Mini 14 Feedback

[Neo-Luddite]

For the money a Mini goes for these days, I'd go for a nice AK in 7.62 x 39.

And really, for range use you have the 5.56 covered with the AR. A Mini is a disappointment next to an AR in most ways other than (maybe) close range varmint hunting or if the minor edge a Mini has in term of reliability when left dirty and unmaintained if a factor. The AK would be a whole different flavor of experience and add the 7.62 x 39 to you stable. If you liked the idea of adding a rifle that shared ammo with your AR, I'd say just get another 'flavor' of AR that would also share the mags, too.

If you can, get some shooting time with the Mini. It isn't a bad little carbine at all--I've had one for 20+ years and we still use them at my work (state corrections). It really is a <200 yard weapon, but will eat most any ammo and asks for little love. It *DOES* need real Ruger mags to function with 100% reliability--and they are a bit pricey.

And try to shoot any AK, too if you haven't. For the price of a new Mini you could have a cheaper AK with mags, 1000+ rounds of ammo and other accessories. I have a WASR-10 from Romania and got it for just over 400 bucks. Never cleaned, now with 1000's of rounds through it, it hasn't misfed/misfired a single time.

So there's my thoughts---AK, 2nd AR, or Mini. However you go you'll be making a solid choice. Or, you could get an M1 from the CMP and you would surely have a ball at the range!

 

[Carolina Kalash]

For peformance, yeah the AR does have the upper hand, though there's something about just the way the Mini looks that makes me want to get one one of these days, a 14 or a 30 (wood w/ blued metal, no one of those tacticool ones with folding collapsable stocks and rails that I'm not gonna put anything on)

 

[HammsBeer]

I have a 580 series stainless ranch rifle mini. I bought it cause I wanted to be different from the AR crowd. Had some issues with the extractor pin catching on the receiver causing failures to extract. Fixed it myself and runs ok. But now a small hole in the side of the bolt appeared, like a chunk of metal is now missing as if it's a casting error, so I need to send it to Ruger for repair.

My tips for Ruger Mini's:

Use only Ruger brand mags or it will misfeed. These are expensive.

Decent accuracy for the first mag or two, then the groups double in size as it heats up. A 3" group at 100 yards turns into 6" real quick.

Flings brass 20 yards away! Shooters to your right will hate you.

Mine came with a plain synthetic stock. I tried the ATI tactical stock and hated it; flimsy and cheap feeling. Got a Hogue overmolded stock and love it; feels solid and grippy texture.

After adding a reduced gas port bushing and op rod buffers it's pleasant to shoot, simple to operate, fairly easy to clean.

They are not a precision rifle by any means. They just are not, and that's the main knock against them. They can be accurized if you want to spend a TON of money on new barrel, bedding, adjustable gas block, trigger work, etc. It's ok in stock form if you keep a realistic viewpoint: It's a $500 rifle that retails for $800 when a similar priced AR will out shoot and out customize it. Knowing what I know now owning both mini and AR, I'd stick with the AR. But I might just keep the mini around; It's fun to shoot, and I wouldn't get much for it nowadays. If I was set on getting a mini today, I'd get the blued short barrel version with the flash hider and traditional or hogue stock.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Ruger or PMI mags work fine. I hope Mag-Pul gets around to making mags for them someday.

Older models with 1-12 twist barrels have horrible accuracy with bullets over 55gr. The accu-strut helps.

Non 'ranch' models are harder to mount with a scope, and doing so leaves less room to clear a jam.

They don't jam much.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

Ruger or PMI mags work fine. I hope Mag-Pul gets around to making mags for them someday.

I don't know if it's been attempted before, but they oughta look into making Mini 14s and Mini 30s that use AR and AK mags. Or at least conversion kits. I don't know much about how Mini's operate so I'm not sure how well that would work if it would even work at all.

 

[sirgilligan]

I'm looking to add a rifle to my collection and was considering a Mini 14. It'll be used primarily to shoot at the range. I'd appreciate any positive or negative feedback, as well as any alternatives I should consider. I currently have an AR15, 10/22 as well as a .243.

As with any firearm, if you have the proper expectation you will not be disappointed.

I really like the Mini-14 that I have (well, the wife bought it, but share and share alike).

When you say "range shooting" the first thing that comes to my mind is accuracy and trying to get the best group at 100 yards. I am afraid you might be disappointed if that is the case.

I find our Mini-14 to be just as accurate as the SIG-556 and just as reliable. We still have the Mini-14 and the SIG was traded off years ago.

With the prices coming down every week I may finally get my first AR-15, but for now I can only speak of other's ARs that I have shot and shooting them didn't make me want to get rid of the Mini-14.

So, what do you mean by shooting it at the range?

 

[TomJ]

As with any firearm, if you have the proper expectation you will not be disappointed.

I really like the Mini-14 that I have (well, the wife bought it, but share and share alike).

When you say "range shooting" the first thing that comes to my mind is accuracy and trying to get the best group at 100 yards. I am afraid you might be disappointed if that is the case.

I find our Mini-14 to be just as accurate as the SIG-556 and just as reliable. We still have the Mini-14 and the SIG was traded off years ago.

With the prices coming down every week I may finally get my first AR-15, but for now I can only speak of other's ARs that I have shot and shooting them didn't make me want to get rid of the Mini-14.

So, what do you mean by shooting it at the range?

SirGilligan,

A couple of us are joining a local gun range where we'll be target shooting from 50 to 600 yards. Nothing competitive. It sounds like 100 yards is the limit for the Mini 14 in regards to accuracy.

 

[TomJ]

Thanks for the responses. Based on what I'm reading, I think I'll take a run to a couple of LGS' to see what they have in AK's first. When my budget allows, I'll look for a deal on the Mini.

 

[RCArms.com]

I've had lots if semi auto carbines in my collection over the years and sold hundreds of them retail as well.

The AR is a fine rifle and a solid performer at the range. My daugher and I built a lightweight carbine which she uses for deer hunting.

The AK is stone cold reliable. I prefer mine to remain iron sighted or with a RDS vie the left side rail. My absolute favorite AK variant is the Arsenal SLR-106FR in 5.56 with the Polish wz.88 Tantal in 5.45 coming in a close second.

That being said, I own and enjoy shooting the Mini-14 and Mini-30 in the stainless ranch configuration. Both are wearing variable power scopes and are outstanding hunting or vehicle rifles. They are both newer manufacture rifles with the thicker barrels and upgraded sights. (BTW very good accuracy with irons, just make sure to tighten the set screws well).

Would I recommend them to a fellow shooter or hunter, absolutely. Are there other platforms that will perform as well or better than the Mini, yes.

They have been fine rifles for me and I have every intention of taking my Mini-30 deer hunting this season.

 

[sirgilligan]

SirGilligan,

A couple of us are joining a local gun range where we'll be target shooting from 50 to 600 yards. Nothing competitive. It sounds like 100 yards is the limit for the Mini 14 in regards to accuracy.

I find our Mini-14 in .223 to be accurate, the groups are well formed, I haven't noticed in "stringing". It is just not as precise as you may want. You can shoot 600 yards with it, just expect the group size to be larger, the group size is like a cone, like light that shines from a flash light, and if you expect that then all is good.

 

[mac66]

Here is a tip for Mini Ranch Rifle shooters. Buy a Tech Sight rear sight for it. Makes a big difference.

 

[mattm0691]

I have one of the new mini tacticals. The fit and finish is good, it is a very nice and well built rifle.. I don't have too many rounds through it because I shipped overseas shortly after getting it, but it was 100% reliable for the few hundred rounds that I put through it.. As far as accuracy, I could shoot clay pigeons at about 100m with open sights from a prone position.. As far as how many moa, I don't know for sure, I am hearing 2 is about the norm for these newer ones... Bench resting is not my style of shooting though, so I can't really speak with authority on that matter... She hits what I point her at when I do my job, is absolutely reliable, and IMHO is cool as hell, much more so than any m4gery. That makes it a great gun in my eyes..

 

[frankiestoys]

I own two late model Mini's (580,581) and have owned my share of AK's and AR's still have a PSA carbine wich I like very much but in all honesty I have to say that it shoots no better then my 580, its had a little work done on the trigger and has a Nikon on top ,it averages 1 1/2" Groups all day . I think when Ruger re-tooled them the accuracy issues were fixed .I do however agree its best to use Ruger factory mags they run 100% and more often then not after market ones do not. There plenty reliable Ive never had a malfunction with steel or brass with several thousand rounds down there pipes. Many people give them a bad rap when either they have never owned one or had the older series .WTS they are not perfect but have there virtues .