Suitability of Ruger Mini 14 Rifles and .223 Ammo

Self ^ | 10-2-2001 | Don Myers

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

J&G has been keeping their stock up no problem and haven't jacked their online prices at all.

[Jeff Head]

Mini 14 is a GREAT gun. I also have two and have put many thousands of rounds down range along with my wife and my two boys.

After many rounds they tend to heat up and lose some accuracy because the barrell is pretty light. But I shoot both of mine open sighted and can compenmsate fairly readily. There's a place in Lubbock Texas that retrofits a tactical barrel onto them to alleviate this.

Other than that ... very reliable, bnever had one jam.

Having said that, my favorite rifle of this sort is still my FN-FAL. Love that .308 round!

Regards.

[KitJ]

PA says:The 45 rules only if well trained and using tactical techniques, but the 223 can be effective using sloppy techniques by anyone. A 45 won't penetrate armor, and a head shot is not always possible. A 223 will penetrate most armor.

I don't disagree with you at all on this. I've had a bit of training on all this stuff. Without a lot of training, a .223 in the house is akward.

On the other hand, a .223 OUTSIDE the house is great!

Kit.
PS: although many say the .45 is only good in 'well-trained' hands, I think any pistol used for self-defense should be in 'well trained' hands! Hie thee to the RANGE!!!!

PPS: 'sloppy' handling is a bad thing, no matter what the weapon...

[Travis McGee]

Military gate guards used to get their holstered unloaded Berrettas taken away by pedestrians just that way.

Now the gateguards are always in pairs (at least), and are carrying slung loaded (unchambered, but no matter) Mossberg 12 guage pumps besides their 9mms, with twisty barricades to drive through, and their kevlar vests on.

[Jeff Head]

Go FAL ... it's my favorite ... .308 round. And i have a couple of mini's too and love them.

[Mulder]

J&G has been keeping their stock up no problem and haven't jacked their online prices at all.

Thanks. I hadn't looked at J&G in a while. I usually shop at either natchezss.com or cheaperthandirt.com.

[xm177e2]

I just looked at the Clark page you linked, and all I can think is "why"? The Mini-14 is a Chevy Nova

My thoughts exactly. Just looking at the picture of the bull-barreled Mini-14, I thought, "what kind of creature is that?" It's ugly, it's heavy, it's not super accurate (all they can promise is 1.5 moa, with all their upgrades)... It is CA-legal, that's about the only thing going for it.

Of course, if they were asking for $200, instead of $1,200, I'd take two...

[Mulder]

BTW, I just clicked on your profile. That's a nice looking toy there!

I just bought one very similar last week, but am having to wait a couple of weeks for it to arrive. I'm can't wait to get my hands on her.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

.....chairborne ranger.

I wanna be an chairborne ranger,
I wanna live the life of danger
Flippin channels at pace that'll daze ya
never see a commercial the whole dang day ya
fox news, cnn, cspan, and geraldo
Oh I wanna be a chairborne ranger.

I never claimed to be doug from upland.

[Travis McGee]

FWIW, the latest ceramic/aluminum body armor plates will stop multiple 223 or 308 rounds point blank. They are typically 12"H X 10"W, and weigh under 5#! Plates which will stop AP rounds only weigh a little more. The technology of hard plates is really advancing, and any SWAT or specops CQB unit may be assumed to be wearing them along with their kevlar.

So folks may need to rethink the old "cener mass" thing in certain situations.

[PatrioticAmerican]

True, but many LEO units cannot afford them yet. The feds have been pulling back funding for about 6 months. It is like a total reversal lately. (sumfins' up!) BTW, a kevlar helmet does not stop a 223, and a gut shot, leg shot, or any shot will stop most cops as they are not dedicated warriors with a mission to accomplish.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"I never claimed to be doug from upland."

So, it's safe to assume that you WON'T be signing it! 223, this song sung out of key, both do brain damage!

[blackbart.223]

"If I need to "reach out and touch someone" at greater distances, I have an HK 91..."

The HK 91 is a great rifle. I had one a number of years back and sold it, much to my regret, as the prices for them have gone sky high since then. I have a Mini 14 and the claims here that it is not very accurate don't hold water with me. I can put a round in the kill zone at 500 yds with no problem.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Military gate guards used to get their holstered unloaded Berrettas taken away by pedestrians just that way. "

Man, that is just plain MEAN! Take a guard's gun away! Talk about a career ruining event.

[KitJ]

The technology of hard plates is really advancing, and any SWAT or specops CQB unit may be assumed to be wearing them along with their kevlar.

If they're at point blank, a .45 or 12 ga. will suffice. If they're farther than that, I need to call a lawyer....

Kit.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Name brands would be: Bushmaster, Rock River Arms,DPMS,FN,Olympic Arms...

That would be a Rock River Arms product via AR15.com for 685 minus the scope and sling.

Oh yea, and the deal is done for this year, but next year they will be running a new deal for a new rifle.

I suggest you check them out. AR15.com limited edition purchase threads.

Here is the company that is running the sales. Castle Arms, click on rifles to see the 2001 model

p.s. I don't work for them.

[dersepp]

For her shooting or your shooting her? Like the guy says to Dirty Harry, "I gots ta know!!"

[Travis McGee]

.45 and 12 gauge won't even get through the soft kevlar, much less the hard plate.

[Travis McGee]

Pretty soon one of those unloaded "airport" M-16A2s is going to be taken away. There are a lot of street smart gangbangers who will not be able to resist the easy pickings.

[Travis McGee]

I assume the collapsing stock has been rendered "inoperable" by the factory.

(How hard was it to render "operable"?)