Thoughts on the mini 14?

[someguy2800]

My colt woodsman cost me twice as much as my buckmark. The buckmark is far more accurate, has better sights, better grips, a better trigger, better mags, and is more reliable. I still like them both about the same. The buckmark has sentimental and practical value. The woodsman is a piece of art that I take out every once in a while to look at and enjoy having.

If I had a mini 14 it would probably be much the same. I would probably use the mini for plinking and to just fiddle and play with it. If I wanted to actually use it for something I would probably take the AR if for nothing else than the accuracy.

 

[hq]

If I wanted to actually use it for something I would probably take the AR if for nothing else than the accuracy.

As an anecdote, when I actually want to do something with a rifle/carbine, I pick one that's best suited for the purpose, even though my old school hardcore benchrest rifle is probably more accurate than any AR in existence. Much like I get groceries with a Volvo even though my GT-R can leave it for dead at the stoplights.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

I have heard the older ones had issues with the barrels.

I'll have to agree with HD about that.
All the Minis I've had were the earlier standard barrel models. I've since moved some of them on with regret, but all shot
minute of coffee can at 100 offhand which was good enough for me.
Accuracy is relative. How many ARs were on the line at the last Palma Match?

When I bought my first Mini-14, it was just over half the cost of a Colt SP.

Mine shows a preference for 50gr. bullets, I use the Sierra spitzers with 25grs. of 748, and occasionally will use their 55gr. spitzers if I find a deal on them.

If packing one around in high desert sage country, the Mini carries on the shoulder (held by the barrel) and spins into action on
blackjacks pretty quick. That carry method explains the discoloration on the barrel on mine.
It carries over the shoulder (keeping the muzzle out of the sage) MUCH more comfortably than my M16.

My vote would be for you to get what you want.
You don't need any of them, unless you happen to see Negan coming at you full tilt!

JT

 

[zaitcev]

I kind of feel you on that one. Every time I heft my SKS, I go, "now that's a gun."

You know what's better than SKS? An SKS made in Belgium and shooting a big boy bullet. Honestly I thought I liked Mini-14 until I got this:

 

[Charliefrank]

Well I came across a deal I couldn't resist. Mini 14 ranch 196. I gotta say shoots like a dream. Gotta put a scope on it now.

 

[CLP]

IMO, they are a better iron sight rifle, for shorter ranges, than the AR. YMMV.

No. The AR is far more accurate out of the box, even compared to the newer Mini 14/Ranch rifles.
Furthermore, the AR has far more potential for being accurized. There was a small family-owned company that was known for accurizing Mini-14s, and to get the works done and make it a 1 moa rifle you essentially paid for another rifle's worth of upgrades and labor. It's been years since I've been to their website and I'm not sure if they're even still in business. I wish I could recall their name. They sold a "stabilizing bar" which was supposed to improve accuracy of the older Mini-14s. I thought they looked cool because it gave the rifle more of a M-14 silhouette.
The Ranch rifle is fun, it's easier to store (takes up less room if it has the traditional stock on it), and has a beefy Garandesque action that's just plain cool. When you're tired of aluminum and plastic and want to shoot something made of wood and steel, then you're glad to have the Mini-14. If you want to shoot small groups, the AR has endless options re: barrels, free-floated handguards, and numerous other accurizing upgrades available. Plus, Joe Schmo is able to do what would traditionally need to be done by a gunsmith himself at home (except maybe pinning rear sights on a A2 upper, but even a lot of the guys here on this forum can or are able to do that). The correct solution of course is to have one of each if it's within your means. Another consideration favoring the AR, and this is minor (and possible debatable) point, is that the Ranch rifle beat the tar out of brass and slings them further than it can shoot the projectiles from which they originated. Now, I've never taken apart my Ranch rifle's bolt, and I'm not sure how it'd function if I trimmed the ejector spring, but I can easily tune my ejection pattern with my ARs (and do with all of them) to spit out empties just a couple of feet away from me. I learned that from one of Glen Zediker's books which brings up another point for the AR and that's the wealth of info available on improving accuracy with that platform.
Speaking from an accuracy standpoint, it's the AR. Aesthetically-speaking, and this is a matter of opinion, the Ranch rifle. In other words, if you want to be happy, marry yourself to the AR.

 

[KYamateur]

I have a newer stainless mini with a 16 inch barrel. I bought the wooden stock because I like the way it looks. I don’t shoot from a bench but do a great deal of recreational shooting. When shooting without optics it is just as accurate as my ARs. I like the AR a little better, but I’ve never seen anyone wear a mini out, and Ruger’s warranty is excellent. The ARs that are clearly built better than the mini still cost as much or more than the mini. I think the mini is a super durable and reliable option. Would I buy another one - no. I already have one and they are a little high. However, if I didn’t have one I probably would. I like shooting different guns, and one AR is pretty much the same as the rest. The Ruger is different and has a nostalgic look to it. When I think of finicky and fragile, I think of the current production m1 carbines. The Ruger is neither of these things - it is a tank.

 

[Water-Man]

No. The AR is far more accurate out of the box, even compared to the newer Mini 14/Ranch rifles.
Furthermore, the AR has far more potential for being accurized. There was a small family-owned company that was known for accurizing Mini-14s, and to get the works done and make it a 1 moa rifle you essentially paid for another rifle's worth of upgrades and labor. It's been years since I've been to their website and I'm not sure if they're even still in business. I wish I could recall their name. They sold a "stabilizing bar" which was supposed to improve accuracy of the older Mini-14s. I thought they looked cool because it gave the rifle more of a M-14 silhouette.
The Ranch rifle is fun, it's easier to store (takes up less room if it has the traditional stock on it), and has a beefy Garandesque action that's just plain cool. When you're tired of aluminum and plastic and want to shoot something made of wood and steel, then you're glad to have the Mini-14. If you want to shoot small groups, the AR has endless options re: barrels, free-floated handguards, and numerous other accurizing upgrades available. Plus, Joe Schmo is able to do what would traditionally need to be done by a gunsmith himself at home (except maybe pinning rear sights on a A2 upper, but even a lot of the guys here on this forum can or are able to do that). The correct solution of course is to have one of each if it's within your means. Another consideration favoring the AR, and this is minor (and possible debatable) point, is that the Ranch rifle beat the tar out of brass and slings them further than it can shoot the projectiles from which they originated. Now, I've never taken apart my Ranch rifle's bolt, and I'm not sure how it'd function if I trimmed the ejector spring, but I can easily tune my ejection pattern with my ARs (and do with all of them) to spit out empties just a couple of feet away from me. I learned that from one of Glen Zediker's books which brings up another point for the AR and that's the wealth of info available on improving accuracy with that platform.
Speaking from an accuracy standpoint, it's the AR. Aesthetically-speaking, and this is a matter of opinion, the Ranch rifle. In other words, if you want to be happy, marry yourself to the AR.

You sound like an real AR fanboy. You don't have to own an AR to be happy. I've been happy with a Mini for almost twenty years.

BTW, I own an AR and have experience with them for over fifty years. Back in the good old days.

 

[hq]

No. The AR is far more accurate out of the box

This has been discussed and debated ad nauseum, but to sum it up conclusively, some most certainly are, some are not. "AR" covers a pretty broad spectrum of firearms these days, from bargain basement boomsticks to precision rifles, the former being quite a bit more common than the latter. With 30+ years of background shooting and collecting AR:s/M16:s/M4:s I've come across more than my fair share of utter lemons, and on the other hand fantastic high-$ examples I've put thousands of rounds through, enjoying the heck out of each of them.

Any claim that "AR" is "XYZ" is pointless unless "AR" has been exactly defined and no, just the possibility of maxing out one's credit card on the nearest parts website isn't any more of an argument than some simple - even DIY - gunsmithing can improve pretty much any rifle.

 

[LoonWulf]

I actually thought his post was pretty good......first line aside. Tho in vague enough terms its probably true, id bet the "average" AR (not bargin basement hammered together by bubbas funny lookin cuz'n Eduh) will be more accurate than the "average" mini-14. Perhaps not the newer ones, but the older ones at least.

Another consideration favoring the AR, and this is minor (and possible debatable) point, is that the Ranch rifle beat the tar out of brass and slings them further than it can shoot the projectiles from which they originated. Now, I've never taken apart my Ranch rifle's bolt, and I'm not sure how it'd function if I trimmed the ejector spring, but I can easily tune my ejection pattern with my ARs (and do with all of them) to spit out empties just a couple of feet away from me

A fairly inexpensive gas bushing set from Accuracy Systems http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/Gas-Reduction-Bushing-Kit.php
Will allow you to tune your Mini to eject what ever ammo you want very sedately. You could also go with their adjustable gas block.
I found that adjusting my gas port actually made a difference in accuracy of my mini, dunno if it kept it from unlocking too soon, or what.
The Ejectors on Minis are fixed not push buttons like the AR, nothing to be done there besides changing the angles i guess....never tried that.

 

[boom boom]

I actually thought his post was pretty good......first line aside. Tho in vague enough terms its probably true, id bet the "average" AR (not bargin basement hammered together by bubbas funny lookin cuz'n Eduh) will be more accurate than the "average" mini-14. Perhaps not the newer ones, but the older ones at least.




A fairly inexpensive gas bushing set from Accuracy Systems http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/Gas-Reduction-Bushing-Kit.php
Will allow you to tune your Mini to eject what ever ammo you want very sedately. You could also go with their adjustable gas block.
I found that adjusting my gas port actually made a difference in accuracy of my mini, dunno if it kept it from unlocking too soon, or what.
The Ejectors on Minis are fixed not push buttons like the AR, nothing to be done there besides changing the angles i guess....never tried that.

Accuracy Systems is the company that will also go through and accurize your mini14 as mentioned above. Thanks for posting that as I had forgotten their name and no longer see their ads in gunmags.

Mini 14's seem to be slowly fading away as I see fewer of them on the shelves (or maybe they sell that fast) and the higher price versus the average AR doesn't help. However, in the un-free states, they may represent one way of owning a semi-auto. I would not mind having one but I either did not have the money when a good buy came around or when I had the money, none were to be found.

 

[CLP]

You sound like an real AR fanboy. You don't have to own an AR to be happy. I've been happy with a Mini for almost twenty years.

BTW, I own an AR and have experience with them for over fifty years. Back in the good old days.

On the contrary, I'm a Garand and Springfield "fanboy"- and pre-64 94's. I disliked the M16 when I was in the Army. I like the availability and ease of assembly of the AR, but don't like the aesthetics of it or composition of materials (aluminum and plastic). I just gave an objective opinion. Hope that clears it up for you. As to the reference of being "happy", you should recognize the pop music reference considering how much mileage you have on the odometer! (Hint: "If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life...")
No personal offense intended...

 

[CLP]

I actually thought his post was pretty good......first line aside. Tho in vague enough terms its probably true, id bet the "average" AR (not bargin basement hammered together by bubbas funny lookin cuz'n Eduh) will be more accurate than the "average" mini-14. Perhaps not the newer ones, but the older ones at least.




A fairly inexpensive gas bushing set from Accuracy Systems http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/Gas-Reduction-Bushing-Kit.php
Will allow you to tune your Mini to eject what ever ammo you want very sedately. You could also go with their adjustable gas block.
I found that adjusting my gas port actually made a difference in accuracy of my mini, dunno if it kept it from unlocking too soon, or what.
The Ejectors on Minis are fixed not push buttons like the AR, nothing to be done there besides changing the angles i guess....never tried that.

Accurarcy Systems- that's the one. I don't know if they stake the gas port assembly screws in post-195, but the gas port according to Ruger isn't supposed to be removed (not that I abided by that direction myself)- or at least according to an AGI video on the Ranch rifle.

 

[LoonWulf]

Accurarcy Systems- that's the one. I don't know if they stake the gas port assembly screws in post-195, but the gas port according to Ruger isn't supposed to be removed (not that I abided by that direction myself)- or at least according to an AGI video on the Ranch rifle.

Yeah they are still staked, the manual says that removal isn't necessary, but I don't think it directly says not to do it. I still have my manual somewhere if I remember correctly.

Another accuracy tweak that seems to work on some minis is to remove the gas block, realigning and evenly gapping the block, and retorquing the screws.

 

[Kame B.]

No. The AR is far more accurate out of the box, even compared to the newer Mini 14/Ranch rifles.
Furthermore, the AR has far more potential for being accurized. There was a small family-owned company that was known for accurizing Mini-14s, and to get the works done and make it a 1 moa rifle you essentially paid for another rifle's worth of upgrades and labor. It's been years since I've been to their website and I'm not sure if they're even still in business. I wish I could recall their name. They sold a "stabilizing bar" which was supposed to improve accuracy of the older Mini-14s. I thought they looked cool because it gave the rifle more of a M-14 silhouette.
The Ranch rifle is fun, it's easier to store (takes up less room if it has the traditional stock on it), and has a beefy Garandesque action that's just plain cool. When you're tired of aluminum and plastic and want to shoot something made of wood and steel, then you're glad to have the Mini-14. If you want to shoot small groups, the AR has endless options re: barrels, free-floated handguards, and numerous other accurizing upgrades available. Plus, Joe Schmo is able to do what would traditionally need to be done by a gunsmith himself at home (except maybe pinning rear sights on a A2 upper, but even a lot of the guys here on this forum can or are able to do that). The correct solution of course is to have one of each if it's within your means. Another consideration favoring the AR, and this is minor (and possible debatable) point, is that the Ranch rifle beat the tar out of brass and slings them further than it can shoot the projectiles from which they originated. Now, I've never taken apart my Ranch rifle's bolt, and I'm not sure how it'd function if I trimmed the ejector spring, but I can easily tune my ejection pattern with my ARs (and do with all of them) to spit out empties just a couple of feet away from me. I learned that from one of Glen Zediker's books which brings up another point for the AR and that's the wealth of info available on improving accuracy with that platform.
Speaking from an accuracy standpoint, it's the AR. Aesthetically-speaking, and this is a matter of opinion, the Ranch rifle. In other words, if you want to be happy, marry yourself to the AR.

ASI is not the one stop shop to accurize a Mini 14. First off you have the Target Mini 14 from Ruger, those are still floating around, even though Ruger doesn't make them anymore. Second is the Shilen aftermarket Target barrel, I have one on my Mini 14, and it is a tack driver. Friend of mine that is a huge AR nut calls it the "Super Mini." You can also do some simple things to the Mini to get it to shoot better. You can change out gas bushings, and tune loads, do a little milling to the slide assembly to fit it better to the gas block..."Harris Mod." Re-torque the gas block, bed the receiver, add recoil buffers, trigger jobs from Brimstone, fine tuning the action, and I've noticed that the new flange 16inch barrel Mini's do very well. But besides all that, the Mini 14 is a semi auto carbine, and any semi auto carbine that can shoot 2MOA is a keeper, no matter it be a AR15 or a little 14.

 

[Garandimal]

...But besides all that, the Mini 14 is a semi auto carbine, and any semi auto carbine that can shoot 2MOA is a keeper, no matter it be a AR15 or a little 14.

This one is.

Cut an inch off and squared the butt and re-profiled the pad, to give it a 12.5" Length-of-Pull and the same eye relief as an M1 Garand.​

​

Nice Handy Carbine.




GR

 

[Bushpilot]

This has been discussed and debated ad nauseum

Yes it has... Heck, people were debating which is better the AR or the Mini back when I was a kid... Back then though the Mini 14s were clearly the more popular of the two..