← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Faust
Thread ID: 18391 | Posts: 8 | Started: 2005-05-25
2005-05-25 07:57 | User Profile
Is the Ruger Mini-14 this bad?
Ruger Mini-14
Ruger's Mini-14 is a semiauto 5.56mm tactical rifle for about half the price of an AR-15 and easy to scope in its Ranch Rifle version - but is it as good a deal as it seems?
Most of the gripes shooters hear about the Mini-14 center around its accuracy - or lack of it. 5 M.O.A. seems to be the typical "accuracy" owners report - particularly as the barrel heats up after a few rounds. But even that would be fine for either most farmers shooting coyotes or for home protection - if the rifle was a good deal otherwise.
Much more troublesome problems exist with the Mini-14. In particular, reliability is problematic - with misfires occasionally as a result of the bolt failing to completely close, even though it appears to have closed; that this happens consistently in the rifle's first 300-odd rounds - from the first on - shows that the problem is neither a poorly-maintained rifle nor a rifle needing a "breaking in" period.
High-capacity magazines are very expensive for Mini-14 users. While reliable high-caps can be found at shows, they are neither inexpensive nor commonplace - unlike the reliable AR-15 high-caps abounding at every show for under $15; Mini-14 users will find the $50 Thermold quite reliable - but rare. The factory Ruger high-cap is also quite reliable and even more rare - at $75 or more at shows. Mini-14 users should not even consider any other high-caps; it is typical of generic aftermarket high-caps to fail to feed the first round in this rifle.
While the aftermarket is full of add-ons and accessories for Mini-14 owners, the rifle's scope-mounting system is not compatible at all with many of the modestly-priced-but-superb scopes marketed for the AR-15 that mount to either the AR-15's carry handle or the Picatinny rail on flattop AR-15s. You can scope a Mini-14 relatively easily - but just not with the scopes best suited for a tactical rifle like it.
The Mini-14s troublesome reliability makes it unsuitable for police use or for protecting yourself against anything that shoots back - though it is fine for shooting coyotes within 100 yds.
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2005-05-25 12:46 | User Profile
No, I used to own one and the rifle had good practical accuracy. The author in the article is comparing apples to oranges. The Mini-14 is a short barrelled carbine-type rifle. I think he is mentally comparing it to something like an AR-15 Heavy Barrel model. It is quite unsuitable as a scoped semi-sniper type rifle. I never had any function problems with it. I would, without hesitation buy another if I had a chance.
2005-05-25 13:10 | User Profile
Faust,
This is crap. Either he has a defective rifle or he is a defective marksman. It is probably the latter. I used to own one and the only thing I had to do to it was to replace the rear peep sight with a five dollar replacement that gave a smaller sight picture. I shot close to a thousand rounds through mine and found it to be a very accurate weapon. I never had the problem he describes about the bolt not slamming home and this after going through 3 30 rd magazines in short order. Only than the factory rear sight (this from 1983) I found this to be a superb rifle.
2005-05-25 13:19 | User Profile
I have heard people bash the Mini-14 as inaccurate and easily-overheated, but I don't think lack of reliability has been a common complaint. I certainly don't doubt the word of those of you who have had good experiences with yours. Maybe their quality is highly variable. As for me, I've never owned a Mini-14 (or even shot one!), so I can't really judge.
2005-05-25 13:50 | User Profile
Gordon Kahl used a Mini-14 when he had the shootout with the fedgoons back in the 80's.
The weak link in most semi autos is the magazine. Everything I've read about the M-16's used in Vietnam alludes to the common practice of always loading the magazines a few rounds less than plumb full to prevent a failure to feed jamb with a new magazine.
Needless to say, all magazines should be tested before serious use, any found to be problematic should be chucked in the trash. (Assuming they just don't need a new spring or a good cleaning.)
2005-05-25 14:55 | User Profile
Gordon Kahl used a Mini-14 when he had the shootout with the fedgoons back in the 80's.
So did the perps in the FBI "Miami Massacre" back in '86. Good thing for the FBI he didn't have an M1A or something.
2005-05-26 06:33 | User Profile
Still have my Mini-14, now with a 4x9 scope. It shoots straight, unless I don't keep a nice smoothe squeeze and a good site alignment.
Good piece.
[QUOTE=Sertorius]Faust,
This is crap. Either he has a defective rifle or he is a defective marksman. It is probably the latter. I used to own one and the only thing I had to do to it was to replace the rear peep sight with a five dollar replacement that gave a smaller sight picture. I shot close to a thousand rounds through mine and found it to be a very accurate weapon. I never had the problem he describes about the bolt not slamming home and this after going through 3 30 rd magazines in short order. Only than the factory rear sight (this from 1983) I found this to be a superb rifle.[/QUOTE]
2005-05-26 22:35 | User Profile
Thanks for your replies. Well most of what I have seen about the mini-14 has been positive. I was just wonder what you all thought this article. I think the complaint about the light barrel and magazines were on the mark for the most part Ruger stoped selling hi-cap mags years ago. I saw one gunsmith selling heavy barrel mini-14s but he wanted $1200 for them, you could get a Springfield M1A1 for that. Overall the mini-14 looks pretty good but you can get a FAL or an AK for less right now.