for years until i sold the boat.

The thing with the older pencil barrels is not that they're inaccurate, but that they heat up quick which makes the rounds walk up the target. My gun was very consistent, going up and to the right as it got hotter. If you're going to use it for hunting, use a cold barrel zero. If you're going to use it as a range toy, use a hot barrel zero and pop off half a mag to warm it up...

 

[ABTOMAT]

Back with an update now that I have the gun. It was pretty filthy and had no signs of lubrication anywhere on it. Receiver and stock are both marked "DCI" so I gather it was a prison weapon. Cleaned up pretty well, looks sharp with the pigsticker on the end. Stock is WAY worse than the photos show--it's covered in dents and dings from its past life. But I like the character.

 

[carbine85]

Here's what I have done to older Minis
1) Replace the recoil spring with a Ruger spring. I've worn them out and they are usually over looked.
2) Install a smaller gas orifice in the gas block and torque the block properly. They are over gassed.
3) The sights suck at best. Narrow down the front blade and install a smaller hooded rear sight.
4) Bed the action. The wood is soft and the fit can get really loose.
I have one that I gave to my son. It has at least 10K rounds down the pipe and it still shoots 2" groups.

 

[ABTOMAT]

I noticed the stock fit. I also have an M1A and compared to that the stock is pretty loose around the receiver heel.

 

[carbine85]

I noticed the stock fit. I also have an M1A and compared to that the stock is pretty loose around the receiver heel.

You can bed it simply wrapping the receiver with foil tape.
I haven't done it this way myself but have seen examples.

 

[hdwhit]

Legionaire wrote:
I really liked the ergonomics of the Mini-14, and if Ruger ever gets the accuracy puzzle solved, I might be interested in another.

The variability in my Mini-14 calmed down after I got a Choate stock for it.

I don't have a field of fire longer than about 200 yards so the 2 MOA (post Choate) my Mini-14 delivers is more than enough for what I'm expecting to need to do with it.

 

[carbine85]

I've always liked the Mini14 and never tried to compare it to anything else. I don't get the $750-$800 price tag in today's market. I remember paying $350 with a scope for my first one.