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Some random Rumination about Mini-14 (or Ranch Rifle) thoughts
Now that I have had a chance to fiddle with, tune up and shoot the 581 stainless I got, some thoughts as I settle back into Mini Ownership after being without one for the last year. (I have had an AR15 continuously, though, for the last 40 years or so. Minis, I have had one most of the time during that same time period.)
1) STOCKS: The Poly stock is half pound lighter than the factory wood, which is something when you tote the Mini in the hills. I am at heart, however, a retro wood and steel guy n(ie: my love for the M1 Carbine, the Mini's little uncle). While I like the shorter length of pull in the early wood and current poly stocks, I prefer wood to poly for home defense where I am not toting it in the hills. maybe some day I'll cut it down to early stock length.
2) SCOPES: While I plan running factory irons for Home defense since I moved back to my neighborhood house (all 1/2 to 5 acres), for distance shooting (200 or more), a scope is necessary for my 68 year old eyes. I am very happy with the Bushnell Banner 2.5X in Ruger rings. The advantage of the Ruger rings in my experience, is that when uninstalled/re-installed, they return very close to zero
3) Blued vs Stainless: I like blued rifles better. More traditional. For my Mini, though,I went with stainless because of how I intend to use it: HD hiking, camping, etc.. In my experience, blued high carbon steel tends to be smoother machined than stainless steel, but when properly broken in, the stainless is fine.
4) Buffers and Such: Running a Wilson 1911 front buffer and a Buffer Tech rear really seem to take the snap and clank out of the Mini and make it smoother shooting. Also nicer on the optics! I did have a Min-30 that I could not even run a 1911 buffer on the front, but that was an exception.
5) Gas Bushings: I don't mind over gassed, as it will generally cycle anything (including some loads I have that won't cycle my AR15). If it is launching the brass 40 ft, etc. a reduced bushing is a good idea. That is just too over gassed. My 581 does about 12 feet to the 1:30/2:00 o'clock since I got it, so I am not messing with it. Have not bothered to check and see if it has standard bushing or not.
6) Springs: I like the Ruger factory recoil springs. They work great, but they do have a finite life. Mine in the used Mini I got was about 5/8" shorter than the factory replacement I got. Good indiction it has a lot of rounds since it was made in 2009. I see no need for a Wolff replacement.
7) Magazines: There is no doubt that Ruger factory are the best. They are built tough, and I find them 100% reliable whether it is a 5, 10, 20, or 30. Yes there are other aftermarket that work: PMI, Masen, Fed Ord, early USAs, etc. Tapco Gen IIs, which are now going the way of the Dodo bird, PMI, Fed Ord, etc. are excellent magazines also. I do use them a lot for general shooting. If you are going to fight a war, go factory Ruger all the way. My favorite magazine of all is the Ruger factory 20. I wish it was a nicely done as Ruger factory 30s with the welded locking lug, but it IMHO is the handiest all around Mini-14 magazine. I keep a Ruger factory 20 in the weapon for HD duty.
8) JUST FOR THE CALGUNS NEGATIVE CROWD: I Do not think the Mini-14 is a better war fighter than the AR-15 or AKM. I think it does a great job as a home defense carbine, hunting rifle, and Zombie/Troll/Goblin/Felon/Raving insurrectionist whacker. I know AR15s are cheaper, but FN SCAR are more expensive. Using both platforms since the 70s and 80s, I just like shooting the Mini-14 more than my AR. Both will do the same job, but personally I think shooting the Mini is more fun.... I like Dodge pick ups and others like Fords, and yet others (sadly) like Chevys...such is life! I'm a grey haired 68 year old fart, and I like wood and steel...
1) STOCKS: The Poly stock is half pound lighter than the factory wood, which is something when you tote the Mini in the hills. I am at heart, however, a retro wood and steel guy n(ie: my love for the M1 Carbine, the Mini's little uncle). While I like the shorter length of pull in the early wood and current poly stocks, I prefer wood to poly for home defense where I am not toting it in the hills. maybe some day I'll cut it down to early stock length.
2) SCOPES: While I plan running factory irons for Home defense since I moved back to my neighborhood house (all 1/2 to 5 acres), for distance shooting (200 or more), a scope is necessary for my 68 year old eyes. I am very happy with the Bushnell Banner 2.5X in Ruger rings. The advantage of the Ruger rings in my experience, is that when uninstalled/re-installed, they return very close to zero
3) Blued vs Stainless: I like blued rifles better. More traditional. For my Mini, though,I went with stainless because of how I intend to use it: HD hiking, camping, etc.. In my experience, blued high carbon steel tends to be smoother machined than stainless steel, but when properly broken in, the stainless is fine.
4) Buffers and Such: Running a Wilson 1911 front buffer and a Buffer Tech rear really seem to take the snap and clank out of the Mini and make it smoother shooting. Also nicer on the optics! I did have a Min-30 that I could not even run a 1911 buffer on the front, but that was an exception.
5) Gas Bushings: I don't mind over gassed, as it will generally cycle anything (including some loads I have that won't cycle my AR15). If it is launching the brass 40 ft, etc. a reduced bushing is a good idea. That is just too over gassed. My 581 does about 12 feet to the 1:30/2:00 o'clock since I got it, so I am not messing with it. Have not bothered to check and see if it has standard bushing or not.
6) Springs: I like the Ruger factory recoil springs. They work great, but they do have a finite life. Mine in the used Mini I got was about 5/8" shorter than the factory replacement I got. Good indiction it has a lot of rounds since it was made in 2009. I see no need for a Wolff replacement.
7) Magazines: There is no doubt that Ruger factory are the best. They are built tough, and I find them 100% reliable whether it is a 5, 10, 20, or 30. Yes there are other aftermarket that work: PMI, Masen, Fed Ord, early USAs, etc. Tapco Gen IIs, which are now going the way of the Dodo bird, PMI, Fed Ord, etc. are excellent magazines also. I do use them a lot for general shooting. If you are going to fight a war, go factory Ruger all the way. My favorite magazine of all is the Ruger factory 20. I wish it was a nicely done as Ruger factory 30s with the welded locking lug, but it IMHO is the handiest all around Mini-14 magazine. I keep a Ruger factory 20 in the weapon for HD duty.
8) JUST FOR THE CALGUNS NEGATIVE CROWD: I Do not think the Mini-14 is a better war fighter than the AR-15 or AKM. I think it does a great job as a home defense carbine, hunting rifle, and Zombie/Troll/Goblin/Felon/Raving insurrectionist whacker. I know AR15s are cheaper, but FN SCAR are more expensive. Using both platforms since the 70s and 80s, I just like shooting the Mini-14 more than my AR. Both will do the same job, but personally I think shooting the Mini is more fun.... I like Dodge pick ups and others like Fords, and yet others (sadly) like Chevys...such is life! I'm a grey haired 68 year old fart, and I like wood and steel...
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