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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:04:15 PM EDT
[#1]
You might get a better response here. www.perfectunion.com/forums/
They are more mini-14 friendly there. I have a ranch rifle and I like it. 
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:06:45 PM EDT
[#2]
Just make sure and get the biggest banana clips you can find.
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:07:52 PM EDT
[#3]
1. Dump the factory stock for a synthetic aftermarket version
2. Have a gun smith cut down the barrel to about 13-14" and install a M14 type flash hider 3. Add H&K type sights to it 4. Use only factory Ruger or PMI hi-caps on it 5. Or just sell it and put the funds toward an AR or AK and save yourself the trouble But seriously, the Mini-14 is a good design and could be a great gun out of the box if Ruger put any effort into the gun at all. It's basically what the name implies, a scaled down M-14. But Ruger builds it with shitty parts so it suffers from accuracy problems. The thin barrel and the material the barrel is made from results in what is called "barrel whip". By reducing the length of the barrel and replacing the stock, accuracy is often improved. Ruger also uses rather crappy sights as well, so replacing those should be an improvement. It's a shame they don't build these the way they should be. If they did, these could be a very good alternative to the AR series. But you can make them better if you want to bother. If the Mini has one thing going for it, they are reliable with good mags. I would rate them right up there with AK's in that regard. I've got one I can fire 3000 rounds of dirty ammo through between cleanings without any hiccups. -CH |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:09:49 PM EDT
[#4]
The Mike Knifong trigger job really cleans up the crappy stock trigger. Worth the $50.00
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:11:01 PM EDT
[#5]
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. I've got one that's a dozen years old and like it for what it's worth. You're not going to be able to make the thing really accurate unless you replace the barrel and do some other work. It is a nice three to four minute of angle rifle which means I can hit someone in the chest out to two to three hundred yards. Unfortunatlely I don't live in the corn fields of Nebraska so there's no place to shoot someone that far away around here.
 My latest attempt to make a rifle out of the Mini-14 is to hang a scout rail off the gas block ($40). I'm going to hang a Hakko TacPoint off the thing once the back orders on those hot things start getting filled. 
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:15:52 PM EDT
[#6]
Try cheaper than dirt.
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:16:49 PM EDT
[#7]
just get a M14
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:17:41 PM EDT
[#8]
Any more the Mini 14 is probably better made than the M1A. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:20:54 PM EDT
[#9]
I have some 30 rounders for one and do not/have not owned one!
 BigDozer66 |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:25:50 PM EDT
[#10]
I have a helluva time getting mags to seat correctly in Mini-14s. That lil pinhole just doesn't do it for me.
Operator error, of course... I'm not bashing the system. - BUCC_Guy |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:34:33 PM EDT
[#12]
Not sure the Mini-14 is an item to "trick" out.
The main purpose is to provide the most bang for the buck. It is a great rifle and fun to shoot. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 5:58:12 PM EDT
[#13]
These guys can help out too. www.rugerforum.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/rugerforum/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro
I had a SS one with a Choate pistol grip stock and the M14 type flash suppressor on it. Hated the sights though. Had a scout set up on it for awhile with a 2x pistol scope on a B Square mount. It wouldn't hold a zero worth a damn cause the slightest bump knocked it off. BTW it was louder than hell with that flash suppressor on it. I traded it for a Romanian AK and a 1000 rounds of Wolf. Kinda wish I had the Mini back. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:02:34 PM EDT
[#14]
I have a stock stainless pre-ban folder.
Its no AR, but what can I say, I loved the A-Team when I was a kid. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:04:15 PM EDT
[#15]
the Mini-14 is the biggest Piece of Shit I have ever owned, got rid of it fast
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:07:38 PM EDT
[#16]
i just sold my ss with factory folder. you won't believe what they sell for used.
gunsamerica had a tad over 200 ruger rifles listed. of those, only 4 were the ss with folder. of the 4, 3 were in the mid $900 range, and only one was lower at $875. i sold mine for $850. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:08:26 PM EDT
[#17]
I have a preban GB with the factory folder stock. At the moment, it is worth about TWO of any of the stock postban AR's in this forum.
 but then I also have two preban Colts in the safe to keep it company! 
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:10:21 PM EDT
[#18]
Where'd you get that mount from, if you don't mind my asking? |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:12:22 PM EDT
[#19]
I guess PT barnum was right. A used mini in EXCELLENT condition is worth about $350 or $400. Maybe $500 or $600 if its a real GB. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:13:30 PM EDT
[#20]
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:17:36 PM EDT
[#21]
key phrase "stainless steel with factory folder".
other than those, and the gb versions, the prices are as low as mentioned. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:18:57 PM EDT
[#22]
Saw one today. Pre-Ban factory folder GB used. $1250.00
 Gave mine to my brother to use on his farm |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:20:28 PM EDT
[#23]
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:27:06 PM EDT
[#24]
I took a carbine class that was designed for the ar group of weapons and I shot it with a Mini 14. I out shot most people their and kept up with the ones I didn't. We only shot out to 25 yards and I did have some mag problems but next month I hope there will be quality mags back on the market for a reasonable price. While manipulating the weapon doing different gun handling drills, I found that the AR is more ergonomic. An example would be while doing malfunction drills the proper technique is to charge the weapon (with the charging handle) with the support hand while keeping your shooting hand on the pistol grip and ready to fire as soon as the weapon is back up. With the Mini 14 this was possible but not done easily. Another problem with the Mini 14 is that the mags don't drop free and one handed mag changes are difficult. BUT, having said that I was still shooting away while other people were running around with cleaning rods shoved down their muzzles! I have been tempted to expairment with halo sight with it.Factory sights are O.K. if this is gonna be a close range combat weapon (50 yards max) but make sure you have tested and proven mags. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:34:26 PM EDT
[#25]
1) I did that 14.5" PLUS 2.5" for the flash hider= 17" OAL of barrel... However, ONE problem: I can't find them anymore! (Mine was made by CHOATE and it seems they only make the AR-15 "Birdcage type" 2) Federal Ordnance mags are VERY, VERY good as well. 3) Don't expect it to shoot closer than 6" at 100 yards, sorry! (Even with a 3x9 power scope) Consider these things BEFORE you buy one! I own two: one ranch one regular. IF you wnat to scope it, do yourself a favor and get thet ranch model. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:43:48 PM EDT
[#26]
My dad has a mini that I put a Choate Folding stock on.
Its been a damned fine rifle for the past 20 years. Supposedly, I have an AC556 on order. Bought the PMI 40 rd mags and the Ultimak rails. However, no gun yet! |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:48:26 PM EDT
[#27]
yeah the gb i sold was stainless w/ stainless folder. i got an even grand for it in 2000. those go on gunbroker.com for roughly $1400 now. my father bought that one in late 80's early 90's. it seems that just about all the AL, LEO's at the time were buying the gb's through their departments and reselling them to their local gunstores. my uncle also bought a ss gb around that time and all of my lowball offers to him have been rejected.
hell theres a folding ss stock on commie ass ebay for $300 currently. hock.gif |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:53:24 PM EDT
[#28]
SS Mini Ranch 16.1" Barrel, RamLine Side Folder, TruDot Sight 3/4x10"Muzzle.
 Yes 55round Custom mag.  
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:54:14 PM EDT
[#29]
The only useful thing about my mini-14 was selling it to pay for the 20" free floated flattop HBAR I bought from Fulton Armory. Went from a 2" gun with a bedding work and hand loads to a .75" gun that required no work other than pushing in two pins
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Posted: 8/23/2004 6:58:13 PM EDT
[#30]
I have a pre-ban factory folder with a "scout rail" on front:
 melbo |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 7:07:23 PM EDT
[#31]
Ok whats a GB?
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Posted: 8/23/2004 7:12:18 PM EDT
[#32]
pretty sure it's "government barrel".
i'm thinking it is a heavier barrel than normally offered, but i'm not positive. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 7:15:05 PM EDT
[#33]
MAW57
thats what mine looks like minus the scary homemade magazine. hat melbo9 that one also looks familar. but mine had the gb barrel. LHD gb stands for grenade/bayonet. the barrels have a different and much better front site and under it a grenanade launcher/bayonet attachment lug. i have no idea what kind of gl you could attach though. the gb also has a flash hider. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 7:20:59 PM EDT
[#34]
the gb barrrels arent heavier unfortunately they're the same they just have the afore mentioned features.
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Posted: 8/23/2004 7:29:50 PM EDT
[#35]
Factory Flash supressor & Factory Bayonet Lug. May or may not have a folding stock. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 7:53:02 PM EDT
[#36]
I want a stainless AC-556K.
"I love it when a plan comes together!" Mike |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 8:35:42 PM EDT
[#37]
Don't listen to all this Bull!!!! A Mini-14 is a fine gun, as long as you get the right mags. Ruger LEO 20 rounders should be available for very good prices in a few more days. Also, Thermold made excellent Mini Mags. PMI's with Ruger factory followers (from Brownell's) work excellent as well. The only problem is that now days, Mini's are jsut too damn expensive for what they are worth. For the price of a Mini and some good mags, you are already well into an AR with Mags.
Plus, Ruger long ago sold out the American Gun Owner, and they have paid the price for it. I am an FFL (Even though SteyerAug says I am not) and nobody wants Mini's anymore. They sold good when they were $350-$400. But now, my cost is over $500 for a Stainless model. Whoever is in charge of marketing at Ruger needs to be fired. If making money is the goal of a business, then Ruger is an absolute failure. How many years did it take them to make a heavy-barrel model for their 10-22?? Several, and after they had lost MILLIONS to aftermarket manufacturers. Same with synthetic stocks. And Ruger's stance on High-Cap Mags (They refuse to make any for the General Public, even after Sept. 13th) is absolutely idiotic. So is their policy regarding folding stocks. If they would just make those two items again-high-cap mags and folding stocks, they could make a mint. But they won't. Sometimes I think Colt and Ruger are run by the same people. They're Jackasses. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 9:05:29 PM EDT
[#38]
well, thanks for the edumacation on what gb stands for.
i rightly appreciate it i tell ya. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 9:13:31 PM EDT
[#39]
Real close. Government bayonet. Takes a AR15 bayo. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 9:16:20 PM EDT
[#40]
Get it right. You never stated you WERE and I questioned it. You discussed the application process and I was under the impression you had not gotten it yet. You never came out and said you were a current FFL. I have no problem believing you if you are. It just didn't sound like you were. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 9:26:48 PM EDT
[#42]
I am in process of making one of these for my Ranch.
The guy who made the stabilizer in the thread said his groups were .75 to 1.25 @ 50 yds., down from 1.5". Not bad for a mini. |
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Posted: 8/23/2004 9:46:23 PM EDT
[#43]
You have to remember that the A-Team had the hardest time hitting anything with their Mini 14s! Seems spray and pray was how they did their shooting!
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Posted: 8/23/2004 9:51:21 PM EDT
[#44]
i think the mini-14 gets a bad rap. just know what you're paying for and the results it will produce. it you buy an aftermarket barrel for it it increases its' accuracy immensely, but if you do that you might as well get an ar
. good farm truck gun in the country if you're on a budget.
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Posted: 8/23/2004 10:09:26 PM EDT
[#45]
I have a mini-14 (182 series) and it is a great little rifle, never had a single problem with it at all.
best $89.95 I ever spent on a centerfire rifle, picked it up from a place that sold Fire Damaged goods, back in 1983 |
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