Any hope for a 180 series mini 14?

bryanshoot · February 15, 2017, 07:45 PM

I bought it new in 1975. It's horribly inaccurate and no good way to put optics on. If I could find someone to accurize it I'm still limited to irons.

1stmar · February 15, 2017, 07:51 PM

These guys can help with accuracy and there are replacement heat shields for a scout scope.

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php

For the scope try ultimak

johnwilliamson062 · February 15, 2017, 10:29 PM

Not cost effective.
Better off to sell and buy one of the newer models.

1stmar · February 16, 2017, 12:13 AM

No guarantee you will get a shooter with the new model.

bryanshoot · February 16, 2017, 08:07 AM

1stmar, I tried the ultimak it hit my operating rod ( charging handle ) . Ultimak said the only thing to do was grind opp rod down or bend it. I opted not to do that and returned it.

jmr40 · February 16, 2017, 04:03 PM

It is what it is, don't try to make it what it ain't. Those were inexpensive rifles that were pretty reliable. Accuracy never was, nor is anything to brag about. But for close range SD they are adequate. Even the worst of them are more accurate out to 50 yards than most people can shoot a handgun.

The new ones, or even those that have had lots of money thrown at them, are at best marginally more accurate. New ones are quite expensive too. You can now almost buy 2 AR's for about the same price as a new Mini-14.

T. O'Heir · February 16, 2017, 04:13 PM

"...horribly inaccurate and..." Ruger sold thousands of 'em. Barrels, triggers and bedding are poor. Like johnwilliamson062 isn't cost effective to bother with anyway.
And scoping a carbine or rifle that doesn't shoot well to start with is a huge waste of money. A scope will not make the thing shoot better.
A new Mini starts at a grand. No Target Mini's on Ruger's site any more either. They're running as low as $750 on Gunbroker.

February 15, 2017, 07:45 PM	#1
bryanshoot Junior Member Join Date: February 7, 2017 Posts: 6	Any hope for a 180 series mini 14? I bought it new in 1975. It's horribly inaccurate and no good way to put optics on. If I could find someone to accurize it I'm still limited to irons. Last edited by bryanshoot; February 16, 2017 at 08:00 AM. Reason: Misspell

February 16, 2017, 04:03 PM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	It is what it is, don't try to make it what it ain't. Those were inexpensive rifles that were pretty reliable. Accuracy never was, nor is anything to brag about. But for close range SD they are adequate. Even the worst of them are more accurate out to 50 yards than most people can shoot a handgun. The new ones, or even those that have had lots of money thrown at them, are at best marginally more accurate. New ones are quite expensive too. You can now almost buy 2 AR's for about the same price as a new Mini-14. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

February 16, 2017, 04:13 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...horribly inaccurate and..." Ruger sold thousands of 'em. Barrels, triggers and bedding are poor. Like johnwilliamson062 isn't cost effective to bother with anyway. And scoping a carbine or rifle that doesn't shoot well to start with is a huge waste of money. A scope will not make the thing shoot better. A new Mini starts at a grand. No Target Mini's on Ruger's site any more either. They're running as low as $750 on Gunbroker. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 15, 2017, 07:51 PM	#2
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	These guys can help with accuracy and there are replacement heat shields for a scout scope. http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php For the scope try ultimak

February 15, 2017, 10:29 PM	#3
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	Not cost effective. Better off to sell and buy one of the newer models.

February 16, 2017, 12:13 AM	#4
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	No guarantee you will get a shooter with the new model.

February 16, 2017, 08:07 AM	#5
bryanshoot Junior Member Join Date: February 7, 2017 Posts: 6	1stmar, I tried the ultimak it hit my operating rod ( charging handle ) . Ultimak said the only thing to do was grind opp rod down or bend it. I opted not to do that and returned it.