Posted on 03/26/2016 5:51:49 AM PDT by rktman
When it comes to .223 Rem. semi-automatic rifles, Ruger’s Mini-14 has long been one of the obvious choices. And it’s no wonder, considering it offers nearly the same handiness as the M1 Carbine, the ballistics of the AR15, and the feel of the classic M1 Garand and M14. The Mini’s popularity confirms its strong perceived relevance among a wide range of users, and sustained sales for more than 40 years is evidence of its sound design—even if it’s unfairly judged by the same criteria as today’s predominant platform, the AR, which enjoys the huge advantages of U.S. military adoption and unlimited manufacturing sources. So while some consider the Mini a bit dowdy or lowly, it is actually a serious standout worth giving a second look. Here are just five of the many reasons why a Mini Ranch, Tactical, Target or Thirty model should be on your short list the next time you shop for a modern rifle:
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
Got rid of my minis when ruger told me I had to send it to the factory for a new firing pin and no, they wouldn’t sell me any spares. Ruger is, or was really good at saying screw you to their customers.
Ditto. I had 2, the 2nd was the Ranch version so I could add a scope. The result was that I could more easily see the crappy accuracy. All pre-2005. Got an AR, and now I’m happy. I do wish that Ruger had done some honor to Garand’s action by having a decent barrel many years earlier, but that’s life.
When Bill Ruger came out in favor of mag limit, that poisoned me against the company. Lots of other ones out there.
No, its NOT.
Its chambered for .223. Ruger will tell you so. You can go ahead use 5.56, but you are going to find accuracy falls off due to the higher pressure. Call Ruger if you don’t believe me, they will strongly recommend you not use the military round.
The weapon was designed to digest .223 and its very accurate with that round.
Perhaps some variation in models ...
As I recall. when the mini-14 came out, Bill Ruger described it as a “plinker”. In that role it has done me a fine job for years. It was not intended to for MOA shots. Some of you guys are starting to sound like: I got rid of my 1022 because it wouldn’t knock down a elk with a single shot.
“... it wouldn’t knock down a elk with a single shot..” Well if you reload your .22’s properly they will. LOL!
My stainless mini-14 is stamped .223.
Same here. My AR is a tack driver. Mini 14s were known for being sloppy shooters. Plus you cant get stuff like a firing pin or anything. All repairs have to be sent back to Ruger. AR type you can buy everything from mags to springs online and cheap.
Also, The A team used them all the time and never hit anything but gas tanks and tires. What good is that
So the casings are virtually identical. What about the standard powder load?
“I think for most modern shooters, the biggest problem with the mini-14 is, it does not look “bad” enough.”
I sold my mini-14 ... not because it didn’t look “Bad”, but because the AR15 is just more fun to shoot .... no recoil, more comfortable...
.... plus after 6 yrs in National Guard I can disassemble the AR blindfolded .... even 30 yrs after retirement
Compared to the Cruz 8, the powder load is light
“Had one. Even benched and bagged at a mere 100 yards, it was shooting pie-tin sized groups, at best. Got rid of it.”
Couldn’t it be tuned at all?
The neck gauge thickness is different between the two. Look closer. .251 vs .253.
Went out shooting with a bro in law, a Marine Master Gunny Sgt. He had a Mini 14. He spent the afternoon trying to tug the action open to eject jammed rounds.
I decided not to consider a Mini 14 for interesting emergencies.
At a gun show I was told that a 30carbine round is equivalent to a 357 magnum in hitting power.
The latest Mini 14’s are chambered 5.56 NATO/.223
0.002 inches? 0.05 mm? That could be just wear and tear on the resizing die.
Maybe I’m a fool, but I’ve always used 5.56 and .223 brass interchangeably. And I’ve never noticed any difference in accuracy with the different brass and the same powder charge and bullet.
I’d be interested in hearing the experience of other reloaders. Or people who may have been reloaders before their unfortunate canoeing accidents.
Out of the longer barrel of an M1 carbine, the .30 carbine round does compare favorably with the .357 or many other handgun rounds fired from a handgun length barrel...which should really come as no surprise. The M1 carbine was in many ways, the first “PDW,” designed for those personnel who would have normally been issued a sidearm only (i.e. mechanics, mortar crews, cooks, etc.)
In those days, reliable hi-cap Mini-14 magazines were hard to find, and the repair parts situation was (as mentioned up-thread) "typically Ruger." I don't like cleaning rifles from the muzzle, but that's a personal issue.
In the end, I sold the last one and used the proceedings to go AR. I still don't have any great feelings towards the ARs - I also consider them overpriced for a firearm that is essentially disposable - but the good ones are reliable and accurate; parts/mags are easily had and they are as modular as the day is long.
Sometimes I still get a hankering for a Mini-14, but so far the feeling always passes. If I still had one, I'd probably use it and make the best out of the situation, as they aren't bad little carbines.
Mr. niteowl77
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.