Ruger mini 14 barrel diameter

[Catpop]

I have a 187 series mini 14 with a barrel diameter of .560.
QUESTION: DID RUGER INCREASE THIS DIMENSION IN LATER SERIES/RIFLES TO IMPROVE ACCURACY?
I have to ask as I do not have access to other rifles to check. Can you help me with series other than mine?
Thank you in advance, catpop

 

[walkenbear]

when Ruger retooled to produce the series 580 minis and after about the first 50,000 580 series mini's Ruger increased the barrel O.D. to .625" and put a flange in front of the gas block. The first about 50,000 580 series mini 14's had the same barrel O.D. as yours .560" but had the newer 3 blade front sight.
So now the mini 14 barrel O.D. is .625", with the exception of the Target mini which has a larger barrel O.D.

 

[Catpop]

Walkenbear, was the ID of the gas block increased to .625 or was the increase just forward of the gas block.

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

Yes, the larger diameter barrels were fitted with gas blocks which matched barrel diameter.
Both to help with accuracy.
STW

 

[Catpop]

Sun Tzu warrior,
I'm surprized that only a 1/16", 9/16 to 5/8", increase in barrel diameter could give such an improvement in accuracy, but reports say it did. I am also glad to see they didn't just increase the barrel diameter in front of the gas port.
You also indicated a heavier barreled target model? Do you recall it's barrel diameter? I do remember seeing a model with a thin barrel with a suppressor looking thing at the muzzle. Is that the one you refer to as heavy barrel.
thanks for info. I'm using this info in my project on mini 14 accuracy. Catpop

 

[walkenbear]

the Target model's barrel diameter is the same as the O.D. of the flange at the gas block about .770" if I recall, it is continued that diameter until the threads are machined for the adjustable harmonic dampener, pretty heavy setup on the target model, I think the harmonic dampener alone is right at 11 ounces.
same size as a normal mini under the gas block and back to the chamber.

 

[Catpop]

Walkenbear,
Good info as I do not have one to measure. Tx. I did get to hold a new one in the lgs Tuesday. The one with the tapered flange forward of the gas block.
Tx to all, catpop