Ruger Mini 14

[weldingisfun]

Laminated wood stock, stainless, with a 4X Leupold scope, here. Always in the front of the Kawasaki Mule for what ever comes up. Great shooter, love it.

 

[MotorSeven]

One more thing, only buy Factory Ruger Magazines.....anything else is a crap shoot on functionality.

Factory 20 rounders on sale at Midway right now for $25:
Ruger Mag Ruger Mini-14 223 Remington 20-Round Steel Blue

 

[nybirdman]

Good choice,I have had a Mini 14 for about ten years.Do get the trigger done,it makes a world of difference.

 

[madmax12]

There is also a 100 round drum mag for the mini 14

 

[/pine]

From what I understand if the receiver is not stamped ".223, 5.56 "...(i.e., both) you should only use .223...

 

[RobertN]

I have shot both. My old Mini-14 from ~1980 shot as well as a comparable AR. And certianly better/more reliable than what USMC originally got in 'Nam. Yes, I could build, or buy a premium hbar AR15 that would outshoot a Mini-14. But for a service grade AR in the $700 range like the Mini-14 I don't think you will find a name branded quality AR that will outshoot it.

The AR does have the edge, in modularity and customization. Most work on a Mini-14 is gunsmith type, not the plug and play of an AR. Just like the 1911A1 trumps most other pistols in that regard(it is pretty easy to build a custom 1911 from a bare frame).

The Mini does can be customized though
Ruger Mini Ranch Rifle Conversions 14 30 Accurate Accuracy Systems

I like them both..

Generally a good Rifle.

The Mini14 is not as accurate as the AR15 platform.
Also, the Mini14 magazines are a bit quirky to remove and insert.
The forward hole on the mag, must align with the pin as you slightly rotate the magazine into place. It's more like an AK than a AR.

I'd prefer an AR15 over the Mini14 for most purposes.
BUT. . . . The Mini14 is a great rifle.

 

[two_bit_score]

I have shot both. My old Mini-14 from ~1980 shot as well as a comparable AR. And certianly better/more reliable than what USMC originally got in 'Nam. Yes, I could build, or buy a premium hbar AR15 that would outshoot a Mini-14. But for a service grade AR in the $700 range like the Mini-14 I don't think you will find a name branded quality AR that will outshoot it.

The AR does have the edge, in modularity and customization. Most work on a Mini-14 is gunsmith type, not the plug and play of an AR. Just like the 1911A1 trumps most other pistols in that regard(it is pretty easy to build a custom 1911 from a bare frame).

The Mini does can be customized though
Ruger Mini Ranch Rifle Conversions 14 30 Accurate Accuracy Systems

I like them both..

Those are some NICE rifles.

 

[stingray1]

Generally a good Rifle.

The Mini14 is not as accurate as the AR15 platform.
Also, the Mini14 magazines are a bit quirky to remove and insert.
The forward hole on the mag, must align with the pin as you slightly rotate the magazine into place. It's more like an AK than a AR.

I'd prefer an AR15 over the Mini14 for most purposes.
BUT. . . . The Mini14 is a great rifle.

I agree,own both.

 

[dodge man]

I've owned one for maybe 15 years. Let me start by saying its the only semi auto firearm I've owned that has NEVER jammed. Every other semi auto I've owned or talked to other owners has jammed, even if its rare. My Mine has always gone bang when I've pulled the trigger.

As far as accuracy. Mine sucks if you shoot off a bench. Its very sensitive to ammo changes. The barrel is pretty thin and whippy. I've shot some military ammo which is much hotter than 223 ammo and it changed the point of impact over 12" at 100 yards. If I shoot the same ammo all the time, the best I can say about it is its adequate. I also have a fairly high quality scope on it. I've always felt an new stock would help mine, it seems a little loose, its the wood stock. I feel a synthetic stock might tighten things up. I also think the newer ones are much better for accuracy.

As far as magazines go, the aftermarket ones shoot fine in mine, its just much harder to get them in the rifle. The factory ones are much easier to insert in the rifle. The factory ones aren't cheap either.

Overall I'm happy with mine as long as I don't try and bench rest the thing, I've shot several thousand rounds threw mine.

 

[sld]

Thanks a ton for the feedback guys. I hope to pull the trigger in the next week or so. Just have to find time to get it done.

Sounds like the trigger job would be well worth it. Wifey doesn't realize that on top of the gun price I have to stock up on ammo!

I have never had a .223 so I am starting from scratch. Oh, and the non-target models are all stamped with .223 / 5.56 Nato.

It sounds like a good choice for an all around utility gun. My only experience with the caliber was shooting water filled milk jugs at about 100 yards. Sounds crude, but that was a blast! Doesn't take much to entertain me.