Rumor Time: Is Ruger Redesigning the Mini-14 to be PC?

DarkStar · November 19, 2000, 02:54 PM

Just returned from the range where I was talking with the owner about all things firearms related when he told me he was expecting the 'new' Mini-14 rifles in soon. He said they had a fixed 5 round magazine and top loaded with a stripper arrangement. He also thought there were going to be a few other changes internally as well.

My question is has anyone else heard this rumor? On the way home I was thinking how Bill Ruger screwed over the shooting community to save his 'little rifle' and now they do this anyway? If this is true, exactly what was the point of pushing for a magazine capacity limit then converting the rifle to PC garbage anyway?

I was never a fan of the Mini-14, but all of us have paid the price for Billy Ruger's desire to keep it intact. Just when I was getting over being mad at Ruger, too. I hope this is just another rumor...

Darryl

George Hill · November 19, 2000, 03:56 PM

Ick. That would be a totally useless rifle...
If you have a fixed 5 round magazine - it might as well be a bolt action with MOA or better accuracy.

VinceMP · November 19, 2000, 04:31 PM

That about sums it up George.

Badger Arms · November 19, 2000, 07:10 PM

First, who would buy it? Second, there isn't a NEED to redesign the gun such and market it. What law would they be complying with either real or proposed?

There have been hundreds of rumors started about how Ruger has bent over for the government. In truth, they only did this once with the Magazine Capacity thing and got smacked down big time. Since, I don't know of any other practices that have been in poor political judgement.

With all the REAL bending over out there by companies like Sellout & Wesson and Colt, let's stick with what we know, guys.

And if it were true that a clip-fed Semi-Auto were a bad thing, why would anybody buy a Garand?

Tshoes · November 19, 2000, 10:26 PM

Mr. William Ruger has cost hisself thousands of bucko's.
He , as Colt, started the Gun PC movement way before it was kosher.
I have not owned a Ruger for more than 6 months in my life, and I'll never buy another.
It's Bill's perogative to do what he wishes, it's his company...........And I'll continue to exercise mine, along with non purchase of anything Colt, S & W, and Ruger............period.

dZ · November 19, 2000, 10:56 PM

if it is true, then it might because a semi auto rifle that does not accept a detachable magazine is CA legal

ps
Bill Ruger retired this Fall

DarkStar · November 19, 2000, 11:09 PM

dZ, that could very well be what it is... the changes in Kali laws could have prompted Ruger's modification of the Mini...

Darryl

Battler · November 19, 2000, 11:54 PM

I thought Kalifornians could still have Mini 14s

The ban affects pistol-grip rifles, or rifles that had actions that traditionally came with pistol grips (ARs/AKs of all types, even if you change the stock).

Battler.

dZ · November 20, 2000, 12:34 PM

CA can still have Rugers because of the squabbling over the definition of a grip that can be grasped below the action.

They got around this issue by updating the roos list to now include guns that were not required to register back in 1989

the Mini 14 was not on that new list but the detachable magazine is considered a defining trait of the assault rifle species.

eliminating this feature would make the Mini less likely to be banned.

consider the SKS
the ones with detachable magazines are CA assault rifles.

Quote:

Generic Characteristics Defining Assault Weapons:
12276.1 (a) Notwithstanding Penal Code section 12276, “assault weapon” shall also mean the following:
Rifles
(1) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of
the following:
(A) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
(B) A thumbhole stock.
(C) A folding or telescoping stock.
(D) A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
(E) A flash suppressor.
(F) A forward pistol grip.
(2) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10
rounds.
(3) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.
Note: Bayonets and bayonet lugs are not assault weapon characteristics under California law.

by my read, the centerfire detachable magazine defines the "evil" semiauto species

**4V50 Gary** · November 20, 2000, 01:20 PM

Ruger engineers may well be working on such a design. It would be marketable in Communist (We trust our citizens) states and countries (Canada & England).

Battler · November 20, 2000, 01:25 PM

dz:

(1) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of
the following:

I.e. it needs one more "deadly feature" to be an assault weapon. The ruger traditionally has none of these features. (Aftermarket stocks excluded).

The detatchable mag-fed ruger is not a CA Assault weapon.

Battler.

dZ · November 20, 2000, 01:43 PM

i agree that the Mini 14 is not a CA SAW by this years law...

what about next years law?

the removal of the detachable magazine feature would make the gun a better "investment" for the manufacturer

dZ

Battler · November 20, 2000, 01:49 PM

agreed.

Does anyone not think that they're not going to come forward and say (as we did) that all these cosmetic features count for naught, and call the rest of autoloaders a "loophole"?

George Hill · November 20, 2000, 02:32 PM

Sounds like they might make it a Mini Garand. For California... Thats not TOO bad.

Boy, I am SO glad I don't live there...

Danger Dave · November 20, 2000, 04:56 PM

That sounds a lot like the new .44 mag carbine, based on the mini-14 action (Deerfield carbine, IIRC). It uses a 5 round detachable rotary-style mag (like the 10/22) rotary mag, that just isn't well suited to extending.

I wouldn't count on the rumor being true, nor would I discount it. There might be a place for a pure 5-round rifle as a hunting rifle, but I'll keep my old mini, thank you.

November 19, 2000, 10:26 PM	#5
Tshoes Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2000 Posts: 791	Ruger/ Bah ! Humbug! Mr. William Ruger has cost hisself thousands of bucko's. He , as Colt, started the Gun PC movement way before it was kosher. I have not owned a Ruger for more than 6 months in my life, and I'll never buy another. It's Bill's perogative to do what he wishes, it's his company...........And I'll continue to exercise mine, along with non purchase of anything Colt, S & W, and Ruger............period.

November 19, 2000, 02:54 PM	#1
DarkStar Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2000 Location: Liberal Michigan... For Now... Posts: 246	Just returned from the range where I was talking with the owner about all things firearms related when he told me he was expecting the 'new' Mini-14 rifles in soon. He said they had a fixed 5 round magazine and top loaded with a stripper arrangement. He also thought there were going to be a few other changes internally as well. My question is has anyone else heard this rumor? On the way home I was thinking how Bill Ruger screwed over the shooting community to save his 'little rifle' and now they do this anyway? If this is true, exactly what was the point of pushing for a magazine capacity limit then converting the rifle to PC garbage anyway? I was never a fan of the Mini-14, but all of us have paid the price for Billy Ruger's desire to keep it intact. Just when I was getting over being mad at Ruger, too. I hope this is just another rumor... Darryl

November 19, 2000, 03:56 PM	#2
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	Ick. That would be a totally useless rifle... If you have a fixed 5 round magazine - it might as well be a bolt action with MOA or better accuracy.

November 19, 2000, 04:31 PM	#3
VinceMP Member Join Date: October 27, 2000 Posts: 20	That about sums it up George.

November 19, 2000, 07:10 PM	#4
Badger Arms Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2000 Location: Harnett County, NC Posts: 1,700	First, who would buy it? Second, there isn't a NEED to redesign the gun such and market it. What law would they be complying with either real or proposed? There have been hundreds of rumors started about how Ruger has bent over for the government. In truth, they only did this once with the Magazine Capacity thing and got smacked down big time. Since, I don't know of any other practices that have been in poor political judgement. With all the REAL bending over out there by companies like Sellout & Wesson and Colt, let's stick with what we know, guys. And if it were true that a clip-fed Semi-Auto were a bad thing, why would anybody buy a Garand?

November 19, 2000, 10:56 PM	#6
dZ Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 1999 Location: Exiled, Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,548	if it is true, then it might because a semi auto rifle that does not accept a detachable magazine is CA legal ps Bill Ruger retired this Fall

November 19, 2000, 11:09 PM	#7
DarkStar Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2000 Location: Liberal Michigan... For Now... Posts: 246	dZ, that could very well be what it is... the changes in Kali laws could have prompted Ruger's modification of the Mini... Darryl

November 19, 2000, 11:54 PM	#8
Battler Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2000 Posts: 1,185	I thought Kalifornians could still have Mini 14s The ban affects pistol-grip rifles, or rifles that had actions that traditionally came with pistol grips (ARs/AKs of all types, even if you change the stock). Battler.

November 20, 2000, 01:20 PM	#10
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,306	Ruger engineers may well be working on such a design. It would be marketable in Communist (We trust our citizens) states and countries (Canada & England).

November 20, 2000, 01:25 PM	#11
Battler Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2000 Posts: 1,185	dz: (1) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following: I.e. it needs one more "deadly feature" to be an assault weapon. The ruger traditionally has none of these features. (Aftermarket stocks excluded). The detatchable mag-fed ruger is not a CA Assault weapon. Battler.

November 20, 2000, 01:43 PM	#12
dZ Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 1999 Location: Exiled, Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,548	i agree that the Mini 14 is not a CA SAW by this years law... what about next years law? the removal of the detachable magazine feature would make the gun a better "investment" for the manufacturer dZ

November 20, 2000, 01:49 PM	#13
Battler Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2000 Posts: 1,185	agreed. Does anyone not think that they're not going to come forward and say (as we did) that all these cosmetic features count for naught, and call the rest of autoloaders a "loophole"?

November 20, 2000, 02:32 PM	#14
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	Sounds like they might make it a Mini Garand. For California... Thats not TOO bad. Boy, I am SO glad I don't live there...

November 20, 2000, 04:56 PM	#15
Danger Dave Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Dallas, GA, USA Posts: 791	That sounds a lot like the new .44 mag carbine, based on the mini-14 action (Deerfield carbine, IIRC). It uses a 5 round detachable rotary-style mag (like the 10/22) rotary mag, that just isn't well suited to extending. I wouldn't count on the rumor being true, nor would I discount it. There might be a place for a pure 5-round rifle as a hunting rifle, but I'll keep my old mini, thank you.