Ruger minis Synth v. Wood

[Golden_006]

I'm buying a ruger mini. I can't decide between a 30 and 14 because the 30 is plastic.

I have a maverick 88, a Mauser 98k, and I would think another wood gun is in order. But I liked the 7.62 when I owned an sks and still have a box of fmj full met Jack Winchester that I always wanted to shoot cause it was not cheap ammo. But I'm just hung up on having more plastic guns than wood guns. I don't have much money for guns and live in a non free municipality. I say this cuz a mini is my best option for something interesting, shtf and won't be buying another for wahile

 

[M-Cameron]

ide personally choose wood........they just have a quality about them that is much more desirable than plastic.......the way i see it, wood stock dont wear out, they just obtain character.......where as a plastic stock......just gets old.


so it really comes down to whether the caliber choice is more important than the stock choice.

 

[66912]

If you wish to lay down some coin and get the best of both worlds.......find a factory folder from the 80's. Great design, comfortable to shoot. The stock alone will set you back around $600 these day's. Save an extra 4-5 hundred and you can find an original GB model on an online auction.
Personally, I have both for my mini. A Hogue overmold, An older Choate fixed stock with a pistol grip and the original wood stock. Pretty quick and simple to swap them out and relatively cheap. Best of both worlds. I am just sayin'........

 

[courtgreene]

it is so easy to switch stocks on a mini (seriously you don't even have to turn a screwdriver) that there's no reason not to buy one with wood and get another stock in plastic. that way your gun cabinet stays nice and balanced, you can use whichever you want, and if you buy a tactical stock you are legal by leaving it in the wood until you cross the state line.

 

[Golden_006]

Yeah I did not think about satisfaction in the future. Doesn't everyone just hate when you get that new thing and then its not new anymore? I love my Mauser now that I have an original stock on it with scratches and everything. Although my Maverick still is good as new

Mauser stocks cost a lot though. How much is plastic Mini stock?

Also it's not like I have 20 boxes of 7.62. And further not to start all this up again but it's not like the .223 isn't a proven round and is comparable to the 7.62. I guess I'm just waxing nostalgic with my first rifle in 7.62. Also the wood is what makes the mini sort of different for that kind of a gun.

What did the A team use? That should settle it.

 

[One-Time]

I prefer polymer, lighter, and wont warp

 

[courtgreene]

they aren't expensive... you can get them on sale for like 70, i did NOT get mine on sale, and it was 90

 

[Golden_006]

I would think 70 is a lot; 90 too.

no one likes 7.62? Why? because its a foriners round?

If I got the black plastic - id get the 30

 

[BP Hunter]

I'd go for the wood. It seems to have a natural feel..cuz' its made of nature. The plastic feels like...well, plastic. Plus I think the wood may absorb more recoil than plastic. Yes, it may be roughened up in the woods, but it feels just right. If you have ever played tennis, the old wooden tennis racket gives you more feel of the ball then today's modern high tech rackets.

 

[briansmithwins]

I guess I'm a form over function kinda guy.

When I lived in New Mexico wood dried out and cracked.

Now that I live in Oregon wood absorbs water and hold water against the metal, causing rust.

Don't really have those problems with plastics. OTOH, maybe I need to live somewhere with less extreme climate.

BSW

 

[Maverick223]

I chose "other" as I would buy a used (or NIB old stock) Mini-30 with wood furniture or a Mini-30 and drop it in a wood stock. Either way the 7.62x39mm is made for the Mini IMO, because like it or not it doesn't have varmint rifle accuracy. It makes for a great little woods gun or ranch carbine.

 

[M1key]

Synthetic Mini fits me better.

 

[FlyinBryan]

i chose the wood.

i had a stainless mini with a wood stock back in the late 80's. they are very nice looking little rifles.

mav has a good idea too though, a 30 in wood could be fun.

 

[courtgreene]

BSW, it sounds like you are a function over form guy to me

 

[Welding Rod]

It won't be very accurate either way so you may as well enjoy the look and feel of the wood.

BTW I don't mean this as a smart alleck remark.

 

[jyo]

I have three---two wood (one with factory folding stock) and one black plastic (factory stainless)---in my opinion it just doesn't matter---all shoot just fine.

 

[briansmithwins]

BSW, it sounds like you are a function over form guy to me

Amazing what a difference syntax makes, isn't it?

Obviously, I meant function over form. Thanks for catching that.

BSW

 

[exdetsgt]

I have a new model mini 14 with a wood stock and it's one of the more comfortable rifles out there.

 

[Golden_006]

It's not a matter of switching stocks ...

The plastic comes in stainless and the wood stock 14 comes in matte blued metal

i am leaning more towards the wood. even though the stainless looks better

The other thing is the price one these ... doggie

I guess if people are will to spend an arm and a leg on a ipad -- that'll be obsolete next year -- then I guess once in awhile i'll splurge on something new and its going to be for a new gun.

 

[fletchbutt152]

Mini14 target

I really like my mini 14 target stock. Its made by hogue. Feels great. I wish the gun had open sights on it though. The minute of anglecapability from an indestructable piston gun is what i wanted for 750 bucks!

 

[Water-Man]

There's always some joker that has to say something about the Mini being inaccurate. Why don't you give it up and do the rest of us a favor.

 

[Maverick223]

It's not a matter of switching stocks ...

The plastic comes in stainless and the wood stock 14 comes in matte blued metal

Synthetic (as well as laminated wood) is available with either blued or SS, wood is (and has been) only available in blued finish to the best of my knowledge (barring limited edition models). Now even the Mini-30 is available in blued finish, so it is simply a factor of replacing the stock (or buying a used one that came from the factory in that configuration).

 

[Water-Man]

Don't know about the new models but I have a ser.#186-xxx that is wood and s/s.

 

[Maverick223]

Don't know about the new models but I have a ser.#186-xxx that is wood and s/s.

I am not terribly surprised...Ruger likes to switch things around, as well as offer hordes of "limited edition", distributer exclusives, et cetera.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I like the traditional look and beauty of wood stocks on Mini's. Not that it should matter, but the wood doesn't have the "evil" look that so many people love to hate. The black/synthetic stock makes it look like an appliance in my opinion.