New confusing mini-14 variations?

[OLDNEWBIE]

I think I,ve decided to buy another mini 14, the last one I had was back in the 80's, an A- Team style folding stock stainless. I really like the look of the new "tacticool" mainly the idea of weather resistance. I'm going to try and get used and understand 580 series is supposed to be more accurate. Are all the newer barrels the same? I read on another forum that even among the 580 series that there have been some barrel changes. If I happen upon a ranch wood stock is it going to be the same as a synthetic as far as sights, mounts barrel etc.? If I buy new probably getting it at Bi-mart. Any thoughts that chain store guns are inferior? Would really appreciate any feedback on owners of 580 series! Thanks!

 

[browningguy]

There is no difference in bog box guns vs. anybody elses.

http://perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86

Has all the info you will ever need on mini's, there are two different barrels on the new series mini's.

 

[OLDNEWBIE]

I see the flash supressor on the shorter barrel tactical but are the barrel thicknesses all the same on all 580 series? The tapered barrel is the latest more desireable I understand but can't seem to figure out if they all have this now or only certain models.

 

[KMO]

You need to be aware that the early 580-series Mini's came out with the same traditional barrel that Ruger was producing previously. The newer tapered barrel Mini's came out with the latter 580's. It would have made it simpler if Ruger had introduced a new series number to coincide with the improved barrel design, but they didn't. The factory tactical Mini-14's come with a shorter barrel, and there are two tactical models to choose from. One has the ATI folding/telescoping stock, and the other has the Hogue polymer stock and the flash hider. I own the latter...very accurate rifle right out of the box. Adding a Mo-Rod was my only modification. I'm impressed with the new Mini's...don't hesitate to buy one...

 

[PR-NJ]

Note that the Mini-14 manual states that ONLY .223 ammo should be used in the target version; NO 5.56 NATO. 5.56 is apparently OK in the ranch version and presumably in the tactical version, too.

 

[MAKster]

Everything I've read says the Mini-14 is 5.56 but they just label it .223 to be more politically correct.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I got one of the newer 580 series, stainless/synthetic, from CDNN a few months ago. It was $633 plus shipping. They had several versions, and may still.
My rifle has fired flawlessly so far using xm193, and was putting all rounds inside a fist-sized circle from 100 yards, after dialing in the Bushnell elite 4200 3-9x40.
Almost everything I've read about the newer rifles has been quite positive.
CDNN also had factory 20-rounders for $25

 

[LoonWulf]

One of the gun guys at my local sports authority snaged the first of the new minis to come into the store and has been very impressed with it (even took a couple feral goats out to around 250). The one he gots was from a shipment about 2 months ago, so i assume that unless you get old stock they are all running the new parts now.

 

[benEzra]

Everything I've read says the Mini-14 is 5.56 but they just label it .223 to be more politically correct.

That's true of everything but the new Target version, it seems.