How about a mini-14

[BobMcMahan]

Mini-14 V, Ar15

The Mini-14 was my first rifle. Right after buying it, I had a Trijicon Reflex II ACOG sight installed. I then took it to training at Mid-South Institute and it did just fine -- for a while. As long as we were practicing rifle-pistol transition and not shooting the rifle much, the Mini-14 was as accurate as needed -- Mid-South uses a lot of metal knock-down targets and I was knocking down about as many targets as the other guys, all of whom had M4s or AR15s. Those other guys were Mississippi National Guard members about to deploy and three US Secret Service fellows.

When we began emptying 30 round magazines one after another, accuracy of the Mini-14 suffered. I resolved to get an AR when funds became available.

I now have a Rock River AR15 carbine with an AIM Point sight. I like it a lot. At Quantico last October, using the Aimpoint sight, I shot better than I ever have in my life.

 

[Blacky]

Hmmm... I'm a bit disappointed here.

We get the usual mini-14 bashers who will trash-talk the entire Sturm, Ruger company and product-line, and their political agenda, but in other threads brag about their GP-100s.

We get those that exaggerate, and will quote 5 MOA out of a mini-14. If that's the best shooting that you can do, your tricked-out tacticool AR isn't going to help you.

We even get vet-bashing as a bonus. I've visited the web-pages of some of the bashers, too. When I see little tubby in his cammies playing dress-up - and he's the one making fun of our nation's veterans who have an honest opinion? I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

I missed that portion of the thread, now I feel like the crazy one. I can only speak for myself but I have a tremendous respect for our vets.

Why does this have to get personal? Don't generalize everybody - if you have a specific issue speak up.

 

[armoredman]

I don't remember exaggerating about my Mini-14's abilities. I report what happens. I know it's a good solid rifle, that ain't as accurate as my other main battle rifle.

 

[edrice]

...my other main battle rifle.

Ha! Excellent! And excellent photo too! Is that your actual rifle!

Here's my other main battle rifle -

Ed

 

[jerkface11]

So now I'm being accused of bashing vets? What a bunch of nonsense.

 

[edrice]

Ed,I concur with your statement.I was in Nam as a 20 year old infantryman in 68.The 16 was good.I have a Mini and an AR and the Mini is closest to reach.
Ed,Welcome Home. Byron

Byron, sorry for the delayed response. I got tied up with other business, but just wanted to wish you a "welcome home" too! I was there at the same time you were, same age.

And I'd like to say thanks to the kind remarks from others too. It is much appreceiated.

BTW, just to put a face on it - I'm the long goof on the right, wearing square Beatles sunglasses. (Dragon Mountain in the background near Pleiku, Central Highlands, ca 68 or 69)

Ed

 

[Rshooter]

Alright guys.............time to settle. We are attempting to give advice here not have a fight. We have probably scared off the person looking for advice. I own the Garand, M1A, Mini-14, and AR-15. I shoot them all in their correct time and place. Someone was a little brash but he has been called on it, let's let it go and get back on the point. What the Mini-14 does right. We can start another thread about the AR-15.

 

[edrice]

So now I'm being accused of bashing vets? What a bunch of nonsense.

Rest easy, jerkface11. I don't think anybody took anything personally.

Ed

 

[jerkface11]

Rshooter the guy asking for advice already bought a rifle. As usual for a thread asking for advice he went counter to what the consensus was.

 

[chrissmallwood]

No I havent been scared off, just been a way for a while. I fully understand the mini is not a target rifle so you dont have tell me about that anymore. I bought it because I find it fun to shoot and it fits me very well. I took it out shooting today and the accuracy was not that great but that was no fault of the gun. Im only 22 and my eyesight is crap and my hands shake slightly no matter how much I try to steady them so I dont ever expect to be able to pull 2 inch groups with any gun while using iron sights but I prefer them over a scope. I wouldnt mind a red dot but I dont know what kind of mounting system I would use. Id like to get a muzzle brake and maybe a buffer first. I was looking at the John Masen double brake. Does anyone have any experience with one? And does anyone have experience with the buffers, do they cause any reliability concerns? I figured a few small parts such as these may help my accuracy to the best of my abilities without breaking the bank. Any help would be appreciated. And please no more comments about how the AR is a better gun. Im not here to debate that.

 

[edrice]

Rshooter the guy asking for advice already bought a rifle. As usual for a thread asking for advice he went counter to what the consensus was.

Probably means he isn't the groupie-type. Never been much of one myself.

Ed

 

[Rshooter]

Cool, now if we can figure out how to make AR magazines fit into a Mini we have it made.

 

[Art Eatman]

Chris, one thing that some folks say to check is the alignment of the gas-port bloc. It should be perfectly aligned with the barrel, not a tad off to one side.

I've used whatever brand of "muzzle brake" or "flash hider" that is held in place by the front sight's roll pin. Dunno if it helped anything. I never tried for more than a three-shot group off the bench rest.

I had good success with the mount that sets in after removal of the rear sight and has the tension screw in front. Weaver mounts, K4 scope. Worked well for jackrabbits and coyotes. But, I was already wearing bi-focals when the Mini was first put on the market.

Generally, checking sight-in with a three-shot group, I'd get about 1.5 MOA. That held true for two blued Minis and two stainless.

Art

 

[rc109a]

Remember it is just advice. It is still the buyers right to choose what they want. If you don't like what they bought, that is your right as well. No sense ruining their fun for your pleasure. Chris I hope you enjoy it, that is all that matters regardless what others might think. Someone with a mind of their own is nice to see. If you don't like what they bought, then so be it.
For all you vets, THANK YOU every day. For those serving and standing by our armed forces, THANK YOU as well. I know I really appreciate everything you have done for us.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Thanks for the replies. To rc109a, I am definitely enjoying it. Right now the range near me closes at 5 so I dont have time after work and on weekends it is usually too full to find a spot and even when you do find a spot they only allow paper targets and nothing else so its not as much fun. I am trying to get a house outside of the city so that I can shoot whatever I want. To Art, My gas port seems pretty even. I have heard some people talk about a gas-port bushing. What is this and what does it do?

 

[kBob]

Chris,

First, enjoy your rifle.

The two biggest problems I saw with the Mini series when a voulunteer range safety officer with my old club were both in the catagory of operator error.

First was folks failing to rock the Mini magazines into position rather than just shoving them uo into the mag well like on a AR15. It is important that the front of the magazine catch on the end of the opertating spring guide, jsut as the rear must catch on the magazine release. This is just as in the M-14 and very much like the AK though that uses a little shelf for the front of the mag to lock on. This is also the most common error I have seen with AK type rifles.

The second is that folks forget to snap the back of the trigger guard into the trigger mechanism. This can just lead to a pinched trigger finger or some weird harmonics that seem to be one of the causes of those patterns some shoot rather than groups. It is most fun however when the new shooter, attempting to be macho and need no advice, shoots and the trigger mecahanism and magazine fall from the rifle.

I do not recall if it is in the Ruger manuals or not but I greased my Mini in the same spots one might grease an M-1 with USGI rifle grease. After one move caused my tub of rifle grease to slide temporarily into the Twilite Zone I used "Gunslick" such as came in the Outers cleaning kits or new Colt pistols back in the 1970's.

I have not tried, but wonder if glass bedding might not help Mini accuragy for those with wooden stocks. The wood seems prety soft to me and I wonder if the wood might not be compressed by firing to make the action a little sloppy in the stock or when heated so humidity is lost srink enough to effect accuracy.

I do not know what sort of steel mini triger parts are made from but if they are not just a hard shell over a soft center they might benifit from the same sort of trigger work as a Garand or M-14/M1A, but again I might seek informed advice or leave it to a pro to mess with the hammer hooks and such.

Shoot your Mini and enjoy it.

Shoot safe and be polite.

-Bob Hollingsworth

 

[armoredman]

edrice, that is my rifle, 1943 Enfield No4Mk1*, with 80 rounds of Fed 180gr Powerpoint, on 5 round chargers, in old Mosin pouches, on a leather belt for bandolier. That was my traveling companion on long trips, before I got my Mini-14. The No9 bayonet was an impulse buy, but the rifle cost me a whopping $50. Shoots MOA with one handload. Works like a charm, even if it looks a little beat.

 

[shotgunkevin]

I've had a buffer and Wolff extra power spring in my Mini for a 8 or 9 years now. It helps cushion the slide impacting the frame, though on my particular rifle, it's still awfully vigorous. I may look into that adjustable gas system that someone linked to. I definitely recommend the buffer though.

 

[kingjoey]

The problem with the Mini-14 and its accuracy (or lack thereof) is a few things:

1) The barrels are really thin. Not that this dooms a rifle to inaccuracy, but it usually doesn't help. Also with a forward gas block this problem gets bigger.

2) Forward gas block. This flexes the barrel and upsets harmonics. When the piston pushes back on the op-rod, it pushes forward and up on the barrel.

3) Op-rod fit. Using the barrel as a guide for the op-rod caused varying points and forces of contact constantly changing the harmonics of the barrel.

4) Crappy muzzlecrown. Often they'll have a 45 deg muzzlecrown, that doesn't help in the least.

We're working on a part to help rectify problems 1&2, but problem 3 is a bit more complicated.

We shortened a Mini-14 recently, cut an 11 deg crown, and installed a KA-1822 brake on it. Waiting to get the results back on how it effected the accuracy.

 

[Byron]

Ed, just sent you an email as I was with D co,3/8th Inf
Can someone tell me how to post a picture. Thanks,Byron

 

[ThomasT]

Blacky thanks for your kind words at post # 69. I have seen the 7615 on sale at gunshows for less than what i paid for mine. I got the 14" LOP and wish i had got the 13" LOP. The butt pad is really tacky and grabs your clothes. Plus i just like a slightly shorter rifle but a full length shotgun.

Chris with the new mini 14. Just go shoot the gun and enjoy it. Its sorta hard to right now with ammo being so dang expensive.

My shooting buddy had a mini and i really liked that gun. As a reloader it breaks my heart to see my brass chunked away and lost in the grass. That Mini sure throws the stuff too. You can kill a deer with the bullet and a dove with the brass.

Another friend has a mini with several mags and quite a bit of ammo for $500.00. I told him i would buy it the next time we got together. Its Stainless with a synthetic stock. That should be a good price.

 

[arflattop]

chris, I bought an "old" model mini just before Ruger came out with the improved version. I found that it preferred 45gr bullets to 55gr (Win or R-P). I could keep a 1.5" group at 50 yards over bags. That's slow fire -- mine loses its zero if you heat the barrell up. Disclosure: I also have two AR platforms -- I love them all. They each serve a purpose. Enjoy!

 

[usmcgunny0369]

I've owned several Mini's and carried a M-16 for a living for almost 24 years. Shot on Several Marine Rifle Teams with the M-16 too. It's a good rifle! The present generation of M-16/AR-15, particulary in the A2 variant is highly accurate. The M-16 I was originally issued in 1975 was NOT! But it was good enough to carry into battle. What I'm getting at is that there is difference between precision accuracy and practical accuracy. Especially when lead is coming your way and the fine motor skills go out the window. I find it amazing that a lot of people these days think the AR-15 is the greatest thing there is when ten years ago it was still being touted as unreliable and inaccurate. Whats more amazing is that a lot of people that think a Mini-14 is not worth a hill of beans think a AK-47 is great. Well I'm pretty sure that a Mini-14 is more accurate than a AK-47 and more reliable than a AR-15. That should count for something. A lot to do with accurate shooting depends how comfortable the weapon feels to that shooter. I know that the Mini-14 is accurate enough that I wouldn't want to be shot at by one regardless of how far away if the shooter knows what He's doing with it.

 

[pbrktrt]

re mini-14

Chris, you owe it to yourself to check out Perfectunion.com. a wealth of mini info & the members are more than willing to answer questions & give advice on getting the most from your mini. i have a mini-30 that i love. with a few basic, inexpensive mods you can get some very respectable accuracy from your rifle.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was checking rugerforum and perfect union and I read where ruger was installing a heavier barrel on the 08 models. Someone posted that the new barrels tapered down after the gas block compared to the old barrels being straight. I checked mine and it tapered down which makes me believe its one of the new barrels. I measured it with a micrometer and it came out to .777" right after the gas block and tapered down to .625" within 2" and stayed that thickness to the end of the barrel. If anyone knows the measurement of the barrel of an older mini please let me know so we can compare. Hopefully its enough of a change to make a difference for the better.