ruger mini-14

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landisbrad

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Question: Is the mini-14 a practical firearm to purchase? The reason for this question is because in amongst the many firearms I would like to purchase over the next few years, this one had made my list. Then I talked to my dad. His first immediate comment was that they are junk. apparently you get a few rounds through them, they don't disperse their heat as well as they could or should, and the barrel has a tendency to warp. Now: what I'd like to know, is this indeed true? If so, has ruger done anything to correct this problem? If so, what?
Any answers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Brad
 
Recent Interview

Not that many months back, I listened to an interview on GunTalk (Tom Gresham's show) with one of the senior lads from Ruger.

Evidently Ruger had scrapped all the old barrel-making equipment and completely re-tooled for the Mini-14 series.

They now produce a target version that's tested to MOA or better at 100 yds.

The standard version is likewise a serious step up from what they were making a year or two ago.

If you're thinking of getting one of these, it seems prudent to make sure you get new production.
 
I traded mine for an AR after many frustrating rounds trying to get it reasonably accurate.

I really liked its looks and reliability but it was just not much fun as it was unpredictable.

Love the AR...and I think the new mini prices are up there now...

:)
 
I've owned 3 Mini-14 over the uears. What can I say, I am an optimist.

All were very reliable, fun rifles. None were very accurate. If you want sub MOA, the Mini-14 is not your rifle. Yes, they now have a super accurate target version. It's heavy and expensive. I'm interested to see how the new production guns fare, particularly the new 6.8 Mini-14. I really really want to like this rifle. It's light, compact and handy. But it has got to shoot at least 2 MOA.

If you want something accurate, with lots of parts, buy an AR-15 - unless you happen to live in Kalifornistan.
 
Let me see...
New Mini-14= $800.
New AR = $800.

Since the AR is better in every possible way why is it you want the mini again? Since Ruger is opposed to mere citizens having the best arms possible why do you want to support that?
 
I have one made in the late 70's and I love it. Tons of fun, and super reliable. They are not the most accurate no, but mine has been plenty accurate for what I wanted. I have an accu-strut which solves the barrel whip problem as does a muzzle brake and shortening the barrel. That alone typically cuts groups in half.

If you want a fun gun it's a GREAT choice. If you want to shoot targets at 500 yards it isn't for you.
 
I've fired thousands of rounds with the Mini-- the previous version. They weren't designed to win long-distance matches, but their accuracy is plenty acceptable for a lightweight carbine.

Always use factory magazines-- the aftermarket magazines are where all the functioning problems arrise.

Corrections departments have been using Minis in large numbers and continue to do so. I've spoken with LEOs who prefer the Mini to the less PC appearance of the ARs. Go figure.

All gun barrels "warp" if that's the term you prefer to use, when they change temperature. Any semi can get smoking hot if you're out to waste as much ammo as you can manage, bump firing. The immutable laws of physics dictate that the barrel's dimentions will change somewhat unevenly during the temp transitions. Individual rifles will experience different POI shifts. Heavy barrels reduce the effect, but it's still there.

FYI, the best single group I've personally witnessed shot from any rifle was done by firing three shots several minutes apart (we walked the whole 200 yards and back for each shot because lighting conditions made the holes impossible to see otherwise). I intend to investigate this "very slow fire" business further.

Shoot at a more reasonable rate and you won't be dissapointed, so long as you understand the idea behind the little carbine in the first place.

Also FYI, military acceptable accuracy for the M-14 (the Mini's bigger brother) was something like 5.5 or 6" (I forget which, but it was one or the other) at 100 yards. The Minis we have here will do much better.
 
I hear the Ruger is popular in California - I guess because of California's ridiculous gun laws.

It looks like Ruger has tried to make the Mini-14 look as ponderous as a Kali-AR

324L.jpg


01ar1.jpg
 
$800 for a Mini-14? I am selling one here in AZ for $575 with a Ruger factory 20 round magazine, sling, 160 rounds, and a soft rifle case, 40 rounds fired through it, and bought new about 2 months ago. Wife just doesn't like it, doesn't fit her, and I am not a fan of .223.
But it isn't $800! :cool:
 
The best group mine (188-series Ranch Rifle) ever shot was just under 6 inches at 100 yards, from a rest and rear bags. Very frustrating.

Reportedly the new ones are considerably more accurate, but for the price, I'd personally prefer an AR-15, AR-180B, or .223 AK.
 
Since the AR is better in every possible way
Click to expand...

I have one of each sitting next to each other. This simply isn't true.

The Mini is lighter, far more compact, has nothing sticking up or down from it anywhere. It's REALLY reliable. Mine worked fine with a broken part in the action. Didn't even know it was broken until I stripped it for cleaning. For some applications, these features trump target grade accuracy. 6 MOA inside my house is a one-jagged-hole group. Doesn't make a lick of difference, 6 MOA vs. 1 MOA at under 10 yards, or even 50, for defensive use. And mine can do a bit better than 6.

I haven't shot a newer one, so I can't speak to its accuracy. Bought the AR instead (thanks to billweise and others who figured out how to get one and still comply with the letter of CA law, and no, it doesn't have the grip shown above). I wanted to shoot at faraway targets and hell, I wanted an AR while I can get one here. Turns out it's easier than ever, but that wasn't clear at first.

It's a 20" HBAR, so it's not built as an "entry weapon." So that is an influencing factor. But if I ever have to fight my way down my stairs, I'll do it with the Mini. If I hunt coyotes, though, I'll take something that I'm confident will hit them at a distance.:)

If I hadn't blown my gun budget for a while, I'd want to try the new one for $575. I really do like their handling and their utility, especially my stainless/synthetic. If the new ones shoot straight, I'd like one.

But if I were to buy my first .223 semiauto, I'd get the AR first, I think, unless I still had a good reason not to.
 
I just sold off my 2 mini's. Enough was enough, I had it.

One pre-ban gov, and the other a Ranch version.

Both rifles were built well, like Rugers are known for. Both were frozen over in a Northern Minnesota ice storm and pretty much blasted off the frozen rain.

However.

I think they would have kept going(after the first two rounds) except for the horrible hi-cap mags that I had to customize to fit. :banghead:

The sights suck period and...

I'll stop and say this. Ruger really dropped the ball on this rifle and this so called "new" mini is nothing more than a polished turd.

The platform is there, but without stock options, reliable hi cap mags, good sights, and 5.56/223 chambers this rifle is doomed. Not to mention it costs about as much as a new top tier AR now days to get it in half assed working order.

IMO. I'll never drop a penny on a mini again.
 
Landisbrad, your original question was is it practical, to which I ask what application exactly? You wont be able to hit chipmunks at 300 yards with it, but it makes a very handy rifle for exploring the woods with where most shots are inside 100 yards. Its also just as suitable for home defense as an AR where long range accuracy would be irrelavant and the weapon is simply indexed on the target. The Mini's been in production now for 32 years and in that time has served sportsman and numerous LE agencies well so I'd hardly call it junk. How many current AR mfg's have been around that long btw? Some disadvantages for the mini include: expensive factory magazines, wider than neccessary front sight, heat sensitive barrel, and less long range accuracy. Some advantages include: ambidextrous saftey and mag release, less threatening apperance in the feild, cheaper than most AR's, and less sensitivity to sand/mud/fouling/ammo. Good luck
 
I have both the mini 14 and the AR15.
The AR is more accurate but is more ammo picky than the mini.
I can put any junk ammo in the mini and ring a 18 inch steel gong at 200 yards all day long.
Good enough for me when the zombies come.
 
Mini 14. There are folks who swear by 'em. There are folks who swear AT 'em. I've had several & they're fine examples of what they are, a durable, autoloading, .223 carbine. They'll handle neglect & abuse as well as any. But as their price keeps inching up, their practicality inches downward. I've sold all of mine & have gone to AR configurations.
 
I have had my mini for 24 years and I love it. I bought it and the extra mags back when they were not that expensive. I have had no problems with. They are a solid reliable weapon, but no they are not super accurate, but as a close defense 50 yd goblins at the door weapon they will get the job done.

I agree with Ghost as they go up in price they are not as attractive an option. particularlly as AR price have not.

I will never get rid of mine but I am going to add an AR to my weapons mix.
 
I was thinking that the Mini-14 would be a cool toy until I saw the price tag, With Ruger’s stance on civilian mag ownership and the ungodly price of a Mini-14 I will go get a Saiga first or spend the money on an AR.

I love the way they look and the size is great but to me you need reliable 20+ round mags and a much better price.
 
WRT the sights... The new ones have completely different sights from mine. If you think the old ones suck, you might like the new ones.

WRT the price... Ruger has been raising prices on a few guns, and they're pricing themselves out of sales volume. The 10/22 is now priced too high as well, though $50 here or there might not be as prohibitive. I wonder if some of their dead models would be around still, if the prices were sane. People who have them really like the PC carbines, but they were too expensive. And the Deerfield was a neat idea, but for less money, you could get a stainless 1894 with a beautiful checkered walnut stock, and it holds more rounds and has a lot more aftermarket support.

WRT the magazines... I've heard that a factory follower will solve any issues. I have yet to try it. I have one candidate; the other mags I have work fine. Aftermarket follower changeouts are common in the AR world, so I wouldn't say this is a showstopper. OTOH, a modification to allow AR magazine use is WAY overdue. Remington did this with the 7615; I'm sure they had a good reason. Hello, Ruger?

WRT Bill Ruger's words... He's dead. At this point, Ruger has good reasons to sell 5-rounders. They managed to escape the last AWB, as well as the laws in California and elsewhere. I'm sure they're just trying to keep their guns from being banned. As a Californian, I have mixed feelings about this. However, I've been able to buy a Mini-14 here, without interruption, through all the laws they've passed. Is that bad, or good? I wouldn't have been able to buy a decent .223 carbine at all a few years back, except for Ruger's steering clear of bans.

I own 3 Rugers. I have mixed feelings about Ruger politically, and I have mixed reviews for their guns. I have a much lower opinion of the 10/22 than most people seem to. It's probably the first gun I'll sell to make space. My 22/45 is flawless. The Mini is not target-grade accurate, but a well-made power tool. I can hit targets like water bottles at 200 yards; it's a helluva plinker and a functional defensive carbine. But when I bought it and took it to the range, I was disappointed. At the time, I didn't know any better.:)

I have 4 aftermarket magazines that I've used. Only one of them gives me any trouble. It's getting a factory follower, when I remember to buy one.
 
hey all, thanks for the input! with the experience i have gained from reading your comments i am much more confident in the decision i will ultimately make. my current semi is a Belgian fn-fal and like many of the posts i've read here about the ar, i'll never part with it, but .308 ammo tends to be a little expensive to just go out and blast off 100 rounds at the drop of a hat. .223 on the other hand is alot less expensive, and a 6 inch pattern at 100 yards isn't really that bad.
thanks again for the input!
Brad
 
I have a new 580-series. Mine will reliably shoot <2" five- shot groups @ 100 yds with ammo in the 62 gr bullet wt range (open sights). I held off from buying one for a long time due to the accuracy issues, but with the new tooling, new rear aperature/ protected front blade sights, etc. the new ones seem to be much better performers.

Re chambering, it is a .223/5.56 gun; says so right in the manual (and has for a long time) if one bothers to read. If you want >5 rd mags, you need to buy factory or PMI. Yes, Ruger's refusal to manufacture 10 rd mags (legal pretty much everywhere) or to make the 20 rd mags easily avail to those of us living in free states is maddening to say the least, but that's the status of things. My several factory 20 rd mags work flawlessly.

The Mini is a fine utility gun. It's not a bargain, not a battle carbine, not a target gun. I've all my needs/wants in those areas covered and cost was not really a factor for me, and I'm quite content with my Mini.
 
Here is another question for those still reading this thread. What are other alternative to the mini-14 not including AR and AK rifles?

I was thinking Saiga and SKS rifles which are both cheap and very "practical" for doing anything the mini could do except for being generally bigger then the mini.
 
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