Does the Ruger Mini-14 really qualify as a Black Rifle?

Does the Ruger Mini-14 Qualify as a true "Black Rifle"?

  • YES! The Mini-14 absolutely qualifies as a true "Black Rifle".

    Votes: 64 25.1%

  • NO! The Mini-14 is nothing more than hunting rifle that has no place in the "Black Rifle" Forum.

    Votes: 157 61.6%

  • I don't care one way or the other because the Mini-14 sucks anyway!

    Votes: 34 13.3%
  • Total voters
    255
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I'm not bashing the Mini-14, I own one and like it for what it is - a civilian sporting rifle adequate for putting down the odd Coyote, shooting steel gongs and informal plinking. It's generally a well-made, robust and reliable little gun, but I don't view it as a proper "black rifle," even given its M-14/M1 Garand ancestry. And yes, I'm aware of the select fire version that was adopted by some police forces, etc...

What do you guys think? Does the Mini-14 qualify as a true "black rifle," or should it stick to the hunting-related forums?
 
First off, this should be a poll.

Secondly, no. I don't consider it a black rifle. It can be done up, but it's more like a sheep in wolves clothes.
 
I wouldn't call the mini 14 a "black rifle"... That said, it's not a bad option.

I have both a mini 14 and a tavor and the tavor does nothing the mini can't.
 
I really don't get all the Mini hate.

If you want a semi auto .223, it's an excellent choice. You can't dress it up as easily as an AR, and you can't get 10 rounders here legally, but I love the Garand-style action. It's really quite accurate, and feels great.

What are we calling a black rifle? Actually only rifles that are black? Then get a polymer stock mini... need a pistol grip? Get a pistol grip black stock for it... Need to make it Tacticool? Plenty of folks out there happy to take your money on rails and such.

It's a good rifle. It's cheaper than a comparably solid AR... not saying better, but it's excellent.
 
I would say no. The Mini is a utility rifle, a pack-along that will take care of any one of several small jobs in a pinch. I might be mistaken but IMHO a "black rifle" is a rifle built for assault/defense, IE a military or police weapon. Just because a ranch rifle can be Tapco'd out doesn't make it a black rifle.
 
If I'm not mistaken Ruger originally designed the Mini-14 for Military & LE use first and foremost. It has also been used by various military and police forces and a select fire model of it exists. Based on that it's more of a 'black rifle' than the RFB or XCR is.
 
Piper365 said:
I would say no. The Mini is a utility rifle, a pack-along that will take care of any one of several small jobs in a pinch..... Just because a ranch rifle can be Tapco'd out doesn't make it a black rifle.
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As much as I think the Mini-14 is a fun little gun, I think Piper's comments above are right on the mark. I wouldn't group it with my ARs, Swiss Arms riflr/CQB or Tavor. Sorry hardcore Mini fans!;)
 
tjsudbury said:
it is no more a "black rifle" than it is a "precision rifle", but I've seen threads about it in that forum also.
Wishfull thinking maybe? Delusional?
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That leads to the question - what constitutes a "black rifle" exactly? Is there certain technical and historical criteria that must be met, or are we mostly classifying "black rifles" on looks alone?
 
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