LGS has a Mini-14 for $740. Is it a good buy?

[dbrier]

All the newest guns have 18.5" barrels.

 

[Kedric]

Tactical has 16.12" barrel
Ranch rifle has 18.5" barrel
Target has a 22" barrel.

 

[AGarbers]

I have one of the older pre-ban Mini-14 Ranch Rifles. I hate the fact it is not accurate. I love how fun it is to shoot and the fact my wife, who was an employee of Ruger at the time, surprised me one Christmas with it. (Surprised in a good way.)
Since she only paid $140 for it 20 years ago, I can't say if your price is good or not. I wish gun broker had a historical search feature like eBay.

 

[Paul30]

I owned one of the older ones, it would not hit a pie plate at 100 yards. I sold it for an AR15 which held a 1 in group at 100 yards. My friend had the same rifle purchased side by side. He kept his and put a match barrel on it and it was just as accurate as my new AR15. I read all the prior posts so they must have changed the barrels.

 

[sig1473]

Ranch 18.5"

Tactical 16.12"

Older Ranch Rifle

 

[ErickW]

Thats about the going rate for that gun, it is the "tactical" model and was never $500. Also Elmore's in GWood had lower parts kits earlier today in stock if your looking for them. I believe they are DPMS.

 

[CitiusFortius]

father in law has one, no frills, shoots true. $800 (should) get you a basic AR. I'd wait for the prices to go down but it's your money. I don't think you'll be disappointed, I just think in a few months you'll be looking at what you could have gotten for your cash.

 

[strokin7.3]

even before the threat of a ban I hadnt found a brand new mini under $650. I think I paid a little under $700 for mine back in july. Great guns if you ask me, just expensive magazines in all.

 

[strokin7.3]

I called around a bit and another shop a bit further away has a used side-folder for $660. It comes with a 5 round magazine. I'm going to go check it out before work tomorrow. I don't know whether it's the newer heavy barrel or an older thin barrel. Does anyone know by serial number when the change was made? How obvious will it be if the side-folder is the thinner barrel, especially if I don't have a heavy barrel to compare?

Heavy barrel serial number is 580+ which the heavy barrel isnt the only change they made for the 580+ models.

 

[IUprof]

I bought a tactical model a couple of years ago and really like it. I only shoot it at the range so my experience with it is limited. I've had all sorts of optics on it. Mine had the same synthetic stock.

I currently have it in an Archangel Sparta stock which I really like. I prefer the 20 round mags myself and they are pricey (well, compared to pre-CT AR mags).

 

[45-70]

I have a 185-xxxxx (1990) and 580-xxxxx (2009) Tactical and wouldn't let either one of them go. As previously stated, with factory mags they go bang every time you pull the trigger. Solid as a rock. I say go for it.

 

[DanVoils]

Love mine. It's serial number 195-xxxxx and was made in 1998. It shoots great and has never had a problem. I have some factory mags as well as some Tapco ones. Neither have failed me yet.

http://youtu.be/l5EZuIO-TLM?t=54s

Skip ahead to 54 seconds if it doesn't automatically. That's Nemo shooting it at 75 yards. The target is a Bobcat Steel rifle jack. The round pieces are 3", I think.

 

[Street Glide 2013]

Go for it. I have a Mini-14 (tactical model) and have no complaints. I have been looking for a Mini-30 and haven't been able to find one.

 

[jmancobra]

I have one of the older pre-ban Mini-14 Ranch Rifles. I hate the fact it is not accurate. I love how fun it is to shoot and the fact my wife, who was an employee of Ruger at the time, surprised me one Christmas with it. (Surprised in a good way.)
Since she only paid $140 for it 20 years ago, I can't say if your price is good or not. I wish gun broker had a historical search feature like eBay.

Actually it does. go to advanced...2nd tab is "completed listings". put in your search and whoala!!!. He's the tricky part though. It starts with the oldest listings first so click the date tab right above the right side of the 1st listing and it flips it to most recent.

 

[RGR12]

I would pass if you are not in need of it. Great gun but I think prices will settle down come summer time.