Ruger Mini-14 WTF!

[Canadiankeeper]

Wow. Thin-skinned game indeed.

The absolute best reason to buy a gun is simply "Because I want it". No need to explain, to anyone else or to yourself. But when you decide to bend the facts to create the justification, you can't expect others to just say "Oh...okay...you're right".

You were comparing features, so I did the same; I've had several of each, and had the chance to play with a few more, and that's what I based my comments and opinions on. You are correct, for most hunting purposes, any bolt gun is superior to these semi's; but the thread is about a Ruger semi-auto, and then someone (you?) brought the VZ58 semi-auto into the discussion, so it seemed reasonable...not presumptuous...to compare them, feature by feature.

The VZ is easier to clean? Both are pretty simple to strip down, but you're probably correct that the VZ is a tad easier. But stating that both guns "suck for optics" is patently ridiculous. If you owned both of them, you know that. If you owned a VZ, you know that it is one of the worst guns imaginable on which to mount an optic, especially if you want to actually shoot it. If you owned a Ruger, you know that anybody who can operate a screwdriver can put a scope or red dot on it in a couple of minutes, right out of the box. I'm almost tempted to say that "I'll have you know..." but, of course, you've owned both so you do know.

When the CZ858 (which is, as you know, pretty much the identical gun to the VZ58 and was introduced earlier) came out, one of its major selling points was its superficial resemblance to an AK; the fact that it was a capable rifle was almost secondary to a lot of buyers. Did some users say it was superior to an AK? Beats me; I don't remember hearing that, so I don't know. By the way, what does "idn" mean?

You're free to buy whatever you want, enjoy it, keep it, hate it, sell it...and others are free to agree or disagree. I'll have you know it's still a free country, more or less...

Kids, eh?!?!?

"Idn" = should have finished highschool.

Four years of post secondary doesn't give you what it used to eh?


Any ways,
I never compared Mini to any bolt guns directly. Only said Ruger as a brand does not impress me over other brands in their bolt guns. Never knew why they sold for so much.
To the point of why I said VZ over mini. I would go vz over mini because I know they both have meh accuracy and wont be getting scopes. The Vz is solid, simple rifle that would be slightly easier to clean. A bit more "cool" factor.

I did own both, I did not buy them for hunting, I purchased both as range toys (with hopes for the ruger though).
Neither are optimal for optics.
The VZ is hard to get a traditional optic on it, but there are many aftermarket covers/rails for points on the rifle that require only a punch pin to get or or yes, a screw driver.
When the CZ 858 came out I dont think I was old enough to own a firearm. So I wouldn't know what its major selling points where.
The VZ was sold to me as a reliable tank of a rifle that was easy to clean and fun to shoot. Yes people called it the Canadian AK because of its looks, but the gas systems are different (slightly).
Its accuracy was expected, it will work and be fun. The price tag is 100% for the looks.
Ironically I broke it.
The ruger was sold to me as a do it all rifle. Fun for the range, good for hunting, solid and easy to clean. The ruger was not difficult to clean but definitely took longer then the VZ (a few minutes, who really cares).
The rugers quality control was dismal and its accuracy even worse. Not accuracy I would hope from a hunting rifle. It was really a piece of junk, I should have saved myself 600 bucks and got a m305.
So, I sold that.

I was not happy with either rifle. Both are crap. I think the VZ is slightly less of a crappy gun in general.

If all you want to do is hunt seriously with it... Why are we even in the world of semi auto rifles under 2k ?

Tavor beats both but is not a comparable price point. Stag Arms beats a tavor I would imagine for about the same price.

I dont expect any of you gentlemen to agree with me. I expect you to cling to your relics. (Mind you, I do love old shotguns, the new ones im not so fancy on)

As I said before a Savage Axis II rifle smokes both rifles (VZ and mini) as a hunting firearm.

 

[windborne11]

46 years ago I bought my 10/22. It still shoots 10 shot 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards, and has never misfired. 30 years ago I wanted to buy a Mini 14, but could not spare the $$.
This year I retired, and decided to get back into deer hunting next season. I opened the cabinet, no deer rifle. Sold it 30 years ago.
What to do? Still had that mini 14 in the back of my brain, but its .223 is not really a deer cartridge. Ahah, a Mini 30... Paid $1250 for a wood stock model.
Bought it because I wanted it, and it would do the job. My research told me that today Ruger is building very reliable Mini, that shoots quite well.
No it will not shoot 1/2 moa, or shoot flat out to 500 yards. It doesn't have to. I have shot 2 deer in my life, both were under 50 yards distant. Now I also see that there is a place for it at the ORA service rifle conditions matches. So I can also enjoy some target matches. To each...……. his own.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

46 years ago I bought my 10/22. It still shoots 10 shot 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards, and has never misfired. 30 years ago I wanted to buy a Mini 14, but could not spare the $$.
This year I retired, and decided to get back into deer hunting next season. I opened the cabinet, no deer rifle. Sold it 30 years ago.
What to do? Still had that mini 14 in the back of my brain, but its .223 is not really a deer cartridge. Ahah, a Mini 30... Paid $1250 for a wood stock model.
Bought it because I wanted it, and it would do the job. My research told me that today Ruger is building very reliable Mini, that shoots quite well.
No it will not shoot 1/2 moa, or shoot flat out to 500 yards. It doesn't have to. I have shot 2 deer in my life, both were under 50 yards distant. Now I also see that there is a place for it at the ORA service rifle conditions matches. So I can also enjoy some target matches. To each...……. his own.

Not wrong, I have never heard anyone say that deer laughed at me when he noticed my rifle!

 

[Francois_]

I own both, a 14 in stainless, a 30 in black. I did buy used in the late 90s at great prices being in no hurry. The 14 hardly sees daylight out of the safe. On the other hand the 30 has become my go to deer gun. I have a great close up deer 'trap' where the long shot is 50 yds. I scoped with a 1.5x6 B&L Balvar. Shot does, bucks up to 220lbs dressed this year and everything is DRT. I can also blow cheap ammo at the range. Can't ask for more. Wish I'd shoot the 14 more often.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

 

[Got Juice?]

Because of the Mini-14 quirks, If I were to ever get one again, it would be in 7.62x39

 

[BCshooterFMJ]

I was in the local Canadian Tire today and happened to look at the large number of rifles they have in stock. Most bolt action rifles are between $750 and $1000.

There was a blue and wood Mini-14 for $1250. That seems out of line. I had a Mini-14 40 years ago and it functioned well but shot minute of dinner plate.

Do people buy these at that price?

They changed the barrel along the way. Its thicker now and doesnt start sending fliers when it heats up.

 

[leveractionjunkie]

I wonder if they’ve sold it yet?

I’ve always loved the idea of the mini as well as the design and execution of them. But the two I owned where horribly inaccurate. To the point of frustration really.

 

[lone ranger]

I don't agree... I am still buying them, and so are a lot of others, as Ruger is doing better business than most of the major manufacturers... the reason that people are paying the increased cost is that Ruger M77's and No.1's represent solid quality and good value... so you are actually getting something for your money, compared to the $1000 junk flooding the market. Ask yourself; "Would I rather pay $1000 for a piece of crap, or $1500 for a quality rifle." Partially the cost increases are the result of Ruger stepping into the low end market to put out products that compete with other manufacturers... once the price point was established for the American line, there needed to be some disparity between them and the higher end lines of the M77 and No.1's, which opened a laneway for Ruger to increase the suggested retail amounts... for us in Canada, our weak dollar over the past couple years really kicked us in the nads too...

well...after reading all the posts,....I guess this says it best. I concur .

 

[Nbhunt3r]

I've owned an Xcr, su16, vz58, t97, tavor and a mini 14 all in 5.56. I still have the mini and sold the others I get 2" moa and 100% reliably. It does what it's designed to do.