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Posted: 2/7/2010 10:26:04 AM EDT
| Anyone have a mini 14 ? how do you like it ? are they dependable ? are they acurate ? what would be a good scope for one ? sorry about all the question's, i want the new one with the ati folding stock so i'm gathering info before i buy. |
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This is AR15.com so the haters will be coming out of the woodwork shortly.
I, for one, like them alot FOR THEIR INTENDED ROLE. IMO they are a great handy, short / medium range carbine with sufficient accuracy and power. The new models have heavier barrels, better sights and flash hiders. They are simple to clean and very reliable. Plus FACTORY 20-round mags are now plentiful and reasonably priced all the better. Even the 30-rounders can be had for around $30. Count me as a Mini fan. 4073 |
I've had 2 of the older ones, neither of which was worth a shit, accuracy-wise (6-8-inch groups at 100yds, scoped  ). From what I understand, the later ones with the tapered barrels have the accuracy thing pretty much under control, although the longer-barreled guns will still tend to string shots vertically as the barrel heats up. Installing a strut under the barrel supposedly helps to cure this (it also supposedly does wonders for the older guns, too). I really like the action and the reliability of the Mini-14, so I recently bought a 16-inch barreled "NRA" version, however I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.
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Haven't played mine much since I got my ARs....
They are good guns...mags are the key....go with factory. Accuracy is decent....not meant to be a tack driver. function in my experience....greatly depends on the mags. Out of 20+ aftermarket mags....I got 4 that function well enough that I trust them. If you're getting one to add a .223 to your collection...go with an AR.....if you're getting one to diversify your collection....go for it. |
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Anyone have a mini 14 ? how do you like it ? are they dependable ? are they acurate ? what would be a good scope for one ? sorry about all the question's, i want the new one with the ati folding stock so i'm gathering info before i buy. The older ones have terrible accuracy, but the newer have corrected this issue. They are quite dependable IF you use Ruger factory magazines. Don't waste time or money on the aftermarket garbage out there. Accuracy wise, the new ones are more accurate than an AK but not quite as accurate as an AR. They have sufficient accuracy for head shots at 200 yards. For scope mounting, the Mini 14 should come with a set of Ruger scope rings. The Mini-14 has cuts in the receiver for Ruger's mounting system. If you prefer something that's quick detach, Warne makes a set of quick detach rings that fit the Mini-14. Mine will hold about 1.25 inch groups at 50 yards with XM193 ammunition and iron sights. I'm eventually going to scope it, probably a Trijicon Accupoint 1-4x in Warne QD rings. We'll see what it's ultimately capable of. To be fair, mine has been tuned. I have an aftermarket gas block that is adjustable and also fits the barrel much better....replacing the factory gas block with the ASI model eliminated all vertical stringing of shots I was getting once the barrel got hot. My stock is also bedded, which eliminated the occasional fliers. |
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I've had 2 of the older ones, neither of which was worth a shit, accuracy-wise (6-8-inch groups at 100yds, scoped ). From what I understand, the later ones with the tapered barrels have the accuracy thing pretty much under control, although the longer-barreled guns will still tend to string shots vertically as the barrel heats up. Installing a strut under the barrel supposedly helps to cure this (it also supposedly does wonders for the older guns, too). I really like the action and the reliability of the Mini-14, so I recently bought a 16-inch barreled "NRA" version, however I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.I think the shot stringing has a lot to do with the fit of the gas block. Mine would string vertically like mad with the factory gas block. I installed an ASI adjustable gas block which fit the barrel much better and it solved the stringing issues immediately. I suspect that the Ruger gas block either fits poorly, or is not stress relieved, whereas the ASI block fits better and probably is stress relieved. That's just an educated wild assed guess, though. |
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I've had mine since the early 80's. Still like it very much. Don't use it for anything serious but it's good for plinking and fun to shoot. http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss291/uncleboomboom/Mini14.jpg WANT. |
| My only problem with the current crop of Mini-14s is the price, IMO spendy for what they are, compared to an AR anyway. That said, I would not hesitate to pull the trigger on a used one, they can be had for good value. I had two of the older, a blued and a stainless. I liked them, went with the mini at first after not being impressed with the accuracy or reliability of the vietnam era M16s we were issued in the NG. After shooting my first AR I was hooked and sold the minis to purchace my first AR. |
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I love my Mini 14 S/S Ranch rifle.
I'm impressed with the fairness of the posts in this thread. Colklink points out that when the M 16 first became available they only so-so (no help from the five sided puzzle palace!) . But in time it evolved into today's AR platform. The same is true of the Mini; today's Mini is an improvement over the earlier models. My Mini was made in 1993, and admittedly, was a poor shooter out of the box. I got back to it last year determined to make it shoot better. While keeping the original Ruger barrel, and making quite a few changes and improvements this Mini shoots much better. It has a barrel twist of 1 in 7, and is picky about what ammo works best. Using standard 5 round groups (as suggested by Molon), at 100 yards shooting off sandbags prone, a cheap 3 x 9 scope,and 69gr Sierra HPBT Matchkings this Mini will hold ten rounds well under 2". Actual targets are posted on another forum site. 77gr also works well. It is possible for the typical rifle hobbyist to make the improvementsto a Mini in their own home shop. Mini's are a great carbine. No collection of Garand style rifles would be complete without having a Mini in its midst. |
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This is AR15.com so the haters will be coming out of the woodwork shortly. I, for one, like them alot FOR THEIR INTENDED ROLE. IMO they are a great handy, short / medium range carbine with sufficient accuracy and power. The new models have heavier barrels, better sights and flash hiders. They are simple to clean and very reliable. Plus FACTORY 20-round mags are now plentiful and reasonably priced all the better. Even the 30-rounders can be had for around $30. Count me as a Mini fan. VERY WELL SAID, I HAVE A RANCH AND TARGET AND LIKE THEM BOTH. 4073 |
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Quoted: I've had mine since the early 80's. Still like it very much. Don't use it for anything serious but it's good for plinking and fun to shoot. http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss291/uncleboomboom/Mini14.jpg What kind of Flash Suppressor is that? That's all I need before I send mine out to be hard-chromed.  |
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http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww278/ol-Dan/rugermini-14p-89.jpg
Upgraded my old mini-14 with Clyde stock & Aimpoint. |
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I had one a few years back. Good plinking gun, but I wouldnt bring it into combat.
Accuracy was pretty good. I used to take it to "turkey shoots" where you would have a target (the head of a turkey with the body under ground) and you had to pay per shot and you got take shots at 75 yds. If you hit it you got to take that bird home. Anyway, I routinely got first hits with that gun with the iron sights. (Many did not, many didnt even get birds) Thats accurate enough for me. Just make sure you clean it, My dad never cleaned it properly (it was my dads gun) and the bolt would sieze up. "Buts its stainless steel!"  . The gass system got pretty bad. Ended up selling it and getting ARs. Much happier with them.
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i have a mini-14, good gun, added an accustrut, and at 50 yards i can almost put all 20 rounds into a silver dollar. at 100 yards its a 3 inch grouping.
its a good SHTF gun for hitting 2 legged varmints at 150-200 yards. i have some plastic magazines and after breaking them they are good to go. and in my opinion its sexier than the ar-15  and it doesn't fit the evil black rifle profile
oh yeah, perfectunion.com is the best mini-14 websight out there. 
50 yard grouping on the left is with out accu-strut, the right grouping is with accu-strut. 
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I've had mine since the early 80's. Still like it very much. Don't use it for anything serious but it's good for plinking and fun to shoot. http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss291/uncleboomboom/Mini14.jpg What kind of Flash Suppressor is that? I wish I could remember. Bought the Flash Suppressor soon after I bought the rifle back in '85. Sorry. |
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I've had mine since the early 80's. Still like it very much. Don't use it for anything serious but it's good for plinking and fun to shoot. http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss291/uncleboomboom/Mini14.jpg What kind of Flash Suppressor is that? I wish I could remember. Bought the Flash Suppressor soon after I bought the rifle back in '85. Sorry. I can't remember the name of the manufacturer anymore, but they are long since out of business. If you get a Precision Machining version (from gunaccessories.com), you get a pretty close and well-made replica, though. I just got one and am very happy with it. |
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I picked this one up a couple weeks ago for $200 - http://usera.ImageCave.com/napachris/G10/mini14%20001.jpg http://usera.ImageCave.com/napachris/G10/mini14%20002.jpg Added an Accu-strut, Hogue stock, Flash hider, and painted it with Brownell's Dark Grey Teflon/Moly. I finished it last night. Note to self - NEVER DIS-ASSEMBLE TRIGGER PACK AGAIN. http://usera.ImageCave.com/napachris/G10/mini14%20004.jpg http://usera.ImageCave.com/napachris/G10/mini14%20007.jpg Holy crap that is a nice rifle. 
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Here is mine. Made December of 1984. Vintage ruger 20rnd mags. Its perfect and near unused.....and its for sale too!
http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/8180/img1504w.jpg http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1239/img1499w.jpg |
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