You know how ARs with "restricted" markings on the receiver, something when the Clinton Ban, to the effect "Restricted - Law Enforcement/Military Use Only."  Anyhow, I found a blued Mini with that writing on the receiver for $550 and am trying to decide whether or not to buy it.  If it weren't for that special wording I wouldn't consider it because I like to know I can get my money back out of a gun if I have to sell it and for a blued Mini, $550 is about the limit where I live.

Thoughts of the hive?

I paid around $800 for an LE blued mini-14 GB factory folder (186) if that helps.

Minis are only going to get more expensive, I'd jump on it.

There are collectors/buyers wanting LEO restricted markings on their guns.  Sort of like US Property mark - it may seem like a detriment initially but then over time becmes more of a collector interest - The gun was designed for Mil/Law Enforcement and not commercial.

Speaking of JUST Mini-14 GBs.

LE marked Mini-14s are usually less desirable and valued lower in price than a NON LE marked GB model.

Why?

they run about $100 more. non le more than le.

trending sales indicate this.

Maybe some states have some pre ban provision?

I have noticed different castings lines on the LE marked ones.

No valid reason.

GB’s were government only sales when they were being produced, because Bill Ruger was a douche, so basically they were all restricted guns.

I did the Mini 14 thing in the eighties. Only way I would buy another if it was dirt cheap.

They were hard to get but dealers could get them as well as AC-556 models for sale to public. Such sales were frowned upon.

Attached File

That's a nice looking Mini.  I did buy a stainless Mini, one of the newer models. I wish it had the Ruger flash hider on it, but it didn't.

Does anyone know where I can pick up a Ruger flash hider?

Your loss as you're missing out on a good shooter with the 58X Series they produce now.

Back in the 80's the Minis were all 'pencil barrel' versions (180 - 197 Series made from 1978 to early 2004) and suffered from barrel whip and poor accuracy.  Since then, they've been redesigned and fitted with thicker barrels and have much, much better accuracy potential; about 2 MOA stock out of the box with decent ammo and with a few simple do-it-yourself teaks you can do to them to further enhance their accuracy, 1 MOA accuracy using premium bullet handloads is doable.

My 583 Series Mini14, with a few simple teaks and some inexpensive additions that cost me about what a decent AR trigger costs, produces 1" groups with simple Hornady 62grn fmj bullet handloads and iron sights.  That's plenty good enough accuracy to shoot bowling pins at 200yds.  Try that with an iron sights AR and the same ammo.  I've got 3 ARs, all with RRA's NM triggers too and the 2 iron sighted carbines don't do any better than my Mini while the 3rd is a scoped A4 set up to shoot apples at 400yds.

I haven't bothered shooting my 68grn accurate loads in my Mini with their more expensive bullets because my Mini is an irons only carbine so I'm not interested in long range precision shooting with it.  At 300yds and below, with it's target rear aperture and thinned front blade giving it a 'NM' like sight set, it will take on anything I can see without a scope so I'm really pleased with it accuracy.

In addition, a couple years ago I wanted to go with a 'Mini M14' look to match up with my M1A, the semi-auto version of the M14 I had in the Army a long time ago so I went a bit nuts by adding a walnut stock, front sight/FH combo, and straight 20rd mags. I think it came out just fine.  It's accurate, super reliable, compact, and just a ton of fun to shoot.



ETA: My 'Mini M14' did come out looking a lot like my M1A didn't it?

I would snag it at $550. Mini 14 prices are retarted these days even for 20 year old models. I have a 180 series and want a newer version that is actually able to be worked on. Looked around and all the 182 series and up are expensive

Mini 14 around here are getting higher and higher .