Mini 14 Lover's Anonymous

Love my mini 30. Easy to shot, low recoil, cheap ammo (although I only run Hornsby thru it). So simple to take down and clean. Plus the sound the action makes - 'ker-thunk!'. Never once had a jam, just as accurate at 100m as any of my other rifles. Tons of fun, plus you can hunt with it, use it as a truck or zombie apocalypse gun!

Why the massive amount of positive and negative press? Because it's been such a successful rifle, bazillions sold around the world. Lots to talk about.
 
If the AR were not restricted, would you guys still carry the Mini-14 ?

Take away the restricted status and I'm not sure this thread would exist.

Not trying to stir anything up, just think that's probably the reality of it for most.
 
If the AR was non-restricted in Canada the Mini 14 would still be an enormously popular rifle. Both are same category in the US (or many states at least) and both rifles are very popular.
 
Someone said picture.
580 series, nikon monarch 3 1-4x with the german #4 post, tech sights as well
Hopes to take a yote this year with it, I'm not much of a coyote hunter though

20160921_190114_zpspzffnywx.jpg
 
Some say, if the AR15 was non-restricted, why get a mini?
That argument could be said about many guns, if the ak47 was non-restricted, why get an ar15?
Or maybe a FAL or a Steyr Aug or whatever else.
Yes, many people would still prefer the ar15 (it is a superb firearm), but nonetheless, the mini is the only one of those that is non-restricted at this point in time.

For me? The non-restricted status is the most interesting thing about this rifle and, at the moment, the laws are what they are .... if things change, then the mini vs ar15 argument is more meaningful to me.

I can live with the reported 2-3 moa of the newer models. My problems with the mini are that people say that only the factory mags are reliable and the 5/20 and 5/30 factory mags are expensive. Also, people cry about the mini 30 being unreliable with surplus ammo ...... although, I've heard the mini 14 is fine with steel ammo. If the mini took ar mags, I'd probably have one ......Or if they ever make a takedown model like the 10-22.
 
Although, most of what I've heard is all hearsay on the inter webs ..... I'd love to hear that mini is better than I'm reading.
 
Trivia about the Mini-14 -

"The Ruger Mini-14 were seen extensively in the The A-Team, an NBC television series that aired from 1983 to 1987 in a multitude of episodes. It was chosen because of its reputation for reliably firing blanks, which tend to clog a gun's action." :p
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_Mini-14

I like the Mini except as a 7.62x39. Cheaper ammo and makes a bigger hole through paper targets for easier viewing. Here's mine :) -

Mini30_e_zpsftu1ifqd.jpg

Ruger Mini-30 with Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40mm scope
 
Last edited:
Has the most positive safety ever conceived, disengages the sear and locks the hammer back. Designed to be carried cocked and locked in war with the finger on the trigger.
 
Haven't tried a mini-30 in 7.62 x 39 but suspect I'd like it in that format.

For .223 or .308 I'd choose something else every time.
 
Shootski said:
I've considered a mini before, but the price tag for a new one seems a bit much for what you're getting.
Click to expand...

And I hate to say it because it's personal and subjective .... but I've always found them kinda ugly. Doesn't have the same elegance of it's big brother.

The cost factor is the biggest issue though. Too much for what you're getting. If it were a consistent about 2 MOA out of the box I'd be much more open to the platform.
 
I would bet that if you purchased 10 Mini's brand new today, you'd find a couple of MOA guns, and 9 would be at least 2MOA. The new guns shoot.

A few decades ago, I used a Mini and a Colt HBAR (among others) for a great deal of groundhog hunting, as well as for coyotes, which were much less common back then than they are today. When the time came to sell one, it was the AR that I unhesitatingly let go. After a lot of shooting with both guns, I far preferred the slim, trim little Ruger to the AR, which I considered bulky and awkward by comparison. The AR was slightly more accurate, but that was outweighed by its other failings compared to the Mini.

Today, if the AR were nonrestricted, I would own one and enjoy it on the range, as a plinker. As a walk-around coyote killing gun, a Mini or a bolt gun would always be the gun of choice for me.
 
Sure I would still have one. I prefer it. Lighter, easier to maintain not as tactical lookin (and thus more discreet). I consider it kinda like the 1911 vs Glock arguement. Both can get the job done, one is older. Both have merit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom