Ruger Mini14

[Guest mustangdave]

Whose got one...what are you thoughts...pros/cons...educate me

[Guest Wilson1]

No Mini-14, but I do have Two Mini-30s. One blue, one stainless. They feed very reliably from the factory five round mags and some of my 30 round mags. A couple of my other 30 round mags need some tweaking, as they are not completely reliable. Accuracy is acceptable to me, from what I remember.I have only taken them to the range once, but shot about 75-100 rounds through each - mainly for magazine reliability purposes.

Bought these Minis before I gto into AKs and ARs - now these get the most range time!

Mike

[Guest Todd@CIS]

IMO, the Mini-14 could be a great rifle if Ruger changed 5 things...

1. Alter it to feed from AR mags or make 30 rounders available, and cheaper.

2. Better sights, compatable with optics.

3. Heavier barrel.

4. Put a flash suppressor on all of them.

5. Put a better stock system on it to make it more "accessory friendly."

Without these changes, I think the Mini's are overpriced for what they are.

If ARs aren't on your radar, I think an AK would be a better bet...depending on your needs.

Edited February 6, 2009 by Todd@CIS

[Guest DSMDAN]

I don't own one but I was able to shoot one a few times. Last weekend was the second time and it was great. We were shooting computer hard drives, cd drives, etc.

It was very accurate and I was using the iron sights. I am very shakey and was still hitting the targets bullseye.

[Guest Mugster]

I own one. Stainless synthetic mini in .223.

I have kind of a love/hate relationship with the mini. Todd hit the nail on the head as to most of the drawbacks...basically the whole design of the rifle is questionable. I think I paid $400 out the door for mine. I wouldn't give any more than that.

I agree mostly with what Todd posted, except the optic thing. The stainless/synthetic ranch rifle comes with rings for mounting optics. I've had a red dot on mine, and several pieces of glass over the years. The synthetic stock is also...mostly decent. They did change the models recently, perhaps there is no more ranch rifle, i dunno.

The accuracy problem is a problem. It shoots worse than an M1A, which is to say, 4-5 MOA with ball, and maybe 2-3 with good factory stuff. If you handload, and get it wired down the groups pattern oddly. No one really knows why it shoots like it does.

You can bed it, you can put a heavy barrel on it, and you can give it a 2 pound trigger job. And it'll still be a mini that cost you 2k, and shoots a wild cold bore shot and patterns oddly. I kept mine stock with a trigger job and called it a day. Its not a bad plinker. It'll just never be more than that.

[glockster157]

I have owned about 5 mini's over the years. Best I can say about them is they are reliable with factory mags and are fun to shoot. Accuracy wise....well, lets just say they were a little better than minute of man but not much better. I saw a Guns and Ammo article some years back where Clark did a make over on a SS mini 14. New barrel, glassed it, trigger work, the whole nine yards....best 100 yard group was 1.7". They just will not shoot with AR's. Most of the AR's I have owned, box stock, shorty's and A2's, will do better than that with just decent ammo.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

I agree mostly with what Todd posted, except the optic thing. The stainless/synthetic ranch rifle comes with rings for mounting optics. I've had a red dot on mine, and several pieces of glass over the years.

I should have been more clear with my second point.

I had a Ranch Rifle Mini, which as you say, comes with rings and is optics capable. I meant to convey that the RR Mini has sh**ty iron sights, IMO.

[Reservoir Dog]

Most of the comments in this thread are on par with others I have seen about the Mini-14.

I wish I could add my own experience with the GB model I bought about 15 years ago, but it is still sitting in the box, unfired. Maybe one day, I will actually get it out and shoot it. I do occasionally take it out and fondle it..........the Mini-14, that is.

[Guest Mugster]

I should have been more clear with my second point.

I had a Ranch Rifle Mini, which as you say, comes with rings and is optics capable. I meant to convey that the RR Mini has sh**ty iron sights, IMO.

So bad in fact that my mini, I had to file down the front sight because the rear runs out of adjustment. I'm not just talking a few mm either. Gotta take a chunk off.

If ruger could get it together with these things, they could make a killing. I noticed that after years of BS they had a mini 20 round magazine sale to support RKBA in these trying times. I wrote them a letter and told them I'd never buy another ruger brand anything unless they wrote me a letter of apology for telling me they didn't consider it appropriate for civilians to have more than 5 rounds in a magazine 10 years ago. I'm still waiting.

[Guest VolDaddy]

I have one that shots fine for me. The new one on 6.8 shows promise.

[cknight8]

a friend of mine has a newer 6.8spc model and he loves it. i've never saw him shoot it, but he is not one to lie either...he claims 1" groups easily at 100 yards. i have a newly acquired Mini-14 to me that i havent pulled the trigger on yet...i'm hoping it shoots good. i had a Mini-30 in the past and it was a fun rifle to plink with, but i honestly dont remember if i ever shot it for groups or not. it was a 2 liter jug capable at 100 yards, i remember that much!

[Guest malbolja]

It's sad, really. This product has been an ongoing black eye for Ruger and along with their ridiculous magazine policy has cost them a lot of sales across their product line. I've known a lot of shooters that will not even consider buying a Ruger product based on the mag thing alone.

[Guest Ggun]

Whose got one...what are you thoughts...pros/cons...educate me

...they were originally marketed as ranch rifles. Then, they got some LE's to use them. Now, most have moved on to other platforms. I doubt the ranchers use them nowadays.

But, we have one, and recently bought a bunch of the 20 rnd mags. And, the guns shoot just like others have said.

[Guest Rando]

I've had two still own one of them my Dad has the other both shoot great and are very accurate. I have'nt miised a shot with either yet (that you know of) really sweet little shooters though very loud that is why you have to hit it on the first shot.

[glockster157]

I've had two still own one of them my Dad has the other both shoot great and are very accurate. I have'nt miised a shot with either yet (that you know of) really sweet little shooters though very loud that is why you have to hit it on the first shot.

I guess thats why I miss so much, I wear ear plugs!

[Guest Traumaslave]

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team

[Guest mustangdave]

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team

...which one are you?...Hannibal, Face, Murdock or BA....

[Guest Rando]

I guess thats why I miss so much, I wear ear plugs!

Say whut? Yeah but the critters dont so after the BOOM they are in the next state in a heart beat which is kinda smart I reckon.

[Guest torasperry]

Hey Guys,

I am thinking about buying one also, But your making me think twice,

the rifle I'm looking at is New .223 Cal, Synthetic stock ect, What is the accuracy problem? Barrel length? Action? I would like to know!! Has scope rings with it from Ruger.

I thought this rifle was a downscaled version of the M-14, I qualified with in the U.S.Army? a long time ago.......LOL......as an EXPERT.......1966

Seriously, I would like to know if it is worth the $$$

I have an AK(Romanian) and an PLR-16(Pistol Long Range)by Kel-Tec

Regards:usa:

[Guest mustangdave]

Well I've made my decision...Ruger Tactical MINI 14 in .223 gonna get it either today at lunch or friday. Looking forward to putting a few rounds down range.

[Guest Mugster]

Hey Guys,

I am thinking about buying one also, But your making me think twice,

the rifle I'm looking at is New .223 Cal, Synthetic stock ect, What is the accuracy problem? Barrel length? Action? I would like to know!! Has scope rings with it from Ruger.

I thought this rifle was a downscaled version of the M-14, I qualified with in the U.S.Army? a long time ago.......LOL......as an EXPERT.......1966

Seriously, I would like to know if it is worth the $$$

I have an AK(Romanian) and an PLR-16(Pistol Long Range)by Kel-Tec

Regards:usa:

If you like the accuracy of the AK, the mini might well do it for you. When I talk accuracy I chase after small groups with handloads and optics. I can get ar's to respond alot better than a mini ever will. Make sure you get the factory mags and none other.

Try it and see. Alot of guys love the mini. There's a forum here dedicated to the mini that might be worth your time. They have some gunsmiths on there that specialize on the mini.

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86

[Guest mustangdave]

Well I've made my decision...Ruger Tactical MINI 14 in .223 gonna get it either today at lunch or friday. Looking forward to putting a few rounds down range.

Well...Its in the trunk of the Mustang...waiting for me to get off work...boy I tell you...can't wait to get to the range

[Guest deut20:16]

I had a 183 series,threaded barrel,and fold under stock and it was fun but it wont shoot with an AR

[Guest mustangdave]

Not terribly concerned about whether it will out shoot an AR...Ar's have never realy been high on my list. I'm sure the Mini 14 will do the job I need it to do

[Guest mustangdave]

Ok...I finally got the opportunity to go to the range and ran 30 rounds through the TACTICAL Mini 14...I picked up a BARSKA 4X20 scope as well I really didn't get to take my time and really zone in the scope (next time). Just went out to get a feel for the rifle.

Also the wife got the opportunity to shoot her new Henry 22 magnum Goldenboy that she got for a birthday present. with all the crappy weather lately finally getting a semi good day to shot was a hoot...coulda used a bit less wind.

All in all...I liked the Mini14...had targets set out to 50 yards...next time i'll get a good rifle brace so I can zone in the scope better.