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Just bought a new Mini 14 Tactical (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/10/2022 8:57:28 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TheMercenary][Edited]
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And I feel like I need my head examined for what I paid for it... So, a little backstory for context. As a teenager I saved up enough money to buy a Mini 14 back when they were cheaper than ARs. When I had enough money saved my dad let me pick one out. I ended up getting a Ranch Rifle in stainless. It was one of the older ones with the thin barrel and flip-up rear sight. I carried that thing everywhere on our property for years. I was always fond of the garand style action, and the conventional styling made it something different. As I got older I started shooting at longer ranges and realized how terrible the accuracy was, and I ended up selling it at a gun show for what I paid for it (~$500 IIRC). When the newer "Tactical" variant caught my eye about a month ago it brought back the nostalgia feels. I have been eyeballing them ever since, and I have been monitoring Gundeals for pricing and availability. I ended up buying one for $1,099 plus shipping to my dealer. That's the best pricing I have seen in-stock, so I pulled the trigger on it despite my better judgement. I chose the 5819 variant in stainless. It should be here in a week or two   So now i'm looking at buying some extra mags and possibly a Tech Sight. I have no plans of using optics on this rifle. Thoughts from the ARFCOM fellow Mini enthusiast? |
”A really bad idea, embraced by millions of people, is still a really bad idea.” - T. Blauer
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
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Dammit, I was through buying guns. I thought. I had not seen those. Now I need one. |
Ellen; Clark, I think it'd be best if everyone went home... before things get worse.
Clark; WORSE? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell.
Clark; WORSE? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell.
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I purchased a blued tactical early 2020. Priced at $890 plus tax. Today at my favorite fun store, $1120. I have no idea how many AR’s are built daily but mini’s will always be more due to low production numbers. Remember in the 70’s AR15 were $$$$. Times have changed. |
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Everything I read indicate the 16” barrel Mini 14’s shoot more accurately than the 18” mini 14’s. I had a 181 series back in the early 80’s and it had decent accuracy. I ended up selling it and buying a Colt H-Bar. My FIL has a like new Mini 14 GB that has only been shot enough to sight in. CDNN Sports had magazines for the Mini 14 last time I checked. Mags are still in stock. https://www.cdnnsports.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Mini+14+magazines |
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I think you’ll enjoy it, OP. I too have a 16” tactical model, but mine is blued, and it shoots very well. I don’t think the strut is really needed on the new ones, though. I did pick up the aluminum vented handguard, and a 7075 non adjustable gas block. I also mounted the Tech Sight. I’ve done a few other things, but basically, it’s in stock form. Nice, handling rifle. I had one back in the mid 1980’s. Never, ever a problem with it. At the time, I would shoot it more than my Polytech Legend. I’ve owned a lot of guns since then, but I love the Garand style action. And what’s not to like with one chambered in 5.56? Neat guns! ETA: If you do replace your rear sight for a Tech Sight, apply heat to the large screw before removing the factory sight. Ruger is using a thread locking compound, and I didn’t apply enough heat apparently, as I needed to use one of my extractors from a Matco set that I bought to aid in removing stubborn screws from FN Scars. |
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I also have adjustable rear Tech Sights on my Tactical: Attached File I kind of wish I had bought a non-tactical version. Someday I will take a road trip to California to visit friends. It would be a nice to bring a semi-auto rifle along on the trip. Sure I could just remove the flash hider, install a thread protector, and bring some 10rd mags. Couple non-tacticals on GB. New $879 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/960870405 Used $849 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/960280949 Used $795 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/958391417 |
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Originally Posted By drobs: I also have adjustable rear Tech Sights on my Tactical: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/Ruger_Mini-14_JPG-2632754.JPG I kind of wish I had bought a non-tactical version. Someday I will take a road trip to California to visit friends. It would be a nice to bring a semi-auto rifle along on the trip. Sure I could just remove the flash hider, install a thread protector, and bring some 10rd mags. Couple non-tacticals on GB. New $879 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/960870405 Used $849 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/960280949 Used $795 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/958391417 You can replace the flash hider with any muzzle brake and it is CA legal. |
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I have been waiting on the same gun but in 7.62X39 model 5868 stainless tactical. Ruger has not made any for many months. I see NOW that there is a large quantity of the 7.62X39 Tactical in blue for sale, so Ruger must have just released a batch of those because they were not for sale just a week ago. This gives me hope that a batch of SS 5868 are coming in the near future. I believe Ruger stops production of most models and only makes models in scheduled batches. The only models in constant production are the most popular and fast selling. It can be a year off production on some models. |
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I ordered a Tech Sight and some extra 20 round magazines I’m glad to hear positive feedback on the newer guns. The Mini gets a lot of undeserved hate in other sub-forums. |
”A really bad idea, embraced by millions of people, is still a really bad idea.” - T. Blauer
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
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Solid choice, OP. A couple years ago I paid about that for my non-threaded version of your rifle, specifically for the shorter OAL. Now it's in a Samson stock, with an Ultimak rail, Tech sights rear, Accustrut (for looks, any accuracy increase is just a bonus), and it has a Cogburn Arsenal stripper clip guide and RDS on it now (still trying to work out a good light mount):  I enjoy it because I enjoy it, not because it's the "best" at one thing or another. My ARs might outshoot it, and my Tavor might be better at the "compact gun" game. But despite what "the internet" says, this still makes me and everyone else smile when I shoot it, and that's reason enough for me  .Also it makes politicians shit themselves, but that's just a nice bonus. |
<**Me:**> I just spent 95% of my paycheck on LaRue stuff, within 30 minutes of getting paid. < **mfingar:**> For what it's worth, Dillo Dust is great on Ramen. </**mfingar:**></**me:**>
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Originally Posted By Seven-Shooter: Solid choice, OP. A couple years ago I paid about that for my non-threaded version of your rifle, specifically for the shorter OAL. Now it's in a Samson stock, with an Ultimak rail, Tech sights rear, Accustrut (for looks, any accuracy increase is just a bonus), and it has a Cogburn Arsenal stripper clip guide and RDS on it now (still trying to work out a good light mount): https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/129976/F58D4AEF-C27B-4CFD-9E23-729036265609-1585745.jpg I enjoy it because I enjoy it, not because it's the "best" at one thing or another. My ARs might outshoot it, and my Tavor might be better at the "compact gun" game. But despite what "the internet" says, this still makes me and everyone else smile when I shoot it, and that's reason enough for me .Also it makes politicians shit themselves, but that's just a nice bonus. Looks good! I didn't know about the stripper clip guide. Question on the Samson stock - when unfolded / locked open is the stock centered on the rifle, when looking at it from the top? Meaning it will work for both right hand and left hand shooters? |
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Originally Posted By drobs: Looks good! I didn't know about the stripper clip guide. Question on the Samson stock - when unfolded / locked open is the stock centered on the rifle, when looking at it from the top? Meaning it will work for both right hand and left hand shooters? But I'll let someone with more immediate access to their rifle chime in for sure. |
<**Me:**> I just spent 95% of my paycheck on LaRue stuff, within 30 minutes of getting paid. < **mfingar:**> For what it's worth, Dillo Dust is great on Ramen. </**mfingar:**></**me:**>
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Originally Posted By drobs: Question on the Samson stock - when unfolded / locked open is the stock centered on the rifle, when looking at it from the top? Meaning it will work for both right hand and left hand shooters? Yeah, it is centered. I shoot long guns left-handed and have no issues with my Samson folder. |
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Originally Posted By Seven-Shooter: Solid choice, OP. A couple years ago I paid about that for my non-threaded version of your rifle, specifically for the shorter OAL. Now it's in a Samson stock, with an Ultimak rail, Tech sights rear, Accustrut (for looks, any accuracy increase is just a bonus), and it has a Cogburn Arsenal stripper clip guide and RDS on it now (still trying to work out a good light mount): https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/129976/F58D4AEF-C27B-4CFD-9E23-729036265609-1585745.jpg I enjoy it because I enjoy it, not because it's the "best" at one thing or another. My ARs might outshoot it, and my Tavor might be better at the "compact gun" game. But despite what "the internet" says, this still makes me and everyone else smile when I shoot it, and that's reason enough for me .Also it makes politicians shit themselves, but that's just a nice bonus. As I just posted in another thread, the Arisaka Scout offset mount fits just fine on the Ultimak. |
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Originally Posted By TheMercenary: And I feel like I need my head examined for what I paid for it... So, a little backstory for context. As a teenager I saved up enough money to buy a Mini 14 back when they were cheaper than ARs. When I had enough money saved my dad let me pick one out. I ended up getting a Ranch Rifle in stainless. It was one of the older ones with the thin barrel and flip-up rear sight. I carried that thing everywhere on our property for years. I was always fond of the garand style action, and the conventional styling made it something different. As I got older I started shooting at longer ranges and realized how terrible the accuracy was, and I ended up selling it at a gun show for what I paid for it (~$500 IIRC). When the newer "Tactical" variant caught my eye about a month ago it brought back the nostalgia feels. I have been eyeballing them ever since, and I have been monitoring Gundeals for pricing and availability. I ended up buying one for $1,099 plus shipping to my dealer. That's the best pricing I have seen in-stock, so I pulled the trigger on it despite my better judgement. I chose the 5819 variant in stainless. It should be here in a week or two https://www.ruger.com/productImages/5819/detail/1.jpg So now i'm looking at buying some extra mags and possibly a Tech Sight. I have no plans of using optics on this rifle. Thoughts from the ARFCOM fellow Mini enthusiast? Throw a Vortex red dot or a SIG Romeo on it and make it a truck gun. |
Preferred Pronoun: Space Lord Mutherfucker
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would look nice with an original Ruger sling and swivel...Hint EE hint. |
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OP that’s the exact model I want too. Think you will like it. I sold an old ranch rifle years ago. One of the few guns I let go and not regret. Something about the new tactical models with a thicker profile barrel and it being factory threaded just looks awesome. |
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Mini came in yesterday and I picked it up on my way home from work. Was too late to mess with it much, but the action is smooth and I like the thicker shorter barrel. I’ll be installing the Tech Site tonight. Should be a good weekend |
”A really bad idea, embraced by millions of people, is still a really bad idea.” - T. Blauer
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
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Originally Posted By drobs: Another question for the Samson AT-M folding stock owners, is there a rear sling swivel? Not included. There is an attachment point. Some owners report problem with some aftermarket swivels. Isolated. I have an original swivel with original sling in the EE for sale. |
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So I installed the Tech Sight yesterday, and it's functionally better in every way than the factory rear sight. My single complaint is the absurdly tiny 0.062 (1.57mm) aperture is absolutely useless for anything other than bench rest settings on a sunny day. I have 20/20 vision and still absolutely hated it. I ended up reaming it out to 0.110 (2.80mm) and touching it up with some cold blue. That's just slightly larger than the OEM sight, and much better for general use. I feel Tech Sights should either incorporate a flappable aperture, or have a size selection when ordering. |
”A really bad idea, embraced by millions of people, is still a really bad idea.” - T. Blauer
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
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I talked my dad into buying a mini30 in stainless for Y2K when i was a kid. When he was older and hard up for money i bought it for 200 bucks from him with the stipulation that he could buy it back from me for the same 200 bucks + whatever accessories i bought for it. I then proceeded to Tacticool it up in the hopes he would not want to pay for the crap i put on it. Years later i put it up for consignment at a gun shop to help fund a M14 purchase. The shop owner said it was the strangest gun he ever had on the rack simply because he said every guy who had no money wanted to hold it and had interest in it. He had never seen anything like it. OP i did like you and bought one like yours a year or two ago but blued and put original style wood stock on it. I suggest you try out the different gas system port regulator orifices. I wish i knew about them when i had my mini30 |
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On the opposite side of the stock latch / left side of the rifle. It fits older style sling mounts, no modern QD cups or anything. I think I used a drill bit to hand swage the hole just slightly larger to fit the stud for the sling mount.  |
<**Me:**> I just spent 95% of my paycheck on LaRue stuff, within 30 minutes of getting paid. < **mfingar:**> For what it's worth, Dillo Dust is great on Ramen. </**mfingar:**></**me:**>
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Originally Posted By Seven-Shooter: On the opposite side of the stock latch / left side of the rifle. It fits older style sling mounts, no modern QD cups or anything. I think I used a drill bit to hand swage the hole just slightly larger to fit the stud for the sling mount. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/129976/A6B7998D-EE0D-45C1-8B1D-C53A5B0CEF9B-1679321.jpg Thanks! |
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Samson also makes a QD adapter specifically for the rear sling mount point. It'll work with any sling swivel stud though- common on hunting rifles. https://www.samson-mfg.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SS-QD-ADPT |
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Well I didn't get a chance to put the Mini on paper at 100 yards this weekend like I had hoped, but I did spend quite a bit of time on my 25-50 yard plate range at home. Right out of the box with the Tech Site installed it hits point of aim, and I had no problem hitting 4" plates at 50 yards off hand. I'll try to get it on paper next weekend off a rest and get some groups. Reliability has been good. I had a few steel cases not fully clear the action while ejecting off a full magazine, but that doesn't concern me much. I did replace the flash hider with a standard A2 and crush washer. I'm not a fan of the open ports on the bottom of the factory one. Overall it's a handy little rifle, much improved from the one I had when I was younger. |
”A really bad idea, embraced by millions of people, is still a really bad idea.” - T. Blauer
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
”Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” - Mark Twain
| I had a 30 for awhile, more recently I had a regular mini in NY that I sold. There are two minis for sale in town that I keep resisting the urge to buy. They're dumb guns, some of the 30s won't shoot Russian ammo because of the crap springs and you need a press to replace it |
“You read too many books”-ATF agent
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Originally Posted By TheMercenary: Well I didn't get a chance to put the Mini on paper at 100 yards this weekend like I had hoped, but I did spend quite a bit of time on my 25-50 yard plate range at home. Right out of the box with the Tech Site installed it hits point of aim, and I had no problem hitting 4" plates at 50 yards off hand. I'll try to get it on paper next weekend off a rest and get some groups. Reliability has been good. I had a few steel cases not fully clear the action while ejecting off a full magazine, but that doesn't concern me much. I did replace the flash hider with a standard A2 and crush washer. I'm not a fan of the open ports on the bottom of the factory one. Overall it's a handy little rifle, much improved from the one I had when I was younger. How hard was is to remove the factory flash hider? I would like to remove it so I can see how well it would to be suppressed. Never mind, applied heat to it, It came right off. Installed an A2 flash hider for now. Next range trip I'll try my suppressor (36M) out. |
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Consider replacing the factory hammer spring with a Wolff spring. Easy install with a vice or drill press. Hold off installing a longer firing pin. The spring should do. INSTALL A 1911 BUFFER TO REDUCE IMPACT ISSUES. Like Wilson Combat. Do not install the buffer at the gas port, only at the spring. Just one buffer not two. At the port can cause issues. A strut will do nothing for you. You have a 16 inch and a hider and a heavier barrel. Strut is worthless on that weapon. |
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Originally Posted By twistedcomrade: Sold my ARX 100 and have Mini 14 Stainless Tactical money but can't find one in stock.  They are everywhere. $1079 and up. I show at least 5 reputable places that have them in stock. GB has some too! https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/736676058198 @twistedcomrade Now someone do the same favor for me with the 5868 model Mini-30 SS Tactical. You will not find one. |
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Originally Posted By BRN-180: They are everywhere. $1079 and up. I show at least 5 reputable places that have them in stock. GB has some too! https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/736676058198 @twistedcomrade Now someone do the same favor for me with the 5868 model Mini-30 SS Tactical. You will not find one. Thanks for the link BRN!
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Just bought a new Mini 14 Tactical (Page 1 of 2)
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