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Old December 28, 2012, 11:44 AM   #1
ratrodney
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ruger mini 14??

Just wanted thoughts....good...bad??? RR
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Old December 28, 2012, 12:08 PM   #2
Hairbag
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Try the search button you will find plenty
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Old December 28, 2012, 04:11 PM   #3
dgludwig
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I like them a lot. Reliable, well-made in America from a company that stands by their products. For use as a handy, close-quarters carbine, I prefer the Mini to any AR-15 iteration (and I do have both).
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Old December 28, 2012, 04:44 PM   #4
rickyrick
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What do you intend to use it for?
Any utilitarian role it would be perfect, although, by most accounts it won't make dime sized groups.

It's my favorite rifle.

However Bill Ruger is not here to keep it out of the attempted AWB, but that remains to be seen.

If you are a decent marksmen and don't have any preconceived notions on the accuracy, you'll love it.
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Old December 28, 2012, 07:19 PM   #5
Art Eatman
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I've had four of the early models, way back when. I put a Weaver K4 on them. I found that the first shot always did horrible things to coyotes and jackrabbits. Generally, I figured the first three shots would group about 1.5 MOA, which was plenty good enough for a hunting rifle.
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Old December 28, 2012, 07:33 PM   #6
Nine the Ranger
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I love my Mini-14

Good, light, handy little carbine.

Accuracy is pretty good on them (580+) I can't speak for the older ones.

Runs like a top with anything I've fed it too.
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Old December 28, 2012, 07:40 PM   #7
jmortimer
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As reliable as it gets. Handy and effective. New ones are more accurate.
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Old December 28, 2012, 08:15 PM   #8
Strafer Gott
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I'm glad to have one. Mine is the later model with the Hogue stock. It came with 2 twenty round mags. I hope they keep doing that. I am thinking about another one, if the prices don't stink when they emerge again.
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Old December 29, 2012, 01:45 AM   #9
DATL
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Love em! Can't wait to get my own! I have shot plenty with a newer one my buddy has- and I have had NO accuracy or reliability issues with his.
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Old December 29, 2012, 09:44 AM   #10
Z400ACDC
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I bought a SS 580 series in November with Leupold 3-9x40 for $700. I added a Accu-Strut. It shoots great!!!!
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Old December 29, 2012, 11:48 AM   #11
stu925
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Excellent quality rifle, shoots well in the 580+ series. Mine averages around 2" @ 100yds with factory ammo and 1.5" with handloads. I have had zero malfunctions with mine in the 2 years I've owned it. Did a polish of the engagement surfaces in the trigger group and re-torqued the gas block screws and that's about all the work I've done to it.

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Old December 29, 2012, 09:34 PM   #12
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Older ones shot pretty terrible. Newer ones serial # 580- and above shoot better. Prices were around $700 before the panic. Who knows what they are going for now.
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Old December 29, 2012, 09:39 PM   #13
bigdaddy123
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I have a 580+ ranch rifle and love it.I've had 2 AR 15 and sold both,never did like the feel of the ar,but they are a bit more accurate.My Mini shoots 1 1/2"-2" groups at 100 yards.It's not a sniper rifle by any means,it does all I need it to do.
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Old December 29, 2012, 10:49 PM   #14
Z400ACDC
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There are several bolt rifles that does not shoot any better.
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Old December 30, 2012, 01:47 AM   #15
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I like my Mini 14 and like to think they were a good value before the panic. I managed to get an order in for a dozen 30rd mags a couple days before the panic buying hit full stride so I am locked into the platform for the long run. Mine is an older one that uses one of the bolt on accuracy enhancers. It cost me just over $500 for everything.

If there was a $700 piston driven AR that was reliable, long lasting, battlefield accurate and had a good company standing behind it when something goes wrong people would be standing in line to buy one and arguing online that it's flaws don't detract from the rifles intended use. Slap a wood stock on it, call it a Mini and suddenly it has lost it's luster.
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Old December 30, 2012, 03:37 AM   #16
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Got my 580 series with thin barrel profile in 2007. Had a trigger job done, added an accustrut, and put it in a tapco stock. With handloads it shoots 1.5-2'' groups@100yrds. Best group being 1.25''. The mini-14 is a solid little rifle. I doubt I would buy one at the current inflated price. Hopefully this nonsense wont last to long.
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Old December 30, 2012, 06:04 PM   #17
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ruger mini 14??

Got a 580 series last Christmas from the Mrs. Aweesome rifle. I was told by the folks at Ruger if I shoot foreign rounds out of it it will void the warranty. So I shoot Federals. Buy it, you will be pleased! Cliff
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Old December 31, 2012, 12:10 AM   #18
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I love mine. Light, handy, reliable--the Mini-14 is a great little rifle.
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Old December 31, 2012, 12:37 AM   #19
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Love them but I traded mine for a Garand
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Old December 31, 2012, 10:19 PM   #20
Ralph Allen
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I have an older Mini 14 that the serial # starts 184. Guess it's a terrible shooter, but I'm sure there are MANY prarie dogs that would argue the fact. Handloaded with H335 and Hornady SXSP's it is accurate enough, even with it's evil flash hider! Figure if I can nail something as small as a prarie dog offhand at 100 yards or more, then it shoots well enough for me.
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Old December 31, 2012, 10:46 PM   #21
BOPLEO
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great guns. may make it past the ban since not a black ifle
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Old December 31, 2012, 11:18 PM   #22
kayakersteve
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Mini14

Normally, with a rifle like this, I would suggest an older model to beat any potential AWB issues. But with the mini 14, go with the newer models to get significantly better accuracy. I have the NRA commemorative model and absolutely love it.
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Old January 1, 2013, 09:06 AM   #23
fishhawk
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mini 14

MINI-14/model# 5801 5.56 NATO ,i can speak to this model,you can run 500 rounds through this gun with little trouble ,and any jam is easy to clear. much easier to clear then an AR,and it will not bite you.
i do not thank an AR will run 500 rounds back to back with no problem if it is not wet, not so with the mini.
i would stick with factory mags though almost all of the jams i have had are with after market mags.
IMHO (and it is my HO) the new minis are as accurate and much easier to maintain then an AR i thank a lot of the problem with the mini 14 is the AR just looks cooler AND THE OLDER MODEL MINIS HAD REAL ACCURACY PROBLEMS but i thank the new mini will out run an AR day in and day out,with a lot less maintenance.
look before all the AR guys jump on this old man,let me say as a 64 yr old Vietnam vet the AR IS A FINE PLATFORM ,but just like a good looking woman it is high maintenance .
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Old January 1, 2013, 11:07 AM   #24
UtopiaTexasG19
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To: kayakersteve

"Normally, with a rifle like this, I would suggest an older model to beat any potential AWB issues."

Steve, I don't understand your statement. If there is a serious AWB why would the older semi's not be included?

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Old January 1, 2013, 03:21 PM   #25
Adamantium
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The Mini will escape a ban unscathed if it is the same as the 1994 one. The magazines won't but the gun itself will. If OTOH something along the lines of a bullet button gets passed the Mini is probably boned.
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