To whom it may Concern: 28 Monday 2004
I purchased a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle on 17 October 2001. This letter being written to you is to tell you of my displeasure and aggravation I have gone through from purchasing this rifle. My intent is to make clear about what I am displeased about and why I will never purchase or recommend a Ruger product to anyone.
The 1st incident happened while attempting to zero the rifle. After hearing the reviews of the Mini 14 I thought it would be a good rifle to have since I am an avid shooter. I was wrong. While attempting to zero the rifle the recoil of the weapon loosened the rear sight windage lock screw (PN MS05710). As this happened the rear slight slid in its dovetail to the left. Imagine my surprise when my zero was slowly shifting left. When I realized what had happened I attempted to tighten down the windage lock. To my dismay the little screw stripped in the head. Well at least it held and I finished my zeroing.
Another annoyance is the distance the Mini 14 shucks its expended brass. All fine and dandy if you don’t want to pick it up or ever find it again. However it is not the most favorite rifle on public ranges. Who enjoys brass flying past them half the speed of the bullet it just expelled?
The 2nd incident. The factory magazines. The 5 round magazines are fine for zeroing. Fine for hunting. For heaven sakes who would want to go plinking an only load in 5 rounds at a time? I take my bolt action when I want to do that! Here the problem seems to be Ruger's politics. Apparently a normal citizen such as myself is not to be trusted with more than 5 rounds as it seems of Ruger's bowing to the wishes of an impeached president.
And for the magazines that are out there. Well if I buy 5 twenty round capacity Ruger Magazines I have invested the amount of what I paid for my rifle. Far from worth it in my eyes when an AR15 surplus magazine runs in the 10-20 dollar range. That is the reason I bought the Mini 14. For the economical price for a supposedly good quality rifle. To bad the price of the accessories require deep pockets, almost more than the rifle is worth. I did purchase an aftermarket 10 rounder and a couple of 20 round magazines. My opinions were what a waste of time. While the 10 round magazine would feed fine it would not lock the bolt to the rear. I got over that. The 20 round magazines failed to load the last round and have given me many misfires and loading problems. In the trash they went.
The 3rd and last incident. Not very impressed with the rear site of the ranch rifle I found a Williams rear site (PN WGRS Mini 14/30). I was very pleased with it. I liked the bigger peep the graduated ramp. Why I could go on for a while why I like it! Except for one reason. I lost it. Once again the rear sight windage lock screw was the culprit. As the old one had stripped I purchased new one. I carefully installed my site and lock screw and tightened it down to a snug fitting. I really liked that sight. The rifle zeroed wonderfully after this. I will never have that problem again. On the way home from the range and to the table for an after actions cleaning my Williams sight was gone. The culprit was a loose windage lock screw. I hung the rifle in the closet and vowed to sell it. For the record the Williams site was $39.95 minus NV State sales tax of 7.37%. I doubt Ruger will reimburse me for the loss of the sight due to there rifles inferior quality.
Now this last one I cannot blame on you. It just goes to show the run of bad luck I have had since purchasing the Mini 14. I have never really liked the front blade ramp. Especially after I put on the Williams site, so I ordered a Choate Machine & Tool Cage Flash Suppressor (PN 07-07-13). I really thought that M1 Carbine style dog ears and post would go well with the Williams sight as well as add a neat feature to my Mini 14. Sadly after anxiously awaiting for the mail I received my package. Choate while overcharging me for the shipping had billed me for a Mini 14 Cage Flash Suppressor in Stainless Steal ($47.60), the color of my rifle. What was in my package was a blued suppressor. A common mix up yes but after the aggravation of the rear sight incident this was the final straw. The proverbial camels back is broken. A call will be made to Choate tomorrow requesting a full refund. I no longer need the part as I will soon no longer have a Mini 14.
Being that I am Member of the US Army I will sell my Ruger Mini 14 to whatever poor soul will have it an take the loss (there will be no profit with this rifle) and I will purchase an AR 15. After shooting the M-16 for the past 8 years I feel it is well worth the money for the civilian version. I wish I would have done this before instead of going for a better price. A life lesson is learned here and I will not ever again purchase or recommend to anyone any Ruger products. I hope you can understand my displeasure.
Disappointed and Angry
Donald W Fleming
Po Box, 446
Sparks, NV 89432
once again this pile of puke weapon has pist me off for the last time
I purchased a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle on 17 October 2001. This letter being written to you is to tell you of my displeasure and aggravation I have gone through from purchasing this rifle. My intent is to make clear about what I am displeased about and why I will never purchase or recommend a Ruger product to anyone.
The 1st incident happened while attempting to zero the rifle. After hearing the reviews of the Mini 14 I thought it would be a good rifle to have since I am an avid shooter. I was wrong. While attempting to zero the rifle the recoil of the weapon loosened the rear sight windage lock screw (PN MS05710). As this happened the rear slight slid in its dovetail to the left. Imagine my surprise when my zero was slowly shifting left. When I realized what had happened I attempted to tighten down the windage lock. To my dismay the little screw stripped in the head. Well at least it held and I finished my zeroing.
Another annoyance is the distance the Mini 14 shucks its expended brass. All fine and dandy if you don’t want to pick it up or ever find it again. However it is not the most favorite rifle on public ranges. Who enjoys brass flying past them half the speed of the bullet it just expelled?
The 2nd incident. The factory magazines. The 5 round magazines are fine for zeroing. Fine for hunting. For heaven sakes who would want to go plinking an only load in 5 rounds at a time? I take my bolt action when I want to do that! Here the problem seems to be Ruger's politics. Apparently a normal citizen such as myself is not to be trusted with more than 5 rounds as it seems of Ruger's bowing to the wishes of an impeached president.
And for the magazines that are out there. Well if I buy 5 twenty round capacity Ruger Magazines I have invested the amount of what I paid for my rifle. Far from worth it in my eyes when an AR15 surplus magazine runs in the 10-20 dollar range. That is the reason I bought the Mini 14. For the economical price for a supposedly good quality rifle. To bad the price of the accessories require deep pockets, almost more than the rifle is worth. I did purchase an aftermarket 10 rounder and a couple of 20 round magazines. My opinions were what a waste of time. While the 10 round magazine would feed fine it would not lock the bolt to the rear. I got over that. The 20 round magazines failed to load the last round and have given me many misfires and loading problems. In the trash they went.
The 3rd and last incident. Not very impressed with the rear site of the ranch rifle I found a Williams rear site (PN WGRS Mini 14/30). I was very pleased with it. I liked the bigger peep the graduated ramp. Why I could go on for a while why I like it! Except for one reason. I lost it. Once again the rear sight windage lock screw was the culprit. As the old one had stripped I purchased new one. I carefully installed my site and lock screw and tightened it down to a snug fitting. I really liked that sight. The rifle zeroed wonderfully after this. I will never have that problem again. On the way home from the range and to the table for an after actions cleaning my Williams sight was gone. The culprit was a loose windage lock screw. I hung the rifle in the closet and vowed to sell it. For the record the Williams site was $39.95 minus NV State sales tax of 7.37%. I doubt Ruger will reimburse me for the loss of the sight due to there rifles inferior quality.
Now this last one I cannot blame on you. It just goes to show the run of bad luck I have had since purchasing the Mini 14. I have never really liked the front blade ramp. Especially after I put on the Williams site, so I ordered a Choate Machine & Tool Cage Flash Suppressor (PN 07-07-13). I really thought that M1 Carbine style dog ears and post would go well with the Williams sight as well as add a neat feature to my Mini 14. Sadly after anxiously awaiting for the mail I received my package. Choate while overcharging me for the shipping had billed me for a Mini 14 Cage Flash Suppressor in Stainless Steal ($47.60), the color of my rifle. What was in my package was a blued suppressor. A common mix up yes but after the aggravation of the rear sight incident this was the final straw. The proverbial camels back is broken. A call will be made to Choate tomorrow requesting a full refund. I no longer need the part as I will soon no longer have a Mini 14.
Being that I am Member of the US Army I will sell my Ruger Mini 14 to whatever poor soul will have it an take the loss (there will be no profit with this rifle) and I will purchase an AR 15. After shooting the M-16 for the past 8 years I feel it is well worth the money for the civilian version. I wish I would have done this before instead of going for a better price. A life lesson is learned here and I will not ever again purchase or recommend to anyone any Ruger products. I hope you can understand my displeasure.
Disappointed and Angry
Donald W Fleming
Po Box, 446
Sparks, NV 89432
once again this pile of puke weapon has pist me off for the last time