Some random Rumination about Mini-14 (or Ranch Rifle) thoughts

[imarangemaster]

I maybe missed it, but do not forget the ergonomics of the traditional stock. For me the AR15 pistol grip is beneficial for hip shooting, but I find it a little less desirable when aiming. That's me, may be different for others, but I do not believe I am alone in my sentiment.

The the first rifle I bought way bac k in 1973 was a NO 4 MK I sporterized Lee Enfield. Killed lots of pigs and deer with it. The second rifle I bought in 1973 was a Ruger 10-22 with walnut stock. I still have it. The third was a Ruger .44 Mag carbine, big brother of the 10-22. It also was a great pig gun. (wish I still had it!) I bought my first Mini-14 (a 1976 Bicentennial model 180 series) in 1982 or 1983, and my first M1 Carbine about the same time. Through the years of shooting the 10-22, 44 mag carbine, M1 Carbines, and Mini-14s, I absolutely snap shoot better with the standard stock guns better than pistol grip ones, even though I have been shooting/owning the AR15 platform since 1974...

[JonMorganHill]

Going into Reeds today to do the paperwork on my Mini-14 Ranch. Seemed like a better option than a featureless or fixed mag AR here in lovely CA

[imarangemaster]

IMHO (but that an $3 will get you a cup coffee at Starbucks), any semi-auto with 10 round detachable magazines (like M1 Carbine, Mini-14, Kel-Tec SU-16, Saiga Sporter, and featureless AR and AK builds) is better for a general purpose carbine than tacticool stuff where you either have fixed magazine, or have to pop it apart to release the magazine.

Sure, if you are going to fight a war, legal issues would go by the wayside, and featureless ARs/AKs would turn into war-fighters. But until then my AR will stay featureless, but my goto carbine will be my Mini.

Think of the Mini-14 as an F150 - good for most pick-up needs including going to the store and crowded mall parking lots or dropping the kids of at school. Think of the AR15/AK as the F350 long-bed crew cab. Better for the heavy lifting, but not really needed for dropping the kids of at school or crowded parking lots at the mall.

[FeuerFrei]

All things considered it's still a mini14.

I could be on board if I could run it with an original folding stock. Ye ole side folder was good. Made the whole thing very compact and packable.

Or https://www.samson-mfg.com/a-tm-fold...r-mini-14.html

[imarangemaster]

Yep, just like all things considered, an F150 is still an F150, and a Mini-14 is just a Mini-14! They are both just different tools.

After 7 years military and 20 years as an LEO, I really do appreciate a good weapon system like the erector set AR15 platform. If I was going to fight a war, I would grab my AR15, un-pin the stock, stick a good ergo grip on it, and swap the break to a flash hider. I have that option in my safe. For a handy General Purpose carbine, though, I personally prefer a Mini.

I totally agree with you that the factory folder would up the Mini in my books closer to the AR platform. The Samson is a licensed copy of the original, and Ruger even sells them in their factory store. I shot an AC556K Ruger with one, and it was awesome, even when just shooting semi with it! When you throw the happy switch, it just plain rocks!

When you use a rifle past its intended capabilities, it will generally fall short. The Mini-14 was not designed to be a war-fighter, but a handy ranch and home rifle. The M1 Carbine is a perfect example. It was designed as a PDW and close up and personal weapon, 150 yards or less. In the Pacific and Vietnam, it was used within those capabilities and was a success. My dad said his Inland "never failed" him on Iwo Jima, even on the night of Kurabachi's Banzai charge. In the vast open spaces of Korea and the French countryside of WW 2, though, it did not work well as a 300 yard rifle. A D-Day vet I know would grab the RTO's carbine when they had to clear a village. He said it made a lot of "good Germans."

[imarangemaster]

Jeff Cooper, long time firearms guru of the 1960s through 1990s evaluated the Mini-14 when it cam out in 1973. He was a former Marine officer and a 1911, M1 Garand, M14 kind of guy. He dubbed it "the ranch gun" It is a fun read from almost 50 years ago...

ON a side note, in about 1970 (after he designed the AR15), L James Sullivan was recruited away from Stoner and Armalite by Bill Ruger. Ruger had Sullivan scale down the M-14 to 5.56, and arguably Winchester's .223 Light Military Rifle (in my avatar) was a partial inspiration. The primary designer of the AR15 was also the primary designer of the Mini-14!

[imarangemaster]

I would not feel "under gunned" with a Mini in most circumstance, and did carry it as my LEO trunk weapon much of my career (San Bernardino Co. SO still does issue them)

This was my last Mini, a 186 series that I foolishly sold. I still have the rig to go with my 581 and Glock (which I carried as my Duty weapon 1994 to 2000)

[smle-man]

Jeff Cooper, long time firearms guru of the 1960s through 1990s evaluated the Mini-14 when it cam out in 1973. He was a former Marine officer and a 1911, M1 Garand, M14 kind of guy. He dubbed it "the ranch gun" It is a fun read from almost 50 years ago...

ON a side note, in about 1970 (after he designed the AR15), Bill Ruger stole L James Sullivan from Stoner and Armalite. Ruger had Sullivan scale down the M-14 to 5.56, and arguably Winchester's .223 Light Military Rifle (in my avatar) was a partial inspiration. The primary designer of the AR15 was also the primary designer of the Mini-14!

Looks like Jeff's test model was a pre-production gun since it has a 10/22 style front sight and a more involved rear sight. This article was my inspiration to trade a Colt .38 Pocket Auto for a brand new series 180 and some 20 round magazines shortly after the Mini-14 was on the market.