Ruger Mini-14

[getsome]

I have an itch for one of these rifles for general range and target use and would like to ask what you folks think of these...The only center fire rifle I currently own is a Marlin 30-30 lever action which I love but I'm starting to have some shoulder pain due to old age and thought a lighter kicking .223 rifle might fit the bill...

I'm not sure why but the AR-15 and other black plastic rifles just don't seem to interest me as much as blue steel and wood does...I really like the looks of a Mini-14 and everything I've read so far is good as far as reliability goes with only a few complaints about accuracy but they were talking 3 to 4 inch groups at 100 yards which if I could do that I would be proud and happy...

I can always trust and appreciate you folks opinions and was wondering if anyone has any experience with one of these...My LGS can get one with a 5 round magazine for $699.00 cash out the door...What do ya'll think?...As always thanks to all....

[Chief Joseph]

I'm really salivating for the tactical version. Saw one at a local gun shop a week ago, felt so nice to hold. But, can't justify the expense right now. So going to have to wait.

[yqtszhj]

I have AR-15's but I still have the itch for that mini-14 too for the same reasons you mention (wood and steel).

[nikon]

I have the stainless, polymer version...only about 200 rounds through it..all tulammo. Haven't had any problems with it, prefer the look of it to my friends ar's. Being stainless its a great boat gun too.

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[Bawanna]

I have the stainless, polymer version...only about 200 rounds through it..all tulammo. Haven't had any problems with it, prefer the look of it to my friends ar's. Being stainless its a great boat gun too.

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Keep a life jacket tied to it. Many members here have lost a lot of guns in boating accidents.

[jocko]

Yup I lost my Browning Clitori that way, course it was tied to my now deceased wife . Just sayin

[JohnR]

When I was researching, the Mini 14 came up a winner. But I wanted a more effective caliber and got the Mini 30. Be aware that these tend not to like cheap Russian ammo, so ammo cost will be up there. Some seem to do fine, but even the manual warns against it.

[Bawanna]

Most of the Russian ammo is 311 versus our domestic 308. The Russian is a little tight in the Mini 30 and our ammo is a lot sloppy in the SKS's and AK's.

I too like the 7.62 x 39 round much better than the 223.

[nikon]

Oh ya, don't plan on being cheap with magazines. Factory mags are the only ones that reliably work with mine. The tapco mags were designed for the older 14's and won't cycle in the newer ones.

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[Shark1007]

I've done a fair amount of research and agree the tactical is the answer. I have handled both the extendable stock and the standard black stock with recoil pad and like the standard better, the extendable stock has too much wiggle for me. The extendable has a better rail/foregrip set up, but I like the other.

I donated my AR15 to my local small police dept. since they didn't have an "assault" rifle.

I'm more comfortable with the mini cuz I'm more familiar. I went to Sniper School with a modified M14 called an XM21 and can clear a malfunction more easliy on the garand style action.

The latest research also indicated for home defense, a 5.56 round might just be the answer, if you use the right hollow point, it penetrates less drywall than a 9mm or 40. The 7.62x39 just penetrates way too much for my taste. I also like the Kel Tec PLR16 pistol.

I have a pair of electronic earmuffs over the gun safe, if there's any chance of firing a mini in a house, I'd highly recommend them.

Mini tactical, yes!

Ruger magazines are a must have, I agree. CDNN has the blue tactical for 599.

[JohnR]

Oh ya, don't plan on being cheap with magazines. Factory mags are the only ones that reliably work with mine. The tapco mags were designed for the older 14's and won't cycle in the newer ones.

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Same with the 30, not that there are as many choices. I bought three extra, total of 4 20-round mags.

[Shark1007]

They were unreliable with the old style too and I've seen that the new 30's are less reliable than the 20's

[Planedude]

The Mini 14 is no match rifle and an equal built (same $$ spent) AR15 will out shoot it. That said the differance would only matter at a NRA Match and then only out past 300yrds.
I have seen an old blued and wood Mini 14 take a young coyote at a mesured 285yds while trotting away... One shot, one dead coyote.
To get the Mini to be a match grade shooter requires a hefty, free floating barrel, bedding the stock and lightning the trigger. having held a mini with $1300 worth of "match work" done to it, I find I like them stock just fine. I would have never taken that 285yrd shot myself, but at 150yrd his pelt would have been mine.
They don't call the Mini 14 the "Ranch rifle" for nothing.

[Rio Vista Slim]

I bought a Ruger Mini-14 when they first came out. It was a fine rifle, and I had alot of fun with it. Later I moved on to a Colt AR15, then much later to a Bushmaster version of their semi-auto M4. Strictly from a personal stand-point, I could never quite warm up to ARs.

The newest versions of the Mini-14 (with the thicker barrels) had intrigued me for some time, so I recently purchased a Ranch Rifle with the wood stock.

I have been very pleased with this rifle. It came with a 20 round magazine, and I bought two 30 round magazines from Ruger. All three function perfectly.

While this rifle is distinctly heavier than an AR, and not as pin-point accurate as my old Colt, it is a fun rifle to shoot, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a viable option to the AR platform.

[Popeye]

I've never been a big fan of the black rifles either. To old to change I guess.?? About a year and a half ago I bought a new 580 mini 14 ranch rifle. I was just shooting it last week and I can honestly say I have over 400 rounds through it and have never had any sort of problem with it. Some of those 400 rounds were 20 to 60 round burst. In it's straight out of the box stock configuration it not a tack driver but it's plenty real world accurate and can reliably pump alot of ammo down range if called apon to do so providing you use the Ruger mags. Other brand mags I can't speak for, but the 20 round ruger mags in the mini 14. work amazingly well.

Good luck.