Current Mini-14 - Worth the $$$

[Atomic_Dog9601]

I am curious as to the performance and reliability of the current production Mini-14 Ranch Rifles. I am aware of the cost of aftermarket parts & accessories but am simply curious as to wether or not the newest line of rifles is an improvement over the originals?

 

[FL-NC]

I have heard that the current production minis are superior to the older types, but the cost VS something like a mid level AR is hard for me to accept. I suppose if a person lives in a place where the AR isn't an option for legal reasons, or they just don't like the AR for personal reasons, they may be the better choice.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I've shot a 580 and didn't really like it. That said, it did shoot better than the 180 I own.

 

[ditmo]

I have old and new Mini 14's and an old mini 30. I prefer them to the AR platform. If you don't need a tack driver they are great. My 186 is 4 MOA on a good day. That used to be the standard for the US Army. My 581 tactical is an honest 2 to 2.5 MOA all day long if I do my part. So to answer your question yes I think the newer ones are better. Are they worth the cost?......that's for the buyer to decide.

 

[Atomic_Dog9601]

I have old and new Mini 14's and an old mini 30. I prefer them to the AR platform. If you don't need a tack driver they are great. My 186 is 4 MOA on a good day. That used to be the standard for the US Army. My 581 tactical is an honest 2 to 2.5 MOA all day long if I do my part. So to answer your question yes I think the newer ones are better. Are they worth the cost?......that's for the buyer to decide.

Overall I would generally go for an AR in terms of practicality. Simply a steady supply of aftermarket parts and accessories at a more affordable price. I simply like the old school style of the mini 14 ranch rifle with it's garand style action and wooden stock.
I likely will not purchase one soon. 1.) They always seem to be out of stock. And 2.) With an AR-15 already in my safe there's not a pressing need for another 5.56 semi auto. So while I would one day like to have one in my collection it's on the back burner for now.

 

[303 hunter]

I’ve owned Mini 14s and Mini 30s and I don’t want any more until Ruger greatly improves them and the price comes down. I own ARs in 6.8 SPC, 7.62x39, 308, and 450 Bushmaster, and all are less than moa with my hand loads. I’m not a mini hater, as I like the general design. The accuracy is not up to my standards though.

 

[jmorris]

I won’t be getting rid of the one I have but there was a time when the mini 14 was cheaper than the more accurate AR 15. That is no longer the case, now the best reason to get one is if you really like wood or searching for brass thrown by the Ranch rifle.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Yes, they are improved, but no, IMO they're not worth anywhere near the current prices. $500-$600 would be fair, might even grab one with wood stock in that range just because they do look nice. At nearly a grand, though, they get to keep them.

I had a late '90s stainless/synthetic. It was reliable enough, but it didn't have the classic wood & blue appeal, so once I got into ARs, it just collected dust until I traded it off.

 

[troy fairweather]

Not worth it when they went over $700 or so, could be worth more in a state like I'm in, but we can still mess with ar's. There going for 1200-1300 here now,

 

[LoonWulf]

The 580+ are noticeable improvement over the the older ones that I've used.
To me they're worth up to about a grand, But only in a configuration I find useful..... Which pretty much any 223 I don't... So I'll continue to wait till they make one available in 350 Legends or something similar.

 

[Tony50ae]

I currently own a 580 series and at one time owned an older series. Yes the new version is more accurate. At one time Mini's were cheaper than most AR's but that's no longer the case. And factorymagazines are expensive. Most aftermarket mags are a hit or miss on reliability. But I love my Mini. I also own an AR. But do have a soft spot for the Mini.
Is it worth it? For me yes. I got mine before prices were getting up there.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have a Mini Family in 5.56, 6.8, and 7.62x39. I love them all. Everything depends on what you want them for I would guess. For me they fall under the radar in NY.

 

[JDGray]

You can make the pencil bbl Mini's accurate, just chop off the whip! Mine shoots much better now, after building it into an AC556F clone.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I keep one just cuz it was my first .223 and its an immaculate early example. Would I buy another today, even for $500......no, probably not.

 

[ilmonster]

I purchased a 580 series Ranch Rifle about a month ago from an online retailer. Not too hard to find. Mine is the wood stocked, stainless barreled 18" version (model 5802). Before shooting, I did buy and install an ASI bushing kit - swapped the 0.080" factory gas bushing for a 0.040" bushing. Only sends brass about 3 yards. It now shoots super soft, and only using the iron sights can get 2 MOA at 50 yds., better than my friends older 181 series. Also, his unmodified 181 series sends brass into the next county! I now want to mount a scope (scope rings and a pic rail came with it) to see what kind of accuracy it's capable of at 100 yds.

Magazines, although pricey are all steel and seem like they could be driven over by a tank and still function (I'm talking Ruger magazines). Remind me of all steel AK magazines.

I too already own an AR, but this is a fun rifle that looks and feels retro. I was ok with the price. So far (only 100 rounds through it), I am glad I purchased one!

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I have been burned by having owned two bad 14's. I'm not about to take another chance.

 

[wiscoaster]

I have one of the new 581-series Mini-14's but no experience with the previous pre-"improvement" models, so I can't say whether it's really any better or not. It's a fun rifle to shoot but if you're looking for something that's really outstanding in its particular price point there are others that can do better in terms of almost anything else you want a rifle to do, except maybe to throw its brass to some outlandish distance, which I can't see to be a desirable selling point, unless you want a rifle that's not going to disclose where you're been by the brass it's ejected. As far as worth the price ... well, as they say, that's in the eye of the beholder. How bad do you want one?

 

[Mosin77]

I love the idea of a mini-14 but the real world price to lack of stellar performance to reported ammo finickiness just kinda makes me keep looking.

 

[Boomholzer]

If I had one, it would be stainless in a Samson A-TM folding stock. I love it when a plan comes together.
The mag system was always a deal breaker for me. It doesn't solve anything additionally over a AR except being different and nice to look at.
It costs to much to bang around in a UTV/Gator, tractor, or farm truck. I have a little Deerfield as a safe queen.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Overall I would generally go for an AR in terms of practicality. Simply a steady supply of aftermarket parts and accessories at a more affordable price. I simply like the old school style of the mini 14 ranch rifle with it's garand style action and wooden stock.

ARs are the better bargain by far. But as you say, there is something about the Garand-style action. I have several ARs in a few Calibers, and I have a Mini 14.
The mini gets more range time. If I knew for sure a new Mini 30 would be reliable with steel case, I would get one of those too.

Wood stocked rifles just sling up and shoulder better for me. And .223 is cheaper to reload than .308 and 30-06.

 

[Pudge]

I find it interesting that we could have a thread on "collectible" AK-47's, and discuss the cost of buying one, (which is considerable) and nobody says they aren't worth it because an AR is cheaper and more accurate.

If you want it to be something it isn't, you'll be disappointed. If you like it for what it is, it's great.

 

[SwampWolf]

I am curious as to the performance and reliability of the current production Mini-14 Ranch Rifles.

In my experience, the "originals" were just fine in terms of accuracy, durability and reliability in terms of their intended use.

 

[Riomouse911]

As the guys said, the mini is a 5.56 (or 6.8 or 7.62x39) option for the AR for folks who want something a bit different, who live in a state that bans AR’s, or those who adore the M-1 Carbine/M-14 operating style of rifle. As was also stated above, the magazine issue is not as buyer-friendly as it is to owners of the AR rifles. 20- round Mini 14 and 30 Mags made by Ruger are usually extremely reliable. After market (or factory 30 round 5.56) Mags are nowhere near as reliable in my experience.

I own a 180-series stainless mini 14 that I put a Ram-Line camo stock on and a blue/wood 180-series mini 30. In the 30 I put a Wolff extra power hammer spring. Both are very reliable, even with steel case Russian and Chinese import ammo.

Neither light the world on fire in the accuracy department, but they’ll hold 2”-2.5” groups at 100 yds... which will put a bullet into a 6” vital zone as far out as I care to use them.

I also oversee 65 new 580-581 stainless/synthetic model minis that we issue. The faster twist barrel makes them happier with heavy bullets, but we had several magazine-related feeding issues at a recent patrol rifle course I put on (all with 30-rounders!).

Are they worth $850 bucks? They may be if you fall into one of the above categories. If you do not, in all honesty they are a bit pricy compared to what one can get a nice AR for.

Stay safe.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I have an example that is about as far from "new" as possible- one of the first few hundred unit production run that actually made it to the public featuring the fully adjustable M-14 style rear sight and a 10/22 front bead. They were essentially hand built at Southport, and my example has demonstrated 100% reliability and 2-3 MOA open-sight accuracy with 55 gr FMJ. It's not gun intended for multiple mag dumps. I have zero complaints.

 

[amd6547]

I bought a stainless Mini14 when I was young. It’s accuracy was terrible…it shot bigger groups at 50yds than the M1 Carbine I sold to help pay for it did at 100yds. Didn’t keep it long.
Two years ago, a friend bought the new and improved Mini. Heavier barrel, synthetic stock…nice looking rifle. I took him to the rifle club to try it out. It shot OK…better than my old version did. But still…I brought my Russian Saiga 5.45, with its stamped Kalashnikov design and AK sights. I shot his Mini and my Saiga at 100yds, and my Saiga groups were half the size I managed with the Mini14.
My CMP M1 Carbine beat them both.