Ruger Mini 14: questions about when Ruger fixed the accuracy issues.

[Macchina]

I am looking at getting a used Ruger Mini 14. I don't know a ton about them but I do know that a few years Ruger made some changes to it to fix an accuracy issue that the gun was known for. I am not looking for a tack driver, but I'd love to use the gun out to 200 yards on small game. A couple questions:

1. How can you tell if the gun was made after the accuracy fix? What date was the change made?

2. If the gun is pre-fix, what does this mean? Was the accuracy a real problem and are the new ones much more accurate?

 

[50 Shooter]

Save your money and get a better rifle, the mini-14 has to be the biggest POS in my book. As far as I know they've never fixed the accuracy issue, they made a Target model a few years back. Other then that they still ain't that great when it comes to accuracy.

 

[Sistema1927]

I had one of the first Mini-14's back in 1974. It was "minute of coyote" with military ammo. That was good enough to pay for a couple of semesters of college.

 

[Macchina]

The serial number starts with 195...

 

[dvdcrr]

Look for a winged front sight, they put those on pretty close to the revamp. And winged rear, and 580-xxx series serial number.

 

[Jackal]

580 series and newer shoot great, just as well as my BCM 16" lightweight. I was getting consistent 1.5-2 moa with my basic 582 series with a 50gr Federal hp's (never tried any premium ammo in any of my rifles). I figure if my Mini shoots as good as my $1100 AR, then thats good enough. While I personally prefer my AR for mag cost, parts availability and "neat" factor, the Mini has been just as reliable, accurate and drops coyotes just as easily. For me its always been "If you want a rifle, get a Mini. If you want a weapon, get an AR" (yes I'm aware that they are both weapons and rifles, but each has its own superior merit in either field).

I also do find the Mini's manual of arms to be superior to the AR's, when used in a hunting role. Its much easier to transition from a bolt rifle to the Mini than from a bolt to the AR (in my opinion).

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

They retooled the line in 04-05-------added the heavier tapered barrels around 08

Look for a 580+ prefix in the serial number

They aren't target rifles by any stretch but they are 2-3 MOA shooters---some maybe better

I really like mine

 

[jmr40]

The newer Mini's are much better. The heavier, thicker barrel and taller front sight with wings are good indicators. Looks like this.

http://ruger.com/products/mini14RanchRifle/models.html

While they are better than they used to be, I cannot think of a single reason to choose one over an AR in 2014. Thirty years ago they sold for 1/3 the cost of an AR. Today you can get a better rifle in an AR for LESS money. Start factoring in the costs of magazines and any other accessories and you can quickly end up with 2X more money invested in the Mini. For a less accurate, less reliable gun.

 

[HighExpert]

The later ones, 580-581 series, are supposedly better with tighter tolerances. I have a 195 series that would be fine out to 100yds on coyotes. I wouldn't try prairie dogs. The other problem is stringing, point of impact moving due to heat when firing more than 5-10rounds. There are braces that are supposed to help. If you want high capacity for fun or defense, OK. For hunting, buy a bolt action or a good AR. I still enjoy shooting mine. Just know what to expect.

 

[Takem406]

I shot my grandpa's a time or two as a kid when wild dogs were killing cows. Definitely was minute of boarder collie. And no issues killing gophers. I'm sure it won't win any benchrest matches but like stated above. They do the job!

 

[Hungry1]

I am looking at getting a used Ruger Mini 14. I don't know a ton about them but I do know that a few years Ruger made some changes to it to fix an accuracy issue that the gun was known for. I am not looking for a tack driver, but I'd love to use the gun out to 200 yards on small game. A couple questions:

1. How can you tell if the gun was made after the accuracy fix? What date was the change made?

2. If the gun is pre-fix, what does this mean? Was the accuracy a real problem and are the new ones much more accurate?

My 582 Series Ranch Rifle is very good for it's intended purpose. A handy, capable, rifle.

Once it gets hot (which it quickly does), the groups open up. Changing magazines rapidly, takes finesse.

I love mine, and have no intentions of getting rid of it.

An AR it is not.

Good Luck

 

[rcmodel]

The mistake everyone makes, including Ruger, is calling them rifles.

They are not rifles, they are carbines.
Just about the same size of the U.S. M1 Carbine.
But more accurate and longer range then that.

They are not 'rifle' bench-rest accurate, but they are 200 yard coyote DRT accurate.
As my old 181 has proven over & over again since 1971.

If you want a target rifle, get one.

If you want a fast handling carbine with the 'old-school' M1 Garand / M14 manual of arms?
The Mini-14 is it.

rc

 

[Swampman]

I'm not sure how accurate the newer models are, but I've fired quite a few of the older ones and more than half would have trouble staying on a pie plate at 100 yards.

What sort of small game do you plan on hunting with a .223?

It's a great varmint round and with proper bullets it works OK on smallish deer and pigs, but it won't leave much of a squirrel or rabbit but bloody hair and red mist, even with a head shot (which I doubt is very likely with any Mini 14 at 200 yards).

 

[Ibmikey]

Ruger has never had an accurate Mini! Well maybe a little strong but investing in an AR with all the optional mods is the way to go. I have a Mini 14 Tactical that sits in the rack while the pile of AR's are shot constantly, a tack driver it is not.

 

[Jackal]

Since a Mini goes for around $700 and a M&P Sport sells for about $600, it does make the Mini a hard sell. I do love Mini's, but Ruger is going to have to do something to bring the MSRP down in order to compete. Sort of like buying a M1A scout for $1500 when a PTR91 can be had for around $900.....:banghead:

As for Mini 14 accuracy, I had one of the goofy looking grey target models and it would put 50gr hp's into one hole at 100m as long as the ammo held out. Scary accurate. Only reason I sold it was due to the 11lb weight after optics, it was just too darn heavy.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I am looking at getting a used Ruger Mini 14.

Still looking for anything pertaining to an AR in the OP's question. The Mini has been maligned for one reason...it isn't an AR. Even those that had stringing problems as they heated up were first shot accurate. That is what matters in a hunting arm if that's what you plan on doing with it. If it is to be a truck gun plinker accuracy doesn't matter much anyway. I've had 184, 188, 189 and 580 series Mini 14/30s. I have never been disappointed with either of them.

 

[M1key]

Someone else's targets. Shooter used a strut (stabilizer) and reloads. An optic is not mentioned.

Mini accuracy is possible.

M

 

[carbine85]

I have a 183 series that is very accurate, more accurate then most. I have 3 Minis now. I can honestly say I haven't had the accuracy issues others complain about. The Mini isn't a POS by any sense. It's actually a very reliable rifle. It was never intended to be a military combat gun. With that said they are over priced for today's market. I wouldn't buy another unless I found a deal I couldn't refuse.

 

[DougW]

My 182 can hit an 8" plate at 150 yards very well, if I do my part. Really like it, shooting open sights.

 

[jehu]

Mini's are OK. The mags are expensive. Ruger should have made the Mini 14 to take the AR 15 mags, someone should make an adapter.

 

[Hangingrock]

The Mini-14 is what it is thus I don't try to make it more than it is. I acquired mine for what I referred to as the transition distances of 50yds to 100yds. Past 100yds I have a bolt gun with a 8" twist to handle the heavier weight bullets.

 

[briansmithwins]

Ruger should have made the Mini 14 to take the AR 15 mags, someone should make an adapter.

Before Pmags came out, there weren't any reliable, robust AR mags available. Ruger made their steel mags better than the aluminum USGI M16 mags.

BSW

 

[ugaarguy]

There's quite a bit of misinformation in this thread.

It was never intended to be a military combat gun.

The Mini 14 GB and AC 556 contradict that. Sales were poor, but they were sold to para military and military units, most notably The Bermuda Regiment.

Ruger should have made the Mini 14 to take the AR 15 mags, someone should make an adapter.

The Mini-14 action isn't wide enough to accommodate the AR-15/M16 STANAG mag without serious modification of the receiver.

Before Pmags came out, there weren't any reliable, robust AR mags available. Ruger made their steel mags better than the aluminum USGI M16 mags.

The USGI AR-16/M16 mags were quite reliable with the GI green follower, and they're even more reliable with the MagPul follower that predates the PMAG by several years or with the recent GI tan follower. GI mags not be as robust as steel Mini-14 mags, but they aren't flimsy either. The robustness advantage of the Ruger factory mags completely negated by their high prices resulting from Ruger's impositions on private ownership of mags over ten rounds.

 

[Hangingrock]

ugaarguy: The robustness advantage of the Ruger factory mags completely negated by their high prices resulting from Ruger's impositions on private ownership of mags over ten rounds.

My rendition of the Mini-14 came with a Ruger OEM twenty round magazine. Midway among others have had sales on ($19.98) Ruger twenty round OEM magazines. When on sale the cost wasn't prohibitive.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have split-on-the-seam less-than-3- year-old PMags sitting on my desk that contradicts that as well. Lotsa folks like them, but I don't trust those with anywhere near the faith I have in any of my mix of old and new 50+ GI mags with Magpul followers.

When AR's were exotic and Mini's were pedestrian, I bought one. I like it. I bought a Mini-30 as well, and I like that too. Only use Ruger factory mags, and it'll go bang every time. Aftermarket mags? Hit and (mostly) miss reliability with those.

Will Mini's compete with my 24" Colt Accurized AR shooting Fed Match 69 Gr Sierra BTHPS? (10 shots on a thumbnail at 100 anytime I shot it?) Nope. I'll even say they're not as accurate as any of the 4 other AR's with a variety of combat length/style barrels in the safes at home (Colt, BCM, DPMS, etc..).

But they work for what they are intended to be; reliable rifles with an easy learning curve (no curve for those with M-14 backgrounds) and minute of bad guy or coyote (but not fantastic) accuracy at reasonable ranges.

BUT now that they are as (or more) expensive as an entry-level AR, and Ruger's both-feet entry into the AR 15/AR10 market, I think their time is running out.