Looking to buy a Mini 14

[Bluto]

Traded one of my Pistols in today on a new Mini 14 Ranch rifle. (Wooden Stock) It looks like a little brother to my garand when I put them next to each other. I managed to get the rifle some American Eagle Tactical AE223 ammo and a extra 20 round Ruger mag for it. If I can I'll take it to the range tomorrow and let you know how I made out..

[imwright1985]

so.....how did it shoot

[Bluto]

It shot great. I haven't had any problems. I'll know about the accuracy better after I get a few more rounds down the barrel and I get a liitle more familiar shooting it. I never shot a 223 rifle before, mostly 30 calibers. So far though I'm really liking what I'm seeing.
Only shot 20 rounds the first time out then took it home for it's first good cleaning and lubing. I'll see if I can get the time next week to take it out and run some more rounds through it. I think for the first 100 rounds I'm going to be shooting 20 rounds at a time and then clean and lube. I'll get a little more serious about shooting for accuracy and how accurate I think it is then.
I pretty much use this same approach with all my new rifles and pistols.
Some might think that it might be a little overkill on breaking them in the way I do but it's always seemed to work well for me. Very few of my pistols or rifles have ever had any problems. When I bought my Harley I changed the oil in that at 100, 500, and 1000 miles then every 3000 miles from there on . Haven't had any problems with that either. I'm a big believer in getting things settled in before you give it hell.

[imwright1985]

Great to hear. Shop around for mags I have seen 30 rnd mags go anywhere from 30-60 bucks. For some reason dealers cant seem to get their prices right.

[invssgt]

The 580 and newer series Mini 14 Ranch Rifles are indeed more accurate. They completely retooled for the rifle in 2006-2007 and eliminated a lot of accuracy-robbing tolerances in the process. The good news is that they didn't compromise reliability. My 580 Series runs as good as the old ones and shoot noticeably better, cold or hot.

[apamburn]

Ive been eyeballing the mini14 tactical for a while now too. I too own a Garand and between the fact that Im already familiar with the action and the price range....I think I'll go for it. So the 580's are newer, and the accuracy issue has been at leas somewhat addressed. Interesting. Ill be sure to look into that if I buy used.

Around here you can find them for as low as 425 used!!

[imwright1985]

Originally Posted by apamburn

Ive been eyeballing the mini14 tactical for a while now too. I too own a Garand and between the fact that Im already familiar with the action and the price range....I think I'll go for it. So the 580's are newer, and the accuracy issue has been at leas somewhat addressed. Interesting. Ill be sure to look into that if I buy used.

Around here you can find them for as low as 425 used!!

shop around the mini 14's are like lego guns, there are so many aftermarket parts. If you can get the ranch style reciever you have the scope/optics mount for future add ons then just change the stock and little trim parts. I have seen some stocks go for around 120 that have nice folding options compared to the old folder like I have.

[Bluto]

I think I'm just going to stick with the 20 round Ruger mags.($35) I like the size of them, they seem like there going to work the best in the size of the ammo bag I have when I go to the range. Plus I think they give a nice feel to the rifle wiithout being to long and possibly getting in the way. I'll keep and open mind though and take a look at the 30 round mags,but I really at this time do not see a big plus to them for me personally. If there was one thing I was a liitle diapointed in was the ranch rifle only came with a 5 round mag. Guess that's a trade off for getting the scope rings. I like the iron sights on the 580 ranch models, there very similiar to the M1 Garand sightes in they have the protective wings on them.
Like the Ruger 10/22 there is so many accessories for the mini 14 it could drive you crazy. It's a fun sort of crazy though.

[imwright1985]

i should have stated the only mags I have found are 30 round mags, and they run from 30-55$

[XD5030]

Take a look at these. I got this from another forum. I have ordered any yet, but will in the near future!




Ruger Mini-14 20 Round Magazine: Hoffman's Gun Center