Gun value?

[Dargo]

They now make a Mini14 "Target" rifle if I'm not mistaken. I've not shot one obviously, but my Mini 14 Ranch rifle holds 5 shot 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. There again, it has had a considerable amount of custom work done to it both internally and externally. See if you can find one on the shelf somewhere that looks like this old Mini 14.

And, yes, I'm aware that I had a cheapo scope on it in these pictures. It's scope was still out getting polished up to match the rest of the rifle.

 

[RollTideRam]

Dargo, That thing is "Bling". Mine looks like yours minus the shine and has a 188 serial number. My cousin had two Ruger 30 round mags, but he paid $100 for each and I had to pass on them. I ordered two 20 round ones from Ruger today, but they only offer blue. My cousin had another model that was not for sale. It had a factory flash xxxx (can't remember the word) and the bayonet lug. I sure wanted the Colt AR, but it was just too much money for me right now. He also had a Colt Gold Cup 1911 that matched your Ruger. JC

 

[laen64]

Hey Podunk you had these weapons improperly displayed. You should have stacked arms!
Great Placement of Funds.
HooAh!

 

[RobertN]

They now make a Mini14 "Target" rifle if I'm not mistaken. I've not shot one obviously, but my Mini 14 Ranch rifle holds 5 shot 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards. There again, it has had a considerable amount of custom work done to it both internally and externally. See if you can find one on the shelf somewhere that looks like this old Mini 14.

And, yes, I'm aware that I had a cheapo scope on it in these pictures. It's scope was still out getting polished up to match the rest of the rifle.

Ya, that scope...

Quite some time back I had a mini-14. With 52gr Hornady JHP hand loads, it would easily print sub-MOA, at least with a scope on it. I kinda wish I still had one; I think would be cool to do an HBAR like these guys are doing.

Custom Ruger Mini 14 30 Rifles Accuracy Systems Gunsmith

 

[Podunkadunk]

RobertN,

I'm not attacking you here. I really love the mini-14. One of the biggest regrets I have is selling the one I had years ago.

I checked out the link you posted for the company that will accurize a Mini14 or 30. I got a good laugh out of most of his information. What they said comparing the AR15 to Mini14 in blue, my comments in Red:

MINI 14 & AR15 Comparisons
-Mini 14 - No hot gases are dumped into the bolt. So the bolt is not over come by excessive heat! Also there is no carbon to build up and lock up the bolt!

-AR15 - Hot gases are dumped into the bolt to say the least and carbon will build up if not regularly cleaned causing a malfunction and or cease to operate condition. All internal components of the AR15 are designed to take this heat...heat treated and phosphate coated. With proper cleaning, this isn't a problem! If you don't clean ANY firearm, eventually problems will develop!

-Mini 14 - All steel receiver and case hardened to a thickness of at least .020"

-AR15 - 75% aluminum alloy with the critical parts steel. Again, as I said above, heat treated and phosphate coated on ALL Milspec AR/M16 parts of all the critical parts.

-Mini 14 - Open bolt design is a close copy of the M14. The open bolt is very forgiving when it comes to dirt, dust or sand. The rifle clean or dirty just keeps ticking and ticking.

-AR 15- Closed bolt design. Just ask our troops about the plastic baggies they need to use to keep the sand from jamming up there rifles. I'm not sure a Mini14 or 30 would hold up well in a day-in, day-out desert environment either. This is a problem for ALMOST every weapon made.

-Mini 14 - Self cleaning gas system no buffer tube to collect moisture or dirt and lock up the buffer system.

-AR 15- Must be field stripped to clean trigger compartment, Buffer system, Bolt & carrier and gas tube system. AR 15's gas system is self cleaning. At anywhere from 50,000 to 60,000 psi coming through there, not much can hang around! Uncle Sam recommends running a pipe cleaner through there, but as most have found, there's no need for it. one drop of oil in the BCG's gas tube and you're good to go.

-Mini 14 - compact, versatile, and doesn't take up much space.

-AR15 - Large bulky Whoever wrote this must have been on the crack pipe! "Large, bulky"???

This information is from the Ruger and Colt website:
-Mini 14 Tactical version: Wt. 7.25 lbs with a 16.1" barrel. Collapsible Stock
-Mini 14 Ranch (standard): Wt. 7 lbs with an 18.5" barrel. Non-collapsible Stk
-Colt AR15 6920: Wt. 5.95 lbs with a 16.1" barrel. Collapsible Stock

This next bullet really cracks me up...again, he was on the crack pipe! What kind of bogus information is this clown putting out to people?????
-Mini 14 - Field strips in seconds. Pop the trigger guard and the rifle practically dismantles it self.

-AR 15- Definitely slower to disassemble. Here's a link to an 11 y.o. girl on Youtube field stripping an AR15 in 24 seconds!

YouTube - McKenzie - 11yo Girl Field Strips AR15 in 24 Seconds

-Mini 14 - Now here the AR has an advantage over the Mini. Out of the box ACCURACY!

-AR 15 - Out of the box ACCURACY! I can't argue with him here!


Mini 14 - But here we can help! We can turn your Mini 14 into a rifle that will shoot right next to an AR15 after one of our conversions is completed. Now that we have discussed the pros and cons of the rifles you would have to say the Mini definitely has some advantages and we can take care of the disadvantages!

Accuracy Systems, Inc.

Podunk

 

[RobertN]

RobertN,

I'm not attacking you here. I really love the mini-14. One of the biggest regrets I have is selling the one I had years ago.

I checked out the link you posted for the company that will accurize a Mini14 or 30.

Ya, some of thier sales talk, is, well, sales talk. The AR is really a great platform. I think though, that the Mini-14 is a platform that just has not been explored that much.

The AR's I have shot(only a couple, real Colt's) didn't perform any better than my old Mini-14. At least, not just out plinking...

I would think a Mini-14 would hold up well in most combat; it is just a mini Garand(one of the greatest battle rifles ever). The M1 has been in every theatre of US battles.

I like the idea of a bull barrel Mini 14. I am confident they could be made in to a tack driver. If I could, I would build it the same as I would if I built an AR. Floated bull/varmit stainless fluted barrel, target trigger etc.

I guess it is kinda like, the Remington 700V is a great rifle right out of the box. But, a Ruger 77 can be made to match up to it. Although, the US Army and Marine snipers use a Rem 700(or derivitive of), not a Ruger 77 Varmint.

I just see a lot of potential there, that is not taken advantage of, like is done with the AR and the bazillion options that are available.

 

[Podunkadunk]

I agree with you. You know, a lot of LEO agencies have used the Mini 14 as their patrol rifle. I hit several forums where older, active duty police/sheriff's deputy's have posted that they used to carry them in their patrol car. They mention that it was mostly due to budget constraints in the department.

It's a solid platform no doubt. If I run across one in good condition and it's a steal, I'm going to oblige somebody with some cash. As I stated earlier, I had one for several years. I sold it back in 2002 and have kicked myself ever since. Live and learn I reckon...live and learn.

Podunk

 

[RobertN]

Live and learn I reckon...live and learn.
Podunk

Doggone hindsight...

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I agree with you. You know, a lot of LEO agencies have used the Mini 14 as their patrol rifle. I hit several forums where older, active duty police/sheriff's deputy's have posted that they used to carry them in their patrol car. They mention that it was mostly due to budget constraints in the department.

It's a solid platform no doubt. If I run across one in good condition and it's a steal, I'm going to oblige somebody with some cash. As I stated earlier, I had one for several years. I sold it back in 2002 and have kicked myself ever since. Live and learn I reckon...live and learn.

Podunk

the current version of the mini-14 has 1:9 twist rate on the rifling which allows it to handle 62-75 grain bullets as well as the standby 55 grain fodder, so you have more room to find it's favorite feed.

 

[RobertN]

It's a solid platform no doubt. If I run across one in good condition and it's a steal, I'm going to oblige somebody with some cash. As I stated earlier, I had one for several years. I sold it back in 2002 and have kicked myself ever since. Live and learn I reckon...live and learn.
Podunk

Just a followup... I wish I would have looked more back then, for HBAR info. I already knew of a very good local gunsmith.

For my interest in the HBAR, gave up the carbine, and went with a 24"HBAR bolt action tack driver.