Ruger Mini-14

Spector_Ray · #1 11-25-2008, 08:15 PM

I've got a line on one for a great price and given the recent increase on AR's and the fact that it's a .223, I'm planning on jumping on this one. The one thing that jumps out at me as far as performance is the fact that it only has an 18" bbl so I'm wondering how accurate they are?

Is there anything I need to know about this rifle before I spring for it? Any mods you're aware of would help out in tricking it out.

BTW, let's try and keep politics out of this discussion please.

spade2you · #2 11-25-2008, 08:25 PM

I played with one a long time ago and wasn't particularly impressed. I love my AR15, though. You could always try to find one at a pawn shop in case you're stocking up before the stop in production. Fortunately, I think the gun companies are probably going to adequately prepare for the bill to pass and trying to make as many as they can while they still can. I'd personally recommend waiting until you can get some sort of receiver/lower receiver assembly.

nickn · #3 11-25-2008, 08:31 PM

The Mini 14s of old had a reputation for being very inaccurate, IIRC. It's because of something to do with the thin barrel and a lack of support for it... once you start shooting and the barrel heats up, it gets less accurate. HOWEVER, I've been out of the shooting/firearms loop for quite some time now, so it's very possible that this is no longer an issue. I do remember Ruger releasing some new models of the Mini-14 designed to be more accurate.

Spector_Ray · #4 11-25-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickn

The Mini 14s of old had a reputation for being very inaccurate, IIRC. It's because of something to do with the thin barrel and a lack of support for it... once you start shooting and the barrel heats up, it gets less accurate. HOWEVER, I've been out of the shooting/firearms loop for quite some time now, so it's very possible that this is no longer an issue. I do remember Ruger releasing some new models of the Mini-14 designed to be more accurate.

I've heard comments about wandering groups after rapid fire drills as well but I'm not looking to win any matches with it.

Relic · #5 11-25-2008, 08:50 PM

My brother used to have one that we would take down to the range every now and then. As far as accuracy goes, it wasn't spectacular nor was it bad either. This is very unscientific but generally it did about as well as an sks maybe? Better than an AK (47), maybe not quite an AR. I wouldn't mind getting one myself.

burk48237 · #6 11-25-2008, 09:14 PM

I've heard the same about accuracy, pump a bunch of rounds thru them and hot barrels cause the groups to wander. I would imagine they feed fairly reliable though. Bill Rueger has a good rep for building stuff that works. Although I've never had any issues with an AR, no ones giving any away with the current shortage.

NJL · #7 11-25-2008, 09:39 PM

i've always wanted one of these just because of the old A-Team days LOL

i miss my AR-15

Spector_Ray · #8 11-25-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burk48237

I've heard the same about accuracy, pump a bunch of rounds thru them and hot barrels cause the groups to wander. I would imagine they feed fairly reliable though. Bill Rueger has a good rep for building stuff that works. Although I've never had any issues with an AR, no ones giving any away with the current shortage.

Good to see you again Burk!

There are currently about 4 AR's here in my town all of which are selling for about $1500. This Mini-14 is about 1/5 of that and it's practically new. I just can't pass it up for that price. Now I have to grab some extra 20 round mags and ammo for it.

spade2you · #9 11-25-2008, 10:45 PM

Why not just grab an M14? Now THOSE have juevos, power, reliability, and more accuracy than you can shake a stick at.

Georynn · #10 11-25-2008, 11:22 PM

Mini-14's are pretty accurate, I personally hate the form factor, which is to most their biggest complaint.

Had one, tricked it out to look like the A-team rifle (AC556), liked it better, but still sold it...

IMO if you can find a good scope to mount on it, one with great eye relief, it can be a tack driver!

Georynn · #11 11-25-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spector_Ray

Good to see you again Burk!

There are currently about 4 AR's here in my town all of which are selling for about $1500. This Mini-14 is about 1/5 of that and it's practically new. I just can't pass it up for that price. Now I have to grab some extra 20 round mags and ammo for it.

That's just too expensive. Build one.. its cheaper, and you can generally find all the cool parts you want...

but you might want to hurry and get one soon... prices are rising...

FL Knifemaker · #12 11-26-2008, 07:19 AM

I own one. I never gets any love. We call it the rattletrap. It's not very accurate OR reliable

Build an AR to suite your shooting needs, you'll be way ahead of the game

Mark Latimour · #13 11-26-2008, 07:22 AM

Completely coincidental, but yesterday I was reading up on the 1986 FBI Shoot out (I think it was in Miami) on an unrelated topic and IIRC the Mini 14 was the gun used by the guy who kept shooting for 3 or 4 mins after he took a fatal shot to his chest. How odd that something that obscure would come up two days in a row!

spade2you · #14 11-26-2008, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Completely coincidental, but yesterday I was reading up on the 1986 FBI Shoot out (I think it was in Miami) on an unrelated topic and IIRC the Mini 14 was the gun used by the guy who kept shooting for 3 or 4 mins after he took a fatal shot to his chest. How odd that something that obscure would come up two days in a row!

I recall hearing something a while back that the shootout in Miami encouraged the FBI to ditch revolvers in favor of automatics. Although assault rifles are rarely used in crimes, compared to your basic small handgun, but the Mini-14 was one of the few commonly used since they were kinda cheap.

Mark Latimour · #15 11-26-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spade2you

I recall hearing something a while back that the shootout in Miami encouraged the FBI to ditch revolvers in favor of automatics. Although assault rifles are rarely used in crimes, compared to your basic small handgun, but the Mini-14 was one of the few commonly used since they were kinda cheap.

Yes, that was included part of the article I was reading.

spade2you · #16 11-26-2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Yes, that was included part of the article I was reading.

Sometimes I'm an encyclopedia of mostly useless info.

burk48237 · #17 11-26-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spector_Ray

Good to see you again Burk!

There are currently about 4 AR's here in my town all of which are selling for about $1500. This Mini-14 is about 1/5 of that and it's practically new. I just can't pass it up for that price. Now I have to grab some extra 20 round mags and ammo for it.

I still see a few AR's here for about a 1000$. Mostly DPMS, The Bushmasters and Smiths are sold out. I heard Bushmaster won't be shipping any more till Jan. I actually bought an M4 this summer and sold my AR. I am thinking about upgrading, Bushmaster has a gas Piston kit for 399$. This would make it real close to the HK 416 which has an incredible reliability record. Supposedly they run a lot cleaner with the gas kit. I might be able to get away with Wolf ammo which is about 2$ less per 20 rounds. I'm paying 37.99 for a hundred rounds right now. OTOH, I've had no issues with the busshie.

guy n. cognito · #18 11-26-2008, 08:02 AM

I've never owned the Mini-14, but I've not been too impressed with the ones I've shot. Accuracy is sub-par. Personally, I'd by an AK or SKS before I buy a mini.

I've been very happy with my RRA M-4gery. It came well tricked out and has one of the best factory triggers that I've ever tried. Better than both Bushies and Smiths. Accuracy is on par with my Bushie.

spade2you · #19 11-26-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burk48237

I still see a few AR's here for about a 1000$. Mostly DPMS, The Bushmasters and Smiths are sold out. I heard Bushmaster won't be shipping any more till Jan. I actually bought an M4 this summer and sold my AR. I am thinking about upgrading, Bushmaster has a gas Piston kit for 399$. This would make it real close to the HK 416 which has an incredible reliability record. Supposedly they run a lot cleaner with the gas kit. I might be able to get away with Wolf ammo which is about 2$ less per 20 rounds. I'm paying 37.99 for a hundred rounds right now. OTOH, I've had no issues with the busshie.

Most of the guys I know told me that there's no real advantage for the average Joe using the gas piston system. If you're going to fire about 1,000 rounds and not have a chance to clean it, sure. HK's M4 is much more impressive, although I'm not sure if that will ever be for sale to the public. Neither are a big issue with me as mine has been pretty reliable with routine cleaning.

syciprider · #20 11-26-2008, 11:09 AM

I used to have a Mini 14 aka California Fun Gun. It is at the most a 4 MOA rifle. You can accurize it but then you'll end up spending enough to get an AR anyway. On top of the so so accuracy there is the gritty trigger (part of the accuracy problem) and inadequate sights (Ruger improved the sights recently though). But as the moniker suggests, it is a cool toy for accessorizing and for putting a lot of lead in the air in a hurry.