Ruger 222 ?

[aerod1]

Has Ruger ever made a Mini 14 chambered in 222 ? All I have seen is 223 .

 

[ECVMatt]

My best guess is Yes. During the Clinton Assault Weapons ban, we got a ton of Eagle Arms AR15's that were headed to Italy. They were chambered for .222 to avoid the issue of chambering military or NATO spec ammunition. We employed a local gunsmith to rechamber them to .223 and sold a ton of them. I believe Ruger did make some Mini's for overseas sales that were .222.

 

[jmr40]

Yes, but long before Clinton was in office. There are a few countries where any "military" cartridge is banned for civilians. Ruger made a handful years ago for export to some of those countries. I've heard of 1-2 that made their way back here and caused confusion when people tried to fire 223 ammo in them.

 

[22250Rem]

That would be my guess..... That it's one of those made for export to one of those countries with a ban on military cartridges; and that one found its way back here.

 

[ECVMatt]

Just a bit of additional, nonsensical information: I was in Spain many years ago when I spotted a sign on a shop that looked like a rifle. Ever curious, I went in and it was a fully stocked gun shop. Not only did they have rifles and shotguns, but they had tons of pistols and revolvers. I have to admit I was surprised. They even had a wall of AR15's and other military style rifles. The folks there were very nice and since we spoke the universal language of guns, they answered all my questions and showed me a lot of different types of firearms not available in the US. All of the semi automatics that were military styled were triple deuces and I am pretty sure I remember seeing a Mini 14 up there. I will have to try and find my pictures from that trip and see if I still have the pictures from the gun shop.

 

[bjlatt]

I can't speak for the Mini14, but I have a M77II Hawkeye in 222. There were a few of those made for export, and even fewer were kept here in the states. It is a 222 with a 1:9 twist which is really unusual.

 

[RugerNo]

French national police use Mini 14's in 222 Rem.

 

[PapaG]

Don't know but we had a No 1 in 222. Waaaay back.

 

[HOWARD J]

Years ago I had a Remington bolt in 222
I used it for deer hunting ( it worked) the rangers were on me all the time for using it.
One was on my trailer tongue 5 AM--" come in you can hear better in here"
MI rangers buy 35000 rds for winter deer kill &" we don't like you using them because we are much better shots"

 

[natman]

Yes, Ruger has made Mini 14s in 222 and they turn up occasionally. There's one on Gunbroker now:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/645446836

You can confirm it on Ruger's website:
http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/RI-Mini14A.html