Ruger Mini 14

[film495]

I got one a year or so ago, seems good to me. I generally like wood stocks and switched the polymer mine came with for an aftermarket wood stock from midway, went on easy enough, shoots good, no issues. It has a bit of nostalgia with the action being similar to older military rifles, which - in comparison, the Mini-14 is not so expensive if you compare it to a CMP Garande or older WW2 Carbine, and it is current, shoots a modern cartrdige, and parts are readily available for it. Nothing against an AR, it is just not very comparable, and I like the idea to the uninclined, with a wood stock and flush magazine, looks no different than a 10/22 plinker to most people.

 

[Retired MSG]

I like mine a lot. Fun to shoot

 

[N555]

The old ones with pencil barrel shot all over the place.

 

[jmr40]

When ARs were $800+ and Minis could be had for $400-$500, it had a place.

Now, with ARs under $500 that'll shoot circles around the currently $1,000 Mini, the only good reason to buy one would be that ARs are prohibited where one lives.

This exactly.

I owned 2-3 Mini's over the years, but never paid over $350 for one. Used to be able to get a used one closer to $200. At that price point I'd buy another. They are extremely reliable and can take a lot of abuse and neglect, but only so-so at best as to accuracy.

Years ago, they were a good option for farmers/ranchers to keep in a farm truck or tractor for predator eradication. They still worked if neglected and if lost/damaged it wasn't a great loss.

But there is no way I'd pay today's prices for one. And yes, it is perfectly fine comparing one to an AR. In the 21st century an AR costing several hundred dollars less does everything better.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I picked up a mini 14 some years ago for $400.
It had a very nice Leupold scope and a Harris bipod and adapter.
These quickly made their way to other rifles.
The essentially free Mini 14 remains - and is a fun little gun.

 

[EMC45]

For the record I owned a Mini 14 Ranch rifle. OWNED being the key word. Tried every kind of ammo (factory/handload) and magazine you could think of. Iron sights and scoped as well.It had to go. I'll leave it at that.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I hate to trigger the AR fan bois ( I am one BTW), but I think the action is more reliable on the mini 14 as far as ranch and truck duty. Mud and dust don't plague it as bad as an AR. If the barrels were more accurate, it would probably be my choice for Coyote duty instead of my AR.

 

[Coyote3855]

I have ARs and a Mini 14. An early version of the Mini that I owned was not accurate. This one is. I trained in basic with an M-14 and liked it. The Mini with wood and blue doesn't scare the horses.

 

[jeff-10]

I have 3 Mini-14s and a Colt 6920. I like the Minis but the 6920 is a far better firearm. IMO, the best configuration for the Mini 14 is without an optic or any accessories other than a sling. It is a quick handling carbine for short range work, not a long range tack driver.

 

[irishlad]

I just got a mini 14 this past August. I love it. No problem hitting clay pigeons at 200 yards with a scope. The barrel does heat up pretty quick. I take my Savage axis out too when shooting. I shoot one while the other one cools. I just got an AR SW MP15. I plan on doing a head to head accuracy test. I'll post them on here then.

It gets old every time when there’s the rush to compare AR’s to Mini-14’s when the OP is obviously interested in Mini’s.

They’re not in competition just because they fire the same cartridge.

I like my Mini, to me the wood and steel construction is worth the money, and I’m okay with its accuracy.

OP, as has been mentioned, spend the extra money and buy factory mags. I’ve been down that road and bought several crappy aftermarket mags that don’t work right in a quest to save a few bucks, money wasted.

I agree with both of these posts.

I've got a 183 series pre ranch, and a stainless and black synthetic one about 2 years old. I've got one ar. I prefer shooting my minis. Great jack rabbit guns.

 

[dredd]

It gets old every time when there’s the rush to compare AR’s to Mini-14’s when the OP is obviously interested in Mini’s.

They’re not in competition just because they fire the same cartridge.

I like my Mini, to me the wood and steel construction is worth the money, and I’m okay with its accuracy.

OP, as has been mentioned, spend the extra money and buy factory mags. I’ve been down that road and bought several crappy aftermarket mags that don’t work right in a quest to save a few bucks, money wasted.

This

 

[dredd]

Had one in the mid 80s. A Team version with folding factory stock. Made about a 230 yard shot on a bedded down fox below the crest of a snow drift. Had gun laying across hood of my Jeepster Commando.

Not a day goes by I don’t regret having sold both of those.

Anyway. I like the Minii exposed bolt/action. Very M1A like. As others mentioned it tugs on some nostalgia strings.

It’s pricey for what you get compared to the ARs but if you got a deal on a used one, say $650 I’d jump on it if everything checked out

And This.

Wow! A Jeepster!

Stupid Stupid Stupid me sold a J20!!!

Yes.... Love the M1A / 30 Carbine Action.

 

[hq]

I'm looking to buy a Mini 14 and wanted to ask for owners' opinions/satisfaction level with the firearm. Thanks for your time.

It's not an AR, which makes its current inflated price tag well worth every penny. I love mine (Mini 30 & Deerfield), mainly because of that, and for hearing every excuse on the planet how dumb I've been for not buying (yet another) AR instead. The hilarity factor listening to them, day in, day out, is nothing short of fantastic.

 

[dh1633pm]

They have gotten really expensive. I have a whole family. Mommy the 14, Daddy the 30, and their son the 6.8. I like them all. It’s a semi auto. Not designed to replace an AR. Triggers with a little work can be sweet. I did two myself and the other was sent out. The 6.8 has a custom barrel, it shoots the best. The 30 had a replacement firing pin so it wouldn’t go bang, bang click. Mags are problematic. They fly under the radar for the MSR hating folks. I like all three and I am not selling.

 

[SwampWolf]

and I like the idea to the uninclined, with a wood stock and flush magazine, looks no different than a 10/22 plinker to most people.

A very good reason for some people in some areas of the country to choose a Mini-14 over the evil-looking "black tactical assault rifle". I bought my Mini in 1985 new and paid $285.00 for it then. It does everything I want from it in terms of accuracy, reliability and durability and stays in the locked "Ram Box" of my pickup truck. I also have a RRA National Match AR-15 for other purposes, including competition (with irons) and varmint hunting (with scope) but comparing the two is watermelons and olives.

 

[JohnB-40]

Nice looking Mini, is that stock original, or has it been refinished?

I purchased it from Accuracy Systems Inc awhile back. Made by Keystone. I also have a syn.stock with Choate ventilated hand guard,which I usually use during the winter wet in Oregon. I don't notice a change of POA between the two for the range I use it at.

 

[Barbaroja]

Hey fella you know some people just don’t like ar pattern rifles? I’m in that boat. I own one but I hardly shoot it. I much more enjoy the ergonomics of a classic rifle. Minis and ARs are apples and oranges when it comes to how they handle

 

[MachIVshooter]

But that’s not what the OP asked for, he asked for Mini owners, repeat, owners to tell their opinion/ satisfaction level with THAT gun.

One line question, and it doesn’t ask for comparisons with AR’s or any other auto loading detachable magazine 5.56 rifle.

Have had minis, don't anymore for a reason.

My answer dealt with the value issue, which is always comparative and really the crux of all consumer goods when evaluating quality except in the rare case that money truly is no object. When the price of one thing doubles with little or no improvement, while other things on the market hold or even decrease in cost, the former doesn't offer as much bang for the buck. Which is exactly what happened here. Minis once represented a decent value, they no longer do. Simple as that.

I'm not sure why you seem to be taking this so personally, though. I didn't say someone who buys one is an idiot.

If one simply has that much of an aesthetic preference that they're willing to spend twice as much on something inferior, that's fine, but we need to be honest with ourselves and others about what it is and isn't. Hey, I prefer 100+ year old Marlin 1893s to the new 336. They won't outperform a newer rifle and tend to cost more, and that's fine with me, I just like them, I like the more slender furniture, the steel butt plates and the square bolt. But I don't try to justify my preference by claiming they are better in some tangible way. The mini, however, is in a different category from legendary and long discontinued firearms. Except for a couple rare variants, the only real difference from one to the next over the last 5 decades is the sights and barrel profile.

 

[irishlad]

Hey fella you know some people just don’t like ar pattern rifles? I’m in that boat. I own one but I hardly shoot it. I much more enjoy the ergonomics of a classic rifle. Minis and ARs are apples and oranges when it comes to how they handle

I'm in the same boat . My 21 year old grandson is an AR fanatic. It bugs him that I prefer my Mini 14s.

 

[Ironicaintit]

ARs are nice and all, but I do like the mini14 more.
Kind of an intangible thing, and it doesn't really matter why.

it's in the same vein that I'd rather have a 1970 mustang over a new one, though the new ones are "better" in nearly every way

 

[MachIVshooter]

I hate to trigger the AR fan bois ( I am one BTW), but I think the action is more reliable on the mini 14 as far as ranch and truck duty. Mud and dust don't plague it as bad as an AR. If the barrels were more accurate, it would probably be my choice for Coyote duty instead of my AR.

We have a few members here who tried to run minis in carbine courses. They tend to choke. It looks like a mini M14 and is even badged as such, but the pint sized equal of one it is not.

 

[Ironicaintit]

We have a few members here who tried to run minis in carbine courses. They tend to choke. It looks like a mini M14 and is even badged as such, but the pint sized equal of one it is not.

Can't argue with your logic. But you are using rational reasoning to argue a point that is made by largely irrational reasoning based on sentiment and simple personal preference.

don't run one if you don't wanna. It's pretty easy.

 

[irishlad]

We have a few members here who tried to run minis in carbine courses. They tend to choke. It looks like a mini M14 and is even badged as such, but the pint sized equal of one it is not.

I'm getting the feeling you don't like mini 14s. I'm getting great amusement from your posts. You are entitled to your opinion. I and others like em. Having a choice is good thing.

 

[ECVMatt]

I will always keep a Mini around, I have had good luck with them. Here is a thread from a while ago when I shot my Mini and my plain-jane AR. They shoot about the same.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...gain-a-quick-comparison.892972/#post-12016047

If you want a Mini, I vote for getting one!

I think sometimes we forget that shooting is also about having fun. If the Mini contributes to the fun factor, then go for it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm getting the feeling you don't like mini 14s

You'd be wrong, and if they dropped back into the $400 range, I'd have another. But they ain't worth a grand, and they ain't worth keeping around when somebody is willing to pay close to that for your used one.

I had a PSL, too. Paid $729 for it brand new, and it was fun, it was worth that. Guess what? It ain't a $2,500 gun, I wouldn't buy another at today's prices, and you can bet mine went away when I could turn a profit on it.