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Posted: 6/5/2025 6:46:33 PM EDT
| Thinking about getting a Mini-14 .223 to be 50 state legal for my travels. But I'm getting some info that the reliability is hit and miss. I know factory mags are the go to, and I was thinking the 10's are 50 state legal too. How's your Mini running? |
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I bought one a few years ago. nostalgia I would fail to pick up a round from the factory 20 round mags about halfway through a mag. Sent it back Ruger replaced a bunch of parts, and when I got it back it was better, but still the same trouble. VERY DISAPOINTED I sold it "as is" at a loss 
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With decent ammo, and decent mags, Mini-14 may take about 200 rds to fully "break-in" from a brand-new state. This assumes periodic cleaning and lubing during the break-in process. Generally speaking, with the above understood, reliability of most Mini-14s is a non-issue. I have seen mags which have had springs mis-installed and sometimes not attached to the follower. Every mag should be dismantled on receipt, cleaned internally including any welding spatter that could hang-up the follower. Sand/file follower to remove any rough edges, and light film of oil on spring on re-assembly. Ruger brand mags seem to be the most trouble-free. At any rate, Ruger Customer service is generally excellent, in the rare cases when required. FWIW, and IMHO, I would NOT automatically assume "50-State legality" of any Mini, nor any particular capacity of magazine. Laws on "Assault Weapons" are being enacted and revised as time goes on, as well as "High Capacity" Mag Bans. It's up to you to be up-to-date on such laws. Good Luck! |
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Originally Posted By Colt653: Mine must have been a lemon I wasted 800 rounds testing its failed reliability Nothing but Ruger factory 20mags Since it's gone, no sense in going through a troubleshooting path. |
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Originally Posted By raf: With decent ammo, and decent mags, Mini-14 may take about 200 rds to fully "break-in" from a brand-new state. This assumes periodic cleaning and lubing during the break-in process. Generally speaking, with the above understood, reliability of most Mini-14s is a non-issue. I have seen mags which have had springs mis-installed and sometimes not attached to the follower. Every mag should be dismantled on receipt, cleaned internally including any welding spatter that could hang-up the follower. Sand/file follower to remove any rough edges, and light film of oil on spring on re-assembly. Ruger brand mags seem to be the most trouble-free. At any rate, Ruger Customer service is generally excellent, in the rare cases when required. FWIW, and IMHO, I would NOT automatically assume "50-State legality" of any Mini, nor any particular capacity of magazine. Laws on "Assault Weapons" are being enacted and revised as time goes on, as well as "High Capacity" Mag Bans. It's up to you to be up-to-date on such laws. Good Luck! So far, from what I've been able to glean off the net, it's 50 state legal with 10's. More research needed. |
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Originally Posted By TomMcC: Thx for the info. So far, from what I've been able to glean off the net, it's 50 state legal with 10's. More research needed. Originally Posted By TomMcC: Originally Posted By raf: With decent ammo, and decent mags, Mini-14 may take about 200 rds to fully "break-in" from a brand-new state. This assumes periodic cleaning and lubing during the break-in process. Generally speaking, with the above understood, reliability of most Mini-14s is a non-issue. I have seen mags which have had springs mis-installed and sometimes not attached to the follower. Every mag should be dismantled on receipt, cleaned internally including any welding spatter that could hang-up the follower. Sand/file follower to remove any rough edges, and light film of oil on spring on re-assembly. Ruger brand mags seem to be the most trouble-free. At any rate, Ruger Customer service is generally excellent, in the rare cases when required. FWIW, and IMHO, I would NOT automatically assume "50-State legality" of any Mini, nor any particular capacity of magazine. Laws on "Assault Weapons" are being enacted and revised as time goes on, as well as "High Capacity" Mag Bans. It's up to you to be up-to-date on such laws. Good Luck! So far, from what I've been able to glean off the net, it's 50 state legal with 10's. More research needed. |
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Originally Posted By Colt653: You were very helpful .but even Ruger couldn't make it run Originally Posted By Colt653: Originally Posted By raf: If I had seen about your issues when you still had the thing, I might have been able to supply some advice. Since it's gone, no sense in going through a troubleshooting path. You were very helpful .but even Ruger couldn't make it run I'd be hesitant to condemn a whole platform on the basis of a single firearm. I understand your frustration. |
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Originally Posted By raf: It's extremely rare that Ruger cannot fix a firearm. Rarely, it takes sending it back and forth to make things right, and yes, a PITA. I've seen rare instances where Ruger offers a "buy-back" of a firearm which is "unfixable". I'd be hesitant to condemn a whole platform on the basis of a single firearm. I understand your frustration. yeah the one I had when I was 18 was reliable sadly, I sold it when I joined the army |
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Originally Posted By Colt653: yeah the one I had when I was 18 was reliable sadly, I sold it when I joined the army Fortunately web sites like perfectunion.com and rugerforum.net exist. Most Mini issues can get a "decent" hearing in both forums. |
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