Is there a Mini-14 #580 series with a thin barrel?

[heavyshooter]

Brethren,

I was wondering if there are #580 series Mini-14's with the thin barrel. I know that this is not a scientific experiment, but look at the two links back to back.

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5801&return=Y
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5816&return=Y

This is the Mini-14/5 and the Mini-14/20. I have a pinch of OCD so I spent about 5 minutes clicking back and forth between the two links. I know, I know - I'm crazy. But that is beside the point. Notice that one of the barrels is thinner than the other. They are both currently on the Ruger web sight so it is presumed that they are both in the #580 series. So why does one have a thin bbl and the other a thicker bbl? Or am I seeing things?

Heavy

 

[niteowl]

The 580's had a thin barrel until late '07. Then they switched them to the heavier barrel which has that taper off the gas block.

What you are seeing on Ruger.com is laziness on their part for not updating the photo.

 

[ThomasT]

I have a 580 series made in 2007 with the straight taper barrel. It shot so well that I bought a second 580 with the new tapered barrel. So yes, both are available. The thin barrels have been phased out so unless you get older stock it should be the thicker barrel.

Ruger doesn't always keep their site updated.