Mini-14: Why do people hate it so much?

Jealousy? Imagine paying $1000 for an AR15? Well let me tell you something. I really like the way the Mini 14 feels and handles. But I wanted one that was accurate. After having purchased four or five of the little pattern shooters I finally gave up and had the last one re-barreled. Now I have a $1000 dollar Mini 14. But it will shot moa. The stock Mini 14 is a joke compared to the AR15. Jealousy is on the part of the Mini 14 owner who was too cheap to buy an AR15 in the first place and now can't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside. But enough of this. If Bill Ruger was so smart why doesn't he introduce a target barrel version and sell it for a $100 bucks extra. He could get a decent barrel at a good price. Besides with the yellow stripe running down his back this would make his "little" rifle politically correct. He could even come out with a one shot magazine. Bottom line is it is a fine little rifle that begs for a decent barrel, trigger, and sights.
 
What kind of ammo were you using M16? I honestly don't understand how everyone has all these "BasketBall Sized Group" Stories when I shoot 12inch groups at 300yds with my Mini 14. I've seen 2 other guys at ranges with the same Mini 14 I have and they all shoot just as well. We are all shooting the same 62gr bullets also. The notion the AR is a $1000 rifle isn't true anymore. I've seen plenty of them go for under $700. Plus Mini 14's have gone up.
 
if your intent is a militia arm, then the preban USGI magazines practically guarentee a life time supply. I will look for standard cap Mini14 mags this weekend...

i also have issues with ruger Mini 14 scope mounting and casing ejection

The ARs swapable U/L receiver makes upgrading to other calibers or barrel lengths a snap

Need a 2 stage trigger? there are several AR suppliers

Where are you going to get Mini14 small parts?
How many AR makers are there?
Want a scope mount?
buy the same one the Marines use

Want to study up on rifle operations?
The military manuals for AR systems are online

Now if there was a springfield 5.56 m1a that took AR mags...
 
Bottom line is it is a fine little rifle that begs for a decent barrel, trigger, and sights.
Click to expand...


Yeah, and if we had some ham we could have some ham & eggs if we had some eggs! :D

Sit back and look at the big picture of this thread, gentlemen. Some get decent accuracy, some get poor accuracy. I know there are differing levels of ability out there, but still, this is more than that, it seems. I may be wrong, but I see a picture of poor quality control.

Of course, that's just my opinion. Boy, did I get put down!

;)
 
I think the reason people hate the Mini-14's are (unfounded)

1. They dont understand the limitations of the rifle
2. They dont understand the limitations of the cartridge.
3. They expect too much. (watch too much TV)

1a. The mini-14 was never intended or designed to be a varmint
rifle, or a sniper rifle. Sure, the factory sights suck, but when
I replaced the front sight (s) with a square post, the little
carbine came alive! (out to 100-150 yards)
2a. The .223 cartridge is a 200-300 yard cartridge, no matter
what you chamber it in. Sure, you can put it in a rifle that
will make hits at 600 yards, but that still dont make it a 600
yard cartridge!
3a. If you can shoot 1" groups at 100 yds with your AR, and I'm
shooting 4" groups with my Mini, who wins? I could still hit
the coyote, I could still hit the JBT. Group size has nothing to
do with practical use or value.

Bottom line...The Mini-14 is a fantastic value for inside 200 yards, close quarters security, 200 yd standoff rifle. It wont win any matches, but that isnt what it was designed for, quit trying to make it something it isnt! If you need more, quit whining and buy an M1A! The limitations of the .223 cartridge is what makes the Mini a better value than the AR-15. Why buy a BMW, put a Chevy motor in it, then bash the chevy for not being as nice! They do the same thing! The trigger dont suck on the Mini's, they are ok. Not the best, but ok. Fragile? My 3 Mini's are closing in on 10 yrs old, and have NEVER given my any problems that was not traced directly to the mags, or ammo.
 
Last edited:
love my mini......

As with most things I have customize mine lightly. It shoots well and it is dependable a mentioned above. The op rod is quite sturdy. I will agree with the aftermarket mag situation. Some are bad and the supply could dry up. I still think that it is a good rifle. It was my first rifle. Just my opinion......DAROGUE1
 
Hmm Edward, I'm confused. You say that the .223 is not a 600 yard catridge yet you admit that with the proper rifle hits can be made at that distance. I personally would not care to get hit at 600 yards with a .223. Oh man, the truckloads of prarie dogs and other varmints I have killed at ranges up to and including 600 yards with my .223 are really gonna be mad when they find out.

So the mini 14 wasn't designed to be accurate. Does that mean it was designed to be inaccurate? Bottom line is if you install a good barrel the gun will be very accurate. Bill Ruger bought some second hand plumbing pipes and screwed them on his mini 14. When they wouldn't shoot worth a crap he comes out with the stupid comment that they weren't designed to be accurate. What's funny is that some people actually believe him. As P.T. Barnum said...............
 
Oh, sorry there M16, didnt realize there was a varmint shooter listening! Praire dogs are the "showing off" that I alluded to. Fun Shooting, impressive, but did you eat them? If you could feed them to your family, then I'd call it serious shooting.
I consider the Mini-14 to be the poor man's assault rifle, to dispatch two & four legged pests up to around 150-200 yds. That is all I ask of the rifle, so am not disappointed. The .223's light bullet limits its usefulness at 600 yards to, say...Praire Dogs! In MY opinion. I'm sure that if I rebarreled them they would shoot sub MOA, but then what? Shoot praire dogs? (no offense, I'm just not into it!) The Idea behind the Mini (in my mind) is a Reasonably accurate rifle, with a reasonable (short range) cartridge, for a reasonable price. You dont really have to do anything to them except change the sights. At the time I bought my Mini's, I got three for the price of an AR, and I dont regret it! Happy Shooting!
BTW, can you hit a praire dog at 600 with your M1A, now that would be serious practice!
 
M16 what bullet weight are you shooting at 600yds? I pretty much stick to the 62gr Steel core round for ballistics and not stopping power. I've noticed if it isn't too windy my 62gr drops about as much as my 147gr out my FAL.
 
I am expecting to pick up my first rifle and AR (one in the same) in a few more paychecks, so my opinion is truly unqualified. I am only a bird hunter (I have gone once) but those who bash the 14 seem (to me- the stupid-ass fatty) that the gun is not designed for 100 yard shooting. It seems to be more designed for running at the opponent 's foxhole yanking the trigger quickly and clearing the brush. If one wants a sniper rifle, then get a sniper rifle. I can't go duck hunting with my GP-100 regardless of the scope, stock, trigger, grip, etc that I put on it. Have fun.

I would more consider it a highly accurate pistol [with a stock- like the naval lugers] than an innaccurate rifle.

Huggs and Kisses...:p
Dan
 
Remember that famous quote, "only accurate rifles are interesting"? The mini doesn't interest me the least little bit. Hell, I can get better accuracy out of my Python off the bench.
 
So we have a Comedian in the house! I can't think of a time when they did ever shoot anyone? Maybe they always missed ?I still love my Mini 14 and I'll challenge anyone with an AR to a Duel at 100yds. Walk 100yds turn and fire!!!!!!!!! Anyone????
 
But Ruger sells lots of full autos to every cheap ass army in south america (they get the real full size mags that work too). They dont know any better and buy lots of them. they are actualy designed to be a cheap AK type of weapon with a bit higher price tag, the US pays the differance. They dont care in Columbia that it wont hit a barn at 300yds but it will hoze a gut at 30yds. Plus they are just so "pertey".
 
I like my Mini. I also will be the first to admit it isn't my favorite rifle. I bought my GB Folder in 1994, when "pre-ban" AR H-Bars jumped from 800.00 to 1400.00 overnight(literally). I wanted a "politically incorrect" rifle with a folding stock, bayonet lug, and flash suppressor. For $400.00 at the time, it was the way for me to go. I have since "graduated" to better rifles, but I have a spot in my heart for that Mini(which I still have), since it was my first foray into the evil rifle business.

Zane
 
I had one of the first-ever Minis, and one of the first-ever stainless Minis. I've had two others. They did what I expected them to do, which was shoot approximately 1-1/2 MOA at 100 yards.

I never had any sort of failure to feed, go bang, or extract. Granted I haven't had one for a few years, now, nor have I played around with any of the currently manufactured magazines, but I never had problems with the 20-, 30- and even (Lord help us!) 40-round magazines available during the 1980s or so...

99% of the time the five-round magazine was plenty good. (I'm saving my factory 10-rounder for the next Mini I trade into. :) )

As usual,

Art
 
I like my Mini-14. It is not a sniper rifle and it is not even a military rifle.

I have had mine since 1985 and it has never failed me. I have never had a jam or a part break and have probally put 1500+ rounds thru it.

My complaint, it is really load and hearing protection is a must.

Zouave
 
The Notion the Mini 14 can't hit a Barn is a Myth. I've done my testing at the range and once I get a digital Camera I'm going to post all my pictures every time this topic comes up. I'm going to put 50 shots in a 6ft target at 100yds and put 50 shots at 300yds into a 6ft target. And then we'll all talk about the Shooter vs. the Gun:p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top