Mini-14: Do they make them like they used too?

K

KaMaKaZe

New member
I was really itchin' to purchase a Ruger Mini-14..

SO much so that I went to the local Gun Show both days this weekend. However, I could not bring myself to purchase one.

Here is why:

My father owns (but mom claims it -- go figure) an older model Ruger Mini-14. The only distinction I can easily make between the old and the new is that the "old" do not have detachable mags.. At any rate.. it may just be my perception or opinion.. but it appears that the "newer" Mini-14s just don't have the same amount of quality or workmanship as the older ones. It doesn't appear that the stock is as well finished.. or any of the metals are well finished -- and it just has an overall "rough" appearance.

Can anyone agree with me on this, or am I just being too picky? :)

I'm mainly concerned about the accuracy of the rifle, but quality would be nice as well..

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
"the 'old' do not have detachable mags..."

Please explain this. I have never heard of or seen a Ruger Mini-14 that didn't take a detachable magazine, if only the government approved 10 round ones.

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Dave T
PCSD Ret
 
The Mini14 has always had detachable magazines. I understand there may be some work on a fixed magazine version and there's even a straight pull bolt version (non-semi) which is sold to the English.

As for finish, I know the stainless versions are tumbled finished but can't recall whether the blue ones are tumbled prior to bluing.
 
:confused:

Okay.. now you have me second guessing.

My father's Mini-14 has NO DETACHABLE MAGAZINE.. I'm positve on that. You load it like you would an M1 Garand by pulling the action back and thumbing them in one at a time. It will hold five. It could be that he had customized it to this configuration? I only assumed it were like this because I had seen another one similar to it on a shelf years ago.

Am I wrong?

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
Gotta be wrong -- call Dad and check it out. I have a Shooters Bible from the year Ruger introduced the Mini, and it says detachable magazines. I can't even think how you'd do it as a top-loader. All of the (few) top-loading semiautos use clips of one kind or another. You'd have to have a manual bolt release to load them individually without losing your thumb when the first round depressed the follower!
 
you can load the M1 Carbine from the top but ther is no ned to it has detachable mags. i have not seen a Mini-14 that did not have detachable mags.

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US NAVY SEALs HOOYAH!!!!!!!!
 
Maybe I can answer this. If it really is a Mini 14 that your dad has:

The Mini 14 comes with a detatchable five round mag. When this mag is in the rifle, it doesn't stick out the bottom of the rifle, the bottom of the mag is flush with the bottom of the rifle. I just tried, and you can load the mag while it is still in the gun (so loading the rifle from the top is possible). Call dad and ask him to push the "little piece of metal" that hangs down from behind the "mag". If he pushes it forward, it should cause the mag to drop out.

As for the "rough" finish, the stainless steel rifles do have a nongloss/nonglare finish. They get this nonglare by roughing up the surface of the metal. The blued guns have a smooth blue finish.

FWIW, the mini 14 is a pretty good rifle. However, it was never meant to be a tack driver. If three to five inch groups at 100 yards is okay for you, this is the .223 to get.
 
Okay, okay.. I stand corrected. :mad:

The older Mini-14 that "we've" got does have a detachable magazine. He aparently has it finished in a manner that it does not appear to be detachable as it also fits flush with the stock AND I am not very perceptive. However, he did help comfort me by adding that he never recalls me ever using the magazine. As with my M1g, I am just used to shovin' the next five rounds down in it after I'm through.. perhaps its just a habit.

Hey! Give me a break, its been a while since I've shot it! :D

I sure gave away my rifle knowledge with this post.. :rolleyes:

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
I have been very pleased with my Mini 14 (1995). Accuracy has been 3" groups at 75 yards, which is pretty good for me anyway. It has never failed to function and is not picky with ammo. I do question how tough the rear site is. I feel like one good slam and it would be history.

I think you would enjoy one for plinking and varmit hunting. Accuracy does suffer under sustained fire conditions. If you use it within its limitations its a great little carbine.

I cant wait to see how long it takes someone to post one of those "Boat-Anchor" comments.

FF
 
Advances in technology allow mass marketers like Ruger to produce functioning weapons with a lot less hand finishing than they used to need.Do you want a working Mini for 450 dollars or a real pretty one for 600? They have made a business decision that most people would want the cheaper one.
 
I have too much respect for my boat to use a Mini 14 as an anchor. :D

It's a reliable rifle that doesn't group well. As the good Colonel Townsend Whelan said, "only accurate rifles are interesting." Therefore, the Mini 14 isn't very interesting at all. I sold mine and haven't regretted the decision.
 
I am not completely satisfied with my Mini-14 either.

It has taken me lots and lots of magazine-buying and returns to find a handful of reliable ones (even some PMI's malfunction).

Also, I really do not like the fact that after one 30-round magazine shooting, the barrel heats up like crazy!

That's why I am buying a Romanian SAR-1 at the next gun show! 100% reliable 30-round mags at less than $10 each! Unbelievable!

At that point, I may sell my Mini.

Skorzeny

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For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 4V50 Gary:
Well, never thought of feeding the Mini14 from the top. You learn something new everyday.[/quote]


'least my ignorance isn't a total loss... for you anyway. :D


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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
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