Review: Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle
Plinking is something I’ve always enjoyed and it was really the one niche left that I needed to fill. Well, that’s not entirely true. I do have a .22 rifle, but I was looking for a nice, iron-sights plinker with some more punch. I’d considered a variety of rifles, including AR-15s, AK-47, SKS, and even some carbines fed off of pistol rounds. I was leaning towards picking up a 16″ Bushmaster in .223, but with all the controversy over the reliability of the direct impingement gas system, I was having a hard time shelling out $900+. Gas piston ARs are available, but then prices jump to $1400+.
Basically, what I wanted, boiled down to:
- Reliable
- Good warranty
- Good bang for the buck
- At least as much punch as a 9x19mm pistol round
- Rounds no more expensive than .223 Rem or 7.62x39mm
- Reasonable recoil (easy on the shoulder)
- 20+ round capacity
- Suitable for iron-sight plinking
- “Interesting”
For me, the Ruger Mini-14 fit the bill, even on the interesting part. I’m a bit of a WW2 buff and the action and stock reminded me of the days when soldiers were issued rifles with wood instead of plastic. The rotary bolt and safety, similar to that of the M14 and the Garand, also caught my eye, and I must admit, that I counted the gas piston system of the Mini-14 to be an advantage.
The Rifle
The exact model I went with was a blued, 580 series, Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. The rifle comes with a lock, 5 round magazine, and a set of 24mm scope rings which are designed to clamp on to the mini’s receiver. The carbine is chambered for .223 Remington and the 18 1/2″ barrel has a twist rate of 1:9″. It weighs in at 6 and 3/4 lbs.
The rifle fit well and felt balanced. The forward grip was fine and the shooter is protected well enough from the heat caused by vented gases from the gas system. The rubber pad on the stock is nice and helps to prevent slippage against clothing.
The wood grain stock is well done even if a little plain and it fits the hands well. Synthetic stocks are also an option. Also, sling rings are an integral part of the rifle, appearing near the butt of the stock and underneath the gas block (just ahead of the stock’s fore-end).
Action
There have been lots of comparisons and confusion between the Mini-14′s action and the M-14/M1A. While, clearly there are similarities, especially externally, internally, there are some differences. While both rifles use a gas piston system, the Mini-14 uses a fixed piston with no real piston rod, while the M1A has a moving piston rod through a guide ring. With the Mini-14, the fixed piston blows into a gas cylinder which is an integral part of the slide handle which is slotted to drive and guide the bolt.
The “Garand-style” rotating bolt is quite similar to the M1A’s. As the bolt recoils, it quickly rotates counterclockwise from about 4 o’clock to 2 o’clock. I suspect this flipping motion helped earn Garands and M14s their reputation as reliable combat rifles as I imagine it would do a good job of slinging off mud and dirt.
Externally, the receiver as a whole is certainly reminiscent of Garands, M14s, and M1 carbines. Lefties should keep in mind that the slide handle is on the right.
Magazine
Unfortunately, the rifle ships with only a 5 round magazine. In fact, that’s the only capacity you are going to get directly from Ruger. This magazine isn’t useless, though. The 5 rounder is useful as a hunting magazine due to laws in some areas and the fact that it fits nice and flush with the rifle which makes carrying easier.
Loading of the magazine is quick and easy, much easier than loading my pistol magazines or loading my Remington 700. Resistance is reasonable from the first to the last round. No failures were experienced while shooting with the magazine.
See Reloading for ease of use when changing magazines.
Trigger
The trigger is decent on the Mini-14, although there’s room for improvement depending on your purpose. Trigger pull was measured at 6.25 lbs with an RCBS trigger gauge. The trigger mechanism is very accessible when removed from the rifle, which is very simple to do.
When pulling the trigger, there is about 1/16th of an inch of slack before you hit resistance. After that, there is just the slightest bit of creep before the trigger breaks crisply, cleany and consistently. Overall, I’m fairly happy with the trigger: the slack is annoying, the trigger is a tad heavy, but I’m happy with how the trigger breaks.
Safety
The Mini-14 has a safety similar to that of the M1 Garand and M14. It is a lever that crosses the trigger guard. Outside the trigger guard, you can push the lever inside to safe; inside the trigger guard, you can push the lever out to fire. When the bolt is locked forward, the safety offers a decent amount of resistance to set it on fire (which is arguably a good thing). The the bolt is open, the safety moves more freely.
I’m ambivalent on the safety, since it is simply different than what I’m used to. It does the job and beyond that, how a person rates it will be a matter of personal taste.
Sights
The sights on the Mini-14 are a ghost ring in the rear and a protected blade up front. Your tuning will be done on the rear sight, which isn’t hard to work with. The rifle also came with 24mm rings that are specifically designed for the mini’s receiver. I intend to see if I can’t trade those out for the 30mm version so I can test accuracy with my scope.
As for functionality, the provided sights are excellent for open-sight plinking. If supported target shooting is your purpose, then the rear aperture might be too big for you.
[smartads]
Care and Maintenance
Stripping the Mini-14 is almost a breeze. To start things, you need to pop open the trigger guard which doesn’t require anything more than a screwdriver (I usually wind up using an allen wrench). After that, no tools are need to take the rifle apart, and the process is quick and easy up until you’re ready to remove the bolt. At that point, the Mini-14 is very finicky about the angle and rotation on the bolt. Removing the bolt can take some practice, patience, and “jiggling” as the manual says. Installing the bolt is even a little trickier, and I advise removing the bolt stop (which is easy) to help things along.
Cleaning the rifle is pretty easy. Once stripped, most everything it pretty accessible and there really aren’t any nooks or crannies that are tough to get at. The only problem is that you must clean the gun muzzle first. Muzzle guides are available, though, and I’ve been happy with the one made by J. Dewey.
Performance
Overall, the rifle is great in the plinker role. It’s a blast to shoot and easy on the shoulder. In the middle of all that fun though, it’s important to watch that barrel because it will definitely get hot.
Reliability
To this point, I’ve had zero malfunctions with the gun over the course of about 200 rounds. All ammunition was 55 grain with 80% being Remington UMC, 10% being Federal American Eagle, and 10% being Wolf. About 4/5ths of the ammunition was fired from a 20 round, Pro-Mag, steel magazine, and 1/5th from the factory 5 round mag.
Between each trip to the range (50 – 150 rounds), the rifle was cleaned and then lubed with Break Free CLP on most parts and Tetra Gun Grease on the slide/rail.
Accuracy
I hate to say much about accuracy at this point other than the gun is more than accurate enough for unsupported, iron-sight plinking. If I can trade out my 24mm rings for 30mm rings, I intend to do some bench-rested tests on accuracy, including after really heating up the barrel. Check back at Stopping Power for updates.
Reloading
When empty, the action is locked open as the magazine pushes up the boltstop. Locking open on empty is definitely a plus in my book. After loading a fresh magazine, a new round is chambered by simply pulling back on the slide handle and letting it snap forward.
Changing magazines on the Mini-14 is not difficult. A lever between the trigger-guard and magazine is pushed to release the magazine, which then falls out unassisted. Inserting a fresh magazine requires the forward-facing corner of the magazine to be inserted first, as the magazine is pushed in. This isn’t hard, but the carbine does care a little about the orientation of the magazine – it isn’t as simple as just slapping it in.
As for loading the cartridges themselves, the factory magazine and the ProMag are a real pleasure compared to the pistol magazines I’ve used or loading my Remington 700. Every cartridge snaps in easily and at most, a little care is needed to be sure the ends aren’t overlapping the magazine.
Conclusion
Pros
- Maneuverable, not awkward.
- Reliable (Zero failures in 200+ rounds).
- Quality construction and craftsmanship.
- Easy to clean and strip (with a couple of caveats).
- Good sights.
Cons
- Bolt removal requires some finesse and practice.
- Barrel must be cleaned from the muzzle.
- Quality high capacity rounds are expensive (although my $20 Pro-Mag has been flawless).
- Inserting a magazine could be a little easier; can’t simply “slap” it in.
- Harder to accessorize than say an AR-15.
Overall, the Mini-14 fills a nice niche, in terms of price and quality. If you’re looking to put together a hot, high-speed rifle, pay the extra money and go with a quality AR-15. The AR-15 has a wealth of ways to enhance and accessorise the rifle, not to mention its ergonomics are a generation ahead of the mini. If you’re looking for any ol’ junkyard dog, certainly a Highpoint or an AK is a cheaper option than a mini. However, if you’re looking for a good compromise between the two extremes, the mini-14 is a strong contender.
In short, mini-14 is a well-made and reliable carbine that is an excellent open-sight rifle.
For further information on the Mini-14, visit our Mini-14 page.
armory.stoppingpower.info
I just got my mimi 14 (SS. Read the handbook and took it out to the range. My friend, who came along, has a very older model, but he helped me relearn what I read. I like this piece well enough, the sights are hard on me, maybe I need to change glasses or get special ones for just shooting. I have a scope (3X9) on my 1022, and I can usually out shoot my friend, who also has a scope. The scope, BSA, Walmart special is only $60.00 and should work well for me. I plan to get a couple of 10 round mags. to upgrade my new toy. Thanks for your comments. Albert
Yeah, iron sights will do that to you. I wear contacts/eyeglasses, so I pay attention to the sites that I use. If you want to shoot iron sights, you might consider an “upgrade” to a peep site. Another option (depending on the type of shooting you’re going to do) is put on a red dot sight. I’d also think about a scout scope mount on it (if that interests you), and I see there’s one from ultimak.com. ( http://www.ultimak.com/m4.htm ) I don’t know anything about that specific mount, so I’d be curious to hear about it if anyone had tried it.
I got my mini last week and took it to the range Saturday for the first time. I had a blast. The gun shot great even considering that I was shooting Wolf and Egyptian ammo. The groupings were pretty tight at 50 and 100 yards. It took a little while to figure out the placement of the iron sights. I am not sure if I will put a scope or improved site on it or not. It was a pleasure to shoot. I would recommend this rifle to anyone who want a great shooting gun.
Yeah, I think it’s been a great gun. We’ve never had any problems with it, and we’ve shot a fair bit of cheap ammo (Wolf or Monarch) out of it so far. About the only think I’d say is that you have to watch out if you’re the shooter to the right as this thing likes to fling brass with authority.
Greetings, was wondering with the present twist rate of the 580 series mini, what is the best weight ammo should I shoot to capitalize on the full potential of accuracy?
Hi Tom –
Well, I think I’d just go with the accuracy load listed for .223 in my Lyman reloading book. I don’t have it in front of me right now, but I’ll look up the load data this evening if you’d like?
– Frank
SEEING HOW RUGER HAS A GOOD RIFLE,THE MINI-14/20CF. THIER CATALOG IS REALLY LACKING IN TECH. SPECS. LIKE, DOES IT HAVE A CHROMED BARREL. CAN ANYONE ON THIS BLOG ANSWER MY QUESTION???? ????? KEN DEARBORN.MI
No Chrome bbl on this weapon, but the steel used seems to be very nice (Chrome Moly 4140 would be my guess). I actually have a 20/CF in front of me on my comp desk as I write this and can tell you that it is a very neat, well built, and handy rifle. The bbl on these “Tactical Rugers” seem to be a bit thicker as they taper down from the gasblock. Also Ruger now sells it’s 30 rounders to the general public, and they are SOLID magazines to be sure.
I traded a *gasp* AR in for mine… (But don’t worry, I still love AR’s and I have a couple more in the safe
)
Mini 14 ROCKS!!! Thats all I got to say. AR’s get dirty way to quick and jam leaving lot’s of cleaning to do after plinking. Besides who wants to spend the extra money for a gun thats not reliable. With the grand style action this is a must have rifle for every American and has a reputaion of being called “HomeDefinder”. When you pit the AR’s Vs the Mini-14 I’ll bet on the Mini-14. If a truck was to run over your rifle could you pick it up and expect it to fire? Not with an AR the entire rifle except the barrel is made of aluminum and last time I checked Aluminum dosen’t give hardly at all it cracks and breaks. If you had to choose a rifle to survive off of mine would be the MINI-14.
My friend, I have spent alot of time behind the triggers of various modern AR’s, I assure you they are QUITE reliable… even the desert operating IDF moved to AR’s from an AK pattern rifle (GALIL). The Mini is great, and I like them (And the 580 is a MAJOR improvement of the Mini-14 to be sure), but from a end users perspective… the AR has a little more going for it.
AR 15 YOU CAN KEEP THEM PICKY ON AMMO AT THIS TIME A PISTON KIT IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE CURRENT GAS TUBE TRY THIS TRICK FILL YOUR GAS TUBE WITH MUD/WATER AND SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR HAND GARDS
Have to agree with the review… the mini-14 fits a nice niche. For those who want a .223 rifle that is not an AR (there are many of us out here) that performs well, has an unquestionable reliability history, and functions more than well enough to be a “defensive” gun, the mini-14 is the way to go. With the 20 round mags (of which I have 5) I can cycle quickly through 40-50 rounds reasonably quickly and plenty of rounds to spare. Keep in mind though, the barrel can get hot and even though the vent is placed reasonably well, you can feel the heat.
As a side note, with the new “580″ series Ruger has addressed the earlier known barrel issues, accuracy has been properly addressed and it serves remarkably well in a multitude of settings.
This review is for the mini-14 tactical with standard stock and flash suppressor.
G
G – How do you like the tactical stock on the Mini-14?
mHyEsU You’re the greatest! JMHO
I have the standard stock on the tactical version, not the pistol grip version. When trying both, I didn’t care for the pistol grip as I didn’t care for how it shouldered and the moulding seemed oddly elevated looking down barrel for sight acquisition. As far as the standard stock goes, it shoulders quite well with the iron sights coming up nicely into viewing alignment. Not a big fan of the vent placement such that if you have short arms and can’t grab the front of the stock well you will get how gas breathing down your hand. But I suspect this is the case with all Minis. I am in the market for perhaps a small underbelly Picatanny rail for a forward handle… but we will see.
Here is what I use:
http://www.ruger.com/products/mini14TacticalRifle/index.html
G
Out shot my brother’s DPMS AR-15 with my new Ruger Mini-14 with the ATI stock. I can breakdown, clean, lube, and re-assemble my Mini faster than he can clean his DPMS. I have rails on four sides of the Mini, so I can accessorize to my hearts content. I am using a red-dot sight, but plan to move to a scope; (my eyesight sucks). I’m gonna pass my Ruger 10/22 down to my grandson as the Mini is now my “best of both worlds gun”.
How do you accomplish the breakdown of this weapon faster then an AR when it requires the removal, and replacement of 3 phillips head screws for the process… and the AR requires only fingers and popping a couple pins?
What phillips head screws? The Mini breaks down exactly the same as an M1 or M14 – pull off the trigger group and it comes apart.
I bought my mini 14 stainless back in 1982 brand new, took it out to the range today and shot it for the first time, i was quite impressed how smooth and accurate this gun is with out a scope, i shot some reloads and wolf ammo threw it with out a single problem, thinking of purchasing a ultimak scope mount, i can not find any others that mount low enough so you can stiil use the factory sights with the scope off.
I love my Mini. One of my favorite firearms that I own, besides the M1A, and M1 Garand. Have shot 3,000+ rounds of Wolf ammo through mine, and have never had a single hickup! Plus, hot women and younger girls like to shoot the Mini as well. Not much recoil, not too heavy, but you get that in the body feeling when she goes off! Get your hearing protection on, because these things are much louder than any .223 I’ve shot. And, as mentioned before, I’ve hit cars 30 ft away at the range with brass(or steel). If you’re looking to keep your brass, it’s best to have a friend find out where it’s landing, because if you don’t, you’ll never find it.
If anyone has any questions about this rifle, and how it compares to others, you should check out this video, it’s an amazing compilation.
Mini 14 Against the World :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fk84KLiaa4
17 April 2010
Hi there. Whenever I get a new gun I like to read what others have to say. At times I can’t supress a chuckle or two, so if you feel the need here, go Ahead.
My first go at a .223 was back in 1968. No chrome chamber, no forward assist and no such thing as a rail system. However, Uncle Sam provided lots of ammo! I trained and qualified with the M-14 (7.62 .nato) and carried one while in Viet Nam. Let me state here that I was not infantry, as the navy has a different role.
The mini-14 is a good compilation of parts! M-14 bolt without the damned roller that can ruin your day if it breaks, and they do break. Simple like the M-1 but magazine fed, no M-1 thumb, or loud ping when it pitched the clip. Once you hear it you KNOW you are on empty.
The “peep” rear and eared front resemble all the M-1 bunch and if you were in the service the are like coming home. That ain’t slop in the trigger, just the first stage. Sometimes one changes ones mind, with a two stage trigger you can simply, let off and start over.
My main beef is those out there that want tack drivers from a good, simple, killing machine. Face it, that’s what the Garand, M-14, and yes the M-16 were designed to do. Trust me, they did it well. As late as two years ago I had an M-1 and it would have gone to combat a lot easier than my overfed self would. Rugers’ mini fills the gap in the time barrier and works great without the hassle of it’s older cousins.
So, lock and load, enjoy the simple rifle in your hands, and go wring out some good groups. Have a great day.
I just cqme back from my second range trip. The first was with open sights out to 75 yeards. Went back with a 3X90X40 and I learned that you can’t overtighted the Ruger Scope mounts.
I also learned that my Steel 580 Series Ranch Rifle is more than accurate enough out to 100 years with this Burris scope on it.
100 rounds so far. Used some really cheap Russian Steel Case rounds and a Non Ruger 20 round Magazine. Worked Flawlessly.
I am very pleased.
My Father bought a KMINI-14/5 SS in 1982 and we fired I dont know how many 10′s of thousand rounds together over the years. He made the journey to what lies beyond a few years ago but I’m still putting rounds down range with that Mini and I will always be thankfull of the good times we spent shooting. I am sure I will be enjoying shooting that rifle for many more years. Testament enough I guess to the longivity and toughness of the mini design and yes, it still shoots as straight as day one. Aluminium soda cans at 50 yards never stood a chance and with the original sights to boot.
I purchased a mini-14 today. I can’t wait to take it to the range!!
I bought my first mini in 1982. The rifle is just flat out reliable. The only problem I had was that the groups would start walking around when the stainless barrel heated up. At one time I had a first generation ranch mini. I did not like the fragile flip leaf rear sight but it functioned and grouped well. So far my new 580 series rifle works well but I have not had time to range test it for accuracy. I expect good things from it with the heavier barrel profile and tighter prouction specs.
Getting mine today. This review has been extremely helpful. I was infact looking for a middle of the road rifle (meaning i cant afford the AR-15 stlye). i came accross the mini and so far have heard nothing negative about it besides the brass ejection strength. I’m pumped to get it. i will re-comment to let you know what i think
Thanks Zach – I’ll be curious to hear what you think after you have it.
I’ve owned a mini-14 for over 20 years their great riffle, considering the barrel length and thickness they shot pretty accurate better than some bolt actions I’ve had, these are intended to be a light weight rifle which gives fast maneuverable so minute of degree accuracy is a little too much to expect if you want this kind of accuracy you will sacrifice in certain areas namely maneuverability and weight, they tend to shot 2 to 4 minute of an angle at a hundred yards depending on the temperature of the barrel and bullet weight.
Just bought my mini 14. It was easy to sight it in (iron sights). I live close to the border and need something reliable.
Yeah, we’re down here close to the border in NM, and I hear what you mean. We’ve never had a *single* problem with the Mini-14. Of course that’s the only carbine we’ve shot (unless you count the Winchester 1894). Still, I think it’s been a great buy. With .223 plentiful again (and I mean able to buy at Walmart), it’s been nice to shoot it more regularly again.
For border work I’d probably want to stick with a true battle rifle. South Texas here and have an M1 Garand and saving for an M1A. But for the range and just plain fun I really love my Mini-14! I routinely outshoot the AR mall ninjas at my local range, using a newer 580-series Mini with a strut bar. Tomorrow I’m going to torque the gas block screws which I’ve read a lot about and test it out Friday for any improvement.
I appreciate the review info. I’m getting mine tomorrow. I’ve been contemplating picking up a good all around home defense weapon (outside of my shotguns) for a while and the mini fits the bill.
Do all mini-14 accept larger than 5 round magazines? I’m looking into buying a mini-14 but want one that will handle magazines with more than 5 rounds. Im assuming they will all accept from 5 to 20 maybe larger just wondering?
Im going to different sites reading reviews on the Mini 14 , I am very surprised to find out how few non AR carbines are made these days , very unfortunate . Most of my guns are very old and were handed down to me and wanted to upgrade to a good semi auto , general purpose carbine . Im very old school and will not even look at anything that has a pistol grip or has ” crap ” sticking out of it all over the place . My favorite rifle that I have is my WW1 vintage winchester 1895 cavalry short barrel carbine . Its a 30-40 Krag , no kick at all whatsoever , nice weight , nice short length , and roll it in the mud , kick it on the ground reliable . So I wanted my modern upgrade to have similar qualities as my old fav . I have been looking at the Mini 14 and just handling it in the store , makes me think that it may fit the bill nicely . The two things that I didnt like about it that some posters mentioned are the ” Military sights ” , Those MUST go away for open sights and wonder if anybody knows if that is doable ? I also didnt like at cheap ass 5 round standard mag . 5 round mags are fine for an internal lever action ( like my venerable 1895 ) but for a semi auto ? Id get the 20 round magazine .
Hi TR –
I understand where you are coming from; I thought much the same when I was looking at modern rifles. I’ve come back around to considering the AR, but that’s a change that’s happened over several years.
My primary carbine is a Win 1894 in .357 Mag (also reviewed on this site) and I like it — but I did put a peep sight on it. Which is exactly the same type (not same manufacturer) as the Mini14 has on it. I just prefer peeps to buckhorn sites and shoot better with them.
As for the mags, I’d say don’t even bother with the 5 rounders. They’re only mentioned on here because that’s all Ruger would make for a long, long time. Now that they’ve decided they like money and customers they’re putting out the 20 rounders. I guess that’s good, but it does cost more to shoot
For the price, I honestly don’t know where else you can get a quality *American* rifle that fires a rifle round (however much you like the .223, that’s a whole other matter). The “low end” ARs *start* at the high end of Mini14 costs, so that’s a big deal for most people too.
– Frank
Thanks Frank , actually that helps quite a bit . Price is a concern and face it , you get a lot less hassle and attention from law enforcement if what you have LOOKs like a sporting rifle vs. ” whacko with a machinegun ” I dont like the look or want the attention of the AR style . As you said its a personal choice .
One quick thing about recoil on a ‘ 95 , I dont recommend anybody doing this for really any reason , BUT with that said , I have fired my old ‘ 95 on the shooting range cowboy style with one hand , arm extended , accurately . Just to demonstrate the kick of the rifle ( it literally doesn’t kick ) to a guy that was asking a lot of questions about it because of its looks and odd caliber .
Ok , Ive decided that Im pretty sold on the Mini 14/30 . Its very important to me that the sights are changeable on this thing to regular old dovetail sights . Ive gone on Rugers web page and no luck there . Does anybody know of any 3rd party manufacturers that make one for this weapon ? Any directions would be good . The peep sights have got to go ! I found a front red fire sight for it .
TR –
I haven’t seen anything like what you’re looking for…I have done some research on0 adding a dovetail for a shotgun (for long slug shots). There the general thing to do is send it off to a gun smith (or take it to your local one) and have them mill in a slot for the dovetail, which is attached to the buckhorn site. XS Sight has a rail system that maybe you could find an attachment for? I couldn’t find any type of buckhorn that didn’t require milling on MidwayUSA. I understand it’s your preference, but it would seem like the trend is toward the peep style sights, if not full optics. Let me know if you find anything that works without gunsmithing.
Thanks Frank , that is probably the best idea . ” old dog , new tricks ” , Ill learn to shoot with its standard sights until I can get what i need done to it lol . I found a place thats not greedy , so the price is right . I shopped around and wont get a better deal on it in my area .
I did see exactly what I was looking for on sights but its for the 1022 ruger .
Thanks for your help .
TR
My (used) Mini was missing its rear sight. I looked around a lot before spotting a sight-set for a 1022 that looked like it might fit.
Sure enough – no problem!
Obviously the FRONT sight is different, but I know almost any ‘smith could remove the front blade and cut a dovetail if I really wanted it.
HTH…
DD
I have really been looking into either buying a Mini-14 or a Bushmaster m4. They both shoot a .223 which I like but numerous guns are using the 7.62 is one better than the other?
Another question, is it possible to put a red dot sight on a Mini 14 the tactical version but not the folding stock rail system tactical one, the one that looks like a ranch rifle?
Hi FGG –
Is your question whether the .223 is better than the 7.62x39mm ? If so, that’s a whole mini debate in itself. As to the Mini-14 vs Bushmaster M4, they’re both going to shoot .223.
It depends on what you’re looking for…if you want a mostly “finished system” I’d get the Mini-14. You can certainly get addons, but it’s mostly “done” as it stands. I’ve yet to see someone that buys a M4 and doesn’t end up with a lot of accessories (not required, but just able to get them). It’s like cars. I’d say a Mini-14 is mostly like a good F150. It’ll get the job done stock, but you can get addons. The M4 is like a Jeep, sure you can use a stock, but nearly everyone I know has mods on it. Not the best analogy, but it works.
Thank you for the review, I want to get this model!!
Thanks for the help I’m really leaning towards the Mini and I was wondering what is better either a 7.62 or .223? Or is this really not compareable, kind of like apples and oranges or they both have pros and cons? The analogy with the cars where great, just only if it were a gmc instead of a ford…Jokingly but thanks for the advice!!
Yeah, 7.62x39mm vs .223 is a long term debate. I’d suggest just googling it and looking at the forums, but it’ll take forever, and then you’ll just be at where you are now.
My practical advice is this (based on wallet economics) — go to Walmart and see which one they have in stock. Mine carries one brand of 7.62x39mm and **several** .223. So there’s one data point.
The other data point to think about is “how many rounds do I want to shoot each month/or to get “good” with my rifle”. See how much that would cost for each type. 7.62 x39 is typically **way** cheaper, especially in bulk, but you’re buying Russian ammo (some quality concerns). Check Cabelas if you want to buy in large lots.
Weigh those two for you — despite what the internet thinks, only you can measure the above **best** for your concerns/situation.
All depends on what you’re using it for. Check out “Boston’s Gun Bible.” He really frowns on ANY caliber below .308 but there’s an entire section on why .223 is a better stopper than 7.62×39. He’s very opinionated but good info anyway.
On the other hand Russian 7.62 will be way cheaper than any .223/5.56 so that’s another consideration, remembering that it’s filthy dirty stuff and you’ll need to clean often.
This has been incredibly helpful theres just a few more questions I have. I like the ranch style rifle but like the tactical version even more not the folding/collapsable version, I’m talking about the all black traditional style tacticle rifle. My question is, is it possible to put a rail type system where a scope would go to place a red dot sight?
Yes, there are after-market rails that fit the Mini’s integral mounts on the receiver.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leapers-utg-mini-14-3-point-locking-double-rail-tactical-mount-mnt-214d.html
People, especially AR enthusiasts, like to compare the AR to the Mini-14, AKs, FNs, etc. The AR really cannot be compared to anything else. The Mini-14 is a rifle. The AR is a “modular tactical weapons system”. It’s a platform. A family of components and accessories that are interchangeable and easily customized by the user.
You can easily buy or build a basic AR for about the same or less than a Mini. But if you’re going to stop there, why bother. You won’t. Eventually you’re going to parlay on your investment and get different uppers, fore-ends, stocks, rails, tactical accessories, etc.
The Mini is one of the best all-purpose rifles you can buy. Plinking, targets, varments, hunting, home-defense, … it’s all good. Inexpensive to buy, inexpensive to shoot, easy to clean and dead-bang reliable. It’s one of the most successful firearms of the past half-century (for good reason). The new ones are better than ever. That’s some “niche”.
I have an all-weather Ranch (stainless steel, synthetic stock). It has an 18-1/2″ barrel. Note that if you go with the Tactical, the muzzle blast is quite a bit louder. I don’t see any practical advantage to the muzzle brake so I prefer the Ranch. Good luck.
Other than the Ruger factory 20 round magazine and the 5 what are the best aftermarket magazines avalible? Do they make a pul-mag and are beta mag’s worth buying?
You’ll get all sorts of reports, but the “general” consensus is buy the mags from Ruger. That’s one of the minuses of going with a Mini-14 — it’s got a much smaller accessory market than the AR-15.
I had one as a kid and it failed to eject every other mag. I don’t know whether it was the non ruger 30 round mag or the gun. We kept it clean but we did use Russian ammo. We ended up selling it and buying an AK never regretted it. To date i have owned 2 ruger firearms and both were very unreliable the mini was a jammomatic and the blackhawk 44 mag failed so spectacularly I lost faith in revolvers. I know my experiences aren’t typical and plenty people love em but I will never own another Ruger in my life which sucks cause I really like the LC9.
Keep in mind that Ruger revamped their factory for the 580 models and beyond. Quality is purportedly better. I have yet to have a failure to feed, let alone a failure to release a magazine. I use 20 round mags from Ruger currently. I’d wager your issue was your magazine, not the rifle.
what is a good price range for the mini 14 ranch rifle
I think they’re running about $700+ these days. You may be able to find or order them at Walmart. Another option is to use Gun Genie and get a quote from a local dealer. One thing to keep in mind is that Ruger is putting out a lot more models than the stock walnut model these days.
Nice review. I got my mini back in the 80′s, serial 183-***34. It has been a reliable rifle for me and i have shot both factory and hand load rounds through it. I have placed it on a folding stock with pistol grip. I have also purchased a couple of 30 round magazines for it, brand I can remember, and these magazines have work well without any failure to load. I have move on to the AR15 platform but as others have said, I will not give it up for a “SHTF” gun, it has no equal.
the 580 series of the mini 14 is a fine rifle. i have owned one for 2 years now.
it is very reliable. one jam in about 700-800 rounds. no serious problems at all. i love the more “classic” rifle look of the mini 14 vs the AR. minis just look more like a really gun vs a toy. just mo of course.
i can say my 580 mini (with a few minor mods) is consistantly a 2″ shooter at 100 yards. that is plenty accurate for me. many have criticized the accuracy of the platform, but my mini hits what i aim at…….if i do my part!
good gun. there are some rumblings that the 581 series has more problems. i have had nothing but great experiences with my mini 14. good looking gun & fun to shoot!
Not to mention cost effective. You can get a really nice mini for about the same price as an entry level AR-15.
Nice review of the Mini-14. With all of this interest in it, I’m surprised no one has mentioned Accuracy Systems, Inc. ACI specializes in customizing and upgrading the Minis. Having recently discovered that cougars have been reintroduced to pretty much the entire state of Virginia (where I live), I was motivated to look for a keep-by-the-door rifle (that my wife can also easily use) that largely conforms to Jeff Cooper’s scout concept. With my non-scout preferences (semi-auto action and a cartridge less powerful than 7.62×51 but more powerful than the 5.56×45), my search has led me to the Mini ranch rifle. I plan to send it to ACI for conversion to 6.5 Grendel with a 19″ barrel with threaded muzzle for a suppressor, different iron sights, a Hogue overmolded stock, and a few other touches. An Aimpoint Micro T-1 on an UltiMAK scout mount should round out the package nicely without making it look butt ugly or ruining the handling and balance. For anyone who wants to see what ACI has to offer, go to http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php.
This guy knows his stuff..
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_RanchRifle.htm
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