Opinions on the Ruger Mini-14

It's hard to go wrong on the newer models. Considering its price and what other semi autos go for new, pretty good deal. No feed or eject issues...hogue stocks are nice. Flings brass waaaaay out there. Has old school charm. Not the most accurate but generally not as bad as most let on...
 
minilover said:
Obviously you fired the older Mini's. I have a 583 series stainless and consistently hit 12x12 gongs at 200 yards with iron sights.
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No offence intended, but that shouldn't be a problem... any decent iron sighted gun should be capable of hitting targets half that size for the distance you are talking...
 
Kevin M. said:
No offence intended, but that shouldn't be a problem... any decent iron sighted gun should be capable of hitting targets half that size for the distance you are talking...
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So the mini is almost a decent rifle then? You said you could hardly hit a barn from inside the barn!

The fact that he shoots a 12" gong doesn't mean he would miss a 6" gong.
You're right that it's not a precision rifle and they don't come with long range sights. The mini sights has less sight radius than M14 sights. The aperture and front blade are wider. The mini's sights should then perform faster and better in low light but not as accurately. An optic will certainly help to reach it's accuracy potential.

The mini have less accuracy potential than the AR but it's not worthless for that. It can probably compare to the great VZ58 as far as accuracy and reliability.

Kevin I think you're a good shot and a very knowledgable shooter. I understand you don't like the mini but we like to hear the facts.
Which generation were you shooting and what kind of grouping did you get?
Did you try a few loads for a bench/rest with an optic?
 
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Research the model and serial numbers. Most are 1 in 10 and some are 1 in 7. Most guys will tell you they are crap, but when you ask what kind of ammo they use it's cheap surplus crap, most of it is 55g. With the 1 in 10 barrels you will have better groups using 62g-77g. You have to figure out what the rifle likes. I have a high end hand build hunting rifle. If I shot Federal Gold through it I get a shotgun pattern about 2-3MOA. When I shot HSM Trophy Gold 168g Berger Match Hunting I get .5MOA off a harris bipod @ 100m.
 
Mini 14's are Miss and Hit... or is it Hit and Miss?

Considering the design, sights, and barrel, they don't do too badly. IMHO.

That being said I have owned and sold all of mine. out of 3 mini's owned, 1 was a great shooter with anything, and the other 2 were just shyte. What burned my buns on the mini (and I am a ruger fanatic) is my shooting buddy's mini will shoot sub moa to 100 then about 1.5-2 moa beyond. And it wasn't the shooter (at least that I could make peace with)

So, when it comes to spending 1000 on a 150yd rifle (with reasonable precision), semi auto and non restricted, the mini is in a CLASS BY ITSELF... and judging how they shoot... they have earned their reputation I think.

Great gun in it's own right... when I want to drive tacks at distances beyond a mini's accuracy, I reach for something else :)
 
If the ar-15 was NR there would be no discussion but in Canada the Mini-14 is the best value in a NR rifle. Then there is the ar-15 mag issue, lots of people bring this up but how many mags do you plan on owning? With the difference between the price of the mr1 (the closest worthy competitor) you could buy 14 Ruger mags which are excellent quality.
 
Turkinator said:
If the ar-15 was NR there would be no discussion but in Canada the Mini-14 is the best value in a NR rifle. Then there is the ar-15 mag issue, lots of people bring this up but how many mags do you plan on owning? With the difference between the price of the mr1 (the closest worthy competitor) you could buy 14 Ruger mags which are excellent quality.
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The construction of the mags is good but the blued ones tend to rust.
 
Yea ! I was all hot for one a while a go too. For me it was the stainless target that I was eye balling. Really liked the look of them laminated stocks . Weighed the pro's and cons and was on the fence for some time over them. Pretty much all the same results and opinions as stated here by the members/ owners. In the end what broke it for me was how much it was going to cost for at best a mediocre rifle that would only shoot most likely one load well if I was able to find it and the time to do it. Looked for deals but they all floated around the same price. So in the end I found my self a nice SKS and kitted it out for half what it was going to cost me for just a mini. For the amount of shooting time that I have to zero it in it has suited my wants. My other option was to get a mag fed bolt action ( close to the same price range as a mini ). This may not help, but that's my experience .
 
ColKurtz said:
So for a while I've been examining my options for a NR 556/223 semi. The more and more I think about it the more I end up looking at the Mini-14.

Honestly, I'd really like a Tavor, XCR, or ACR, but the price is just too high for me to justify. The Type 97 is cool but I can't stand it's ergonomics. I also looked at the Benelli MR1 for a while, but it seems too "niche" and too expensive for what it is.

Which keeps bringing me back to the Mini-14. Except I've never shot one.

PROS:
Garand/M14 style action (i have a M305)
Price
Also shoots 556

CONS
Doesn't take STANAG mags (not a huge deal breaker...)

I've watched a few reviews on youtube. I've seen a few with the Sparta stock and I like. Looking for some input from my fellow CGNers. Any reasons to STAY AWAY??
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For the money and the number of accessories, sans the magazines you can not go wrong. Some will argue the old models are erratic shooters so stick to the newer vintage rifles. I have owned one and currently own a mini 30 which I am very happy with. Some hate and Some will find it a good NR choice.

Personally I just can not stand the look of the Tavor and the bullpup (unless its and STEYR Aug) variants over the tried and true non scary M14 silhouette. That's not to say you can not make it scary looking if you so choose.
 
ColKurtz said:
ahhh dang it's like that is it? Ok thanks everyone for the input, back to the drawing board....
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Your making a big mistake!!!! With a little money You can make them very accurate and with more money tack drivers.

 
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I just took the plunge at Christmas and picked up a 585 series ... only had it out twice but at 100 I was able to maintain 2 to 3 inch groups with the iron sights. Very enjoyable rifle to shoot, it does however really throw the brass.
 
Great little rifles. I have owned more then a few and can be a little bit and miss on the older models. My 6.8 was a great rifle. Go get one buy some ammo and enjoy! Loads of aftermarket and take your pick on stocks. If you get one PM me, I still my have some ruger 20-5 mags kicking around.
 
The only gun I ever regretted buying was a Mini-14. Everyone told me they were crap but I just HAD to have the A-Team rifle. Sold it in less then a year and lost my shirt on it. Never again.

I've had slingshots more accurate.
 
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