Is $600 too much for a OHP Ruger Mini-14GB?

[wideym]

Friday I saw a stainless Mini-14 with a factory folding stock at one gunshop for $900 and when I commented about it and that I really wanted a GB model at another gunshop the owner told me he had a Oklahoma Highway Patrol GB model he would sell me for $600.

It's a factory GB model, marked OHP on the reciever with a factory wood stock. What suprised me was that it was in imaculate shape. Most PD issue longguns I've seen look like they were tossed out of a moving car and cleaned with steel wool.

I would really like a GB with a factory folder, but this is the nicest model I have seen in a long while. He will not go down on the price at all, $600 take it or leave it. Oh, it comes with one 20 round factory mag and a GI looking sling. So should I jump on it or pass.

 

[FlyinBryan]

do you care how accurate it is?

 

[Der Verge]

$600 is too much for ANY mini. This is coming from a guy that likes them. They all, new model, old model, target model, ALL have way too many quirks and "issues" to be worth $600.

Also, GB=L.E.=crappier front site. Yet they charge more for them......

 

[R.W.Dale]

somebody stopped by John's Guns

do yourself a favor and buy the Saiga, AR or Garand sitting next to the mini

 

[mgregg85]

I like my mini-14 and my mini-30 but I wouldn't pay that much for one. I paid $350 for my 'used' mini-14 that looked brand new and I'm happy with it.

What all extras come with a GB mini? isn't it just a flash hider and bayonet mount?

 

[Dookie]

minis are a super built rifle, made for two purposes,
1. absolute reliability, as good as the ak.
2. hit a large target in it's respectable range.

and accuracy, don't worry to much, that's what High cap mags are for.

 

[rugerman07]

As much as I love Ruger Firearms the Mini 14 is my least favorite of all. Poor accuracy, poor reliability, & way over priced.

 

[onebigelf]

"As much as I love Ruger Firearms the Mini 14 is my least favorite of all. Poor accuracy, poor reliability, & way over priced."

Ditto. My mini-14 is the only rifle I've sold that I DON'T ever miss. I got less than half my money out of it and could pick up a new one for less than 600 any time. Used I've seen for 300-350.

John

 

[rugerfreak]

Its a decent price in today's market---get what you want.

I suspect the flash hider will tighten up groups a bit.

The reliability claims are unfounded--using good magazines---the Mini is more reliable, abuse/dust tolerant than ANY AR.

And yes---I own both.

 

[skinewmexico]

A flash hider will tighten groups? I want one of those for all my rifles.

 

[kcmarine]

It'd be cool, but you can get better for the money. Then again, you probably won't see this again. Really, it's up to you. Also, the disparity in price makes me a tad suspicious. Check underneath for the gas assembly. I've heard those can rust easily. If it's fine, then it's up to you on whether or not you want to spend that money for that rifle. Do you already have an AR?

 

[rugerfreak]

A muzzle device dampens the barrel whip on a Mini--so cuts the group sizes---pretty much any weight out there will------not neccessarily(sp?) true on any other rifle.

 

[FlyinBryan]

its true, a break/flash hider will help the groups on standard minis.

mine went from pie plate to 4-5 inches with a flash hider.

dont sound like much but thats about all your gonna see out of a mini14.

i would say hang on to the 600 and add a couple more and get an ar.

if you think about it, its only 200-300 more, and 5-6 inch groups vs honest to goodness 1 inchers.

 

[kcmarine]

Yeah... that's why I'm asking about the AR... because if you don't have the AR... get that first.

 

[skinewmexico]

Crap, had my hopes up.

 

[wideym]

I already have 6 ARs, so this would be a "fun gun". I had a Mini-14 years ago until a guy in my unit offered me $1000 for it in 96'.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

I had a Mini-14 years ago until a guy in my unit offered me $1000 for it in 96'.

Get the Mini and call your buddy up and see if he wants another one. And if he wants two more please have him call me...

Seriously, it sounds like not too bad of a deal if the condition is really that good. For reasons that still mystify me, LE surplus minis in good shape really seem to command a little premium. I was going to coment on what 5.56 costs these days, but YOU know that part of the story from your ARs.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I had a mini 14

many years ago. I bought it new. 40 round magazines back in the early 80's. I literally put about 10,000 rounds through that gun without a single jam, misfire, or any other problem.

I did keep it clean, and when I sold it, it looked like new.

I remember the ammo came in little brown boxes, made in Yugoslavia. The gun was accurate, I could "wear" that gun, with the original sights. I remember a crow flying over once which quickly came over the treetops and with one shot (almost straight up), I brought it down.

Had the shot been on an angle, I wouldn't have taken it.

 

[usp_fan]

My understanding is those factory folding stocks are bringing a premium these days. $600 may not be a great deal for a mini 14, but it may be a great deal for a mini with a factory folder. Check the auction board and the ruger forum to see what these are going for.