How can you tell a pre-ban Ruger mini-14? What are the serial numbers?

Thanks,

unless you live in one of the socialist states that specificlly name the mini 14 i don't believe it was ever banned. it never served as any govts weapon of war so it never fit any of the criteria of the federal statutes. it was altered to fit the goofy " citizens can't be trusted with a flash suppressor or a large magazine " measure for domestic production, but i don't believe it was officially ever banned. i may be wrong though.

Da, tovarich--in People's Republic of California one variant of Mini-14 is "assault weapon" per Penal Code Sec. 12276.1--the evil and capitalistic "GB" series, with protected and militaristic front sight posts and flash supressor on muzzle end of barrel. The flash suppressor alone--plus the centerfire/detachable box magazine-fed element--makes it so in the Worker's Paradise.

How that makes sense in the real world eludes me.

If it is a preban and was fitted with a flash suppesor pistol grip stock before the ban went into effect it is legal. The key is to make sure it was fitted BEFORE THE BAN. DO YOU HAVE THAT IT WAS OUT FITTED BEFORE THE BAN not after. You can not out fitted one after the ban.