Why are mini 14's so expensive

[hq]

Sometimes I still feel slight shame of having been a member of the AR cult from mid 80's to early 10's. Even though a selector instead of safety switch was my thing, in dozens of varieties and even though I have a few hunting semis too, one that doesn't flip all the way forward still feels instinctively awkward and somehow handicapped.

I still don't hate them like I hate Glocks (regardless of owning one, according to hoarders' creed) but it seems like every Ruger Mini -thread gets quickly saturated with a mix of urban legends, misconceptions and lack of perspective bordering tunnel vision these days.

Oh well. Maybe I should just shut up and keep enjoying doing things with them that can't supposedly be done and AR:s do somehow better, to keep everyone happy on their chosen path.

 

[ilbob]

My late 70s mini would shoot paper plate sized groups at 100 yards after a few rounds.. The first few rounds did a lot better so it had potential I think with a better barrel.

Been a safe queen for a long time.

I sort of liked the sights even though the rear sight popped off within the first ten rounds I ever fired from it and had to be sent back to the factory for repair.

To me paper plate accuracy at 100 yards was disappointing. At the time it was more popular than ARs. I can't even remember seeing any ARs in gun shops back then. I don't recall seeing ARs routinely in gun shops until the 90s. Once they became commodity items the price dropped a lot. Minis just were not going to compete price wise with something like an AR that had a lot going for it, especially in it's adaptability. I always appreciated the look of the old style furniture on the mini but as a shooter for the most part an AR is a better platform.

 

[Speedo66]

This thread asks a question, "why are Mini-14's so expensive"? Seems clear enough, but obviously some people read it as "tell us why you think your AR is so superior to Mini's", or "tell us what your military gun club thinks".

Saying what I think about that continuing mistake would probably be neither polite nor High Road.

 

[ilbob]

This thread asks a question, "why are Mini-14's so expensive"? Seems clear enough, but obviously some people read it as "tell us why you think your AR is so superior to Mini's", or "tell us what your military gun club thinks".

Saying what I think about that continuing mistake would probably be neither polite nor High Road.

Realistically ARs are the competition to Mini14s for the most part and ARs won the competition so they became dominant in the market. Just the sheer volumn of them produced made the cost come down. If you could sell a million minis a year it might drop the price too. People would figure out how to make it for less cost if there was more than one manufacturer.

So I don't think talking about the advantages of an AR versus a mini is completely off topic.

 

[hq]

So I don't think talking about the advantages of an AR versus a mini is completely off topic.

If Minis didn't sell for rather hefty prices for what they are and retain value so well, it might be relevant. But in reality they do so comparative statements of obvious nature accomplish little to explain why this is happening.

My take on this is dare to be different, nostalgia and the fact that they're not AR:s, as my personal speculation in an attempt to explain why.

 

[jdh]

This thread asks a question, "why are Mini-14's so expensive"?

Which has been answered in the thread. Let me sum it up, The Mini is made in (comparatively) limited numbers by one manufacturer.

Seems clear enough, but obviously some people read it as "tell us why you think your AR is so superior to Mini's", or "tell us what your military gun club thinks".

I'm beginning to believe reading comprehension is a dying art.

Saying what I think about that continuing mistake would probably be neither polite nor High Road.

I admire your restraint.

 

[Old Stumpy]

This thread asks a question, "why are Mini-14's so expensive"? Seems clear enough, but obviously some people read it as "tell us why you think your AR is so superior to Mini's", or "tell us what your military gun club thinks".

Or, "tell us why you think your Mini is so superior to an AR" or "tell us what your hunting buddies think".
This IS equally irrelevant. Would you not agree?

 

[kBob]

in 1976 a Mini-14 was MSRP $200 (2020 $926) Only Ruger made it
In 1976 a Colt AR-15 was MSRP $297.50 (2020 $1,375) Only Colt made it.

Today only Ruger makes the Mini-14.
Today can anyone even tell me how many folks make AR-15s?

-kBob

 

[Old Stumpy]

While there has been much speculation as to why Mini 14 rifles are so expensive, an actual provable reason has yet to be demonstrated through any actual evidence.
Opinions and hearsay, as in a court of law, are not evidence.
Ruger itself has not provided any input.
Nor has any dealer or distributor offered any documentation from Ruger explaining the reason.
So we seem to still have no definitive answer.
Only opinions.
And even a consensus of opinions is still not proof.
It is just popular speculation.

So. let me sum it up:
1) Opinions are not fact.
2) The reason why Mini 14s are so expensive has not been answered in this thread.

And, we seem to be right back where we started.
Comprehend?

 

[illinoisburt]

Honestly though I think $800 is a bit steep for a new Mini, it's probably not all that out of line. We have simply gotten used to lower prices on some other guns is all. Obviously they do sell just fine or Ruger would reprice their offerings. They turn over quickly here when the shops get them in stock, which until the recent lockdown was not the case with AR the last 3 years that had to be discounted to move.

 

[illinoisburt]

Besides we are a bunch of cheap-o's anyway as evidenced by how few higher-priced ARs are actually selling. The market for Colt was soft enough to drop civilian sales. The fact is people are willing to pay $800 for a Mini while holding out for sub-$500 ARs.

 

[Boattale]

Somebody must be buying them. I ordered one and it's on back order.

 

[troy fairweather]

I'd take a $800 mini all day, they will sell for over $950 around here then add 8.25 % on top. I like both there not really the same other then the cartridge.

 

[Speedo66]

Or, "tell us why you think your Mini is so superior to an AR" or "tell us what your hunting buddies think".
This IS equally irrelevant. Would you not agree?

No.

 

[Ironicaintit]

While there has been much speculation as to why Mini 14 rifles are so expensive, an actual provable reason has yet to be demonstrated through any actual evidence.
Opinions and hearsay, as in a court of law, are not evidence.
Ruger itself has not provided any input.
Nor has any dealer or distributor offered any documentation from Ruger explaining the reason.
So we seem to still have no definitive answer.
Only opinions.
And even a consensus of opinions is still not proof.
It is just popular speculation.

So. let me sum it up:
1) Opinions are not fact.
2) The reason why Mini 14s are so expensive has not been answered in this thread.

And, we seem to be right back where we started.
Comprehend?

I comprehend, but disagree. Kbob nailed it square on the head

 

[Ignition Override]

Jo Jo ("OP"): Did you, or will you manage to buy one?
If so, would it be the older type with the thinner barrel?

My rifle targets (chunks of concrete blocks) are very seldom beyond 50 yards, therefore gun accuracy is never a concern.
* This lack of concern makes it much more fun. I only want high reliability in my guns and high quality design/production.

 

[hq]

2) The reason why Mini 14s are so expensive has not been answered in this thread.

To a degree that educated speculation can answer, it has been.

Case in point, a few years ago I needed (actually wanted, "need" is socialist rethoric) a 4x4.

I contemplated several options. Mainly Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Ram Megacab pickups. Even Toyota Land Cruiser. I ended up buying a Mercedes W463 G-class. It had horrible ergonomics, clumsy drivetrain, agricultural NVH, modest trailer weight rating, limited and very expensive option list (had to check every box, and I did), lots of quirks and not only did it scream 1970's, it quite literally is 1970's design. On top of all it retailed well in six figures for a base model with no options, and I got mine loaded.

All I did and could cost-efficiently do with aftermarket modifications was to install a lift kit and 33" off road tires on AMG wheels. That's it. ORC GmbH and others would supply anything, of course, but accessorizing isn't that much my thing.

From a narrow, utilitarian point of view my choice was insane. I spent a metric crapload of money on a truck that isn't as "good" as some that cost a fraction of that. To make things even worse from that perspective, these astronomically priced, crappy relics are in quite a demand on a wider scale. They sell.

But I enjoyed the heck out of it, in some respect much more than any of my former trucks and 4x4:s, which include anything from a number of GM S/C/K:s to a Range Rover.

I wanted one and that's it. I was willing to pay what was asked and got my money's worth, which as the actual buyer with my own money I'm the sole authority to decide.

The same goes for everything else, including firearms. If it sells, it has its place on the market and speculations are futile.

I hope this analogy explains the principle better than theoretical bench racing and playing numbers like in kids' Top Trumps card game, scratching splinters from one's head under fingernails wondering why anyone would have different priorities than one's chosen echo chamber.

 

[Old Stumpy]

While there has been much speculation as to why Mini 14 rifles are so expensive, an actual provable reason has yet to be demonstrated through any actual evidence.
Opinions and hearsay, as in a court of law, are not evidence.
Ruger itself has not provided any input.
Nor has any dealer or distributor offered any documentation from Ruger explaining the reason.
So we seem to still have no definitive answer.
Only opinions.
And even a consensus of opinions is still not proof.
It is just popular speculation.

So. let me sum it up:
1) Opinions are not fact.
2) The reason why Mini 14s are so expensive has not been answered in this thread.

I comprehend, but disagree. Kbob nailed it square on the head

So, show us your documentary evidence from Ruger, or you and Kbob are merely speculating.
You don't speak for the manufacturer.

 

[Old Stumpy]

This thread asks a question, "why are Mini-14's so expensive"? Seems clear enough, but obviously some people read it as "tell us why you think your AR is so superior to Mini's", or "tell us what your military gun club thinks".

Or, "tell us why you think your Mini is so superior to an AR" or "tell us what your hunting buddies think".
This IS equally irrelevant. Would you not agree?

No.

Your answer seems clear enough.

 

[hq]

So, show us your documentary evidence from Ruger

If you insist on having the manufacturer's official take on this subject, why wouldn't you contact them directly and ask them whatever you have in mind? Speculating something like this, ad nauseum, on a discussion forum is fruitless when sales figures and market reality are out there for everyone to see, regardless of how they contradict with anyone's personal perception.

Just wondering what the point of all this might be...

 

[mshootnit]

Besides we are a bunch of cheap-o's anyway as evidenced by how few higher-priced ARs are actually selling. The market for Colt was soft enough to drop civilian sales. The fact is people are willing to pay $800 for a Mini while holding out for sub-$500 ARs.

However as we have seen before this can change with a single headline.

 

[Ironicaintit]

in 1976 a Mini-14 was MSRP $200 (2020 $926) Only Ruger made it
In 1976 a Colt AR-15 was MSRP $297.50 (2020 $1,375) Only Colt made it.

Today only Ruger makes the Mini-14.
Today can anyone even tell me how many folks make AR-15s?

-kBob

So, show us your documentary evidence from Ruger, or you and Kbob are merely speculating.
You don't speak for the manufacturer.

Kbobs summation is sufficiently succinct - Frederich Hayek

I don’t know man, and it’s probably not worth an argument. I’m no economist, and I couldn’t do the argument justice anyhow.

 

[danez71]

This thread asks a question, "why are Mini-14's so expensive"? Seems clear enough, but obviously some people read it as "tell us why you think your AR is so superior to Mini's", or "tell us what your military gun club thinks".

Saying what I think about that continuing mistake would probably be neither polite nor High Road.

It's the THR version of the 'woke' culture.

It's not meant to have a conversation or exchange ideas otherwise the replies would be worded differently.


It's too often like this.

Why does S&W use melonite?
Buy a Glock... the factory night sights are better than S&W.

Can I put a bipod on my ruger american 22?
CZ is better... marlin is better. Or as 1 member likes to continually do is just say the 10/22 can't hit a barn and is barely adequate as a tomato stake.

Anyone use .17hmr on prairie dogs?
AR is more (subjectively) ergonomic.

Where can I get an upgraded buffer for my marlin?
Get a CZ bolt action and not worry about it again


Why are eggs expensive?
Oatmeal is better for you.


You're supposed to feel enlightened when you get answers baarely on topic to your question.

 

[ilmonster]

Some thoughts on pricing. I agree it would be volume. If you have higher volume, you might use a rotary transfer machining center to machine parts vs. a individual Mazak (or choose your HMC or VMC machining center of choice). Your cycle times would drop dramatically lessening cost. At high volume in a competitive market (certainly describes the AR market today), you would have a number of suppliers for barrels for instance, whereby you could choose a vendor based on price, delivery, quality, etc. I'm assuming that Ruger is sand casting their receivers in-house. If they didn't own their own casting facility, they might want to get competitive bids to see who might be able to do it with similar quality for less (here in the U.S., or also in China, Viet Nam, etc.). Also, if they weren't beholding to their in-house casting facility, they might have considered forging the receivers, but the cost of the forging tooling (and replacement of it over time) at low volume might not make it cost effective over lower volumes. Volume really can make a difference in the cost of a product over time, and low volume necessarily makes a product more expensive than a similar high volume item.

 

[Old Stumpy]

If you insist on having the manufacturer's official take on this subject, why wouldn't you contact them directly and ask them whatever you have in mind?

Great idea. Why don't you or the many other members who have ventured their opinions do just that?
If you truly believe that you are correct, why not simply obtain the evidence to support your speculation?

Speculating something like this, ad nauseum, on a discussion forum is fruitless when sales figures and market reality are out there for everyone to see, regardless of how they contradict with anyone's personal perception.

I agree with you that the members are speculating ad nauseum on the reasons for why Mini 14s are so expensive, and it is pointless, rather than simply providing evidence which would conclude the matter.

The sales figures are only proof of "sales", assuming that anyone actually has a copy of Rugers' sales figures as evidence.
Even if someone did, the sales figures do not definitively answer WHY Mini 14s' are so expensive.
This remains speculative, based on opinion, without a statement from Ruger explaining the matter.

Just wondering what the point of all this might be

The point of this, of course is to properly answer the OPs' question:
"Why Are Mini 14s So Expensive."
Without evidence all you get is someone's best guess, which is no answer at all, as much as they insist that it is.