Why Won't the Ruger Mini-14 Just Die? [Part 1] [Part 2] is up!! Post #225

[saudadeii]

Love it, hate it, it's still here!!

[OCEquestrian]

Poor man's semi auto rifle
Not mean looking semi auto rifle
Easily customized
CHEAP

[H8Mud]

Originally Posted by OCEquestrian

Poor man's semi auto rifle
Not mean looking semi auto rifle
Easily customized
CHEAP

Poor and cheap don't come to mind on a rifle that sells close to new and used for $1000.00. Magazines are $50.00 or more each.

[smle-man]

Well presented and thought out.

[Bansh88]

Shot one once. Hard pass. Not cheap either.

[Tim padilla]

I have always owned at least one Mini 14 throughout my years of collecting firearms. The accuracy on the original pencil profile barrels are about as good as any AK -47 .which is good enough for many countries as a fighting arm and it’s good enough for me in the roles I would have it in . Yes if I need to try and lace a shot through a Cheerio at 300 meters I probably won’t reach for a Mini but that’s not what I expect of it. I have found them to be very reliable with a lot of variety’s of ammunition and not a lot of cleaning .A stainless steel version is the perfect boat rifle that you don’t have to baby . My favorite version on looks alone is a GB with a factory folding stock ,you have to love the looks of a wood and steel folder.

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

Like he said on the video. "For the price of a mini 14 you can buy 2 PSA ar15 rifles" or something like that.

The price on a mini 14 is the only thing keeping me from buying one. I bought a few 30 rounders during freedom week with hope of buying a mini. Unless that I find one on the use market for $700, it ain't happening.

[jarhead714]

Originally Posted by FX-05 Xiuhcoatl

Like he said on the video. "For the price of a mini 14 you can buy 2 PSA ar15 rifles" or something like that.

The price on a mini 14 is the only thing keeping me from buying one. I bought a few 30 rounders during freedom week with hope of buying a mini. Unless that I find one on the use market for $700, it ain't happening.

There’s a guy in the marketplace place got one for 8 hundsky like new or maybe even unfired.Not bad. I wouldn’t get one, but if I was that’s about all I’d pay for it.

Edit: He wants $850 and it is unfired. Down here in Orange County. With tax they are over 1100 dollars new….

[jonnyt16]

Had one back in the day. Never really liked it to be honest.

[PartyBarge]

Nutnfancy just did a video on if they're still awesome. With the continued refinement and price drops on AR15s, the Mini 14 is now obsolete.

I agree with his conclusion.

[Verdha603]

Originally Posted by saudadeii

Love it, hate it, it's still here!!

I mean, as long as state AWB's exist, the Mini-14 is still going to have a modern day market since it's managed to jump through all the AWB hoops here in the states (can't say the same for the poor Canadian's though).

It also still has a following amongst the folks that still prefer the M1 Garand/M14 type of controls/ergonomics/looks, and for whatever reason more than a few Fudd's are hypocritical enough to still view the Mini-14 as a "sportsman's rifle" while turning around and pointing finger's at all the "black plastic weapons of war no sporting gun owner would own".

As for cost, it stopped being cheap by the time Obama got into office; just a basic Ranch Rifle costs 900-1000 bucks, which like LuckyGunner pointed out makes it cost as much as two PSA rifles or enough to spend on a S&W M&P Sport or Ruger AR-556 and still have enough left over for a budget red dot, sling, and a ten pack of magazines. And that's before adding in the cost that one 20 or 30 round mag from Ruger costs as much as 3 PMAG's or 4 USGI aluminum mags for an AR at a minimum.

[RuggedJay]

They need to make a version that accepts AR15 mags. Sales would go up.

[FeuerFrei]

I say skip over the Mini Me and go right to an M1A for a few hundred more.

I'm too invested in AR clones to grab another type 223/556 rifle.

[MJB]

I have one I need to sell......

[SharedShots]

Originally Posted by RuggedJay

They need to make a version that accepts AR15 mags. Sales would go up.

Ruger sells all they can make. If you don't own any ARs then why would you want one that uses AR15 mags? The same is said of carbine, everything should use a Glock magazine. Industry wide, a good percentage of AR15 mags are complete junk, it's one reason they are sold by the case.

It's funny to see people argue with success. The Mini-14 has been one of the most successful civilian market semi-auto rifles ever made by one company.

For the SHTF types, no one is going to give you magazines or ammo for your AR if you don't have any magazines or ammo. Think about it, if things are that bad, who would you give ammo or magazines to knowing you might not be able to replace them? Chances are you won't be at home sitting on a Costco sized inventory.

The last person I'd give ammo or magazines to is someone who doesn't have any because truth be told, they are likely to be the first ones to take everything else you have right after they load their rifle.

If someone doesn't have a magazine or ammo, just what else don't they have that you do and the only thing between that and them is the lack of one magazine and a handful of rounds? Your circle of trust that itself has infinite circles of trust?








.

[sealocan]

They were the rifles used in Starship Troopers and if it's good enough for the Space Mobile Infantry,
it's good enough for me.

Americans:
I need a rifle.
You're it,
until you're dead or I find something better.

Okay they were covered by a lots of plastic futuristic furniture and they were full autos firing blanks but we did beat the space bugs in that documentary.

[k1dude]

If it weren't for the constant beat of democrat gun bans, the Mini-14 wouldn't be around anymore. Since it's 50 state compliant in it's standard form, it still exists.

If Fightlite would ever get off their butts and get serious about cranking out SCR's to meet demand and lower their ridiculous price, the Mini would disappear. It's a Mini killer if they would get their act together.

I'm also curious why no other manufacturer has come out with an SCR type rifle. Fightlite is screwing up big time, so why hasn't someone else picked up the ball they dropped?

[k1dude]

Originally Posted by RuggedJay

They need to make a version that accepts AR15 mags. Sales would go up.

Agree

[TrappedinCalifornia]

Back in the 1980's, I got into several conversations with a gunsmith near where I was living regarding the AR-15 vs. the Mini-14. He was a Korean War vet and loathed the AR-15. He thought the action of the Mini-14 was superior, particularly regarding freezing temperatures. In those days, the Ruger was 'cheap' by comparison. Yet, even he would acknowledge that a decent AR-15 was more accurate, 'likely' more robust, etc.

Today, with the improved accuracy, the AWB's which don't seem to apply to the Ruger in many/most cases, the ready and easier to use without question 5 rd. magazines, etc., the Mini-14 is even more of a 'contender' except for the comparative lack of availability of the rifles and magazines. The hideous, comparative expense of the magazines is more related to who you are buying them from and the manufacturer; but, even the less ludicrous pricing is still expensive by comparison. For instance, Midway sells a 5 rd., factory magazine for $30. Even the 10 rd. Pro Mags are $22. By comparison, the 10 rd. PMAGS for the AR are around $14 and can often be found for less on sale while Ruger sells their 10 rd. magazines at $43.

In other words, it's not about 'cheap.' It's about how readily one is seen or perceived as being compliant. It's not about 'accuracy.' It's about functional accuracy with the cartridge vs. potential accuracy from the cartridge/shooter. It's about adaptability, which ultimately costs money when it comes to an AR and is almost totally absent with the Mini. It's also about intended usage. The AR is a direct derivative of the military firearm, where use of the word 'derivative' is a bit misleading in that it is the 'military' arm with a few, key parts missing. Whereas the Mini was a redesigned version of a military firearm primarily, for civilian applications, including law enforcement use where the actually usage was less 'intense' than with military applications, regardless of the latent intentions.





Ultimately, it comes down to an argument similar to 45 ACP vs. 9mm. What time frame is being referenced? Which version? Which 'fits' the individual and their use better? Right on down the list. It's why you still see videos like this...



And, slightly older articles like this... Reconsidering the Ruger Mini-14.

[saudadeii]

we are still here.jpg

[stormvet]

Most overrated rifle M1a

Most underrated rifle Mini-14

[California_Deplorable]

I dont hate it or love it. It means nothing to me.

A $600 featureless AR15 is simply cheaper, more customizable, more versatile, more useful, more accurate, more reliable, and overall a better value than a mini14. Thats a simple fact.

Any AWB that outlaws featureless ARs will outlaw ALL featureless semi-auto DBM fed rifles INCLUDING the mini-14. So I dont understand why people keep pushing the myth about minis being more immune from AWBs than featureless AR15s.

And again, if SHTF (when nobody will give a **** about any man made laws), a featureless grip on an AR15 can be quickly replaced with a standard pistol grip using a flathead screwdriver or allen wrench in less than 5 mins. So theres really no argument about not wanting a "nuetered" AR15. Especially when the mini14 is already "nuetered" by design.

[pratchett]

I have one, glad I bought it and I’m not selling. It’s spectacular for what it is: a ranch rifle with open sights or an LPVO. I find people who hate them fall into 3 categories: those who can’t shoot a rifle accurately anyway; those who want to judge its accuracy on the older models where accuracy was a problem; and those who want it to be something it was never meant to be.

I agree that it’s too expensive, that it only is reliable using OEM magazines that are stupidly expensive, and that it’s not as flexible as an AR. All those concerns are valid in my opinion.

I also think that if Fightlite ever decided to get serious about manufacturing and marketing, they could end the Mini 14. It’s that much of a game changer.

[echo1]

Originally Posted by SharedShots

For the SHTF types, no one is going to give you magazines or ammo for your AR if you don't have any magazines or ammo.

The last person I'd give ammo or magazines to is someone who doesn't have any because truth be told, they are likely to be the first ones to take everything else you have right after they load their rifle.

.

I had a Mini 14 once that I got one for dirt. I eventually traded it for an unissued Russian SKS & 1K ammo, and my onliest AR I traded for a Belgian A5 Magnum 12.
I've given a few of my nephews an SKS to whoever bought 1K of X39 ammo. PAX

[California_Deplorable]

Originally Posted by SharedShots

The last person I'd give ammo or magazines to is someone who doesn't have any because truth be told, they are likely to be the first ones to take everything else you have right after they load their rifle.
.

You wouldnt arm any friends or family to band together? You'd just tell them to get phuqed, because you think they would shoot you in the back or something? That sounds paranoid. What about people that already have a gun but need more ammo or mags so you can actually conduct an operation for a collective benefit. You wouldn't help them? Have you ever worked or played on a team? Your "lonewolf" outlook on life sounds pretty anti-social and impractical. Humans need to work together to a certain degree to survive.

I'd build my own personal Army if SHTF. But I guess that takes leadership skills and not everyone has those.

[OCEquestrian]

Originally Posted by H8Mud

Poor and cheap don't come to mind on a rifle that sells close to new and used for $1000.00. Magazines are $50.00 or more each.

One man's cheap is another man's fortune...

[Oneaudiopro]

Simple, accurate, reliable, robust..................What else could you want from a rifle. I've had mine for over 30yrs and will never part with it. And yes, I own an AR and would grab the mini first every time.

[67Cuda]

I don't care for it because Mr. Ruger has a habit of copying things.

[deadcoyote]

Originally Posted by OCEquestrian

Poor man's semi auto rifle
Not mean looking semi auto rifle
Easily customized
CHEAP

So I assume you and I are probably similar in age. I once owned a mini for precisely that reason, AR’s were limited to armalite, bushmaster, and colt and cost about $1k, and you could buy a mini 14 from Longs drugs for $375.

Now that you can get a decent AR for less than a mini 14, combined with mini magazine cost, I no longer see the point. I’m not even factoring in the basic accuracy advantages of a burner grade ar vs an off the rack mini 14.

[W.R.Buchanan]

A $600 featureless AR15 is simply cheaper, more customizable, more versatile, more useful, more accurate, more reliable, and overall a better value than a mini14. Thats a simple fact.

I have to take exception to most of this sentence! I will pick it apart one word at a time.

$600 is cheaper maybe? I paid $500 for mine in 2006 it was almost new.

More customizable? Why does it need to be "Customized? That Costs money? Now it is no longer a $600 gun. And if it didn't work for you when you bought it, maybe you shouldn't have bought it?

More Versatile? How? it's a gun and it shoots. You can't shoot anything more with an AR than a Mini 14 They both use the same ammo and have the exact same limitations.!

More useful? HOW? Since a Mini will shoot anything that an AR can shoot it is the same in usefulness, and the thing about a Mini is that if you run out of ammo it makes a way better club than any AR! So it is more useful,,, Right?

More accurate? Mine is sub MOA and your $600 AR is NOT! The group has been posted here 50 times at least!

More Reliable? Now you are really FOS. a Mini 14 will run in any temperature covered in snow or dirt and to clean it you can hose it off and spray some oil on it and it will run again. AR's not so much.

Overall Better Value? Kinda Subjective isn't that statement? There is only two values you can assign to any gun. "Value in Use," and "Resale Value."

I paid $500 for mine in 2006. it was almost new with only 50 rounds thru it. it is a 580 series (New style gun) It has been thru 5 Front Sight Rifle Classes and numerous 3 gun shoots. It has never malfunctioned even once in better than 7-8000 rounds. It runs perfect and the reason why is that I choked the gas system down so it doesn't beat the gun to death every time it is fired. Simple fix available to anyone if you do a little research. Is that customizing it? Don't know>

My gun is Sub MOA with my Reloads which is all it gets. I can hit a man sized target 10/10 off a Rest at 200 yards and 8/10 at 300 yards which is the agreed upon useful range of the .223 cartridge.

The "simple fact" is you have never fired one,,, have you? And if you haven't fired a newer one in the last 17 years then you know nothing of them either.

The simple fact here is that Ruger sells all of these guns that it can make and they are selling more now than ever before. If these guns were useless POS'S nobody would buy them, but since they do, Mini 14's must be pretty good guns. Which means all the Naysayers should go Pound Sand up their AR15 Exhaust Ports.

How that for Retort?

Randy

[Capybara]

A friend of mine has a Mini 14 that he's let me shoot a few times. It's not a bad rifle at all. If they were still $500-600, I'd own one. But for what a new one sells for these days, an AR makes more sense to me. I like Rugers in general, always have and it's the big brothers to my 10/22. Maybe if gun prices ever come back to sanity levels I'd get one but it seems as if gun prices only go up these days.

I think the platform of the Mini 14 is cool, simple, fairly reliable. Not a gun many people lust after, it's just a workhorse, a simple rifle. The magazines are a ripoff.

[California_Deplorable]

Originally Posted by W.R.Buchanan

A $600 featureless AR15 is simply cheaper, more customizable, more versatile, more useful, more accurate, more reliable, and overall a better value than a mini14. Thats a simple fact.

I have to take exception to most of this sentence! I will pick it apart one word at a time.

$600 is cheaper maybe? I paid $500 for mine in 2006 it was almost new.

More customizable? Why does it need to be "Customized? That Costs money? Now it is no longer a $600 gun. And if it didn't work for you when you bought it, maybe you shouldn't have bought it?

More Versatile? How? it's a gun and it shoots. You can't shoot anything more with an AR than a Mini 14 They both use the same ammo and have the exact same limitations.!

More useful? HOW? Since a Mini will shoot anything that an AR can shoot it is the same in usefulness, and the thing about a Mini is that if you run out of ammo it makes a way better club than any AR! So it is more useful,,, Right?

More accurate? Mine is sub MOA and your $600 AR is NOT! The group has been posted here 50 times at least!

More Reliable? Now you are really FOS. a Mini 14 will run in any temperature covered in snow or dirt and to clean it you can hose it off and spray some oil on it and it will run again. AR's not so much.

Overall Better Value? Kinda Subjective isn't that statement? There is only two values you can assign to any gun. "Value in Use," and "Resale Value."

I paid $500 for mine in 2006. it was almost new with only 50 rounds thru it. it is a 580 series (New style gun) It has been thru 5 Front Sight Rifle Classes and numerous 3 gun shoots. It has never malfunctioned even once in better than 7-8000 rounds. It runs perfect and the reason why is that I choked the gas system down so it doesn't beat the gun to death every time it is fired. Simple fix available to anyone if you do a little research. Is that customizing it? Don't know>

My gun is Sub MOA with my Reloads which is all it gets. I can hit a man sized target 10/10 off a Rest at 200 yards and 8/10 at 300 yards which is the agreed upon useful range of the .223 cartridge.

The "simple fact" is you have never fired one,,, have you? And if you haven't fired a newer one in the last 17 years then you know nothing of them either.

The simple fact here is that Ruger sells all of these guns that it can make and they are selling more now than ever before. If these guns were useless POS'S nobody would buy them, but since they do, Mini 14's must be pretty good guns. Which means all the Naysayers should go Pound Sand up their AR15 Exhaust Ports.

How that for Retort?

Randy

Im very hesitant to respond to you because you are very passionate about the mini whereas I am indifferent to it. And I believe you are a good person so Im not interested in starting conflict with you.

First, I do not hate the mini14. And yes I have shot it. It is a decent gun. But the AR15 is simply superior by any objective measure. Thats just a fact. Sorry, we just have to agree to disagree on this.

Normally I dont feel the need to respond to "explain" anything I post because Its the internet and it doesnt matter what I say or think. But it sounds like you genuinely want a response.So I'll keep it short (this is in no way all inclusive):

Cost: New mini 14s are over $1,000 now, and used ones arent much less. Thats great you got one over a decade ago for ubercheap, THAT IS NOT THE NORM AND YOU KNOW IT. Not to mention high quality AR mags, parts, and accessories are extremely affordable. I can get good quality reliable AR mags all day everyday for $12 or less.

Customization and versatility: I can mount a simple red dot or magnified optic on an AR much easier than a mini, and I can have actual cheek weld (yes, I know how to use iron sights, and I always practice with them every range trip, so no need to spout boomer crap about using optics). The mini was not designed for use with an optic. I can switch uppers on an AR for different barrel lengths, configurations, and calibers. The world is literally your oyster when it comes to AR parts and accessories. The possibilities are endless. Im referring to affordable good quality optics, sights, weaponlights and triggers. Not cheap mall ninja chinesium crap like lasers, foregrips, bottleopeners, bipods, etc.

Usefulness: i can configure an AR from a light and fast fighting carbine or "ranch" rifle to a varmint rifle by simply changing uppers.

Accuracy: Yes, budget ARs are very accurate. Laugh all you want, but even cheap PSA uppers are MOA if not sub MOA with match ammo. The industry has pretty much perfected the production of affordable and accurate AR barrels. Not to mention incredibly accurate triggers, Larue offers an excellent trigger for around $84. However a standard milspec trigger is accurate in capable hands.

Reliability: Yes, ARs are extremely reliable if even minimally maintained which basically simply consists of wiping off the bolt and squirting some CLP down the bore, brush, patch and or boresnake as you would with any firearm. Again the industry has perfected AR reliability.

I dont have all night to address everything you posted, and you know it wont make a difference anyway. But again,just want to reiterate that I neither love nor hate the mini and do not look down on anyone that prefers them to an AR15. Its just simply a fact that the AR is overall a superior weapon and value by any and all objective measures. I think further evidence of this is the FACT that the AR is much more dominant in civilian, military, and police usage than the mini14. (Yes I am very aware some military and police use mini 14s).Theres really no comparison.

So please believe me when I say that I really hope this doesnt rub you the wrong way. I appreciate, value and respect your posts, guidance, recommendations, and opinions.

[deadcoyote]

WR Buchanan: I bought a Russian SKS in 1994 for like $110 and all my friends teased me that I was bougie because they were buying Chinese for $89, but that’s not the modern market. Modern minis cost $1k off the rack.

[SharedShots]

Originally Posted by echo1

I had a Mini 14 once that I got one for dirt. I eventually traded it for an unissued Russian SKS & 1K ammo, and my onliest AR I traded for a Belgian A5 Magnum 12.
I've given a few of my nephews an SKS to whoever bought 1K of X39 ammo. PAX

I must have missed where trades and gifting happened during the last SHTF event.

Originally Posted by California_Deplorable

You wouldnt arm any friends or family to band together? You'd just tell them to get phuqed, because you think they would shoot you in the back or something? That sounds paranoid. What about people that already have a gun but need more ammo or mags so you can actually conduct an operation for a collective benefit. You wouldn't help them? Have you ever worked or played on a team? Your "lonewolf" outlook on life sounds pretty anti-social and impractical. Humans need to work together to a certain degree to survive.

I'd build my own personal Army if SHTF. But I guess that takes leadership skills and not everyone has those.

First of all, why would you need to arm friends and family to band together, you haven't taken the time and put forth the effort to make that happen already?

I've worked with lots of teams and leadership is not waiting until some SHTF event and passing out mags/ammo but instead, preparing said team so that if/when it does happen the team isn't sitting there with their thumbs up their butts all looking for some leader to pass out magazines and ammo. Each team member is a leader in their own right and capability, they aren't lemmings wholly unprepared to take care not only of themselves but every other team member.

Yeah, tell me about those leadership skills when the premise of your reply was that friends and family aren't prepared but rather, reliant upon others to bail them out. That isn't leadership.

Dependency does not equal leadership. You know the type, they are the center of everything and without them to lead no one can do squat. Leadership is preparing those who might be dependent to be self-reliant, have the necessary knowledge, skills and capabilities to use them - in the absence of a single leader.

Leadership is preparing your team, in depth so that the absence of one doesn't leave the rest helpless. But some who claim to know about leadership see it has control, power, and prestige. They might for example, use a situation where no one was prepared and thus they themselves become more important, they have the magazines and never did prepare those team members how to function without Mr. team leader.

The leader BTW, doesn't need to hand out squat because everyone knows where to get it in the first place. And please, lets no do the deep dive into some firefight where the bro-pass of magazines to help fend off the zombies is going to save the day.

So back to the magazines, why on earth would friends and family need to beg magazines, especially to the point that I'd want Ruger to make it's Mini to use AR magazines. You see, a leader wouldn't put together a team with free spirits where everyone was doing something different equipment and therefore could not draw from a combined source of replacements. A leader doesn't create dependency they impart initiative, motivation, competence and a desire not to look to the leader for magazines but instead to look to them for strategic and tactical experience and direction until that leader can't do it at which time any other team member can fill that role.

Now about that some people having something something and others not. And yeah, not everyone has it, some sit around and talk about it, some think its cool and call themselves leaders just because.


------------------------------------------------------------


About that paranoid whatever someone mentioned. Paranoia is thinking Ruger making the Mini use AR mags because if there is a SHTF event that somehow stuffing AR mags into a Mini is going to make a difference.









.

[bohoki]

my mini 14 is ok i guess mine the front magazine nub is sprung with the recoil spring similar to the m-14 it makes it easier to shove in a magazine i dont know why they took it away on the ranch and thirty

[BigPimping]

I’ll stick with my SKS

[oak18]

Mini-14s at the $1,000 price point now is hilarious. So are the $50 magazines.

I’d buy one if it cost $500 and the magazines were $15, just for the novelty of it. It doesn’t do anything better than a decent AR or AK, other than maybe being a bit more accurate than an AK (and that’s a maybe).

[floogy]

Originally Posted by W.R.Buchanan

[B]

$600 is cheaper maybe? I paid $500 for mine in 2006 it was almost new.

Hell, why not go back in time to March of 1986 and pick up a bunch of cheap machine guns? Even better, if I go back to 1968 and get in on the NFA amnesty, I wouldn't even need to pay the $200 tax. Buy up a bunch of illegal WWII bring backs and trophies and get those registered.

Someone turning 18 or 21 this year doesn't have the option. Given, I could've bought a mini back in 2006, but as a young guy in the military, it wasn't really an option either.

[California_Deplorable]

Originally Posted by oak18

Mini-14s at the $1,000 price point now is hilarious. So are the $50 magazines.

I’d buy one if it cost $500 and the magazines were $15, just for the novelty of it. It doesn’t do anything better than a decent AR or AK, other than maybe being a bit more accurate than an AK (and that’s a maybe).

Exactly. Not to mention a $1,000 AR15 will outperform a mini14 all day everyday, not even close.

[Kurgan]

Mini-14 is OK. I don't have one mostly because when they were cheaper, I refused to buy one while that anti 2A a-hole Bill Ruger was still alive.

Biggest drawback IMHO is that factory mini magazines are not only hard to come by but also expensive.