Question about Ruger Mini-14 Stainless Series 181

[Guest Dr. Robert Howard]

I have a Mini 181 series stainless in flawless condition. It was sent back to Ruger for a hardness check on the receiver (recall was issued in 1981) and stamped (by Ruger) having passed the test. I would be very interested to know what some of you think this gun is worth. My guess would be somewhere in the $600 range. Includes 5 and 20 shot Ruger magazines.

-Thanks, Robert

[Jonnin]

If it has wood stocks that seems fair. Plastic, I would say $500. Its age is not really going to bump the price up by much to my knowledge (feel free to correct me if anyone knows otherwise) --- and those seem to be about the going prices for used regardless of year of make (?).

[I_Like_Pie]

If in new shape it is worth about $500. The market of late has been flooded with PD trade ins.

CDNN and GT distributors both had some 181-183 Stainless ones with the flash hider for under $450 in the past couple of months.

Many see the 181 series worth a little less than current manufacture due to lightweight barrels that string quite a bit when warming up and the lack of any scope mounts or easy way to mount optics.

They are actually great guns, but aren't worth the crazy money that AR variants bring.

[Oh Shoot]

New stainless 581 series Ranch w/ synthetic stock, 20 rd. mag, Ruger scope rings, AND tactical rail mount is 589.99 + 20 shipping from CDNN. Somebody like who I use for $30 (transfer/TICS), makes whole price $640 out the door. So I certainly wouldn't give 5 bills for an old one myself.

Besides the improved barrel and integral scope mounts, the newer ones have some other improvements, like the battle sights.

- OS

Edited January 10, 2012 by OhShoot

[Guest Dr. Robert Howard]

Hmm. I haven't fired it yet. I guess if I can hit a bowling pin consistently at 100 yards it will work just fine as a coyote gun. I really like the way these mini's look and handle. This one has the wooden heat-guard which I also like. The barrel has a 1 in 10 twist which should work with the 55 grain (and lighter) bullets. Anyway, thanks for giving me your opinions.

-Robert

[I_Like_Pie]

Hmm. I haven't fired it yet. I guess if I can hit a bowling pin consistently at 100 yards it will work just fine as a coyote gun. I really like the way these mini's look and handle. This one has the wooden heat-guard which I also like. The barrel has a 1 in 10 twist which should work with the 55 grain (and lighter) bullets. Anyway, thanks for giving me your opinions.

-Robert

Don't read us wrong....they are EXCELLENT guns. They just aren't fetching crazy prices on the market these days because police departments are dumping them for newer guns.

That is the perfect gun for coyote at 100 yards

[subsonic]

I have a blued 181 I bought online 3 years ago from a dealer in CT very close to where Ruger used to be located. Someone bought it new, stuck it in the closet for 25 years and never put a round through it. I paid $400.

[Oh Shoot]

... This one has the wooden heat-guard which I also like.

Bro! You may have gotten a very inexpensive rifle indeed if you're willing to part with that handguard and slap a polymer one on it. They are highly sought after. Not sure how highly, but a search around MiniVille will probably give you an idea. (perfectunion.com)

- OS