off topic: Ruger Mini 14

high desert

high desert

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Hello, I have recently moved from northern nevada to northern california. I sold my AR-15 and all accessories before we moved because the model I had was not cal compliant and would cost a lot to make it so. You can purchase an AR-15 here, but they are too expensive. I am now starting to consider what my options are for a replacement rifle for under $800. I did own a mini -14 about 20 years ago for little while and didn't care for the way the recoil caused a muzzle flip to take the target out of your scopes view. Since I already have a lot of .223 ammo I am looking for a reliable rifle as a replacement and wanted to be sure that there is not something I might have overlooked. Your comments are welcomed.
 
Moving to a Kommunist country is never a good idea. I owned a mini 14 once. 4 1/2" groups at 100 yds was kind of sad,,,;)



Sorry no help, I don't know what is legal down there,,, :o
 
The Ruger Mini-14 as stated in the thread title is hard to beat, I used it for a duty weapon for 30 years, it is reliable and a tough gun, it would easily stop a man running at 100+ yds and in a lot of cases it eliminated the persons life.

The Ruger Mini-14's was used my entire 30 years and this was duty and training, shot many thousand times each with little or no replacement of parts, just get a few 20 rd, RUGER clips and RUGER only.
 
Ruger did a redesign in 06 or so.
went to a slightly heavier barrel with a 1:9 twist rate and accuracy improved.
I love mine.
 
1066vik said:
Ruger did a redesign in 06 or so.
went to a slightly heavier barrel with a 1:9 twist rate and accuracy improved.
I love mine.
Click to expand...

That may be good and bad. A little bullet instability can make for a more effective one stop wound.

n2s
 
I love my Mini 14 , it was the first rifle I bought myself when I got out of school and got a "real job".

I've got the stainless version , 1982-83 vintage. I find that the first 5 shots are grouped pretty tight but once the barrel heats up , all bets are off....pretty much what Itrukreltrog said. I kept blaming the scope, I even took off the aftermarket mount and put the rear sight back on.

But it's very reliable and I'm not sure if I really care how tight it groups.
I wonder if the newer ones have better barrels?
 
Having a shooter thats capable of super tight groups is not my first priority. I do have a M77 bolt in .223 for that. Reliability first, decent groups second. I did look at a ranch model yesterday and the first thing I noticed was the different taper of the barrel. Maybe the old molds were finally ready for replacement and this newer version is a better shooter than the one I had 20 years ago.
 
not2sharp said:
That may be good and bad. A little bullet instability can make for a more effective one stop wound.

n2s
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the 55 grain bullet still tumbles on impact, it's just that the impact point is closer to where you want it now. :D

high desert said:
Having a shooter thats capable of super tight groups is not my first priority. I do have a M77 bolt in .223 for that. Reliability first, decent groups second. I did look at a ranch model yesterday and the first thing I noticed was the different taper of the barrel. Maybe the old molds were finally ready for replacement and this newer version is a better shooter than the one I had 20 years ago.
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my current one holds a lot closer to zero with an extended firing session (more than 5-10 rounds in 20 minutes) than my older one did. Reliability hasn't changed. I'm seriously considering having the chamber opened up to 5.56 spec rather than the fairly tight .223 chamber it came with from the factory. (changes the taper of the leade by about .005 but supposedly improves accuracy & reliability)
 
Id like to know what model you had that it would cost so much to make it California compliant. Also ARs arent any more expensive here then any other part of the country, the only added cost is a bullet button.




.
 
gimmejr said:
Id like to know what model you had that it would cost so much to make it California compliant. Also ARs arent any more expensive here then any other part of the country, the only added cost is a bullet button.




.
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I had a bushmaster patrolman. The problem is one gun dealer claims the collaspeable stock, flash hider, mag release would need to be changed. I just got off the phone with another dealer who said the rifle I recently sold would not have been cal compliant. He also said I can purchase a s+w AR which isn't on the list(of whats not allowed) but I could run into issues on BLM land with their interpretation of the law where as the mini-14 would not have those issues. Also their price was only $100 more than I was a custom to. It's confusing and I am not going to complain about it because I knew the laws were very different before I moved. I can be almost as happy to own a mini-14 and not have to talk like a lawyer while having it.
 
The need to move for a job and not wanting to be a lawyer part is understandable to a point. On the other hand, knowing ones rights, putting them to use and defending them before they are further removed could be considered being socially responsible as well. :thumbup: After all, lawyer or not, how does one comply with OR protect themselves from the law if they don't bother to learn it? :confused: Taking the easier road is one of the biggest reasons why there is so much excessive regulation in that state now. ;)

I am not in Cali, but I just recently talked with a guy from here on BF that has an AR with a telescoping butt stock and he said that right now, all you have to add is a "bullet button" just like gimmejr mentioned so that you can't drop the magazine with your finger to be compliant with the "fixed magazine" requirement, even though you can still use the tip of a bullet or screwdriver to drop the mag. Something to research more before settling maybe? After all, having one before they are completely banned could be a really good investment that you enjoy using. :)
 
AZTimT said:
The need to move for a job and not wanting to be a lawyer part is understandable to a point. On the other hand, knowing ones rights, putting them to use and defending them before they are further removed could be considered being socially responsible as well. :thumbup: After all, lawyer or not, how does one comply with OR protect themselves from the law if they don't bother to learn it? :confused: Taking the easier road is one of the biggest reasons why there is so much excessive regulation in that state now. ;)

I am not in Cali, but I just recently talked with a guy from here on BF that has an AR with a telescoping butt stock and he said that right now, all you have to add is a "bullet button" just like gimmejr mentioned so that you can't drop the magazine with your finger to be compliant with the "fixed magazine" requirement, even though you can still use the tip of a bullet or screwdriver to drop the mag. Something to research more before settling maybe? After all, having one before they are completely banned could be a really good investment that you enjoy using. :)
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Believe me I do stand up for my rights and recently had a situation where I followed through exercising my rights against a government agency and the only ones to get satisfaction were the lawyers involved. It cost me $5,000 to pursue, money I could use now, but I felt it necessary to follow through and the outcome remained the same. If I was to have this rifle (AR) impounded what good would it be to me. How much would you spend to get it back vs let it go. As I get older I have learned not to let my hard headedness create unnecessary problems. More like pick and choose your fights. I was just hoping to have a firearms discussion and not get into all these other issues. Besides what can an AR do that a mini-14 can't?
 
high desert said:
Believe me I do stand up for my rights and recently had a situation where I followed through exercising my rights against a government agency and the only ones to get satisfaction were the lawyers involved. It cost me $5,000 to pursue, money I could use now, but I felt it necessary to follow through and the outcome remained the same. If I was to have this rifle (AR) impounded what good would it be to me. How much would you spend to get it back vs let it go. As I get older I have learned not to let my hard headedness create unnecessary problems. More like pick and choose your fights. I was just hoping to have a firearms discussion and not get into all these other issues. Besides what can an AR do that a mini-14 can't?
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Awesome post! Stop busting his balls guys, you don't know his life, his situation, and evidently you didn't read his original post either. I for one thank him for moving TO work. Isn't working for a living far more important than having to sell a gun and buy a new one? It looks like he has obviously made sacrifices to improve his employment situation and is only looking for advice on how to make the best of his situation.

Besides what can an AR do that a mini-14 can't
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I don't own either, but have shot both and can tell you for one that I'd rather have a Mini-14. I find AR-15's to be awkward and sharp. Mini-14's are like every other gun in my safe, only they have a much cooler action. I can't help you much on your decision, but I can tell you that if the same size bullet exits the barrel every time you pull the trigger, then from the other end they are both the exact same instrument.
 
I like my Mini-14, a lot. Although, at this point it is merely a shadow of it's former self. A brake or heavier barrel helps with muzzle rise.

DSC_0656.jpg


DSC_0649.jpg
 
high desert said:
Besides what can an AR do that a mini-14 can't?
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Uh, hit a golf ball at 100 yds everytime. Unless of course you have gregs mini. :D













Sorry, couldn't help myself. :o If your set on the mini, get it. It's a reliable fun gun to shoot. I enjoyed the heck out of mine when I owned it. Who knows, maybe the new ones have the accuracy issues resolved. I personally have been soured on Ruger accuracy though, nothin but bad luck with'em. Except their .22's, ruger does make a good .22,,,:)

I applaud you for movin to the work, that ain't easy fo sho. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Another alternative is to pick up a bolt action in .223. Maybe a scout rifle type of thing.
 
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