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Gents: Can anyone give me a well-informed opinion on the durability of the Mini-14. Everyone says get a black rifle, but I live behind the iron curtain (Kalifornia). I've read that the Mini is actually quite durable especially compared to the direct impingement gas system on the M4 which introduces hot gasses into the action. What do you experts say? Yes, I know all about the Mini-14's "minute of pie-plate" accuracy. Thanks | ||
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they take a beating and require minimal care, ask any ranchers or prison guard I love mine and so do a lot of the Eskimos here in Alaska, they use them to hunt everything from moose to seals & walrus, no scopes, they get up real close before shooting, I've been with them on some hunts (mini-14s are not as popular with our Indians who live inland, they seem to prefer bolt or lever action rifles) Jim fur, feathers, & meat in the freezer  "Pass it on to your kids" | |||
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As a mini 14 owner I can attest to the reliability of this rifle... They are truly outstanding. The accuracy is not particularly good in the older ones but they will function no matter what. I bought a stainless one back in 1995 or so and have hunted with it and killed a couple of deer with soft points and saying that I would choose a larger caliber. In the 7.62 caliber they would be fine. I dont know much about the newer one but if you want fine accuracy you wont find it. A friend of mine has about 1600.00 in his and got so frustrated with it he sold it for 700.00. So for a lot less money you can buy an accurate Panther Arms or such. But for reliability they are par none. cal30 If it cant be Grown it has to be Mined! Devoted member of Newmont mining company Underground Mine rescue team. Carlin East,Deep Star ,Leeville,Deep Post ,Chukar and now Exodus Where next? Pete Bajo to train newbies on long hole stoping and proper blasting techniques. Back to Exodus mine again learning teaching and operating autonomous loaders in the underground. Bringing everyday life to most individuals 8' at a time! | |||
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The Mini 14 will take a licking and keep on ticking. The tolerances are not that fine. They are not very accurate. I believe that the factory standard is 2 inches at 50 yards although many will do somewhat better, but still not MOA. Having said that there are some simple steps that will improve accuracy. Probably the simplest is the accu-strut. Try the perfectunion.com web site for Mini 14 users. Peter. Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong; | |||
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i have a stainless mini-30, and i've put about 2k rounds thru it... all wolf ammunition....the hollow points... it still shoots about 2" at 100... the hotter the barrel gets, the worse it shoots... let it cool off and it goes back... go big or go home ........ DSC-- Life Member NRA--Life member DRSS--9.3x74 r Chapuis | |||
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Who cares about the "durability" of the inaccurate POS Mini-14? Still a POS!  Yup! I would like to see those "2 inch groups" at 100 yards with Wolf ammo! | |||
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You are welcome to come and shoot anytime!! go big or go home ........ DSC-- Life Member NRA--Life member DRSS--9.3x74 r Chapuis | |||
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Not interested! PS- LET'S KEEP THIS HONEST! | |||
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The guy that ask the question to begin with cares, so why not be a good sport and STFU. -------------------------------------------- Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? | |||
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It seems that “DaMan” is once again on the warpath of ignorance and intolerance. Seems like a good candidate for a Darwin Award. We’ll just have to wait and see I guess. If I were to take a guess, "DaMan" is a 15 year old kid, weaned on gun magazines and folk lore. His posts have no substance, and his comments really have no experience to back them up, at least by his comments. How sad. As for the Mini 14’s reliability, it is legendary. As for its accuracy, well, that’s already been mentioned. It might be wise to remember that Ruger didn’t design the Mini as a target rifle, but as a moderate range service rifle that would work, first time, every time. That it does. Eric "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin, July 4 1776 Lost once in the shuffle, member since 2000. | |||
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I got Minute of Angle with mine! (But it did take a little effort and careful bullet choice. No chance with factory ammo - even Sako). I was always convinced it was among the most reliable of rifles, if not the most reliable! (But I have no means of testing that theory!) Regards 303Guy | |||
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Yup! Not too accurate..... I'll give it the "reliable" rating! But a POS I would no longer own!  | |||
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As all firearms, the Mini-14 was designed with a specific purpose in mind. The Mini-14's was to deliver fire, accurate enough for general purposes, out to around 300 yards. It was also designed to be 100% reliable. That it pretty much is as long as the user is feeding it good ammunition. The Mini GB was designed as a military weapon, with the notion that the majority of military actions take place within 300 yards. Given this criteria, would the Mini-14 GB be acceptable for the military? Yes. The catch point is "average." At present our troops (to include myself this coming May) are involved in combat in Iraq where the average distance can exceed 300 yards. Is the Mini-14 up to this task? No. However I also need to mention that our current issue rifle, the M-4 Carbine, is also not up to the task. The 14 inch barrel bleeds off vital muzzle velocity and energy, hence it is not sufficient really for the tactical terrain. Now, to return to the Mini-14. Given it's design features, is it a good enough rifle for the average shooter, under normal circumstances, to use as a medium range firearm for personal defense? But of course. For personal defense the shooter only needs to be "minute of body." Quite within the capabilities of the Mini-14. I've always thought if a person wants to make target size groups, that person needs to purchase a target rifle. I've always used this criteria for tactical weapons selection also. I've always believed that a single weapon isn't adaquate for all situations. In a jungle the M-16 type of rifle is more than adaquate. In the desert the M-14 is the ticket. For urban environments, the M-16 is again a good choice, as well as a 12 gage shotgun. If one firearm would do everything, there would only be one gun. Even the old saying "Beware the man with one gun. He may know how to use it" only goes so far. A Mosin-Nagant with the bayonet attached would make a rather poor home defense firearm, though it would scare the stuffing out of any intruder. Regards, Eric "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin, July 4 1776 Lost once in the shuffle, member since 2000. | |||
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It was, eh?!!! What military forces adopted it?!!!  | |||
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Well now Mr Helper, who adopted the English E.M.2, or the 1941 Johnson, or a thousand other firearms designed for the military? Dude, a little intelligence and substance, please. "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin, July 4 1776 Lost once in the shuffle, member since 2000. | |||
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And who adopted the mini-14 and then dumped it?!!! Why, it was the elite "combat hardened" Bermuda Regt.! The band members really liked it because it was light weight and carried well in parade! | |||
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Ah, kids, what you gonna do with them? "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin, July 4 1776 Lost once in the shuffle, member since 2000. | |||
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You could start by giving them good advice on ACCURATE weapons! Not talking up POS clunkers! | |||
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ah, that implies that the advice will be understood and listened to. Any takers? This site, though named "Accutate Reloading," entails that different rifles will have different parameters. We all need to remember that those parameters do not require the same standards. "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin, July 4 1776 Lost once in the shuffle, member since 2000. | |||
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Starting a few years ago with the 580 series Ruger has substantially improved the accuracy of their Mini 14 and 30 with a heavier barrel and better gas block design. Their target version has a harmonic adjuster and excellent accuracy - no reason it can't be developed to be as good as the AR15. The All Weather Ranch Rifle also comes in 6.8SPC, a good deer round. | |||
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Jordan Since you live in Kalif., then the Mini-14 would be an OK choice for a 223 semi-auto. The newer ones are probably better than the older ones. I have had one of the original Mini-14's for over 30 years. I have not shot it much but I have never had any problems with it. Stick with factory Ruger 20 round magazines. Another choice for you would be a Kalif legal Sringfield Armoury M1-A in 308. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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I thought the question was durability, not to mention the State of California. I'm shocked the Rugers are still legal. I'd jump all over one if in that boat. If I were looking for accuracy the new target mini 14 if for two legged varmints the mini 30. My great uncle had a mini 14 at the ranch and everybody shot the hell out of it and it's still ticking. Enough of a test for me. ______________________ Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else. | |||
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 I finally picked up a NRA Model this year after badmouthing them for years. My wife really likes them so I gave it a shot. It runs like a top, and the accuracy is a little better since they beefed up the barrel where the gas block fits over it. The NRA Model ships with 2, 20 round magazines, and has the nice Hogue Overmolded Stock. That's about $150.00 in extras right there so it was worth it. Accuracy is no where near as good as my AR-15's, but it is a blast to shoot, and reliable as hell with any ammo. Bill T. | |||
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Eric, don't waste your time. He knows less about weapons than he does politics. -------------------------------------------- Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? | |||
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I've shot an older one for years and have had zero reliability issues. I second the comment about using Ruger factory hi-cap mags, I haven't found any aftermarket ones that perform as well. | |||
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Friend of mine in Limpopo had a bolt crack in half. Admittedly, he was shooting reserve police issue 5.56mm SADF/IMI rounds in it for 10 years, not .223rem. Managed to orchestrate his smith a new bolt (act of god getting gun parts into RSA, though Ruger was very helpful, didn't even charge him for the part or shipping), this was about 2 years ago, and it's eaten a couple thousand rounds of 5.56 with no problems this time. Metal fatigue failure but it was being fed rounds over SAAMI .223 specs on a regular basis. Make of that what you will. New bolt, check of tolerances, and it's been humming along nicely ever since. Plenty accurate enough for "Minute of Cull" on things smaller than a Kudu when you're a game farmer. | |||
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Has this gent always been like this? I doubt he even shoots and if he does Ill bet he or she cant shoot well and would not recognize dependability if it bit him in the ASS. I can see why people take shots at his misguided posts. DaMan or TheGirl go back to reading your gun rags or whatever it is you do. Cal30 If it cant be Grown it has to be Mined! Devoted member of Newmont mining company Underground Mine rescue team. Carlin East,Deep Star ,Leeville,Deep Post ,Chukar and now Exodus Where next? Pete Bajo to train newbies on long hole stoping and proper blasting techniques. Back to Exodus mine again learning teaching and operating autonomous loaders in the underground. Bringing everyday life to most individuals 8' at a time! | |||
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Pretty much. -------------------------------------------- Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? | |||
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If you really think about it, many have nothing but praise for the AK-47, which is little more than a "bullet hose". While it's not very accurate it's reliable, and runs with most all brands and types of ammo. The Ruger Mini 14 does much the same, but it receives criticism while the AK gets nothing but accolades. Bill T. | |||
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Good point!! | |||
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I have an early Mini 14 and have nothing but good things to say about it.I never expected it to be accurate (its not),I had a suppressor fitted to it and ended up using it more than I ever intended. The only reliabilty problems I had with it were due to cheap aftermarket magazines,the Ruger factory 5 shots make this carbine run well. I have shot many goats,wallibies,and Thar with it.I reccomend buying one if you are able,due to the inexpensive ammo and "handyness" of the Carbine. | |||
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Bill, the Ruger Mini is an EXPENSIVE bullet hose. I've had three of them. They just didn't live up to the misplaced praise some have heaped upon them. Reliability is fair....... but only with the factory 5 or 20 round mags. For about half the price of the Mini, you can get an AK variant. Mags are dirt cheap..... and these AKs never get the hick-ups! I just shake my head when I hear that someone has forked out a grand for a Mini "Target" version. Reminds me of the old PT Barnum saying! PS - I understand that the situation in Kalifornia is "different"..... but I still wouldn't buy a Mini if I lived there. An SKS will do everything a Mini can do (and more)...... at a fraction of the price. PPS - I'd like some "wise" Mini fan to tell me why they called this rifle the "Mini-14" and NOT the "Mini-M1 Carbine"! Design-wise it's MUCH closer to the M1 Carbine. | |||
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Not anymore! Bill T. | |||
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OK..... What is the price difference between an AK variant and a Mini-14/30 in your area, Bill? Also.......mag cost and availability? | |||
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http://www.gunsamerica.com/961...9_New_in_the_Box.htm http://www.gunsamerica.com/976...es/Mini_14_Ranch.htm http://shopruger.com/webapp/wc...9655&lastCatId=19655 | |||
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This guy is on drugs! Compare prices of Ruger 20 round magazines to AK 30 round magazines! | |||
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You asked. If you want to wait, order direct. http://www.lancasterarms.com/N...rd%20Gun%20Page.html   I own and shoot both. The days of "cheap" AK's are over. At least if you want anything decent. Bill T. | |||
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But the days of the "expensive POS Minis" has just started, eh?!!! Buy 'em up, sucker! They're ALL YOURS!  | |||
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Look, you're the one who claimed AK's were half the price. I just proved you wrong, now you're whining and being a smart ass. Game over. Bill T. | |||
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But you claim again..... the days of the "expensive POS Minis" has just started, eh?!!! Hope you enjoy your Mini- , Bill! PS- Not the way I would have spent money on a rifle! | |||
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