POLL: Should Ruger Re-Introduce the Original Mini-14 Folding Stock? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - POLL: Should Ruger Re-Introduce the Original Mini-14 Folding Stock?

Posted: 5/8/2015 6:34:26 AM EDT

I ran this poll back in 2010 in the Ruger centerfire forum. We had pretty good success but not as many votes as I had hoped. I'm posting it again in the general firearms forum with the hope that it'll get more traffic.

Anyway, with Ruger recently announcing the Mini-14 in 300BLK, it got me thinking that it might be time to try a grass roots campaign to get Ruger to bring back the original pattern folding stock. What do you guys think? How would the original stock sell in today's market? It would likely be an expensive item because Ruger would basically have to recreate the stock from scratch. They repurposed the machinery years ago, thinking the stock was a thing of the past when the Clinton ban was in place.

The ban's gone and the stock still is too. Let's see if we can't change that!

EDIT--I see the responses so far favor something under $350. Please reply with a pricepoint that you believe to be realistic and fair.

Here's the original poll:

https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=52&t=330925&page=1

Posted: 5/8/2015 6:39:09 AM EDT

[#1]

Posted: 5/8/2015 6:43:48 AM EDT

[#2]

Posted: 5/8/2015 9:15:35 AM EDT

[#3]

Functionally something like this from Choate is probably a good option but it just doesn't have the proper look.

Posted: 5/8/2015 9:24:43 AM EDT

[#4]

No. I had one. Cool but pointless.

Posted: 5/8/2015 9:36:14 AM EDT

[#5]

I like the underfolder better, it has better lines. It isn't worth a shit for shooting, but it looks really cool.

Posted: 5/8/2015 10:36:02 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

No. I had one. Cool but pointless.

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Agree; existing aftermarket designs are better. (rather have an AR but that is a different well worn topic)

Posted: 5/8/2015 11:22:45 AM EDT

[#7]

One of the best looking folders ever made IMHO, but very uncomfortable to shoot.
I owned 2 and sold both and do not miss either one.
Still have several Mini 14's.
Would have to be less costly in order to sell.

Posted: 5/8/2015 11:30:21 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
One of the best looking folders ever made IMHO, but very uncomfortable to shoot.
I owned 2 and sold both and do not miss either one.
Still have several Mini 14's.
Would have to be less costly in order to sell.

View Quote

I have an old stainless GB with the folding stock. I've never found it terribly uncomfortable for shooting. With that said, pretty much every folding stock out there (AK100 series being the exception) is going to be less comfortable than its non-folding counterpart.

So what's a "less costly" price in order to sell? The Choate is about $100 and the Butler Creek is $150. Both are useable designs but not as flat out cool as the Ruger. I doubt very seriously that Ruger can came something like the original stock that's going to be priced in line with these two options. Also, anything is better than the ATI stock. That thing is yucko.

Posted: 5/8/2015 11:53:42 AM EDT

[#9]

Wasn't this stock only approved for the 'A Team'?

Posted: 5/8/2015 12:19:59 PM EDT

[#10]

Only time i ever pick up my mini thirty is when I'm tired of being tactical and I'm longing for a full wood stock.

Posted: 5/8/2015 11:54:59 PM EDT

[#11]

I would buy one in a heartbeat

Posted: 5/9/2015 4:11:43 PM EDT

[#12]

The original Mini-14 folding stock looked neat but was too long for me.

Posted: 5/9/2015 4:29:05 PM EDT

[#13]

I have the copy made by Falcon on my GB............very similar with the exception of the grip

Posted: 5/9/2015 5:13:06 PM EDT

[#14]

It would make me a mini14 owner again. Loved that stock.

Posted: 5/9/2015 5:23:26 PM EDT

[#15]

Nah, I mean I hope they do for your guys sake but not for me.

To me the Mini is the SKS of the 5.56 world.

$350-$400 and STANAG mag compatible and I might own one...

Posted: 5/9/2015 5:27:55 PM EDT

[#16]

Under folder

Posted: 5/9/2015 5:34:47 PM EDT

[#17]

The original Mini folder was a rattle trap, would wobble when worn at the joints, and was a PITA to deploy or fold.

Most of those that think them "cool" have never used them extensively.

In addition, the wobbly Ruger folding stock was mated to a fairly fragile plastic pistol grip, and a wooden stock, which in addition to suffering all the common faults of wooden stocks, was often a very loose fit to the barreled action, thus effecting a double-negative whammy to accuracy.

The modern stainless steel Butler Creek side folder has none of those flaws. However, BC ought to emplace a sling stud at the toe of the butt for sling attachment.

Opinions above based on having used both. FWIW, simply swapping out the barreled action from the Ruger side folding stock into the BC side folder had a noticeable positive effect on accuracy.

YMMV.

Posted: 5/9/2015 6:04:42 PM EDT

[#18]

Yes--exact copy.

Posted: 5/9/2015 11:14:31 PM EDT

[#19]

FWIW I am told the topic comes up about every quarter or so over at Ruger. I would love to see it happen, even with a polymer stock instead of the old wood one if the wood one was deemed too costly, but it sounds like the concern with Ruger is *probably* that the investment in tooling set up/molds etc. would be too costly in terms of time, money and floor space, in exchange for too little interest and profit after all is said and done. The juice has to be worth the squeeze after all.

Then again though, I don't think Ruger thought that the Charger pistols would be anywhere as popular as they have been either...so I guess anything is possible.

Maybe if Ruger were convinced to do some kind of limited run?

Posted: 5/10/2015 1:20:17 AM EDT

[#20]

I voted option C. It would have very cool, retro appeal but Ruger would charge a small fortune for it.

ETA: Also, I did not read this thread beyond the OP.

Posted: 5/10/2015 9:26:18 AM EDT

[#21]

The folder sucks on the mini 14. It makes the rifle go from alright to terrible.

Posted: 5/11/2015 9:12:11 AM EDT

[#22]

It would need to be shorter.

Posted: 5/13/2015 11:08:18 PM EDT

[#23]

The original is still the only decent looking Mini folder.

Posted: 5/14/2015 8:20:24 AM EDT

[#24]

I always thought they were cool back in the day, I wouldn't mind having one if they were reasonable priced.

Posted: 5/15/2015 1:30:55 AM EDT

[#25]

I would like Ruger to produce a 10/22 version of the original folder.

Posted: 5/15/2015 4:52:23 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
I would like Ruger to produce a 10/22 version of the original folder.

View Quote

That would be a nice factory option. The same stock and grip parts might work on the Mini as well.

Posted: 5/19/2015 8:11:45 AM EDT

[#27]

Bump to see how many votes I can generate.

Posted: 5/19/2015 12:59:20 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
No. I had one. Cool but pointless.

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Saying a gun is cool but pointless is like saying a food tastes good, but isn't nutritious.

Posted: 5/19/2015 3:08:26 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
No. I had one. Cool but pointless.

View Quote

Being able to become more compact makes it more stowable and thus much more convenient for a variety of uses that a fixed stock version would be ill suited to.

The lack of the folder option and the non-STANAG (AR15 type) magazine are the reasons I haven't bought one now that Ruger has improved the barrels.

QPQ or Chrome line a 4150 CMV or 11595E spec barrel, make them accept STANAG magazines and put the folder back on and I would buy couple.

Posted: 5/19/2015 3:15:09 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
QPQ or Chrome line a 4150 CMV or 11595E spec barrel, make them accept STANAG magazines and put the folder back on and I would buy couple.

View Quote

Definitely. Hell even without the STANAG mag option as long as 20s and 30s were cheap and available, but your scenario is ideal.

Call it the Mini-15

Posted: 5/19/2015 3:57:57 PM EDT

[#31]

if ruger was able to get the price to what an SKS costs now a days id think about it. other wise its a niche gun im not interested in

Posted: 5/20/2015 9:05:52 AM EDT

[#32]

Definitely yes. I've had two over the years and like a DA I swapped them for something else. The ONLY problem I ever had with the Mini-14 was finding factory magazines. Never did find a reliable aftermarket magazine.

Posted: 5/20/2015 9:17:09 AM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
The ONLY problem I ever had with the Mini-14 was finding factory magazines. Never did find a reliable aftermarket magazine.

View Quote

Fortunately 20- and 30-round factory mags are readily available. Kind of pricey but at least we can get them.

Posted: 5/20/2015 9:21:22 AM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:

Definitely. Hell even without the STANAG mag option as long as 20s and 30s were cheap and available, but your scenario is ideal.

Call it the Mini-15

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
QPQ or Chrome line a 4150 CMV or 11595E spec barrel, make them accept STANAG magazines and put the folder back on and I would buy couple.

Definitely. Hell even without the STANAG mag option as long as 20s and 30s were cheap and available, but your scenario is ideal.

Call it the Mini-15

Cheap and mini 14 mags do not go together

Make it take ar mags, give it a good "milspec" 1in7 twist barrel, drop the price $200, and bam, instant best seller

Posted: 5/21/2015 10:12:39 AM EDT

[#35]

The ATI stock they are putting on factory rifles is hideous, almost anything would be better than that. They could offer in both wood and synthetic depending on your preference. The synthetic might improve accuracy.