Mini14: Differences between old and new production

[slushee]

I have one of the new "580" series mini 14's that was made in 2008 and has a heavier barrel profile (not the target). It will shoot 1.5" all day. Balanced nice and never jams. Certainly not the mini 14's of yesteryear.

So I read this, and I would like to know what the current differences are between the older production mini14's, and the newer production.

I have read various peoples comments about how the newer ones seem to have a thicker barrel.

Is there any way to tell the difference, or when they were manufactured?

 

[TFunfer]

The easiest way to tell if you have the new barrel is to look at the gas block. If the barrel tapers down after it leaves the gas block it is the new one. If there is no taper it is the old barrel.

It looks like Ruger started installing the newer barrels in November of last year. But there is no serial number cut off when they switched to the new barrels. I phoned Ruger and that is what they told me.

You can see the taper in the photo on the muzzle side of the gas block.