Mini-14 "580" that much better than older ones?

[m_kirk2001]

I want to get a semi-auto in .223/5.56 and basically see myself as having to decide between an AR or a Mini-14. I am familiar with the AR but the Mini-14 isn't something I am as familiar with. I have heard that the "580" series is a lot better than the original and I have heard that the "re-work" Ruger did on the rifle helped some but still leaves much to be desired. Can anyone with experience in the area give me some direction and input?

 

[Dollar An Hour]

CDNN has new Minis for $599.

$599 doesn't get you much (if anything) in a quality AR.

But in general, gun boards like to hate on Mini-14's, and that's what I expect will happen here shortly.

 

[Byron]

I have a 580 series and like it very much.The AR is a bit more accurate but sometimes I think the accuacy quest gets blown out of propotion. my prefers the 55 grain bullets and on a cold barrel, 5 shots at 100 yards is under 2" with open sights. It is rugged. I have an older AR but take my Mini out more.It is easy to re-load for. Byron

 

[atlanticfire]

Olympic makes a good AR and can be had for about 699.

 

[GunTech]

Just picked up a 16 inch 580 to compliment my 3 ARs. I've owned a few of the earlier models that just wouldn't shoot. I'm off to the range this week and will report back on the Mini.

 

[BushyGuy]

i used to own a Ruger Ranch Rifle 580 series mini-14 after a couple rounds fired the barrel heated up the groups started to open up wide, i traded it in and bought my Bushmaster AR15 i am very happy with it.

i might buy another used mini-14 in hte future she likes the mini better then the AR15 due to the way it handles.

i am not rich either i figured a way to buy my 1100.00 Bushmaster , i traded in the mini for 450.00 and my Winchester and only paid 100.00 more for the Bushmaster.

 

[jem375]

I recently bought a 180 series Mini and I think it is a good rifle despite all the bad talk about earlier models... It does everything that I want it to do and even if it is not as accurate as my AR, that's ok with me.

 

[browningguy]

I have both a mini and multiple AR's, I like the 580 series Mini for under $600. It's reasonably accurate and the ultimate in reliability. I do target shooting with the AR's, but the Mini is easy to carry and accurate enough in the field.

 

[BruceB]

My Mini-14 is a 581 series, but one of a special run built for Davidson's. I bought it new a couple of months ago. It has a very nice Circassian-walnut stock, blue steel, and the normal (for a -14) flawless functioning. About 400 rounds, all handloaded, have now gone down its tube with zero malfunctions.

My handloading experiments are continuing, but already it's giving me sub-two-inch groups for TEN rounds at 100 yards, fired at around thirty-second intervals. In my rifle at least, barrel heat doesn't seem to be much of an issue. It has a Leupold Compact 3-9x scope mounted in the Ruger rings.

It's purely my opinion, but I simply dislike the AR-15 rifles. Being an ol' fart, I think I'm allowed to say that I abhor aluminum/fiberglass, AND the physical layout of the rifle, AND the appearance, AND its handling qualities. On the other hand, I really like my FAL...(of course, it has all-walnut furniture) so I'm not completely out of step. I certainly recognize the strengths of the AR types, but I just don't want one.

I'll take the Ruger -14, hands down.

 

[Candiru]

I haven't shot any of the older series of Mini-14s, but have shot two different examples of the new model, a stainless ranch rifle and one of their 16" "tactical" models with a flash hider. The latter put 20 rounds of 55-grain Prvi Partisan XM193 into approximately 2" from field positions. I say "approximately" because I didn't measure it carefully, not having been shooting to determine grouping.

Drawbacks to the Mini-14 relative to the AR include more violent ejection (harder to find cases and they're often damaged, albeit not beyond repair), a smaller aftermarket, and slightly more sight upset during recoil due to the way the buttstock drops off centerline. Ostensibly, ARs are more accurate, but I wonder to what degree that's true between comparable AR carbines at similar prices.

 

[benEzra]

Pre-580 series mini's are a mixed bag; you never knew whether you'd get an accurate one or a lemon. The best benchrested group my 188-series Ranch Rifle ever shot was 5.5" at 100 yards, from a rest and rear bag, but I've also seen reports of 2" groups from 182-series mini's. The 580-series mini's are more consistently accurate, by all reports.

 

[jeepguy]

i have both if i could only keep one it would be my mini 14 it is just fun to shoot if you get stringing check out the accu-strut but its only for the 18in models also check out perfect union forums i have learned alot over there

 

[Water Garden]

I own a Mini and its fine for a camp rifle that you are only going to use at close range and fire less than 5 times at once. Other than that is just doesnt do anything I want a rifle to do.

 

[carbine85]

I said the Mini before the new series simply because they are still good rifles and can deliver good accuracy. If you find a good older Mini you can improve on the accuracy and some are good already. Mine is great. A Mini can be had for $400-500. My prefered rifle is the AR15. You might check out CMMG bargin bin rifles. I think they go for under $600.00

 

[22-rimfire]

I think it depends on what you expect to use the rifle for. If you want the best accuracy, go with AR desing. If you want a very dependable functional rifle for general shooting especially with open sights, I'd go with the Mini and the new ones are generally a bit better accuracywise relative to the old ones. But the old ones are fine with me. I prefer a more traditional designed rifle and the accuracy of the Mini is plenty good enough for my needs. About the only thing I use one for is to go blow away some ammo plinking. Would be fine for the larger varmints.

 

[frankiestoys]

I own a ss 580 heavy barrel,synthetic stock,trigger job,home made accu-strut and a Nikon pro staff on top.
I dont own an ar, but have fired plenty. They are great rifles no doubt!
With that said ive been real happy with my mini 14 it wasn't designed to be a target rifle, but tough and reliable and each shot hits with in inches of each other. From handeling older minis I think the improvements are only making an allready well rounded rifle better.
If i was too buy an ar it would be the new Ruger ar SR 556.

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

I have a new tactical model Mini-14 and I just took it shooting today, for the 3rd time. I have about 200-300 rounds through it. I installed a Tasco 1.5-4.5x32 scope and it's sighted in and I am very happy with it's accuracy. My friend and I were doing some sighting in, he with his Rem 700 30-06 and my mini-14. We were both very pleased with the mini's accuracy, it was shooting spot on.

I would have no problem recommending the new mini-14, it is accurate and, so far, totally dependable! The only down side to the mini is the price of mags, I have bought 2 promags and they have been totally reliable, but they cost me $20 each.

I obviously voted for the Mini, I don't think you can go wrong with the new Mini.

YMMV and IMHO
JohnnyOrygun

 

[BruceB]

I've never quite understood the point of buying a firearm for over $500 (often a LOT over $500) and equipping it with the cheapest magazines one can find. In fact, a lot of dis-satisfaction with the RIFLE can be traced to poor performance due to lousy magazines.

The magazine is not an accessory; it's a vital working part of the rifle. Now that Ruger is selling higher-capacity mags to the public, it is frankly foolish to use anything other than Ruger's own magazines in the Mini-14. I bought new-in-the-wrap Ruger 20-rounders at the Big Reno Show a few weeks ago for $27 each. Based on a low-ball price of perhaps $600 for a new Mini-14, that 20-round mag for $27 represents just FIVE PERCENT of the rifle's cost. That is a paltry amount to invest in reliable functioning.

MY 581-series Mini is using only Ruger magazines, and they (and the rifle) work perfectly. I expect that to continue, as the whole outfit should only get smoother with use.

The Mini-30 gives us a prime example of how bad aftermarket mags can be. I tried magazines from at least five different manufacturers in my last Mini-30, and NONE could be trusted to feed its entire load reliably. If Ruger ever decides to market a decent high-capacity magazine for the MIni-30, I'll buy another rifle. Until then......

 

[glockman19]

I have both. The newer machined mini-14's are much more accurate than the older ones. The thicker barrel and tighter tollerances make the mini-14 a great ranch rifle with 1-2" moa @ 100yards. I have NEVER had a jam, FTF, FTE or any other issue with my mini.

My 2 AR's...both Stag. My experience with AR's is they are accurate, modular, easy to clean, but from time to time, every 300-500 rounds, need to be cleaned or they jam.

All in all I'd get both if possible, but my first would be the less expensive mini-14. They can be accessorized if you want to add the weight.

 

[cacop]

Between the 580 Mini I bought and my department's ARs there really is no difference in accuracy.

The barrel heats up faster but the ARs we have are heavier barrelled. If we had older style Colts with thinner barrells it would prbably be the same. Same thing for the weight. My mini is lighter but what do you expect with a thinner barrel.

The muzzle rise is greater with the mini but at close range, inside a room, it is no big deal. I suppose one with a hider or compensator would help. Messing with the gas port or recoil spring might help. I am not too worried abot it.

If I were going to war I would want an AR. For general fun that can be used for self defence it is good. If I want accuracy I would go with a bolt gun anyway.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

CMMG Bargain Bin AR, but hurry.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

I got a 580 Mini 30. Might not be what you want, but it can double for hunting. Weakness: really only the fact that is you want to shoot more than ten rounds without changing mags, your out of luck. I get 1.5" at 100 yards with handloads and Corbon stuff. My Saber Defence M4gery does just as well though. AR's get kinda dirty inside after a few rounds but I stip down the Mini after shooting it as well so thats not an issue either. I really like the look of the AC556 though. The bayonet lug just looks like it belongs there, just like on the M14. Can't stand the M1A's without it, looks unbalanced.

 

[stinger 327]

I bought a brand new Ranch with scope and laminated stock in 2004. for $400. The new ones I see at Big 5 are $895 Mine is very beautiful and nice. I don't know which series it is but certainly not the new series as when I shot this the groups if you want to call them that were erratic. In fact I could never hit the paper. It was boresighted. I think when the barrel got hot it got worse and was going all over the place except on the giant paper target at 100 yards. So I removed scope and now using the standard peep sights that came with it I can get them on the paper near the bulls-eye and actually get a grouping...
I guess this would be ok in a war where you point shoot and not use your sites A BB gun is much more accurate.