Mini-14: now with factory hicaps for us serfs

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If I were in the market for a Mini. I would bite.... But, Im not. There are just so many good .223 self loaders on the market or soon will be to look at the Mini.
 
I think it would be competitive if it wasn't $1035. That will probably make it only appeal to die hard Mini owners.
 
Folks, clearly the point is not the Mini's optimistic price (who pays MSRP anyway?) Rather, it's the thawing in Ruger's "no honest man needs more than ten rounds" policy for rifle magazines.
 
A couple of years ago you could get all the factory 20 rounders you wanted, brand new in the original box, for $35 each or less. But I found that several of the aftermarket 20s, 30s, and 40s worked fine. I have more than enough hi-cap mags for my two Mini 14s. Mags are not a problem with the Mini, just a little more expensive than the cheapest FAL, Cetme, and AR-15 mags.

Drakejake
 
Well, their website lists my 10/22 carbine for $269. I got it at Wal Mart for $180. So that Mini 14 they're advertising will be cheaper.

They sell 5 round mags for $25. If they start selling the 20 rounders for $25 that would be reasonable enough.
 
drakejake: Mini 14 mags are much more than "a little more expensive than the cheapest FAL, Cetme and AR-15 mags."

Used Steyer FAL mags go for $7.00 from DSA, used alloy HK91 mags go for $3-5.00 and used AR-15 mags go for $7.50-15.00(PMAGs are only $15.00 new).

Compare these prices to $35-40.00 for Ruger Mini-14 mags and there is a BIG price difference. Even after market mags run at least $20.00 and most (expecially Promag) are compleate POS.
 
Mini-14: now with factory hicaps for us serfs
Click to expand...

What do ya know? This. The heavier barrel in current production Minis. The new pocket auto.

It sounds like Ruger's been listening to Internet gunboard griping. Time to gunboard grumps to stop some of the belly-aching.
 
I'm thinking the folks at Ruger are realizing they shot themselves in the foot with the whole self-imposed mag capacity restriction. I also find it interesting that the rifle in question has a heavier, shorter barrel (16 1/8")
It looks like a good product, but needs to have a lower MSRP in order to be competetive with the ARs that are out there.
 
News of the 20-rounders is a good step.

The heavier barrel will interest many, but it may take something away from the Mini being a lightweight, handy carbine.
 
Definetly a step in the right direction for Ruger. In a limited way I've boycotted Ruger since the honest man/ 10 rd. mag statement was made by B. Ruger.
Maybe we will see a factory hi-cap (20, 30, 50 rd) mag for the 10-22.
I'm not holding my breath though.
 
Heavier barrels, and hiccaps INCLUDED? Theyre acting as if they WANT people to buy them again!
 
Folks, clearly the point is not the Mini's optimistic price (who pays MSRP anyway?) Rather, it's the thawing in Ruger's "no honest man needs more than ten rounds" policy for rifle magazines.
Click to expand...
So they sold us down the river for their own financial well being and now they're willing to finally cave because other companies are eating too much of their lunch? With friends like that...
 
That's what they should have been making all along. Note that the barrel is a stiffer profile (thick under the gas block and tapered to the muzzle); the barrel is 16.125" long instead of 18.5" (shorter is not only handier, but also flexes less for better accuracy); and FINALLY acceptable magazines straight from the factory.
 
huh. I little while ago I heard ruger was having financial problems. I remember thinking that what they should do is sell factory 20 rounders for the mini, make a small CCW pistol, and a lightweight version of the sp-101. That's where the demand is.


I wonder how long until they release the lightweight sp-101.
 
shear stress, thanks for posting. I like that mini, though $1000 is too high will likely retail in $800 (?) range.

I saw an earlier post about Mini-14's now coming with thicker barrels. Do I understand this NRA edition has that thicker barrel, and are the thicker barrel models the shorter 16" length? Any range reports on newer mini's with thicker barrels would be much appreciated.
 
Doing a cursory look on Ruger's site, it looks like the heavier barrel is only on the NRA model and the 6.8. Unless the 223 pics haven't been updated, it looks like the same gas block and barrel they've always had.

I really dislike the Hogue stock. While it feels good, it has a tendency to grab cloth. Not my pick for an HD rifle for sure. I'd rather have the original synthetic.

If it was priced out cheaper than an AR, I might think about trying another one. I love the concept, but after owning 3 Mini-14s, I'm cautious. I like relatively accurate rifles.
 
Ruger would be wise to try to build the Mini-14 to compete with the Kel-Tec rifles for price and accuracy, rather than clumsily stumble up against the AR-15 products.

A folding stock, full-cap mags, and a low price, and sales would improve.

Oh, and when is Ruger going to ever give up that stupid proprietary scope-mount design? We want rails! Picatinny rails! Not some weirdo scallop thing.

This rifle is everything the Mini-14 isn't, but should be:
http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/images/big/su16A_01.jpg

The Mini can keep the wood though. People like wood. Kel-Tec has ugly (albeit "practical") plastic.

(oh yeah... In before the lock!) :neener:
 
Oh, and when is Ruger going to ever give up that stupid proprietary scope-mount design?
Click to expand...

It's rather Ironic too that Rugers mounting system is the best mankind has ever devised.........for mounting a riflescope. But when it comes to mounting anything else you're just SOL
 
I think Ruger's scope mount (clean looks & functional) is ok for mounting scopes but a rail would be nice for certain things.
I think it will take more than factory hi-cap mags for the Minis to compete in the AR15 market. I'd even try another new Mini if priced right.
 
If Ruger started making the GB models again with the "evil" features like the factory folding stock and bayonet lug/flashhider they would make a bundle.

They just need to give the consumers what they want and what they want are "black rifles".
 
Offering the Mini in this new configuration with the shorter barrel and 20 round mags is a good thing. The price is another matter but at 1000 bucks?
 
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