Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

[Ballistic Artist]

Im looking at a mini 14 stainless ranch rifle in 223 for a short range rifle. Are they any good? They are 1-9" twist but are they chambered for 5.56 or 223 only? Does it matter? I want to be able to shoot military ammo through it. Are they very accurate?? Reliable?? Thanks for the advice.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

I 've had four of them over the years, my last one being about 14 years ago, the most accurate of them was still about 3.5 MOA, they were reliable with good mags. For the money a good AK (not those romy POS) would shoot better and mags are way better.
I'd pass on them unless you just want to plink at rock and what not under 400 yds otherwise get any AR.
hope this helps.

 

[RobertM]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

The OP suffers from being a subject of the People's Democrat Republic of California, so his semiauto choices in AR and AK flavors are somewhat neutered.

That said, we had a fun thread a while back on Mini-14s, might want to search for it. The Search function here is not so good though.

My stainless -14 was fun, robust, Ruger magazines scarce and $$, Good plinking accuracy with open sights, distressing accuracy if you put a scope on it. Luckily for me, a buddy lusted after mine and I did not lose any money on it.

 

[Bill Larson]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 900inch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The OP suffers from being a subject of the People's Democrat Republic of California, so his semiauto choices in AR and AK flavors are somewhat neutered.

That said, we had a fun thread a while back on Mini-14s, might want to search for it. The Search function here is not so good though.

My stainless -14 was fun, robust, Ruger magazines scarce and $$, Good plinking accuracy with open sights, distressing accuracy if you put a scope on it. Luckily for me, a buddy lusted after mine and I did not lose any money on it. </div></div>
mine is a stainless with wood stock...peep site rear....functions flawlessly..accurracy 4"-6"@100yds.good carry,varmint survival gun.
bill larson

 

[30ought6]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

The older 181-series "suffer" from accuracy issues, but the newer 590-series addressed those issues. I wouldn't call them precise, but they're really fun to shoot. If you decide to get one, I recommend only purchasing Ruger magazines. The off-brands (ProMag) don't function as well (IMO).

I purchased a used 590-series over a year ago and only use iron sights--good optics mounting options are lacking. I replaced the factory gas port and op-rod spring and installed a recoil buffer so the ejecting brass wouldn't be thrown as far.

 

[borefodder]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

I had one a while back when I lived in California. This was in the 90s before some of the more severe laws that CA now has were passed. I didn't care for it too much. The mag issue that others have mentioned is real and can't be stressed enough. Mine would jam constantly off of any mag not made by rugar and even jammed on some that were. While they can be a good plinker they are certainly not very accurate.

Maybe I had one of the older ones but I sold it not long after buying it and just bought an AR. I don't know what the laws are now in CA and what your options are but IMO a good quality AR would probably be best or if cost is an issue, even a even a mid to lower grade base model AR would be a better choice if you don't mind 1/9 twist.

 

[Ballistic Artist]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 900inch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The OP suffers from being a subject of the People's Democrat Republic of California, so his semiauto choices in AR and AK flavors are somewhat neutered.

That said, we had a fun thread a while back on Mini-14s, might want to search for it. The Search function here is not so good though.

My stainless -14 was fun, robust, Ruger magazines scarce and $$, Good plinking accuracy with open sights, distressing accuracy if you put a scope on it. Luckily for me, a buddy lusted after mine and I did not lose any money on it. </div></div>

Thanks ASSwipe for rubbing it in. Especially since you are living in the same place as our, "Great" current leader is from LMFAO. I'm working on getting out of this shithole but I dont have enough money yet. Soon, hopefully within 12 months. Way too long to wait to be free again. (Lived in CO for 16 months. Very free compaired to Cali) And I allready have a very nice SGL-21 (Cali be damned). Its legal when I have the stupid little bullet button on it. Luckily its very easy to take off. (Ive never shot the weapon with the button installed lollololol) I was just looking at the mini for the hell of it. Thanks for the input. I got an AR-15 lower in my stash of parts. I think i will build it instead. Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[RobertM]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ballistic arti[st</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks ASSwipe for rubbing it in. </div></div>My pleasure, I escaped SoCal six years ago, though many would think to a more restrictive state. Not so, strangely enough.

I would not mind having another Mini for my wife to train on. She cannot cycle my LR-308, and the blast intimidates her. The simplicity and ease of cycling with the Mini would be perfect for open sight fundamentals. Easier to clean as well.

 

[Ballistic Artist]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

LMFAO

 

[shankster..]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

<span style="font-weight: bold">Ruger Mini 14's are great sub <span style="font-size: 17pt">MOB</span> accuracy rifles.</span>
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Minute of Barn</span>

 

[mtrmn]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

Here you go. I LOVE the Mini14, just not for any serious endeavor. For fun you can't beat it.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...rue#Post3259963

 

[samnev]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

I've owned the Mini 14 GB and have an AC 556. My brother had a Mini 14 and a Mini 30. Neither of us could get the Mini's to shoot better than 3.5" 100 yard groups even with scopeds and hand loading, The Mini 30 was especially bad (Wolf Ammo) shooting 5" 100 yard groups. With our AR's we can consistanly get 1"-1.5" (sometimes better) goups with out much trouble depending on which ammo we were using. All of the Mini's are gone except my AC 556 which is a really fun gun to shoot. I have seen a few of the new model shoot 1.5" 2" groups @ 100 yards with Federal GMM in one case. The old Mini's can be a fun gun but only if you can tolerate minute of man 100 yard groups.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

 

[plong]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

Good or Bad?

Well... as a former Mini owner myself (590 Series - Stainless Ranch), I guess I really wouldn't say "<span style="font-style: italic">Bad</span>"...

But I would say I think there are <span style="font-style: italic">much better</span> options at or very near the same price (even in Commiefornia). Unless you have an absolute hankering for a Mini I'd strongly suggest you consider something in an AR platform. In my area (NEOH) I can easily find a basic S&W M&P 15 for within a few dollars (< 50$ difference) of the price of a Mini.

BTW: if you do decide to go Mini I'll make you a great deal on some brand-new Ruger factory mags

!

 

[red6actual]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

My Son has one with a scope and it works well, he has killed many deer with it.
It has the factory Ruger rings which I think are better than the M14 style mount I had on mine decades ago.

 

[shankster..]

Re: Ruger Mini 14 good?? Bad??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

</div></div>

This is absolutely hysterical. LOL. Thanks.