To Fudd or not to Fudd...That is the Question

Regarding all the talk about how tight a Mini-14 won't shoot, here's another thing... what ammo is everybody using? Could be they're not trying a variety and keeping records. Could be they're not handloding and trying different bullets thinking it's not worth the effort.

Then there's the gas port, something about different size bushings. And recoil buffers. And trigger jobs. I'm sure there're a few more tricks.

mini here are over 900 if there was to be a used one id say 7 to 800 bucks around here. id do the trade, if it does not shoot maybe ruger will rebarrel it for you.

mustanger98 said:

Regarding all the talk about how tight a Mini-14 won't shoot, here's another thing... what ammo is everybody using? Could be they're not trying a variety and keeping records. Could be they're not handloding and trying different bullets thinking it's not worth the effort.

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With a 181-197 series, it doesn't matter. Minute of pie plate with factory barrel. 580 series are improved, but the best 580 mini is unlikely to outshoot the cheapest AR, regardless of ammo. The mini 14 "target" will shoot about as well as a run of the mill HBAR AR.

Minis also aren't as robust or reliable, despite the fact that more steel parts and looser tolerances make us think they would be. There's a reason people don't use them in carbine courses where the guns get run hard; they choke.

20 years ago, minis were $400 and a cheap AR was over $800. ARs also hadn't evolved to what they are today, didn't have the insane accessory & upgrade options. Magazines were also similarly priced at the time with the '94 ban still in effect. So, in the 1990s, the mini 14 made sense for a guy who wanted an economical .223 carbine to play with. A cottage industry also cropped up for accurizing them, and some money was made there.

Fast forward 10 years

By the time we get into the late 2000s, the AWB is gone, factory ARs are already below mini-14 price, the customizability of the AR is realizing it's potential, AR magazines are cheaper and more reliable, and more people are starting to care about being able to hit things at range, meaning mechanical accuracy, fitment of the weapon to their body & optics mounting options are important to them.

Enter the present

A bare bones AR that will be more accurate and more reliable than any mini can be put together for just over $300 all in. By the time you spend basic mini 14 money in 2019 ($750+), you can have an AR with any stock, grip & handguard you want, a match grade barrel, upgraded trigger & a half dozen magazines.

I had a 195 series bought new in 2000. It was decently reliable, and I did see an improvement in accuracy from 3-5 MOA to 2.5-3 MOA by chopping the barrel to 14" & welding a flash hider on. I got my first AR in 2005, an Armalite M15A2C. Once I realized what the AR was (and what the mini wasn't), it was over. I built numerous ARs for different purposes, while the mini just collected dust. When the day came I had an opportunity to trade the mini for something of value, not a second thought was given.

They do have a certain aesthetic appeal, but that's really all they offer, IMO.

Swap your M&P plastic furniture for wood, laminate for low cost effect, walnut for true class. I saw an AR with nutmeg laminate furniture the other day and it was quite nice. Hydrographic your receiver, add wood furniture and you'll have a sharp AR that can shoot!

1MoreFord said:

No way.

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If you are going to get a Mini-14, avoid the hassles, just get a NEW one.
And be sure to send it back, if it ain't accurate. Don't borrow any more trouble with
these carbines than you have to.

I spent a year one month fixing my used mini. Perfect Union is a good reference
for info on the old minis. They have a laundry list of issues, poorly staked front sight
(like mine) under and over gassing, gas block torque issues, and the infamously
inaccurate and whippy mini-14 "pencil barrel". Despite the heartburn, I still like the
Garand reminiscent platform.

But trading an accurate rifle for a questionable used mini ? WTTW, don't.

I like/own mini-14 and AKs, i would trade my mini-14 for a mini-30 or mini-14 6.8SPC, i would not trade my mini-14 for an AR unless it was one of those M-17S bullpup ARs.

MachIVshooter hit it on the head- I bought my Mini back in the day because it was cheap. I wanted an AR but a Mini was around $400 and a Colt was over a grand. Now the economics are flipped with the ARs being at the commodity level. It just doesn't make any sense now to pick a Mini over an AR unless you have some unique reason to do so.

Never seen a Mini-14 with a walnut stock. They all have either cheap wood with a dark stain that some people think is walnut or plastic on some newer ones. If it really is walnut then yes because it is one rare Ruger. Otherwise I wouldn't trade a proven AR for 5 Mini-14's.

If you like hitting what you're aiming at..... NO

Back in the late 80's, or was it the early 90's, I was given a 180 series , or was it a 181, Mini 14 for helping a friend with getting his car running. It was still in the box and looked new. You talk about fun to shoot, but accurate it was not. I used factory and handloads and the best I could get was 4" at 100 yds. But it was fun to shoot.
I gave it to my daughter on her 14th birthday about 21 years ago. She would shoot it from time to time and really likes it, but she loves the purple AR I built for her.
If I remember right the older Mini 14s have .223 chambers.
The only reason I would trade an AR for an older Mini would be to resale the Mini.

bersaguy said:

If Diane is getting involved, I'll trade the Ar15 for a short barreled, suppressed M60
View attachment 826198

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That's a picture of a M249 SAW.
I think this is what you want.

Speaking as the former owner of one of the old ones, don't. Mine was great for what I used it for, the occasional potshot at a coyote when I was out in the desert, but before I got through the first mag groups opened up a lot. Grab it if it's cheap or you want to add one to your collection or really want a project to tackle, but for a practical rifle, you already got it in your S&W.

I'm with you as far as tastes.
However I would not make that trade.
Maybe build a cheap $300-$350 AR and trade that for it, if that's a possibility.

I would make that trade. Primarily because Mini-14s are more expensive than cheap M4gerys and a little harder to come by. If you don't like it, the resale on it is probably better than the resale on an M&P Sport. The only hangup is that it's an old Mini-14, and the newer ones are better, I hear.

GunnyUSMC said:

The only reason I would trade an AR for an older Mini would be to resale the Mini.

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And I would already have a buyer lined up for the Mini, lest I run the risk of being stuck with it.

I owned a Ranch Rifle back in the 80's. I t would shoot 10-12" at 100 yards with good handholds, depending on its mood. You had to worry about wounding someone next to you with the high velocity ejection, and if you managed not to conk someone with hot brass you had to walk 40 feet to pick up your empties. The only possible reason for anyone to ever own a Mini-14 is if they are legally prohibited from owning a better rifle, or if they receive it as a gift/inheritance.

https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/product-configurator

I've changed my mind. You mention the stock is questionable. I'd do the trade, throw a couple hundred bucks at it for this walnut stock, do some careful bedding and fitting, maybe add a "GI" style sight set and see what it will do. But then I like tinkering on things.

I bought a new wood stock/blue finish Mini-14 in 1984, loved the ergonomics and look of the gun, but after shooting it some found that the super wide front sight and skinny barrel was not a good combination for accuracy. Now the newer Mini's with the heavier barrel and newer sights are really nice shooters provided you like old school ergonomic layout.

I would skip on this trade/sale and keep looking.

I would trade in a heart beat!
I have an 80s model with the older skinny 9/16” barrel. And with a little work it now shoots 7/16” groups at 100 yards!
It also chunks cases into the next county!

The part about how it sends the brass flying so far... well, sounds like it does it dependably... why they make brass catchers.

And if they're really as bad as the detractors act like they are, (1) why did they remain in production, and (2) why the higher prices compared to all these $300-400 AR's I haven't seen locally? Hmmm.

I wouldn't. The Mini-14 is about the only Ruger product I don't care for. I got rid of mine years ago and never looked back. However, luckily every shooter is different and if you want that rifle go get it. I have a very, very nice AR that was issued to me at work. Meh. It's only a tool. However, I love my S&W Sport II. It functions flawlessly and is accurate to boot. It has been on many a hunt and has given me times with my sons that I will never forget. Those memories have put a "soul" into that little rifle.

Catpop said:

I would trade in a heart beat!
I have an 80s model with the older skinny 9/16” barrel. And with a little work it now shoots 7/16” groups at 100 yards!

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A bullet that tumbled and made a .437" long hole with 4 fliers off the paper doesn't count!

Or did you mean 71/6"? That'd be about right for off-hand with a 181-197 series after it warms up!

Catpop said:

I would trade in a heart beat!
I have an 80s model with the older skinny 9/16” barrel. And with a little work it now shoots 7/16” groups at 100 yards!
It also chunks cases into the next county!

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I would pay money to see that ,Come to my range I will pay $100 if you can do it, I will give you two tries at 5 shot groups.

bersaguy said:

If Diane is getting involved, I'll trade the Ar15 for a short barreled, suppressed M60
View attachment 826198

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Except that is an M249 Para.

Geez,
I guess you called my hand!
Here’s the target