Just bought a Mini-14

[Amishman44]

Just enjoy it and shoot it.

Don't worry about naysayer's...just shoot it and enjoy it!
I've had a Mini-14 in .223 and a Mini-30 in 7.62x39...loved 'em both!
They had their issues, but for in and around the home, it's a great little rifle!
I sold mine when I did an AR Pistol and PCC build...but loved the fit and feel of the traditional stock on the Ruger!

 

[Lost Californian]

Well, that was fun. I think. Ruger just can't make a firearm that is simple/easy to reassemble.

A picture -


Took it apart, cleaned it, put it together, put the rail, dot/mag on it. Now to go shoot it. Maybe today, gotta go to work soon. Ugh.

 

[Leadeye]

I started shooting those back in the 70s, when J&G sales sold them all day for $149.00. Biggest issues were as described upstream. The huge difference in price between that and a Colt AR attracted a lot of folks but the AR 20 round used mags were a quarter and completely reliable. You had to look at the complete package.

I sold mine and bought a Colt AR, but if you were looking at the gun as strictly a short range, fast handling, light rifle, those were it's chief assets. Haven't shot one in a long, long, time.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

Don’t let everyone pi$$ on your parade
If you like it that’s all that matters. It’s accurate enough to protect you and yours. I doubt you plan on going to Camp Perry with it and I do know one thing. I wouldn’t want someone firing one at me.
Sometimes there’s a lot of fan boy snobbery here.
If you dig it that’s what matters. Shoot it enjoy it and forget the negativity

 

[Route 45]

Well, that was fun. I think. Ruger just can't make a firearm that is simple/easy to reassemble.

A picture -
View attachment 368953

Took it apart, cleaned it, put it together, put the rail, dot/mag on it. Now to go shoot it. Maybe today, gotta go to work soon. Ugh.

Like I said, I’d like to have one in .300 BLK. Just for the “neat” factor. But your pic of the optic mount perfectly illustrates why the AR 15 is vastly superior for serious use. Good luck with getting a good cheek (chin?) weld.

I consider the Mini-14 as a decent, more powerful replacement for a 9mm PCC. Best used at under 100 yards with open sights or a low mount red dot. I think you are going to have an awkward time at the range with that optic setup.

 

[Doug]

Here's my "pencil barrel" with a 2X pistol scope mounted scout style. It's fast and has "combat accuracy" (4 MOA) which is about as good as I can do.

Not real accurate but a lot of fun. I'm ready for the Zombie Apocalypse.

 

[nipprdog]

Well, that was fun. I think. Ruger just can't make a firearm that is simple/easy to reassemble.

A picture -
View attachment 368953

Took it apart, cleaned it, put it together, put the rail, dot/mag on it. Now to go shoot it. Maybe today, gotta go to work soon. Ugh.

my (FWIW), ditch the magnifier, take the riser off the red dot and mount it directly to the rail. you'll get a much more consistent cheek weld on the stock.

 

[Brad69]

Chose what you want free country and all that !

Now that you have a bang stick feel free to take a Carbine class and you can “run” your mini 14.

This our class down south we also have a few right where you live.

Carbine 1 and Carbine 2 – Two Day (Newburgh, IN) | Revere's Riders

2-Day Carbine event at Red Brush Rifle Range near Newburgh, IN.

www.reveresriders.org

 

[Amishman44]

I doubt you plan on going to Camp Perry with it...

Interestingly, that's on our list of places to shoot!
The wife's paternal grandfather trained there before being sent to England in 1944 where he was then transferred to Normandy via Omaha Beach on June 6th, 1944, third wave, about 11:00 am?
He served his time under Lt. Colonel, Courtney Hodges, who ran what was known as the 'Ghost Battalion".

 

[thunderchicken]

Dad's got two mini 14's and honestly, I think they're pretty cool guns. His are the wood stock with stainless barrel and action. I have no idea what scope mount he has on his but it attaches to the left side of the receiver and allows the shooter to use the iron sights if needed or desired. The furthest distance I've ever shot is is the 100yd range at Atterbury, and it seemed accurate enough. I could cover a 5 shot group with the diameter of a Pepsi can. I was using some barrel mounted bipod he has on it as a rest. I'm sure someone with more rifle experience could probably do better than that.

He bought his during the AWB days and he picked up two for about what they go for these days. His logic then was it was a decent option that the anti 2A politicians didn't go after in the ban years.

Shoot it and have fun with it

 

[Jarvitron]

I would love to do a Samson folding stock A-Team /Hannibal build but I know it would just be a silly fun gun. Maybe one day.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

I like the forward mounted red dots myself. My old one had a Sig Romeo 5, my favorite of the lesser expensive red dots. Kinda miss it. It was a very simple rifle.




Current Mini has a similar set-up, but with newer components.
Well, the A-team style stock is kind of a throw back.

Bonus points because I'm an old fat retired guy... who can probably crank off an entire mag from across the street... without hitting anyone... lol.

 

[BigMoose]

For all I hear about that, I would still take one if the right deal came along...still think I would lean towards the 7.62x39 though.

Yeah no.... Ruger can never seem to make the Mini 30 run on anything but the uncommon brass ammo in that caliber. The Mini 30 will absolutely CHOKE on combloc style 7.62x39.

 

[INP8riot]

Well, that was fun. I think. Ruger just can't make a firearm that is simple/easy to reassemble.

A picture -
View attachment 368953

Took it apart, cleaned it, put it together, put the rail, dot/mag on it. Now to go shoot it. Maybe today, gotta go to work soon. Ugh.

The good news is when you shoot it just like this, you're red dot will be at eye level

 

[Route 45]

Yeah no.... Ruger can never seem to make the Mini 30 run on anything but the uncommon brass ammo in that caliber. The Mini 30 will absolutely CHOKE on combloc style 7.62x39.

 

[Haven]

Next month when we go out to Proteq, I will have a scope mounted on the Mini-14, then after it is sighted in we will see what it does. I can then compare it to my AR-15.

 

[BluePig]

I had a SS Mini 14 Ranch back in 88.
I think there is still some of my brass sitting on the moon.
Was great for blasting away, but couldn't hit a woodchuck to save my life.

 

[Doug]

I had a SS Mini 14 Ranch back in 88.
I think there is still some of my brass sitting on the moon.
Was great for blasting away, but couldn't hit a woodchuck to save my life.

Yes, my mini has the stock gas port; it throws the brass about 40 feet or more. With a mini, you can shoot to the front and bounce empties off the heads of anyone on your right flank.

 

[1nderbeard]

I think there is still some of my brass sitting on the moon.

ha. forgot about that brass throwing action. had a guy a few lanes over once ask me to put something up in front of the brass.

 

[BigRed]

View attachment 369102

Well, in that case I would take the 14!


If the deal was right, I would take one.


OP, enjoy the rifle!