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Posted: 3/14/2009 8:21:00 AM EDT
| My father said he researched the mini 14 and found that it jams alot. Is this true? Is the mini 14 Tactical worth the $800? |
No, and no.... 
They are very reliable and will shoot what ever you put in it. Worth $800... Well, I think that's a little expensive, although I'm not to up to date on their NIB prices. I'd say go used and save some money. Edit: Mag's are very unreliable unless you're using factory mags. For more info: http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/index.php In before the Mini haters. |
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I am old enough that I bought 30 round Federal Ordnance magazines to go with my Mini-14. They have proven to be reliable over the years. I now have a couple of factory Ruger 20 rounders, and they also work quite well.
The couple of times that I tried other aftermarket mags, I had problems. I would say that the Mini-14 is indeed very reliable. When used with the proper mags. Mine is also reasonably accurate, as long as you don't get the barrel hot. |
I had a SS mini for several years and never had a malfunction. A friend of mine had the Mini 14 GB model and his trigger group kept coming loose. I don't know if the stock was worn or what the problem was. He still has the rifle but has been bitten by the Black Rifle. He much prefers the AR 15 with the new heavier barrels and better A-2 sights on the flat top models. We normally used 20 and 30 round Ruger mags and never had any problems with them. Don't waste your money on some of the after market mags. I never cared for the original M-16 A-1 and Colt sporter civilian rifles of the 60's & 70's. The A-2 series flat top AR's are way better IMHO and leave the Mini's in the dust IMHO. My AR's have been just as reliable as my mini 14. I've been around a few ranch rifles and they could throw brass in about as good a group as I could get shooting and just about as far. I still prefer flat top AR's and if you have to have 7.62 X 39 you can get that in a AR also.
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Reliable with good mags. Either Ruger factory mags...and there was one other company I can remember that made good mags...can't think of it at the moment...maybe someone can chime in...it's on the tip of my brain...dammit. Thanks Wardog! That was buggin me. PMI mags are what I was thinkin' of. |
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Reliable with good mags. Either Ruger factory mags...and there was one other company I can remember that made good mags...can't think of it at the moment...maybe someone can chime in...it's on the tip of my brain...dammit. Thanks Wardog! That was buggin me. PMI mags are what I was thinkin' of. PMI mags are gtg. They aren't being made any longer, but you can still find them from time to time. |
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I am old enough that I bought 30 round Federal Ordnance magazines to go with my Mini-14. They have proven to be reliable over the years. I now have a couple of factory Ruger 20 rounders, and they also work quite well. The couple of times that I tried other aftermarket mags, I had problems. I would say that the Mini-14 is indeed very reliable. When used with the proper mags. Mine is also reasonably accurate, as long as you don't get the barrel hot. Hi oldtimer!  I still have Fed Ord magazines, some in sealed plastic Fed Ord bags, for my Mini-14 and AR-15. Good mags. Another Fed Ord deal was twenty surplus 30rd AR-15 mags (Okay) for $40 iirc.
My Mini-14s were reliable. |
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My father said he researched the mini 14 and found that it jams alot. Is this true? Is the mini 14 Tactical worth the $800? They don't jam if you use Ruger factory magazines. Aftermarket magazines are iffy and often cause feeding issues. $800 is pretty steep for any sort of Mini. I love mine, but I'm not sure I'd drop that kind of coin for one. They can be had for cheaper if you shop around. ETA: I'd consider dropping 800 for the heavy barreled target model if I was looking for a dedicated coyote busting gun. They have a 22 inch barrel on them, which will push 223/5.56 up to the velocities that allow it to do the nasty things it's known for at pretty good range. |
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I was thinking a NIB Ruger Ranch was going for $650 or so.. But this might have been before our new White house guest arrived..... WD Yep. I bought mine brand new for that money right around Nov 4. The store I bought it from didn't have another one for 2 months. When they did...$800. $1000 for the target model 
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Wow thanks guys. I'm sure that i'll get one but im gonna shop around and find a better deal. Thanks again BTW, I would search for a tactical model. I think it can be had for less than $800. The tactical has a 16.25" barrel vs 18.5" on the Ranch Rifle and it has a flash hider. Minis with shorter barrels have historically been more accurate than 18.5" models (shorter barrels are less susceptible the Mini's dreaded barrel whip). Plus, I think they're easier to handle and lighter with the shorter barrel. Might look at the classifieds on perfectunion.com. There's usually some Minis there being sold and traded. |
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Wow thanks guys. I'm sure that i'll get one but im gonna shop around and find a better deal. Thanks again BTW, I would search for a tactical model. I think it can be had for less than $800. The tactical has a 16.25" barrel vs 18.5" on the Ranch Rifle and it has a flash hider. Minis with shorter barrels have historically been more accurate than 18.5" models (shorter barrels are less susceptible the Mini's dreaded barrel whip). Plus, I think they're easier to handle and lighter with the shorter barrel. Might look at the classifieds on perfectunion.com. There's usually some Minis there being sold and traded. I've got a tactical. I payed $659 before tax for it a month or two ago. The shorter barrel and synthetic stock are in fact noticably lighter than the standard ranch rifle (my dad has a 580 he recently bought). As far as the target goes. The "thicker" barrel is actually a barrel shroud. I can't find the pictures but it's just a shroud with the attached harmonizer (sp?). I've not gotten mine to a range to really test it out yet. I put a cheap reddot on it and I can hit a 2ftx2ft sized target all day out just past 100yrds. It's a handy gun. It's not an AR, but then again an AR isn't a mini....They are different beasts it is what it is. |
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