Ruger Mini 14, any good

[kmcintosh78]

Looking at the Newer Ruger Mini 14, with the heavy barrel.
Are they any good?
I have read that they have issues with accuracy and so on.
Thanks

 

[briansmithwins]

The newer ones should have better accuracy.

Price factory mags (aftermarket mags are of dubious reliability) before you buy. Just to compare, good AR mags are under $10 ea now.

BSW

 

[JR47]

The older Ruger's were supposedly the ones with accuracy problems. The newer Rugers (the tooling had worn out on those multitudes of "inaccurate" guns purchased) are re-tooled to use heavier barrels, of a different manufacturing type. This should have relieved the original claims as to what was the problem. Time will tell.

20 round factory Ruger mags are currently for sale at $24.95, and $29.95 for 30 round mags, at CDNN. The Ruger has never been military issue, so the multitudinous, and varying quality, USGI mags will allow price breaks over them. Not all M16/AR mags are the same in quality, even when new.

You pays your money, and takes your pick.

 

[BCCL]

I've recently bough a new Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle, and am pretty pleased with it.

 

[Hangingrock]

I recently acquired a new Mini-14 (Model No-5816). Caliber Remington 223, alloy/steel blued, hardwood stock, BL 18.5”, twenty round magazine, and hard wood stock. Oh yes no flash-suppressor. (Purchasing price $645.00 plus sale tax)

This would be the 2nd that I’ve owned. The first was an early series. The accuracy was adequate for my requirements. At some point it was sold to finance another firearm purchase.

Basically I’ve acquired the new one for self defense purposes. The design of the rifle is rather simplistic and the working mechanism parts are robust. Parameters of usage close in to exceeding the ranging of a dedicated self-defense shotgun (Remington 870 or Mossberg 590) with solid and shot ammunition.

 

[jmortimer]

From what I've seen and read - very reliable and current production very good. Here in California they are used by many LEO/depts.

 

[HOWARD J]

I had a very early one w/ folding stock-ss- I traded it for a ranch rifle ( & some cash -I got the cash)
Have a 3-9 scope on it--very accurate w/ reloads.
Also have a mini-30 -7.62 x 39--uses same scope--very accurate w/ reloads.
.223 nice rodent gun.
mini-30---- nice deer rifle.

 

[HOWARD J]

@JR47
Ruger never was military issue in USA buy Ruger made a short barrel mini-14 full auto w/
30 round mag, sold to militaries in South America.................

 

[Al Thompson]

Howard, JR's point was that only Ruger factory magazines are reliable. So, 15 bucks for a Pmag or 25 for a Ruger factory? It's a point to consider.

To the OP: I purchased one of the new Mini-14s and it's not the same as the old ones - it's better!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I'll happily trade my Bushmaster for a new Mini-14 (or 30). The old ones were very good (at least the 2 I had were) so if the new ones are better...great!

 

[BruceB]

Bought my new Mini-14 Deluxe (same as the Tactical model, but with Circassian walnut stock) last fall. Zeroed it at 250 yards just yesterday, with a Leupold Mark AR 1-4x scope mounted.

At 250 yards, the groups ran 4"-5" for TEN rounds, and this is entirely adequate for coyotes or home-defense purposes (if "home" has distances that long). It easily stayed within the black bull of the 100-yard smallbore rifle target I was using at 250.

The rifle has never seen a factory load in over 700 rounds. I chronographed my 20" AR-15 against the 16" Mini, and with the same ammunition the velocities were averaging 3097 fps (20") vs 2840 fps (16") with the 55-grain V-max. Quite a difference. I'd expect the same results from a 16" AR-15, of course...it's nothing against the Mini-14.

Functioning is flawless. I sold the 30-round mag it came with, and now have several 20-rounders, plus a couple 5-rounders for bench use. The cost of GOOD mags is a pretty minor item. I'd rather have two or three that actually work, than a pile of mags that don't.

"Any good?" Yep, I'd say it's VERY good indeed!

 

[swiftak]

Take your Mini14 money and buy a better gun instead.

 

[John Parker]

The Ruger has never been military issue

Just a tiny bit of trivia, but the Ruger is issued as the primary rifle of the Bermuda Regiment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda_Regiment

 

[4v50 Gary]

Good enough for what? The Mini-14 can never rival the AR design for accuracy. It's a matter of more moving parts on the Mini as opposed to the gas impinge operated AR. As a plinker, it's fine and good enough for coyote. It will never be as versatile as the AR (change the upper and you've got a whole new gun).

 

[Handgunner]

Wood and steel.

I would like to get a close up view of one of these.

http://www.ruger.com/products/mini14DE/models.html

 

[Carter]

the new ones are pretty accurate, and perfectly reasonable for what it should be used for. Its for up to around 100 yards for the best results. it will also cycle wolf no problem if you're on a budget. The magazine prices and reliability are something to be concerned about, but not a show stopper.

 

[dougw47]

I HAD 2 of them...no more for me.

 

[Quentin]

I really like the Mini14 and wanted to buy one. But I had to go with an AR instead, it just has too much going for it, as has already been pointed out. Sure the AR can be more expensive but if you buy 10 magazines like many owners do, the Mini will start catching up in price.

 

[Nicky Santoro]

I've had a Mini-14 for 20 years or so. It is not as accurate as my ARs but it does not frighten the sheeple and it will likely shoot minute of chest at 200 yards. It does shoot minute of porcupine at 50 yards. It well serves both purposes for which I purchased it. Unlike the ARs which can get pissy about ammo, the Mini just shoots.

 

[Handgunner]

I HAD 2 of them...no more for me.

180's or 580's?

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I like mine! It isn't picky about ammo. I have it loaded with Hornady 55 grain V-Max for home defense.

ECS

 

[JR47]

@JR47
Ruger never was military issue in USA buy Ruger made a short barrel mini-14 full auto w/
30 round mag, sold to militaries in South America.................

Yes, I did mean the American military, the AC556 never entered service with any units that I'm aware of in American service. I'm also certain that just about any military styled rifle has entered service SOMEWHERE in the world. Even if only as a unit purchase.