XD Talk

akmjolnir · 09-15-2009, 08:24 PM

I've got a new (slightly used) Mini-14 to add to my collection. Came with factory 5 round and 20 round mags, and a box of ammo.

Have to test her out this weekend.

mainjet · 09-15-2009, 08:37 PM

congrats, that's a great gun. Mine used to eject the brass about 10 yards away which was the only draw back of it. But I really loved the gun.

Let us know how she shoots.

Grunt167 · 09-15-2009, 08:40 PM

Congrats... I still have my Mini-14 that I bought in '81.... I slapped a Choate folding stock on it and it is a sweet rifle....

akmjolnir · 09-15-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainjet

Mine used to eject the brass about 10 yards away which was the only draw back of it.

That's my favorite thing about the rifle.

Brickboy240 · 09-16-2009, 11:09 AM

I have a very early Mini-14. Made back when they put walnut stocks and metal buttplates on the rifles. 1976.

The Mini-14 is a mixed bag. On its plus side, its totally reliable with anything you feed it. Its also light, short and handy as can be.

On the bad side is the fact that with the very thin barrel, it heats up fast and after 3-5 shots, it starts stringing them badly. The Mini is a "minute of coyote" or "minute of milkjug" type of rifle.

I still like it and I'd probably never sell it. Where people get discouraged with the Mini-14 is when they try to make it into a rifle it was NOT designed to be.

The Mini-14 is NOT a tactical rifle that was designed to be accurate and have 20rd mag after 20rd mag run through it in long range sessions. It was designed as a sort of stand-in for a 30-30 as a pickup/ATV/saddle gun for a few quick shots on the ranch at a varmint or other critter.

As long as you stay within its design capabilities, chances are you'll like the Mini-14. If you start swapping stocks, placing rails and optics on the thing and try doing AR things with it....you're going to be disappointed with the Mini-14. Like the SKS, the Mini-14 is best left as close to its original design as possible. Just because they make somethign that will blot onto the rifle does NOT mean its going to make it better or even work as advertised.

Many people just don't realize this and think "hey...its chambered in 223 and has a hi-cap mag - I'll turn it into an AR" and that is where all the bad press you read on the web comes from.

Keep it simple and use as a casual plinker or woods carry/pickup gun and you'll probably like the Mini-14 just as I do.

Enjoy it....they're big fun.

- brickboy240

**Se2002** · 09-16-2009, 11:27 AM

Great points Brick. Personally, I like mine stock.

akmjolnir, Pick up a Bore Snake for cleaning. This way you will not risk damaging the barrel crown when you clean it. This meathod works best for me anyway.

Brickboy240 · 09-16-2009, 12:02 PM

Yeah, the Mini-14 gets a really bad rap. I did not know mine was a total POS until I started reading the various web boards! LOL

The only other bad thing about the Mini is that as of lately, it has risen sharply in price. Back when a Mini-14 was about 400-500 bucks brand new and a lower tier AR was 700-900...yeah...it made alot of sense. But now that they're about 680-750 new and a basic DPMS, Stag or Rock River AR runs about 800 or so....the Mini is not that attractive.

It does seem that the newer 581 Series Mini-14s have thicker barrels and might have shaken the inaccuracy problems of the earlier models. They also come again with the factory 20 round mags..not the usual 5 rounders.

Still...with only a 100-150 dollar price difference in the Mini and a basic AR and the 30 dollar factory mags...they're not as attractive a deal as they used to be.

If you find a nice used Mini for maybe 300-400 bucks - thats a deal. A Mini for 680-750 bucks...not so much.

- brickboy240

thelongone13 · 09-16-2009, 01:28 PM

I HAVE heard if you put a heavier flash suppressor at the end of the barrel, the weight helps with accuracy after heating up. Don't know for sure if it's true, but from the Mini I fired it seemed to be.

Brickboy240 · 09-16-2009, 02:02 PM

I have a heavy flash suppressor on my Mini and a regualr 5 shot 100yd group, using cheapo UMC 55gr 223 is about 3-4 inches.

Not stellar but not all that bad either.

- brickboy240

akmjolnir · 09-17-2009, 12:19 AM

Good points all.

Not my first time around the block with the mini, bit I still respet and agree with the points made ( I did work in an engineering office at Ruger so I've discussed the issues at length. Hence the sr556....).

I have a full size AR for accuracy, it's just that I could help one of my best friends out with a sale and be in a position to sell it back no questions asked. For now I'm just gonna shoot it the way it was meant to.

At beer cans, milk jugs and various species of fruits and gourds.