Mini-14 is incrementally getting better?

[jski]

Are there enough incremental improvements by Ruger in their Minis to keep them competitive with AR platforms, whether chambered in 5.56 or 7.62x39 or 300 Blackout ? This video tries to answer that question.

I do not own one but have come close many times to pulling the trigger (pun intended).

Very positive review from Clint Smith at Thunder Ranch.

 

[Ignition Override]

No idea, but looking forward to somebody who can answer the OP's question(s).

In 2008 I bought a used generic Mini-14 with a torn "State of KY" silver sticker on the butt stock. Luckily it had an OEM metal mag; not yet available --then -- in stores, thanks to... you know which Arschloch.....

The front post sight was too thick and the trigger pull also turned me off--probably worse than a generic AR-15.

Apparently the sight thickness now is better in the last ten-or so years, and hopefully the trigger also (?).

But...........My used Mini was 100% reliable (partly thanks to the OEM mag.), and my Only ammo over 400 (+) rds. was Russian Silver Bear.
Only sold the rifle (for gun cash) because I suddenly developed a Major Bug Infektion for a first Lee-Enfield #5 "Jungle".

 

[jski]

I believe 2007(?) marks the beginning of the “new accurized” Mini’s with improved barrels and gas valves.

 

[jmr40]

I can remember being able to buy a new Mini-14 for around $300 when AR's were closer to $900. This was back when the Mini's were less accurate. They have always been at least as reliable as an AR. But when I could buy a Mini for 1/3 the cost of an AR the accuracy was good enough. I've had several of them over the years.

By all accounts the Mini-14's made in recent years are much more accurate than the original ones. I don't dislike the rifle and would buy another if they were still 1/3 the cost of an AR. They are now more expensive. And so is everything else for them. Try buying quality magazines for one. You'll spend $35-$40 for a 20 round Mini-14 mag vs $15 for one for an AR.

For me a telescoping stock to make a rifle easier to store is a huge plus and those are standard on most AR's. Cost extra on a Mini. You run into the same problems mounting optics on a Mini as well. They point this out in the video BTW.

I understand that there are some places where a Mini is legal and an AR is not. And there are some who simply like the looks of the Mini better. I understand why some people would prefer it and I don't think it is a bad choice at all. But for me I just can't justify it when for less money I can get more rifle with an AR. But if I ever ran across one at a good price, I just might get another.

Street prices:

Mini-14

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Ruger MPR. This is their high end AR. I have one and like it a lot.

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Basic Ruger AR

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And you can get other AR's for even less money. Some under $500.

 

[JDeere]

I don't know about today but all I remember was back in the early 2000s my LGS buddy told me not to buy one. He knew I liked decent accuracy and quality. He told me I would be better off with an AR. Still sticks with me so I never bought one and that's what I was looking at to begin with...

 

[Speedo66]

That didn’t take long for the inevitable AR-15 comparison which has nothing to do with the thread topic and the OP never asked for.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I watched the video (love anything with Clint in it - should go to Thunder Ranch while he's still around) and was interested in the 300BO model. I don't have anything in 300 blackout, and I'm a fan of both the M1 and M1a so it might be a good fit. My problem is old eyes, and making sure there's a good optics mounting option.

It's an interesting thought though, and I like having options other than AR derivatives.

 

[Coyote3855]

I had an early model in the 1990s. Accuracy was poor, couldn't mount a scope. Bought a new one a year ago that shoots as well as I can hold it. The Mini was specifically excluded from some bans and doesn't have the vibes that annoy anti gunners.

I'd say the improvement wasn't so much incremental as a major change with the new model.

 

[jski]

I will point out that the Mini-14 and the AR-15 have one major thing in common: Jim Sullivan. He designed both. Stoner designed the AR-10.

 

[wesmonster]

I bought a new Mini-14 in .300bo in 2016 or '17. Not my first Ruger centerfire rifle.
Out of the box, it works, with accuracy equal to my 16" .300bo AR carbine. Runs fine with factory mags, Tapcos and Original Equipment brand (NOT Ruger!) magazines in 10s, 20s and 30s.
But the same rough tool marks that my Ruger Am. Ranch .300bo bolt action and Predator 6.5 Grendel bolt action came with.
If you're a fan of this action it's a great rifle, but an AR is half the cost and is easier to mount optics.
My biggest complaint is the rear sight which IMHO is junk. Tried several different scopes mounted with both the Ruger factory rings and rings on the pic rail, and a red dot, and eventually pulled em all and replaced the rear factory sight with a Tech Sight and never looked back.

 

[Gun-Reck]

Have a 580 Series.

- Cut down and squared the butt by an inch.
- Swapped in 10-round OEM Ruger magazines.
- Swapped in a Tech-Sights rear aperture.
- Swapped in 1-1/4" swivels and sling.
- Swapped in a Choate Ventilated Handguard.

Couldn't be happier.

 

[LoonWulf]

I put alot of rounds thru my 581 mini, I did some basic accuracy tuning and a trigger job. Never had any issues, and accuracy ran around 1.5moa with decent ammo.

I dont think minis have necessarily "improved" but the tooling was redone on the late 2s and they addressed some of the potential accuracy issues

 

[Gun-Reck]

I put alot of rounds thru my 581 mini, I did some basic accuracy tuning and a trigger job. Never had any issues, and accuracy ran around 1.5moa with decent ammo.

I dont think minis have necessarily "improved" but the tooling was redone on the late 2s and they addressed some of the potential accuracy issues

When It was first set up. Around 2.5 MOA.

​

 

[Riomouse911]

My older “shark fin” Mini-14 and Mini-30 Ranch Rifles have been boringly reliable and will both shoot well enough to hit torso-sized targets at reasonable ranges. They aren’t target guns, so I guess that is about all I expect from those older Mini’s. Plus, back when they were new the minis were cheaper and easier to find in Ca. than the AR’s were. Obviously things have changed, a LGS flyer has blued/wood Mini-30’s on sale for just under $1,100,00 this month.

I have shot the newer Mini-14 ranch rifles out to 300 yards with open sights during a week-long patrol rifle class and I was able to keep my shots on a B-27 at 300 shooting prone. I would not have been able to do this with my older Mini, the newer guns open sights are better than the old ones. At closer ranges the newer rifles are also more accurate than the older guns are in my hands, but I won’t win any high-score trophies on the rifle range so I honestly can’t offer much of a ringing endorsement.

Reliability with the newer Mini-14 is as good as it was with the older ones; load it, charge it, fire it until it’s dry.

As the guys said, the Mini-14/30/.300/6.8 appeals to those who either don’t like the AR, they love the Mini action, and/or they can’t legally buy an AR pattern rifle in their locale. I have several AR and Mini style guns in both 5.56x45 and 7.62x39, I like them both, I have trained and qualified with both for decades (in 5.56), so I have no qualms using either rifle.

YMMV, so go with what you like and have at it.

Stay safe.

 

[Frulk]

Bought a used A Team version (folding metal stock/blued) in the late 80s. I mounted a scope on it. During one North Dakota winter made about a 200-220 yard shot on a fox just below the crest of a snow drift. Rifle was resting on the hood of my Jeepster Commando in a cross wind.

I’ve read enough to know there have been some legitimate concerns about Mini 14 accuracy.

Unlucky for that Fox mine wasn’t one of them. Gun was certainly more reliable than that Jeepster.

 

[Anchorite]

My old man has one….bought it back in the late 80s. Never had an issue with it, and I doubt it’s been cleaned a half-dozen times. Decent accuracy of 1.5” - minute of coyote - at 100yards. I mean, it’s a mini-14. You get what you pay for, and I don’t think it was ever intended by Ruger to be a tack-driver.

 

[jski]

My old man has one….bought it back in the late 80s. Never had an issue with it, and I doubt it’s been cleaned a half-dozen times. Decent accuracy of 1.5” - minute of coyote - at 100yards. I mean, it’s a mini-14. You get what you pay for, and I don’t think it was ever intended by Ruger to be a tack-driver.

I’ve been told I’d be lucky to get 5” groups at 100 yards with a pre-accurized (pre 2007) Mini-14.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I have a couple old Minis, I would take them into battle but not to a match. I also wouldn't pay new prices for a new one.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I’ve been told I’d be lucky to get 5” groups at 100 yards with a pre-accurized (pre 2007) Mini-14.

You were told right. That said, a 5" plate at 100yds still covers a human or deer torso. Sometimes precision is the enemy of good enough.

 

[Anchorite]

You were told right. That said, a 5" plate at 100yds still covers a human or deer torso. Sometimes precision is the enemy of good enough.

Yeah, it’s a mini14. It was never expected to hit better than minute of coyote or maybe zombie out to about ~100 yards. It’s adequate for what is expected of it.

 

[Riomouse911]

Bought a used A Team version (folding metal stock/blued) in the late 80s. I mounted a scope on it. During one North Dakota winter made about a 200-220 yard shot on a fox just below the crest of a snow drift. Rifle was resting on the hood of my Jeepster Commando in a cross wind.

I’ve read enough to know there have been some legitimate concerns about Mini 14 accuracy.

Unlucky for that Fox mine wasn’t one of them. Gun was certainly more reliable than that Jeepster.

Thread drift alert!

My neighbors down the hill have a Commando, man I’d love to own it.

Having a Mini-14 riding shotgun in a Jeep Commando, during a North Dakota winter, sounds like a combo that is just about perfect!

Stay safe.

 

[jski]

Yeah, it’s a mini14. It was never expected to hit better than minute of coyote or maybe zombie out to about ~100 yards. It’s adequate for what is expected of it.

That raises 2 interesting question:

What level of accuracy did Jim Sullivan design the Mini-14 to meet?

What level of accuracy did Jim Sullivan design the AR-15 to meet?

 

[Gun-Reck]

The current aperture sighted 580 Series carbines will shoot inside of 3 MOA from field positions.

A solid 200 yard performer - which is about all expected of the round.

 

[Ranger99]

Just me- the 183 Mini I've used was
satisfactory in every way. Never a jam
or FTF with factory magazines.
Ran a good bit of the $2.25 a box
1990's ammo through it with no trouble.

No, it's not a target rifle, and I have
other firearms available to use for
hunting that are more suitable. That
said I know of a couple of people that
have killed hogs and deer with their
older Mini 14's. A knowledgeable
skilled user shouldn't encounter any
problems using one

 

[jmorris]

This was back when the Mini's were less accurate.

I have never shot a mini that was more accurate that even my old completely stock Colt HBAR and it’s not the most accurate one I have by some margin.

I will say this, my friends regular Mini 14 is more accurate than and much easier to recover the brass from, than my Ranch version. Only time I have had them choke, is using non Ruger mags, they check the reliability box.