Ruger Mini-14: what do you think?

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The length of pull on the Mini-14 stock is the same as the Ruger 10/22. It's bit short for me so I'm thinking of adding a Masen recoil pad to it, not so much for recoil as the added 1" length. I'm beginning to think about finding a better stock.

I've only had my Ranch for a few months, and I have added a muzzle brake, a Mike Knifong trigger job (3.5 lb pull and very smooth!), a small gas port bushing, and a recoil buffer. Went to the range yesterday and was able to get consistent 3" groups at 100yds with the factory iron sights (which are not very good) using UMC 55gr ammo. Took the targt back to 50 yds and shot a number of 1" groups from there.

I have a couple of 10-round Masen mags that work well but these aftermarket mags will not hold the bolt open after the last round. Swapping in factory Ruger followers solves that problem.

All in all, this is really a fun rifle for range use, varmints and plinking. I don't think it was ever intended for long-range (past 150yds) accurate shooting and certainly not for game like deer out beyond 75yds. Wolf ammo is cheap at just over $2 a box so it really won't destroy your shooting budget.
 
Mini 14

I say look into a Bushmaster M17s, it's a well designed rifle perfectly suited for self-defense or plinking. It uses standard M-16 mags and is extremely reliable. Plus I'll bet you'll get better accuarcy out of the box every time with an M17. Mine gets under 1" at 100 yards at a bench with a Bushnell red dot scope. Mini-14's are cool, but why pay the basically the same amount for a gun that is less versatile (unless you just got a problem with the M17) and less accurate out of the box?

Is Ruger gonna make a Mini in 6.8? That would be sweet man!
 
This is one of those horses that have been beat to death. Everyone either loves or hates Mini 14 rifles I have never seen any in between.

I bought my first Mini when I was 15, I have shot plenty of deer with at have never had any problems with jams. It has always been a good gun, but I didn't buy it expecting it to shoot out to 175 yards. I use it for varmints up close and that is about it.
 
Hey Sven,

If you and I convince a couple other Mini owners that they need the services of ASI, you think we can turn it into a group buy? Or is that wishful thinking?
 
Group buy sounds great - only problem: could everyone agree on a single design? ;) Maybe I'll give them a call.
 
I've been thinking about getting a stainless mini-14, but frankly all the complaints of it's inaccuracy has kept me from getting one. I understand that the mini's groups really open up when th barrel heats up. What can I realistically expect from a mini-14 when shooting 150-200 rounds in about an hour at a 50-100 yard range?
How would it compare to a M1 Carbine (accuracy-wise) in the same circumstances?



nero
 
Accuracy?

Nero,

See pics:

ASItarget001.gif
There is a dime for comparison, @ 80 yrds.

My Mini gets 1/2 MOA @ 100 yrds.


MaceWindu
 
The Mini was supposed to be, essentially an M1 carbine in 5.56mm. Except that without a heavier barrel than factory stock, or at least a shortened one, the accuracy is all over the place. I HAVE shot accurate Minis, but I've shot about two dozen others before I found that one that shot all over, or shot patterns, etc.....

A shorter heavier barrel would fix some of the Mini's problems. Actually spending more than 5 seconds on assembly in the factory would probably fix the others.

I wouldn't take a shot with one past 150 yards. And I'm comfortable shooting AKs out to 200-250... get the idea?


If you get a "good" Mini, accuracy should be decent with that many rounds an hour at that distance, but spend the extra $300 and get an AR-15. Seriously. Or the extra $100 and get an AR180B (which uses AR15 mags).
 
Mace's experience is much better than mine. I have owned two. One was a circa 1990 carbon steel rifle, the other a 1994 stainless. Both were horrible -- we are talking 6" at 100 yards on a good day with the right ammo. By contrast, bone-stock Colt prebans I've owned were never more than 2" at 100 yds with the issue sights and better with optical sights. I gave up on the Minis. YMMV and hopefully will be better than my luck with them.
 
ASI Mini..

The great thing about the ASI Mini is that :

#1: It's done the way a Mini should have been done from the Factory

#2: You have the reliability of the M14 type action

#3: You have the accuracy of the AR15

My ASI has a guaranteed MOA of 1/2 inch and she delivers. I regularly shoot 12 coke cans @ 100 yrds fun plinkin pleasure...

MaceWindu
 
Definetly do the ASI Mini if you can. The gun will as expensive as a top of the line AR but there are no other draw backs. This Mini-30 will shoot 1" groups all day!
 
Before cashing in your pension to send your gun to ASI, do a little research on The Mini 14 User's Group .

There are several unhappy customers there.

I sent my barrel and trigger off for work.
I've done the stock bedding myself, and replaced the gas port.
Thinking about spending another $40 to get it cryo treated.
And, I'll probably add a muzzle brake.

You can do a lot for not-too-much money, if you want to do the work yourself.


Both were horrible -- we are talking 6" at 100 yards on a good day with the right ammo. By contrast, bone-stock Colt prebans I've owned were never more than 2" at 100 yds with the issue sights and better with optical sights.
Click to expand...
:confused: :eek: :uhoh: :rolleyes:

Oh for Pete's sake, talk about comparing apples to oranges!
What does a preban Colt cost? $1500? $2000?

A new Mini can usually be had for <$500.
That leaves room for a lot of mods before you get to the preban price range.
 
Second ASI Mini...

Quote:

""Oh for Pete's sake, talk about comparing apples to oranges!
What does a preban Colt cost? $1500? $2000?""

True.

My second ASI mini came last week and its SCHWEET.

Its actually this mini's Big Brother:D



I will post pics. SOON....


MaceWindu
 
I love mine, but I'm not planning on shooting anything smaller than a breadbox beyond 200 yds with it.

If you want dead on accurate at 300 yds, get an AR, if you want dead on accurate at 1000 yds, get an M1A, and if you want a reliable, cheap, and fun plinker, get a Mini-14.
 
I have a couple of 10-round Masen mags that work well but these aftermarket mags will not hold the bolt open after the last round. Swapping in factory Ruger followers solves that problem.
Click to expand...

I can't get my John Masen magazines disassembled, to try that.

Try the Promag 10 round magazines -- they work, and do hold the bolt open.
 
What does a preban Colt cost? $1500? $2000?

A new Mini can usually be had for <$500.
Click to expand...

Whoa, wait a second there! ;) Apples and oranges?!? New Colt or BM would be in the 7s. New Mini would be less, for sure, but consider the magazine prices (for good ones) and accuracy questions. I think it's at least a coin-toss.

FWIW, the only preban Colts I've seen in the past six months were literally unfired NIBs...and they were under $1400. Gently used has been more like $1200 and those prices are getting soft fast. But comparing preban AR prices to a new Mini doesn't square, unless I'm missing something. :D
 
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