Is the Ruger Mini-14 Obsolete?

[Chief Sapulpa]

View attachment 445787

Gasp!

 

[CZFan]

I am sure that the bullets coming out of a mini 14 are a lot less dangerous than the ones out of an AR. They probably hurt less too!

 

[Catt57]

But have you seen the A-Team version?

https://ruger.com/products/mini14TacticalRifle/specSheets/5895.html

 

[Ready_fire_aim]

Dang this thread is wild… mini 14s don’t interest me at all. I’d say they’re “obsolete” by certain criteria but far from useless. Hell I love old firearms. Side by side shotguns and revolvers are fun to shoot! Just because a gun is technologically obsolete doesn’t mean it’s got no place

I’ve owned 5 ARs and all have been extremely reliable. ARs don’t really interest me much either. Although if I’m ever going into a violent situation I’ll take an AR all day

 

[Steelers Fan]

Not obsolete in any way. Mini's are great guns. Don't get me wrong, I love my AR. I've had the standard accuracy issues with the Mini, especially with this pencil barrel, but these guns still have a cool factor. If you don't think so go shoot one, you'll have a GARAND time I guarantee you. Although Ruger Mini 14's were released to the public (1973) 10 years after Colts AR version (1963), they were probably more visible afield and at the range up until you got in the 90's.
This gun I bought in 1984 brand new at an OKC gun show for $325. It's an Indiana State Police 50th Year Commemorative from 1933-1983. She has state seal inlay in stock, engraved receiver and bolt slide handle. I was told this was a banned gun in the 90's being a GB series with all the fatal options (flash suppressor, bayonet lug, and a factory issued 15rd clip). I still have the OEM box. If anyone is interested in it just let me know, that way my kids will know their targets.
I've taken a few yotes in years past with it and it also became a bit of a community gun as 4 different people have taken deer with it years ago. I've got her dressed in the issued stock but it's never seen anything but the OEM box and the safe. I immediately purchased furnature at a gun show for use. I've added an adjustable trigger, Eagle scope mount, Nikon 3-9x40, OEM Ruger 30rd and 5rd clips, and an m-16 color guards bayonet. It's been 15-20yrs + since I've fired it off. I believe it's time. I'll try some 40-45-50gr handloads and see if the lighter bullets tighten the groups.

 

[Steelers Fan]

The mini 14 never shows up on the list of guns that gun haters want to ban. I wonder why?

Looks like old war gun (GARAND). No threat there.

 

[Steelers Fan]

Well it is for me. Mine was a POS too so I got permission to carry the 12ga. Least I knew it would work at the short ranges we saw.

My brother was a field medic in 'Nam. He was issued a .45 and a 12 ga. If he got involved it would be close. He told me stories of problems with AR's. He worked on them 1st hand. Not the guns, the victims (his team). Keep her clean or you'll be in a bad dream. Not necessarily battle worthy in the early years compared to the opponents autoloaders. Colts m603 and the AR were 1st to get a forward assist. For those who are unaware that's the OH **** button.

 

[Parks 788]

I can't think of a single advantage of a mini-14 over an AR platform and very few areas where a Mini-14 is even equal to an AR platform.

To me, that is the definition of obsolete.

Nah! I really like shooting my Mini-14. Been awhile and may make it my truck gun as it is the least expensive semiauto rifle I have and would hurt less is it got banged around or worse, stolen. One feature I really enjoy is the distinct sound the action/bolt makes when it cycles. Pretty damn cool if you ask me.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

My brother was a field medic in 'Nam. He was issued a .45 and a 12 ga. If he got involved it would be close. He told me stories of problems with AR's. He worked on them 1st hand. Not the guns, the victims (his team). Keep her clean or you'll be in a bad dream. Not necessarily battle worthy in the early years compared to the opponents autoloaders. Colts m603 and the AR were 1st to get a forward assist. For those who are unaware that's the OH **** button.

Yeah...great idea. Take a round that won't chamber for whatever reason and force it into the chamber. What could possibly go wrong?

The gun was just fine in the early years. The ammo was the root cause of the problems. Once that was sorted out the gun's been just fine. But it still needs to be maintained like any other piece of equipment.

 

[RickN]

Yeah...great idea. Take a round that won't chamber for whatever reason and force it into the chamber. What could possibly go wrong?

The gun was just fine in the early years. The ammo was the root cause of the problems. Once that was sorted out the gun's been just fine. But it still needs to be maintained like any other piece of equipment.

It was not just the ammo. The gun was a POS up until the A2 model. Even them lots of guys would have rather carried anything but the M-16. AKs, shotguns, M-14, they were all preferred over the M-16 in Vietnam and for years after. They had to chrome line the barrel and then change the twist among other things.