Ruger Mini-14

[Lu6973 1]

Used search... not much info .... looking for feedback as I'm looking for an alternative to an AR-15

[Old Glock guy 1,127]

I have one.  It's a good alternative to an AR, similar ballistics (perhaps not quite as accurate), but doesn't look tactical.  I call it my FU gun, because there's a good chance they could remain legal under an "assault weapons" ban.  There are lots of You  Tube videos about them.  Watch a few, then get one. 

[RUTGERS95 890]

had two and sold them as I didn't like them at all.  Accuracy is terrible, reliable, uses AR mags but it's 223.  If you must go this route, get a flightlite lower if you can find one and have at it.  Or wait, other companies will build something similar soon enough

[gleninjersey 2,141]

Newer ones with thicker barrel are supposed to be more accurate.  I purchased a pre-owned one dated to late 70s.  It shoots fine for me.  One of my brother inlaws family has one at a farm they own.  He says the Mini-14 has taken more deer on the property than any other rifle.  

Here's a good article about their "problem".  If you buy one made after 2006 you should be fine.

https://www.offthegridnews.com/self-defense/the-ruger-mini-14s-biggest-problem-and-how-to-fix-it/

[The_Matrix 105]

I had the newer one and I really liked it.  I like the recoil impulse and the feel of the rifle (shooting position).

However, I sold it b/c I had too many rifles.  

I recommend it.

[124gr9mm 859]

I have one and I think it's a great rifle and very good alternative to an AR for those who are looking. With a 5 round magazine it has a low profile and can pass for a .22 or any other "non-black" rifle.

General opinion/observations:
I have a newer one (made in 2017 I think) and it cycles every kind of ammo I put through it.  I have thousands of rounds through it with no failures.

It was the first centerfire rifle that my kids shot and it's still the one they enjoy shooting the most.

While I've had scopes and other optics on it, I'm a big fan of the iron sights it comes with.  Very easy to see/get on target.

Takedown/cleaning/maintenance is easy and it doesn't mind running a little dirty.

Accuracy:
I respect everyone's opinion here, but I'm not sure that they're all based on the newer (post 1980's) barrel profile. 

Accuracy is fine.  Mine is a 2 - 3 MOA shooter at 100 yards, so for my purposes that's fine.  It's DEFINITELY not a benchrest gun and it's not a 1 MOA (or sub MOA if you believe the braggers) AR or high-end battle rifle.

The only real gripe I have is that it doesn't take AR magazines.

 

Happy to answer any specific questions you have.
 

[JC_68Westy 1,024]

I have one and really like it. It is fun to shoot, accurate enough, and very reliable. Even most that are marked .223 are safe to shoot 5.56 (this is according to Ruger). 

[GRIZ 3,369]

I've had always had a Mini 14 around for over 40 years.  Before the late 70s if one wanted a military style semiautomatic rifle you had 3 choices.  The Mini 14, Colt AR15, or M1A.  I bought my first in the middle 70s for about $160, about half the price of an AR15 at the time.

I see it as a modern version of a M1 Carbine using a more effective round.  We had them a work back in the 80s and 90s so I probably shot a few dozen of them.  Never saw one that couldn't shoot 3-4" at 100 yards.

[gleninjersey 2,141]

2 hours ago, The_Matrix said:

However, I sold it b/c I had too many rifles.  

What is this "too many rifles" nonsense. 

[The_Matrix 105]

1 hour ago, gleninjersey said:

What is this "too many rifles" nonsense. 

Since the election, I lost all in a boating accident. So, currently I have zero.

[Lu6973 1]

thanks to all.... placing a special order @ Heritage Guild in Branchburg ..... will be waiting for months no doubt, unless someone knows if I can place an order somewhere else and reduce that to weeks..... maybe a large internet seller (like Bud's Gun Shop) and I just use a NJ FFL.  Sorry always purchased my firearms in NJ.

Looking to get SKU 5801

[gleninjersey 2,141]

@remixer Steve at Monmouth Arms is my go to FFL / gun guy.  He may be able to help you out if he's not too far for you. 

I've also used JT Customs and Tactical Concepts.  

All were excellent.  

There is always Gunbroker.  But I was shocked at the prices I saw for the "buy it now options".  I think the least expensive "buy it now" choices was $950 for a Ruger Mini-14.  And it was an older version.

Good luck.  Great looking rifle!

Link to the $950 used one if interested:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/889661746
 

[Lu6973 1]

8 hours ago, gleninjersey said:

@remixer Steve at Monmouth Arms is my go to FFL / gun guy.  He may be able to help you out if he's not too far for you. 

I've also used JT Customs and Tactical Concepts.  

All were excellent.  

There is always Gunbroker.  But I was shocked at the prices I saw for the "buy it now options".  I think the least expensive "buy it now" choices was $950 for a Ruger Mini-14.  And it was an older version.

Good luck.  Great looking rifle!

Link to the $950 used one if interested:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/889661746
 

Thanks, sent a PM to remixer.  I don't mind driving to Englishtown

Yeah.. I searched in gunbroker..really interested in a new one instead of buying used.

[dajonga 396]

FYI....Shooters in LEHT has a new Mini 14 on the shelf.

[Landon101 4]

On 1/19/2021 at 10:19 AM, gleninjersey said:

What is this "too many rifles" nonsense. 

[Tunaman 549]

On 1/19/2021 at 7:47 AM, RUTGERS95 said:

had two and sold them as I didn't like them at all.  Accuracy is terrible, reliable, uses AR mags but it's 223.  If you must go this route, get a flightlite lower if you can find one and have at it.  Or wait, other companies will build something similar soon enough

They do NOT use AR mags.

[Old Glock guy 1,127]

5 minutes ago, Tunaman said:

They do NOT use AR mags.

Can't believe it took almost a month for someone to catch that.  Yes, they use their own proprietary mags. 

[Lu6973 1]

On 1/21/2021 at 11:50 PM, dajonga said:

FYI....Shooters in LEHT has a new Mini 14 on the shelf.

Thanks....just picked up my Mini-14 from Shooters....and just received my 10 rd mags from Rugers that I ordered online.

[Old Glock guy 1,127]

Nice!  Best of luck with it.  Pics?

When will you get to shoot it?

[Tunaman 549]

4 hours ago, Lu6973 said:

Thanks....just picked up my Mini-14 from Shooters....and just received my 10 rd mags from Rugers that I ordered online.

Please let us know about the function of the 10 round mags please.  I want to buy some,  but I read horror stories about them not working at all,  or not being able to load 10 and insert into gun with bolt closed.

[124gr9mm 859]

2 hours ago, Tunaman said:

Please let us know about the function of the 10 round mags please.  I want to buy some,  but I read horror stories about them not working at all,  or not being able to load 10 and insert into gun with bolt closed.

I think the Ruger magazine are OK, but most of the non-Ruger branded 10 round magazines have a "break in" period before they'll easily/comfortably be able to seat when the bolt is closed.

[Tunaman 549]

17 minutes ago, 124gr9mm said:

I think the Ruger magazine are OK, but most of the non-Ruger branded 10 round magazines have a "break in" period before they'll easily/comfortably be able to seat when the bolt is closed.

I only ask because I read on the Ruger website the reviews for these 10 round magazines suck.  Maybe they got them straightened out but I would like to hear from a recent customer of the Ruger magazines.

[jermz1987 243]

I’m looking for a Mini 14 as well, was gonna sell or trade my RF Other for one. The Other is great and all but I have 2 other ARS, I recently got to fire a mini 14 tactical at the range and absolutely loved it. I would trade my Other for one, finding anything priced reasonably now is a pain in the arse. Very fun rifles.

[124gr9mm 859]

23 hours ago, jermz1987 said:

I’m looking for a Mini 14 as well, was gonna sell or trade my RF Other for one. The Other is great and all but I have 2 other ARS, I recently got to fire a mini 14 tactical at the range and absolutely loved it. I would trade my Other for one, finding anything priced reasonably now is a pain in the arse. Very fun rifles.

I think finding a reasonably priced one will be a challenge.

Pre-covid you find them new for around $700, but now they're over $1000 IF you find them.

[chencaerulescens 15]

Stainless steel model will survive long term storage in less than optimal situations...if you catch my meaning.

[JackDaWack 2,895]

1 hour ago, chencaerulescens said:

Stainless steel model will survive long term storage in less than optimal situations...if you catch my meaning.

Anything will, when properly treated. Even stainless with corrode if its not protected in less than ideal environments long term. 

Since many parts are cheap metal, you need to use a preservative anyway. 

[Old Glock guy 1,127]

Hate to start a new thread for this.  Does anyone have ejection issues with their Mini 14?  It has always been less than reliable, but now I'm having an FTE once or twice a mag.  Thought perhaps it was related to unreliable mags, but it has become clear that the double feeds occur because the casing in the chamber is not being ejected.

Guess I'm going to have to get in touch with Ruger, but just curious to see if anyone has any suggestions?

[Scorpio64 5,154]

check/clean gas system.

[Old Glock guy 1,127]

Just to follow up on this, I called Ruger and explained what was happening.  They immediately sent out a new extractor, spring, and plunger.  Got them just a few days later.  I disassembled the bolt (thanks You Tube) and found a broken extractor spring.  Replaced all the parts, and tested it out yesterday.  Happy to report that it now seems to be running flawlessly.

BTW, it's a little scary to find that a problem with a tiny spring can disable an entire firearm. 

[Scorpio64 5,154]

12 minutes ago, Old Glock guy said:

it's a little scary to find that a problem with a tiny spring can disable an entire firearm. 

A few nails almost took down an entire kingdom.