I picked up a new ruger mini 14 last night, it’s one I’ve wanted for a long time but wasn’t in stock many places here. I did notice however that on the new models the black upper part with the “ports” is plastic. Am I dreaming or did that used to be metal with actual gas port holes. My brother had an old model one and I remember actual holes and I thought I remembered it flaming every once in awhile. Am I just dreaming?
New ruger mini 14
- Thread starter Csinn
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W.E.G.
Member
Did you get a blued model?
Do you have to strip the barrel and receiver out of the stock after each range outing to prevent the gas system from turning into a mass of rust? BTW, those guns STILL WORK with the gas system rusted all to hell. But it will be rusted all to hell unless you live in the desert.
I had one that I bought around 1987. It was rusted bady in the gas system by the time I discovered the flaw sometime a year later. I recall the cover on top of the barrel as being some sort of plastic or polymer. I imagine if the cover had been made of steel, the rust would have been apparent sooner, and I might have taken preventative action before I discovered the worst rust on any firearm I'd ever owned to that point.
The new version with the folding stock and BLUED steel is very attractive. I'm too old to dally with such things now. But if I did, I wouldn't let it rust. This time.
Do you have to strip the barrel and receiver out of the stock after each range outing to prevent the gas system from turning into a mass of rust? BTW, those guns STILL WORK with the gas system rusted all to hell. But it will be rusted all to hell unless you live in the desert.
I had one that I bought around 1987. It was rusted bady in the gas system by the time I discovered the flaw sometime a year later. I recall the cover on top of the barrel as being some sort of plastic or polymer. I imagine if the cover had been made of steel, the rust would have been apparent sooner, and I might have taken preventative action before I discovered the worst rust on any firearm I'd ever owned to that point.
The new version with the folding stock and BLUED steel is very attractive. I'm too old to dally with such things now. But if I did, I wouldn't let it rust. This time.
Yea it’s the blued ranch models. I do remember him having to clean that system too. It looked like a pain
Varminterror
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Dreaming.
The heat-shield on Mini’s is plastic. The original model was a bit nicer made and included an internal aluminum shield, which was discontinued several years ago and was replaced with an all plastic version which some folks report to appear “cheaper” and less refined than the original. But it has always been plastic.
There has never been any gas venting, let alone flames shooting out from the heat shield of any Mini model. The gas system ports to the bottom and the op rod runs beneath the barrel. To have flames from the heat shield, the rifle would have to have some kind of vent in the top side of the barrel - an extreme defect.
W.E.G.
Member
Its not really a pain to clean it.
Pop the trigger guard loose, and pull the barreled receiver out of the stock.
Blast it with Break-Free, and blow it off with compressed air. If the presence of carbon bothers you, then break out the wire brushes and paper towels, and get as fastidious as you think is necessary. But main thing is don't leave it without RUST-PREVENTATIVE on the metal. Carbon soaked in Break-Free aint gonna rust much.
I think the idea of pulling it of the stock made me think I would "ruin the accuracy" or some such foolishness. We all know now that talking about any SERIOUS accuracy in the same breath as a Mini-14 is foolish anyway. If you want a precision rifle, the Mini-14 never was it, and never will be it.
I just didn't know any better at the time. Now I do.
Pop the trigger guard loose, and pull the barreled receiver out of the stock.
Blast it with Break-Free, and blow it off with compressed air. If the presence of carbon bothers you, then break out the wire brushes and paper towels, and get as fastidious as you think is necessary. But main thing is don't leave it without RUST-PREVENTATIVE on the metal. Carbon soaked in Break-Free aint gonna rust much.
I think the idea of pulling it of the stock made me think I would "ruin the accuracy" or some such foolishness. We all know now that talking about any SERIOUS accuracy in the same breath as a Mini-14 is foolish anyway. If you want a precision rifle, the Mini-14 never was it, and never will be it.
I just didn't know any better at the time. Now I do.
W.E.G.
Member
Yeah, I don't remember any "flames" either.
But I never shot it in the dark. Might be remembering flames out the ejection port or at the muzzle. Mine had a bare muzzle, and unburned powder will accumulate in the breech of autoloaders, giving the occasional flash of "fire" out the ejection port during cycling.
But not out the handguard I wouldn't think.
But I never shot it in the dark. Might be remembering flames out the ejection port or at the muzzle. Mine had a bare muzzle, and unburned powder will accumulate in the breech of autoloaders, giving the occasional flash of "fire" out the ejection port during cycling.
But not out the handguard I wouldn't think.
Dave DeLaurant
Member
I have a vague memory of seeing a stamped steel cheesgrater handguard on someone's Mini-14 at the range, but I think that's strictly an aftermarket part.
FWIW, I've seen quite a few Mini-14s with factory wooden handguards, and even a couple with aftermarket Picatinny rails serving as the handguard.
FWIW, I've seen quite a few Mini-14s with factory wooden handguards, and even a couple with aftermarket Picatinny rails serving as the handguard.
Speedo66
Member
When I got my Mini-14, I didn’t care for the aesthetics of the factory hand guard, or the way it covered the operating rod.
Opted for an inexpensive one from Choate, direct drop in and better ventilation and looks.
Here’a a link: https://www.riflestock.com/store/product/mini-14-30-ventilated-hand-guard/
Gook luck with your new gun!
Opted for an inexpensive one from Choate, direct drop in and better ventilation and looks.
Here’a a link: https://www.riflestock.com/store/product/mini-14-30-ventilated-hand-guard/
Gook luck with your new gun!
CoalCrackerAl
Member
There is no rust in my blued mini 14.
MZ5
Member
They took out the aluminum underneath the outer plastic? I didn't realize that. My 581 has the aluminum underneath the plastic. I suppose it's a few, perhaps several by now, years old...
TexasPatriot.308
Member
what series is it? Newest one I have is a 581 series Mini Tactical. really nice little carbine and most of it is steel.
Riomouse911
Member
The newest Mini I have is a 583- series Mini 14 Ranch Rifle in 5.56 from 2017. It has a nearly identical polymer/aluminum shroud handguard as my 1996-vintage 195- series Ranch Rifle in .223.
If the latest models are all polymer, it wouldn't shock me. Just about every gun maker has cut corners to lower costs over the years.
Stay safe.
If the latest models are all polymer, it wouldn't shock me. Just about every gun maker has cut corners to lower costs over the years.
Stay safe.
Varminterror
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FFS fellas...
7 year old rifles aren't "new production"....
Here's a photo of the new handguard, our left, beside an old version, our right. Note, no metal insert in the new version.
7 year old rifles aren't "new production"....
Here's a photo of the new handguard, our left, beside an old version, our right. Note, no metal insert in the new version.
danez71
Member
FFS fellas...
7 year old rifles aren't "new production"....
Here's a photo of the new handguard, our left, beside an old version, our right. Note, no metal insert in the new version.
What the rifle Gen and yr are the pics of?
I wonder when they changed...
Speedo66
Member
If they found it wasn’t necessary, I’m fine with that.
Less weight to carry, every oz. counts.
Less weight to carry, every oz. counts.
Hugger-4641
Member
I didn't vote for either because it depends on what I need it for.
Long range and/or precision shots, give me my Ar-15. Wading thru swamps and brush and nasty weather, I want my Stainless mini 14.
Zombie apocalypse or small enemy invasion, maybe the Ar has advantage of being lighter and easier to swap mags.
Shtf home defense, either will work.
If I run out of ammo and need to use it as a club, the mini 14 is heavier and stronger
Edit... don't know how my reply ended up in this thread. I never saw this thread until I went to edit it.
but I'll leave it here anyway.
My mini 14 is stainless and does have the inner metal under the guard.
Long range and/or precision shots, give me my Ar-15. Wading thru swamps and brush and nasty weather, I want my Stainless mini 14.
Zombie apocalypse or small enemy invasion, maybe the Ar has advantage of being lighter and easier to swap mags.
Shtf home defense, either will work.
If I run out of ammo and need to use it as a club, the mini 14 is heavier and stronger
Edit... don't know how my reply ended up in this thread. I never saw this thread until I went to edit it.
but I'll leave it here anyway. My mini 14 is stainless and does have the inner metal under the guard.
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No brainer. With the cost of ammo who can afford to heat up a barrel. I had to pop both of mine off. I have one of each. BUT a S&W AR lives at the bed side.FFS fellas...
7 year old rifles aren't "new production"....
Here's a photo of the new handguard, our left, beside an old version, our right. Note, no metal insert in the new version.
Varminterror
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Reports look like 5-6yrs ago.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
I found my review of my mini 14 on Cabelas. I was looking to see if they had any 30's. Here is the target at 100 yards.
Hugger-4641
Member
If that's offhand, very respectable. If that's from bench rest, it's typical of most Mini 14s I've seen with factory ammo, including mine. Mine does do under 2moa consistently with Hornady Black and handloads.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Yes that was from the bench. I need to take a grouping pic with TAC. I found it likes TAC. I can hit clays set up at 200 yards with that load.
Open sights off hand on that little black target. Never crossed MY mind. Very respectful at 100 yards with scope. Very good mini shooting. My old old mini 14 has no scope mounts so I'm used to shooting at 50. To those that harp about not liking what we like, I say phoney on them. Go read about AR 's Ha Ha. The grand kids love both but the mini's are easier for them to run. My wife likes our mini 30 way better than our AR . Settled science in this house.
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CoalCrackerAl
Member
I have a Burris droptine 4.5-14x42 on it.
