New Ruger Mini-14 Target: CA?

[GunMonkey]

Hello all... I'm new here. Actually, I'm new to firearms in general, so please be patient!

I'm looking to get into target shooting, and eventually long distance shooting. I've been out with some friends at a local range (Lincoln) and I'm really liking it. I'm thinking of it like loud golf.

Anyway, one of the guns I'm looking at is this new Ruger Mini-14. It's suppose to overcome some of the accuracy issues of the older mini-14's. Guns and Ammo seemed to indicate it was pretty decent.

However, again because I'm new and live in California where the laws are confusing at best, I'm not sure if the Mini-14 would be legal here because of the thumb-hole stock. I keep seeing peope talk about how on this gun or that gun the thumb-hole or pistol grip or whatever is not legal.

So is the Ruger Mini-14 Target legal in CA

[cseabass]

not with a thumb-hole stock.

[bwiese]

However, again because I'm new and live in California where the laws are confusing at best, I'm not sure if the Mini-14 would be legal here because of the thumb-hole stock. I keep seeing peope talk about how on this gun or that gun the thumb-hole or pistol grip or whatever is not legal.

So is the Ruger Mini-14 Target legal in CA

If it's the one I've seen in the gun rags and has a thumbhole stock, no.

Semiautomatic centerfire rifles w/detachable magazines cannot have evil features like pistol grips, thumbhole stocks, folding stocks, flash hiders, etc.

Your FFL could have a non-CA FFL disassemble the stock from the Mini Target, and you could buy the disassembled rifle and put a Hogue or Butler Creek stock on it. You could also run it in a fixed-10-round magazine configuration to have the thumbhole stock, but a Mini14 ain't worth that grief.

IMHO the terminology "Mini-14 Target" is akin to statements like:

• attractive fat chick
• clean Taco Bell restroom
• temporary tax increase
• good inner-city school

If you really really want a Mini for some valid reason - the only one I can think of is that you might already have some working hicap mags - get a regular one and update it. Accuracy Systems of Odessa, TX does rebarreling of Mini14s and they most likely will be better than any Ruger Target Mini14.

Recommendation: go get an off-list AR with a MonsterMan grip or U15 stock and call it a day. Most base AR type rifles will outshoot most Minis any day.

[GunMonkey]

So....

If it's the one I've seen in the gun rags and has a thumbhole stock, no.

Recommendation: go get an off-list AR with a MonsterMan grip or U15 stock and call it a day. Most base AR type rifles will outshoot most Minis any day.

Hmmm... I'm not all that interested in an AR/Black gun. The reason I liked the idea of the Mini-14 Target is because I like that style stock.

So let me see if I have this straight:

1) If the gun is a semi-auto center fire, it can't have a thumb-hole stock
2) If it's a single shot, then it can have a thumb-hole stock
3) If it's a semi-auto, rimfire, it can have a thumb-hole stock (i.e. a 10/22 with a pistol grip or thumb-hole is OK because it a rimfire)?

4) So if I want a target style stock (what some people seem to refer to as a "sniper" style (PSG), but I think it's more like a biathalon style), it's gotta be single shot if it's a center fire?

[Oswald2001]

For a longer range .223, I would use a bolt action.

For long range, I would still use a bolt action...only in .308.

[GunMonkey]

For a longer range .223, I would use a bolt action.

For long range, I would still use a bolt action...only in .308.

That's what I've heard from enough people now that I think that's the direction I'll go.

So, are there any limits on bolt action rifles? For instance, as a bolt action is by definition not a semi-automatic, there's no limit on ammo capacity correct, stock configuration, etc.?

And as long as it's a bolt action, it's cool to mount a grenade launcher, right?

[Cpl_Peters]

do what you may on a bolt gun. Other semi auto routes you could look into are the Kel-Tec Su-16 family of rifles...the A, B, and CA models are legal here.

[bigkahuna]

And as long as it's a bolt action, it's cool to mount a grenade launcher, right?

I don't think a grenade launcher is legal in CA whether it's mounted on a bolt action or otherwise.

[bwiese]

Hmmm... I'm not all that interested in an AR/Black gun.

Why not? More accesories, options, and accuracy.

The reason I liked the idea of the Mini-14 Target is because I like that style stock.

OK. Just fuhgeddabout that stock on a semiauto centerfire rifle that has a detachable magazine.

My comments in red:

So let me see if I have this straight:
1) If the gun is a semiauto center fire, it can't have a thumbhole stock CORRECT
2) If it's a single shot, then it can have a thumbhole stock CORRECT
3) If it's a semiauto rimfire it can have a thumbhole stock CORRECT
(i.e. a 10/22 with a pistol grip or thumbhole is OK because it a rimfire)?yes

4) So if I want a target style stock (what some people seem to refer to as a "sniper" style (PSG), but I think it's more like a biathalon style), it's gotta be single shot if it's a center fire?

It can indeed even be a semiauto, but it would have to have a fixed (non-detachable) 10-rd (or less) magazine. Many people here have built up AR and AK type rifles this way so they can have one or more 'evil features' (pistol grip, folding or thumbhole stock, etc.)

[bwiese]

For a longer range .223, I would use a bolt action.

For long range, I would still use a bolt action...only in .308.

223 bolt actions are getting kinda moot since there are quite a few ARs that shoot about as well, and at reasonable prices.

[FatKatMatt]

Just buy a stock mini and send it off to Gundoc at Great West Gunsmithing. A lot of customers of his are apparently getting 1 MOA and sub-MOA groups after he does his magic. If you want an accurate Mini I would go that route.

[bwiese]

That's what I've heard from enough people now that I think that's the direction I'll go.

Fine, just be aware that you are self-limiting your options.

So, are there any limits on bolt action rifles?

Not appreciably, other than the Federal min. bbl length (16") and overall length (26").

For instance, as a bolt action is by definition not a semi-automatic, there's no limit on ammo capacity correct, stock configuration, etc.?

Ammo capacity is a function of the magazine, not the gun, even if the magazine is a fixed part of the gun.

You can't legally acquire any magazines holding more than 10 rounds, regardless of what the gun is. [I believe there's a tubular cowboy-gun exception, can't remember if that's restricted to rimfire or not...]

And as long as it's a bolt action, it's cool to mount a grenade launcher, right?

Nope. G/Ls are illegal in and of themselves. A bare G/L just sitting on your desk is a no-no, even if not attached to a gun.

[GunMonkey]

Why not? More accesories, options, and accuracy.

Because I'm a noob, I'll ask...

So a .223 AR style rifle would be more accurate than say a .223 Winchester 700?

Yes, I know that a lot of you are shaking and/or slapping your heads at my naivete.

[GunMonkey]

Nope. G/Ls are illegal in and of themselves. A bare G/L just sitting on your desk is a no-no, even if not attached to a gun.

Uh... I was joking.

[bwiese]

So a .223 AR style rifle would be more accurate than say a .223 Winchester 700?

Not guaranteed, but quite a few folks here have 'bottom feeder' parts gun ARs that outshoot fancy expensive guns, when good ammo is used. The AR is just an accurate overall design.

[BTW It's a Remington 700, and a Winchester Model 70.]

Many hunting rifles (esp those that are not varmint rifles w/heavy bbls) aren't that accurate (esp when non match ammo used). Those guns are commonly 2" - 3" @ 100yds.

Most if not all bolt hunting rifles have slower rifling twists (often 1-in-12", whereas most ARs are 1in9" or even 1 in 7" twist)) that are not suitable for heavier bullets. Lotsa folks are shooting ARs w/77gr OTM bullets that are dead nuts accurate.

Remington produces varmint rifles and PSS (Police) and LTR (Light Tactical Rifle) in 223 that are very accurate. They're also as much $$$ as a typical AR build-up. Winchester has their somewhat similar Stealth line of rifles.