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Posted: 11/26/2010 9:33:50 PM EDT
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For some reason I have the itch to buy a Mini-14. Something about how it looks and the Garand-ish design is just appealing. I own AR's and know they're better for just a couple $$ more and blah blah blah.....don't care.
I like the Mini-14 over the Mini-30 for the simple logistical reason being ammo compatibility, though would not hesitate looking at the Mini-30's if there is an advantage. I've heard the stories about accuracy, and I'm pretty sure the new ones are getting better accuracy now, if anybody can confirm. Are there any important/significant details I should know about before looking at Minis? It'll be the last rifle I purchase for a while and I want it to be a worthwhile investment. Thanks. |
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Quality, reliable aftermarket magazines are non-existent. You will be stuck buying factory mags as $30-$40 a piece. Not the end of the world, but it was a shock for someone used to quality $10 AR mags all day long. This is not true. Promag metal 20s are identical to the Factory magazines, they're so similar that the only way you can tell them apart from the "Ruger" mags is the brand name on the floor plate. I've got 10 Promag 20s, and one factory mag. Pro-mags have never given me a single problem. |
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I've had several Mini's. The first few I had lived up to their reputation. I bought another new one 2-3 years back, right before they started putting the heavier barrel on them. Out of the box accuracy was pretty dismal with FMJ. Did a little reading at Perfect Union and did the gasblock shaving/ retorque (sp) trick. That improved accuracy a bit.
Then I tried some of my reloads and groups shrank to around 1 1/2". Best I've got out of a Mini. I've heard the new ones are better out of the box. Probably a roll of the dice though. There are several tricks that can be done to get better accuracy. Trigger can use some attention. Try one out. Just go into it not expecting AR accuracy and you probably will be happy. If nothing else you will have a good winter tinkering project. Check out Perfect Union. They have a ton of info. |
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Quality, reliable aftermarket magazines are non-existent. You will be stuck buying factory mags as $30-$40 a piece. Not the end of the world, but it was a shock for someone used to quality $10 AR mags all day long. This is not true. Promag metal 20s are identical to the Factory magazines, they're so similar that the only way you can tell them apart from the "Ruger" mags is the brand name on the floor plate. I've got 10 Promag 20s, and one factory mag. Pro-mags have never given me a single problem. I have a couple metal 30 round mags, I'm not even sure the brand but they were about $15.00 each and they feed perfectly. I've heard the plastic ones have issues but I've never had one. As far as accuracy, I've never put mine on a "bench" but I'm hitting a 6inch disc at 250 yards with a 3-9x40 Walmart special scope. Mine is the ranch model and was purchased late '05. If that helps at all. |
Uh oh, won't get any Mini-14 love on this site!  The new Mini's with the thicker barrel shoot much better than the older ones. The older ones can be made to shoot pretty good, but it's a labor of love to get there. My old 183-series from the early '80's goes bang every time, uses any kind of ammo I choose to feed it and is not picky about the mag's. I use. Now that I've messed with it a bunch it gets consistent 2" groups using iron sights at 100 yards with 55-grain bullets without stringing or flyers.
Other than factory mag's., which have come down a bunch in price these days, Promag's are generally accepted as the best to use. Promag makes metal and polymer mag's. for the Mini in 20, 30 & 40 rounders. I carried a CAR-15 in Vietnam that was a jewel and qualified "Expert" in the Army with the M-16A1 without a problem, but the Mini just suits my needs fine in 5.56 / .223 Rem.. It's just a hoot to shoot! 
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| I've had three, all worked perfectly, none were remarkably accurate. Magazines were a pain. Shooter had a new one at the range last week trying to sight it in with a red dot scope at 75 yds, sitting with bench rest. He was an experienced shooter, knew what he was doing, using Federal factory ammo, slow aimed fire, scope was tight. First three shots were dead on, next three - four steadily climbed until 6-10" above the bulls eye. I watched him do that six or seven times. |
| I had an old mini 14, no scope mounts, just used open sights. It always hit where I was aiming (or close!). Never had a misfire or jam. I had one old factory 30 round mag and a couple no name specials I bought at a gun show, never had a problem with any mag I used. It had a butler creek folding stock, locked up tight and was nice for hauling around in the truck. To tell you the truth I don't know why I sold it, other than the fact I put it on gunbroker and got nearly what a new rifle would have cost. I always enjoyed it, and am always looking for another deal on one. |
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Quality, reliable aftermarket magazines are non-existent. You will be stuck buying factory mags as $30-$40 a piece. Not the end of the world, but it was a shock for someone used to quality $10 AR mags all day long. This is not true. Promag metal 20s are identical to the Factory magazines, they're so similar that the only way you can tell them apart from the "Ruger" mags is the brand name on the floor plate. I've got 10 Promag 20s, and one factory mag. Pro-mags have never given me a single problem. NO! This is not true. PROMAG SUCKS. The first response is correct and the downfall of the min-14. AZHONKY |
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Quality, reliable aftermarket magazines are non-existent. You will be stuck buying factory mags as $30-$40 a piece. Not the end of the world, but it was a shock for someone used to quality $10 AR mags all day long. This is not true. Promag metal 20s are identical to the Factory magazines, they're so similar that the only way you can tell them apart from the "Ruger" mags is the brand name on the floor plate. I've got 10 Promag 20s, and one factory mag. Pro-mags have never given me a single problem. NO! This is not true. PROMAG SUCKS. The first response is correct and the downfall of the min-14. AZHONKY Got any experience to back up your knee jerk reaction? 
Pro-mag sucks for everything but their 20 round steel mini mags. I firmly believe that Pro-mag is the OEM for the real Ruger mags, the only difference being the brand on the bottom. Hard not to be when the spot welds, and construction are identical |
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mini-14 are good guns, good minute of bad guy accuracy. with good mags they are a decent SHTF weapon. personally, i think my mini-14 is sexier than my AR. if you buy an old one with a thin barrel, then look into getting a accu-strut for it. it will noticeable tighten up the grouping. my mini can hit grapefruit sized objects a 100 yards away. oh yeah +1 for the perfect union website recommendation.
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For some reason I have the itch to buy a Mini-14. Something about how it looks and the Garand-ish design is just appealing. I own AR's and know they're better for just a couple $$ more and blah blah blah.....don't care. I like the Mini-14 over the Mini-30 for the simple logistical reason being ammo compatibility, though would not hesitate looking at the Mini-30's if there is an advantage. I've heard the stories about accuracy, and I'm pretty sure the new ones are getting better accuracy now, if anybody can confirm. Are there any important/significant details I should know about before looking at Minis? It'll be the last rifle I purchase for a while and I want it to be a worthwhile investment. Thanks. Avoid aftermarket mags. They suck donkey cawk. The new ones are good for about the same accuracy as an AR with 55gr ball. With match grade ammo, the AR will be more accurate. I usually get about 2 MOA with mine using decent to good ammo or handloads. Make sure the one you get has the tapered barrel (barrel is thick in front of the gas block and tapers down toward the muzzle). These are the improved rifles with better accuracy. My Mini is actually a transitional model....it was one of the very early Minis whose serial number started with 580. It was manufactured on the new machinery Ruger put in for the line, but mine does not have the tapered barrel. Some day, I will probably get a second one that does, since I suspect it will shoot a bit better. I may even spring for one of the new Mini-30s, from what I've read the new heavier barreled ones will shoot rings around an AK, and Ruger has finally started making a "tactical" Mini 30 with flash hider, 16 inch barrel, complete with factory hi cap magazines. Mine would string vertically pretty bad when the barrel got hot due to poor gas block fit. No problem as I replaced my gas block with an adjustable gas block, which I used to turn the gas down a bit so my brass wouldn't land in the next zip code  I also had Great West Gunsmithing do a trigger job on it, and it's awesome now. It's about a 1.5 to 2 lbs trigger with NO uptake. It's one of those triggers that you don't put your finger on until you're ready to shoot
I'm thinking of dropping it into a Butler Creek folding stock as the factory stock has a bit more LOP than I want. I'm also going to get some Warne QD scope rings made for Ruger style bases and roll with a Weaver K series 1x-3x variable compact scope. Makes a great HD carbine and you aren't out a $1500 AR if you actually have to use it. Perfect Union knows everything about the Mini. Try not to think of the Mini as a different kind of AR-15. Think of it as a modernized 30 Carbine. |
The Mini 14 Ranch rifle I owned was horrible for accuracy...The Ranch rifles have a decent scope mount system, accepting the Ruger rings on integral mounts....but no reason to scope that ugly shooting gun...I tried..and tried..and tried...and went back to iron sights everytime..no point in handicapping the gun with a scope..
It got traded for a A2 20" rifle...and it shoots perfect. Swore I wouldn't get another Mini 14..even though I like the things...just was badly dissappointed in the first one. However a pal of mine..that works partime in a gunstore talked me into a 'police trade in' stainless Mini 14 group buy. I paid my cash..he ordered the rifles..and when they came in..he saved me a clean one(ordered 5 or 6 rifles). This 'new' stainless Mini 14 is actually older than my Ranch rifle..dating to the early 1980's...and shoots much, much better than the Ranch rifle. It came with the part installed to accept a side mount scope..but no mount. I scrounged up a used silver B Square mount..and this rifle will sight in!!!  ..Even with the shifty side mount scope system..it's superior to my previous Ruger.
Only dissappointment with this Ruger Mini 14 is that it ain't a GB....being a LEO trade in..I had expected it to be a Mini 14 GB with the flash-hider..and mid barrel mounted sight/ bayo-lug...But no...It's just an early stainless Mini.  Near as I can figure..it's probably a 'prison trade' gun..and not a police trade in...but don't make a damn..this one shoots good!
Rugers are a crapshoot for accuracy....if you buy a used one..see if you can shoot it first!! |
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The Mini 14 Ranch rifle I owned was horrible for accuracy...The Ranch rifles have a decent scope mount system, accepting the Ruger rings on integral mounts....but no reason to scope that ugly shooting gun...I tried..and tried..and tried...and went back to iron sights everytime..no point in handicapping the gun with a scope..
It got traded for a A2 20" rifle...and it shoots perfect. Swore I wouldn't get another Mini 14..even though I like the things...just was badly dissappointed in the first one. However a pal of mine..that works partime in a gunstore talked me into a 'police trade in' stainless Mini 14 group buy. I paid my cash..he ordered the rifles..and when they came in..he saved me a clean one(ordered 5 or 6 rifles). This 'new' stainless Mini 14 is actually older than my Ranch rifle..dating to the early 1980's...and shoots much, much better than the Ranch rifle. It came with the part installed to accept a side mount scope..but no mount. I scrounged up a used silver B Square mount..and this rifle will sight in!!! ..Even with the shifty side mount scope system..it's superior to my previous Ruger.
Only dissappointment with this Ruger Mini 14 is that it ain't a GB....being a LEO trade in..I had expected it to be a Mini 14 GB with the flash-hider..and mid barrel mounted sight/ bayo-lug...But no...It's just an early stainless Mini. Near as I can figure..it's probably a 'prison trade' gun..and not a police trade in...but don't make a damn..this one shoots good!
Rugers are a crapshoot for accuracy....if you buy a used one..see if you can shoot it first!! That is the damned truth where Minis are concerned. I know a guy who used to have one that was a tack driving, 1 MOA shooter. I've seen others that were less accurate than shotguns. |
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I have an old SS one with an Ultimak rail and a Primary Arms micro dot on top. It does really well for a neighborhood watch gun. Get one cheap. use only 20 round mags, promags are fine, but only 20s! Here it is with a scout scope at a 3-gun match. I beat everyone in my squad, and they were running ARs  |
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I like my Mini-14's
I am just as accurate with mine as I am with my AR... Open sights vs. open sights... I bought mine new a few years ago, stainless for around ~600 each. I am not sure if I would buy them now that I know how versatile the AR platform is... What you see is what you get pretty much with the Mini-14... Factory mags are readily available, for the price... Even the cheapest place has them at about 2X what you can get a new AR mag for... But if it is what you want, then go for it... And get a few factory mags, and forget about it... I have attached 20 rd. mag pouches to the buttstocks of mine... 
It is a pretty compact setup with 20 rds loaded, and 20 rds in pouches, it is a pretty compact grab-and-go rifle... It is a lot tighter, smaller, KISS than the AR... I just think the AR has more to offer as far as replacement parts, and easy to get cheaply mags... But I like my mini's... |
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I like my Mini-14's I am just as accurate with mine as I am with my AR... Open sights vs. open sights... I bought mine new a few years ago, stainless for around ~600 each. I am not sure if I would buy them now that I know how versatile the AR platform is... What you see is what you get pretty much with the Mini-14... Factory mags are readily available, for the price... Even the cheapest place has them at about 2X what you can get a new AR mag for... But if it is what you want, then go for it... And get a few factory mags, and forget about it... I have attached 20 rd. mag pouches to the buttstocks of mine... http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w0UZCUbpH2Y/S9uRT7x5GiI/AAAAAAAAAHM/3-BUTfUOCqs/s320/IMG_0493.JPG It is a pretty compact setup with 20 rds loaded, and 20 rds in pouches, it is a pretty compact grab-and-go rifle... It is a lot tighter, smaller, KISS than the AR... I just think the AR has more to offer as far as replacement parts, and easy to get cheaply mags... But I like my mini's... Where did you gt the mag pouch? |
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I like my Mini-14's I am just as accurate with mine as I am with my AR... Open sights vs. open sights... I bought mine new a few years ago, stainless for around ~600 each. I am not sure if I would buy them now that I know how versatile the AR platform is... What you see is what you get pretty much with the Mini-14... Factory mags are readily available, for the price... Even the cheapest place has them at about 2X what you can get a new AR mag for... But if it is what you want, then go for it... And get a few factory mags, and forget about it... I have attached 20 rd. mag pouches to the buttstocks of mine... http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w0UZCUbpH2Y/S9uRT7x5GiI/AAAAAAAAAHM/3-BUTfUOCqs/s320/IMG_0493.JPG It is a pretty compact setup with 20 rds loaded, and 20 rds in pouches, it is a pretty compact grab-and-go rifle... It is a lot tighter, smaller, KISS than the AR... I just think the AR has more to offer as far as replacement parts, and easy to get cheaply mags... But I like my mini's... Where did you gt the mag pouch? Its the Blackhawk full-length buttstock mag pouch for the AR. Fits the Mini-14 perfectly. Only use 20 rd. mags, though. Other companies sell buttstock mag pouches, but they will sell the whole sling, pouch assembly, and you can't use your original sling. Blackhawk's (don't get the carbine size) mag pouches work great with the Mini-14. buy it here: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=811554 |
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I got a mini-14 recently - I got it used and I believe it is one of the newer batches serial number starting with 580... My first experiences were pretty good. I fed it several different rounds and it never jammed. As far as accuracy goes, at 100 yards there is no difference between my AR's or the Mini-14. I haven’t had the opportunity of shooting it fast because the range I normally go won’t allow rapid firing, and it seems that one of biggest complains about the Mini-14 is that it looses accuracy when the barrel gets too hot (which I am sure most guns will have the same problem to a certain degree). Past 100 yards, I am not sure the Mini-14 would be in pair with an AR.
Overall I am very happy with the Mini-14 – it is a fun gun to shoot and I am thinking about getting another one with the 16 inch barrel. |
| I just picked up a mini-14 tactical. First mini I've owned. Read for years about the accuracy problems...but never reliability problems. I like it. It balances well, eats like an AK and fills the accuracy department in a better light. Factory mags are on the high side but worth it. I found factory Ruger 30 round mags for $34 (remember, these are steel magazines) The tactical will be a suppressor host so we'll see what the garand action does in that environment. I'm happy with it. It's different...and if you have other platforms...it's a different addition to the family. The mini-30 tactical is out as well...very nice barrel on that weapon. |
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