Mini-14

A

Alpha 4

Inactive
I thinking about buying a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle, .223.
I would like to know your opinions and experiences with this rifle. I'm not going to use it for anything special, just general purpose and fun shooting. Thanks.
 
I have one and I think they are great little rifles. They are not quite as accurate as an AR-15 but a good rifle.
Jim
 
just general purpose and fun shooting.
Click to expand...
You will have a ball! While I have not fired the one I purchased over 20 years ago in nearly 20 years I still have it and can remember some great times that I had with it!
It's a fun gun and there seems to be some aftermarket good stuff out there!
If I can figure out how to turn a 200 dollar 10 22 into a 3000 dollar 10 22 you should have the same rights!
Have Fun! :D :D :D
 
Do you plan on scoping your Mini 14?

If you dont plan on scoping it, i would get just a plain mini 14 not a ranch rifle.

The little flip down peep hole sight on the ranch rifle is flimsy and will break or pop off with a fairly small amount of use. It is just held in with friction, and shoots loose.
 
The Mini is very reliable and 'combat' accurate. People will cry and cry about how terrible the accuracy is. I shoot tin cans at 100 yards (open sites) all day long with mine. It has never failed as long as I use PMI, Thermold or Ruger mags. The mags are expensive and getting hard to find but I think its a nice rifle.
 
They are great rifle as long as you can live with decent accuracy. They are light, compact, very reliable and tons of accessories are available for it. I have owned 7 Mini-14/Ranch Rifles in past 15 or so years and still have 3 in my safe (4 if you count the one at my brother's house). Personally I like the Ranch Rifle more than the Mini-14 simply because I like to put red dot sights on them.
 
It was once written that the two happiest days for a Mini 14 owner are the day he gets it and the day he sells it. Terrible trigger, mediocre to downright awful accuracy and barrels that fouled very quickly. Mine was a Ranch model that threw brass a considerable distance much to the chagrin of shooters on the line to my right. The brass also bounced off the scope leaving a nice collection of dings in the tube.

It was reliable however and if you just want to bang away, it will do the job. I was real glad to get rid of mine and put the money toward an accurate rifle.
 
I have two Ranch models and looking to sell the one which is new/unfired with box and unopened scope rings. I agree they are a blast yet not as accurate as an AR-15, but still just as full. The PMI mags have not let me down yet.
Let me if you are interested and want to work on a price.
Jim
 
I agree with Lonegunman, if your not going to scope it, go withthe regualr (cheaper) model. Personally, I don't see much need to scope it. Although I wholeheartedly disagree with people who act like you can't hit anything with a Mini-14, I will agree that there are better guns to put a scope on.

Fireforged and I are obviously both looking at practical accuracy. I don't try to go out and shoot one whole groups with my mini-14 at 200 yards. The Mini is a practical rifle. It is light, cheap and reliable. It shoots on par with all the standard 16" ARs I've owned and the trigger on mine is not all that bad. IMNSHO, in a survival situation it will do everything an AR will do at drastically reduced cost. If you are just buying to have fun, you should be very very pleased.
 
Ruger is aware of the poor metallurgy of the folding peep and you'd think they make a sturdier (or subcontract out) one. If you're planning to scope the rifle, go Ranch. It has several advantages including built in ring base, buffer (to reduce the tuning fork effect on the receiver), and side ejector to prevent brass from pinging off your scope.
 
I love mine!!! If you want a scope go with the Ranch, if you don't want a scope go with the standard. Make sure you you pay attention to your bullet weights and barrel twist. You can shoot better than most Mini 14 owners if you do this!

[Edited by SodaPop on 05-24-2001 at 10:49 PM]
 
I have a newer stainless/synthetic ranch rifle and love it!!!Get you a couple of PMI 30 rounders and you are good to go.Very reliable and accurate enough to defend yourself and home.Also a blast at the range as long as its not to crowded.I put a "pinned" muzzlebrake on it and it looks too cool!!!!!
 
I HAVE AN OLD MINI WITH ALL WOOD STOCKS,NOT THAT CHEAPO PLASIC UPPER .ITS A VERY LIGHT WIGHT HANDY RIFLE .NOT IN THE SAME LEAGE AS MY ar-15,BUT STILL AN EXCELENT PLINKER.THE ONE OUTSTANDING WEAKNESS IS THE FACTORY SIGHTS<JUST AWFUL
 
I have owned four of them. If you can accept 4" to 6" 100 yard groups you will be pleased. I would recommend spending the extra to get an AR15. The Mini-14 works ok, but is not accurate enough for me. It is a waste of time to scope one. OK as a fun plinker.
 
Excellent carbine. Tough, shoots anything .223, reliable, light, short, accessories, and fun.

Get a standard model if it is for fun shooting. Then you could add the accessories. I bought a standard model and put a Hogue stock, now she is sweeter.

Get a Ranch if you are going to scope-it.

I get groupings of 2-4"@100yards. Ruger recommends heavier bullets if it is 1-9"barrel. Accuracy depends on the shooter mainly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top