Mini 14 Feedback

[TomJ]

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.

 

[Bushpilot]

If that is what you want then go for it. They are neat little rifles, especially if you like Garand style actions (which I do). However, there isn't much that a Mini 14 is going to do that your AR doesn't already do as well or better. I don't want to turn this thread into another Mini14 vs AR debate, it's just that since you already have an AR you might add a little more variety and utility to your collection by purchasing some thing else.

If you like the Mini 14 style you might think about a Mini 30. They are a lot of fun and relatively cheap to shoot. You also might consider one of the many semi auto carbines out there that shoot 9, 40 or 45. They are a lot of fun as well, sort of like 22 rimfire plinking on steroids.

 

[briansmithwins]

The Mini isn't half bad but it costs more than a AR, mags are more, and they generally aren't as accurate or as easy to repair as an AR.

They can be fun rifles for all that.

BSW

 

[carbine85]

I really like the Mini 14 and have several in the locker but I agree with what has already been stated. Look into the M1A or M1 Garand. The AR10 is an excellent choice.

 

[Art Eatman]

Just generalizing, the Minis aren't really good for tight groups on paper. Great for hunting and plinking. They can be made into tight-group shooters, but they generally don't do that right out of the box.

From the time they first came out, skinny barrel etc., I found via four of them that the first couple of shots were always right on for point of aim = point of impact. Great for jackrabbits and coyotes. Or beer cans filled with water.

It was hard to shoot inside of two MOA for five shots, though.

 

[C.R.]

I have one and I like it . I bought mine during the "Assault" weapons ban the AR15's were High then way overpriced so I bought the Ruger instead and I havent regreted the dicision ! I will probably pick up an AR15 in the near future because they are getting more affordible. I looked at a Mini 14 at a ares gunshop and I was kind of shocked at how costly they are now! glad I bought mine when I did

 

[CMC]

I got one in 223 I bought used in the early 90's , It is a fun little rifle .
I put a scout rail from Amega ranges and a Leupold Scout scope and It will do about 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards off the bench with standard ammo.
I also added a flash suppressor , the pin on kind that slides around the front sight.
It is a 181 series so the receiver is not drill and tapped for a scope or rings.

http://www.amegaranges.com/product_pages/rugerMini14.php

 

[MyRoad]

You might want to check out the Perfect Union Mini-14/30 boards. QC seems to be hit or miss with Mini's these days.

I bought one about a year ago, it took 200 rounds before the trigger became acceptably smooth, and about 300 rounds before it reduced from mis-feeding once every 10 rounds to about once in 50 rounds. It would appear the components leave the factory pretty rough, and it takes a fairly extensive break in period to smooth them out (and yes, I cleaned and lubed the rifle thoroughly before the first trip to the range).

Lots of people love them, but there is substantial evidence that too many of them are leaving the factory in poor shape. Also disconcerting are the stories of people sending their rifles back to Ruger multiple times, because they were not repaired correctly or were returned to the purchaser with new issues.

It's too bad, it seems like it should be a slam dunk for a company to properly produce a rifle its been making for decades. Since mine is still not 100% reliable, its an $800 plinker, and not a rifle I would look to if reliability was a concern.

 

[BP Hunter]

The Mini-14's are the the type of rifles you would like to own because it is fun to shoot. I had one but sold it because it had no solid role in my collection. I had other riulfes that would outshoot the Mini and made it look bad. I honestly miss it and may buy one in the future just because it's just fun to shoot and handle.

 

[Welding Rod]

It would appear the components leave the factory pretty rough,

That sums up Ruger firearms pretty darn well.

Great values if you can find one without sloppy machine work or sloppy assembly. "More feed, more speed!" as they say.

 

[Ironman615]

I've had my Mini 14 for about three years, and I have to say I still enjoy shooting it. The groups do open up as it gets hotter, but at 100 yards it can keep the first three touching each other. It really depends on what you're looking for. I don't have an AR, so I can't comment on them, but I think if I were looking for accuracy, I'd go with a bolt action. Your money, your call.

 

[dagger dog]

I sold my first and only Mini, wished I had it back.

It was reliable as the day is long, accuracy about 4" @ 100 yds offhand with hand loads or factory loads.

Muzzle flash was spectacular along with the noise, it always turned heads at the range with the first magazine full.

I bought mine at the height of the Brady Ban, and high cap mag's were at a premium, now days not so much.

It takes MINI'mum amount of care, to keep a Mini shooting, throw it behind the seat of your pickup, and forget about it, it will shoot when you decide you need it.

Buy a stainless Ranch, if you like steel sights there are several aftermarket to choose from, I couldn't shoot any better groups with a 4X scope with the factory but someone else may be able to do so.

Don't let the AR guys influence your decision, shoot one and you'll see what is addictive about them.

 

[HoosierQ]

My only gripe with my Mini was that it flung the brass into orbit! I was gonna say "the next county"...but that wasn't far enough!!!

I mean it flung that brass so far that I simply could not shoot it at the range with other people there because I would have rained hot brass down on the guys 3 lanes over...not one tiny bit of exaggeration here...3 lanes!!! Fortunately I discovered this trait on a day when there wasn't anybody over there...not a frequent occurrence. After that, if I took the rifle to the range and I didn't have the rightmost lane, I didn't (couldn't) shoot it.

Sold it. Otherwise, liked it just fine. Felt great, looked great, shot great but for the brass thing.

 

[jad0110]

I don't own a Mini, so I can't comment on them. In addition, you might also consider guns along the lines of the SKS and AK platform. Or an M-1 carbine.

 

[rszwieg]

I've owned four Minis; two Ranch Rifles, a standard blued and a Mini 30.

The 30 was really bad as far as accuracy. Most ammo would punch six inch groups off a rest. Lapua shrank that to 3.5-4".

The Mini and one stainless Ranch Rifle would group around three inches. The other blued Ranch did pretty well with my pet 63gr coyote load would print 1.5-2" and that one stayed until replaced with an AR. I sort of miss that gun.

 

[mac66]

I had one of the original Mini 14s which I bought after going through some tactical classes with one on the dept I worked for at the time. Our tactical team carried them. It was a fun little rifle and very, very popular back in the day. I sold mine when the Mini 30 came out because I thought the x39 was a better hunting round. I've killed half a dozen deer with it over the years and still have it. The Mini is kind of what the M1 carbine evolved into IMO.

Might want to look around for used one. I think the new ones are way overpriced.

Might also want to consider a non converted Saiga in the caliber or your choice instead. The sporter rifle version is actually pretty fun to play with and still cheaper than a Mini though not as refined, ergonomic or esthetic.

 

[jdub3]

I have a ranch rifle and my dad has an old AR-15 sporter. I prefer my Mini-14 but the AR is more accurate.

I like the reliability and "handiness" of the ranch rifle but as other's have said, it does launch brass and accuracy is nothing to right home about. Mine is maybe a 2moa gun on a good day. 3-4moa normally.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

Have you considered a Mini-thirty? all it is is a Mini 14 chambered in 7.62x39, and just like how the Mini 14 dosen't use AR mags, the Mini Thirty does not use AK mags, it has it's own proprietary mags from ruger.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

It takes MINI'mum amount of care, to keep a Mini shooting, throw it behind the seat of your pickup, and forget about it, it will shoot when you decide you need it.

did you really just... wow. Oh well, I'm a goofy SOB, bad puns make me laugh

 

[Steve CT]

I coveted a Mini 14 for many years. I tried the Accu Strut, it helped a little. Once I got an AR, realized that the Mini 14 was not the rifle for me. Maybe I had a really crappy Mini 14, but I only own one rifle, it's an AR.

 

[vongh]

If you get a mini 14. Use only factory magazines. I have had trouble with a few of the high capacity magazines that were not factory Ruger. The factory mags I have functioned flawlessly (20 rnd and 5 rnd). I have 4 other manufacturer 30rnd mags and only two of them have been reliable.

 

[cmb3366]

For a long time I wanted a Garand and an AR-15, but had money for neither. One day I broke down and bought a 582 series Mini-14 in an attempt to scratch both itches with one rifle. The Mini is a fun gun, and my example is a 3" gun shooting a 20 round mag of handloads at 100yds. It flings brass a country mile with zero consistency in length of throw or direction, so as a handloader it has been a bit challenging at times. Factory mags are the only reliable option, and I've bought a few 20's for $20 a piece recently.

In the end though, I ended up buying a CMP garand and building an AR. Though the Mini doesn't see much range time anymore, I have no plans to sell it. It has been a solid rifle and variety is a nice quality to have in a gun collection.

 

[HankB]

Have a 1976 vintage (180-series) Mini-14. Lightweight, very reliable, adequate "iron sight" accuracy, decent trigger - better than a USGI equivalent AR. Brass is flung forward and to the right. Barrel heats up VERY fast. No provision on my rifle for a 'scope, but it was made in the 200th year of American liberty - it says so right on the side.

And from reading the gun boards, I may have the only one Ruger ever made that's reliable with "USA" brand magazines.

I see they list for over $900 now . . . that's a bit steep; you can get a "service grade" USGI M1 Garand for hundreds less from the CMP. Likewise, a decent entry-level basic AR from any number of places can be had for less.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

Nothing wrong with a Mini, but you can get a Century AK like a wasr or an m74 for $500-$700, just don't order one, look it over first in a gun store or wherever an make sure it isn't a lemon

 

[Steve61]

I have a 1986 stainless ranch that I got for such a good deal that I couldn't pass it up. That said, I don't think I would buy one again at the going rate. It's a fun gun to shoot, but it doesn't do anything really great. An AR is more accurate, has better ergonomics, and cheaper magazines. An AK is just as fun, and has cheap ammo and magazines. Get an AK to round out the collection.