Mini-14 bargain

[Totin'a10]

Greetings, hope all is well.

I happened upon a good deal on a Ranch Rifle. As much as I would like an AR etc., what would be the "cons" of a Ruger Ranch Rifle mini-14?

I know I would switch to a target barrel and "sights" are undecided but what about the mechanics, etc.?

Thanks again.

[Gargoyle]

You confused me with your comment.  You can not easily change the Mini-14 barrel like you can the AR-15 upper.

The Ruger is a nice gun, but what you buy is all you get.  The Ruger is a nice gun and very reliable.  But don't expect to customize it like you can an AR-15.

[skb2706]

I have shot several Mini 14s..............the deal can't possibly be good enough for me. They are notoriously inaccurate like minute of a trash can...basically a good way to use up surplus 5.56 ammo. My opinion would be to stcik with the AR15 you can trick one out fairly cheap and really have something.

[DWARREN123]

You can get a fairly accurate Mini-Thirty, Mini 14, or Ranch Rifle but it is going to cost about $500-700 besides the price of the rifle, some come accurate but most are not. You can get the same accuracy from a Yugo 59/66 or similar type rifle as a stock Ruger Mini whatever for about 1/3 the price.

[Lawdog]

Totin'a10,

While the backers of the AR15 will tell you the Mini can't be made to shoot accurately, don't believe them.  What they fail to realize is a good number of people DO NOT want a military looking rifle when out for a day of shooting.  A few things have to be done but they CAN be made to shoot MOA and better.  A new barrel(it isn't that hard to change) and new gas porting system is the first place to start.  PM me if you want a complete list of what I had done to mine.  The action of the Mini is a good one, reliable and strong.  The only problems I have had with my Mini(it’s my duty weapon) feeding wise was when I tried to use 30 round after market magazines.  Traded them off for 20 round magazines and no more problem.  You like the Mini 14, get it and have some work done to it and you won’t be unhappy.  Lawdog
 

[azshooter]

Greetings, hope all is well.

I happened upon a good deal on a Ranch Rifle. As much as I would like an AR etc., what would be the "cons" of a Ruger Ranch Rifle mini-14?

I know I would switch to a target barrel and "sights" are undecided but what about the mechanics, etc.?

Thanks again.

I had a Mini Ranch rifle topped with a Nikon 3-9 scope and sold it.  I bought it because I really like the M1 it is a take off of.  Too bad my WW2 Garand with battle sights will out shoot most any scoped factory Mini 14.  My Mini would shoot 3 to 4 inch groups which is not to par with my expectations.  On the plus side it never failed to function but I was happy to get rid of it.  If I miss a target I want it to be because of me not because I can't count on my rifle.  The money invested in making a Mini shoot well is what you will pay for a great shooting AR-15 out of the box (What I now have).  My unmodified Bushmaster V Match will easily hit a golfball every time at 100 yards and I have not even worked up loads for it yet.  The sad thing it it would be easy for Ruger to make them shoot well and they would sell twice as many but they continue to refuse to offer a heavy or even medium weight barrel on a Mini.

Oh one more thing with with an AR you can get a chrome lined barrel that will last 10,000 to 20,000 rounds.

[IntrepidWizard]

Have one with only the mag release changed for 26 years model 141 open sites ,best Yote gun to have,that Bobcats.

[arky65]

totin 10 check out perfectunion.com, they have a lot of accurizing  info for the mini.

arky65

[hans g./UpS]

If you can live with 2-3" M.O.A. accuracy[with 55gr M193 ball ammo], the Mini-14 will do it.It will do it with less expense and weight than most AR-15s,and[less-if it matters to you,politically incorrect appearance].
Your choice.