181 Vs 184: Which Mini of these two would you pick?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 181 Vs 184: Which Mini of these two would you pick?

Posted: 10/7/2017 10:59:54 AM EDT

Stainless Steel Series 181 Mini-14. {wood handguard}

Blued Series 184 Mini-14. {fibreglass handguard}

Both mint w/ box.

I have shot both and they are comparable. Blued gun has a slightly crisper trigger. Blued gun rear sight leaf jiggles a bit but doesn't seem to effect accuracy.

I get to pick which one I want.

Which one would you pick and why?

Ready. Set. Go.

Posted: 10/7/2017 11:39:42 AM EDT

[#1]

Depending upon the price, maybe you could talk him into selling you both for a deal. After all, this is ARFCOM.

Posted: 10/7/2017 12:54:25 PM EDT

[#2]

With only being able to pick one I would get the stainless. Besides the obvious benefits of stainless, the wood handguard really looks nice on these rifles. You could buy a replacement factory fiberglass handguard to swap on it for shooting and keep the wood one nice and unburnt (happens durring rapid fire).
Only other thing i can think of is maybe different serie rifles had different barrel twist rates? If thats the case then your preferences in ammo might be a factor. Just guessing here.

Posted: 10/7/2017 1:53:53 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
With only being able to pick one I would get the stainless. Besides the obvious benefits of stainless, the wood handguard really looks nice on these rifles. You could buy a replacement factory fiberglass handguard to swap on it for shooting and keep the wood one nice and unburnt (happens durring rapid fire).
Only other thing i can think of is maybe different serie rifles had different barrel twist rates? If thats the case then your preferences in ammo might be a factor. Just guessing here.

View Quote

RE: Twist rate. Good question.

I already called Ruger and they said both have 1/10. Thus making the decision no easier to make!!

Posted: 10/7/2017 2:09:05 PM EDT

[#4]

I'd get the blued one, especially if you shoot rapid fire frequently. The stainless barrels will discolor if they get too hot, and the wood handguard will char (and eventually burn). Same as the early M14 rifles.

If that's not a concern for you, the stainless and wood handguard are both prettier.

The loose rear sight can probably be tightened with some careful peening.

Posted: 10/7/2017 7:45:26 PM EDT

[#5]

Stainless worth more, wood handguard worth more. Other than that buy what you think looks best. I'd get the stainless.

Posted: 10/7/2017 8:09:59 PM EDT

[#6]

I would pick the blued unless the stainless was the side folder model

Posted: 10/8/2017 11:56:46 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Stainless worth more, wood handguard worth more. Other than that buy what you think looks best. I'd get the stainless.

View Quote

Posted: 10/8/2017 4:09:31 PM EDT

[#8]

What would the A-Team do? There is only right answer as far as I am aware...

Posted: 10/10/2017 8:38:32 AM EDT

[#9]

Stainless is the correct answer.

I picked up a 188 series Ranch in stainless this spring for $400.

Posted: 1/13/2018 5:43:24 PM EDT

[#10]

Forgot to update.

I went with the blued 184.

Trigger and accuracy were that much better.

Posted: 1/14/2018 12:21:06 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
With only being able to pick one I would get the stainless. Besides the obvious benefits of stainless, the wood handguard really looks nice on these rifles. You could buy a replacement factory fiberglass handguard to swap on it for shooting and keep the wood one nice and unburnt (happens durring rapid fire).
Only other thing i can think of is maybe different serie rifles had different barrel twist rates? If thats the case then your preferences in ammo might be a factor. Just guessing here.

View Quote

According to the book, Ruger and his Guns, the twist rate of the Mini-14 started out at 1-in-10" in 1975. It then changed to 1-in-7" in 1989 and then finally to the current 1-in-9" starting in mid-1994. Don't know if if has changed since 1994.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 181 Vs 184: Which Mini of these two would you pick?

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