Ruger Mini 14/30

[Mini 14]

How many here have a Mini 14/30 as MBR???

[Bryon]

I have one that I have yet to fire. 4 20 rd mags. and 20 30 rd mags. Feels pretty good.

[MajorBolex]

How many here have a Mini 14/30 as MBR???

It is not my MBR, but a Mini-14 is handy enough so my wife and most women over 16 can easily use it to effect. That said it is probably the most accessible to the widest number of people.

I would recommend getting the trigger worked over by Chief AJ. It is a great $65 investment and you just send him trigger group, not the whole gun.

PS - I can't post URLs yet, but do a google for Chief AJ and point shooting for his website.

[kenno]

my friend recomends getting an older model that has the dual feed ramps for reliable feeding. a trigger job is a near necessaity. If you get a Ranch Rifle buy the aftermarket NcStar scope mount (picatinny rail) for easier mounting of various larger scopes. MY friend hasnt used Chief AJ but he has been in business for decades and $65.00 is a reasonable price.

[firemanphob]

I have the mini 14 ranch with the stainless bbl and all weather stock. I hate to admit it but I haven't fired it yet either. Hopefully this weekend.
Mike

[pathfinder3081]

I have a min14, my brother inlaw has a mini 30. We both have fired 100's of rounds and I have never seen any trouble feeding or in need of "trigger work". Both weapons are 7 + years old or so.. I think so anyway.

[tony]

I have a newer tactical model with the tapered barrel and I love it. I've always been a fan of the Garand, Carbine and M-14s so the Mini fit right in. A few hundred rounds of both quality and cheap ammo have gone through it without a single issue.

[Lil Bear]

Has anyone compared the mini's to the M15's as far as weight? My wife seems to be able to handle the M15 fairly well. She says it feels like handling (weight wise) my ruger 10/22. Which one kicks more? If I got a mini it would be for her.

[Mini 14]

If you mean the AR 15 it weighs 1-2 pounds more than the mini14 depending on if you choose wood or plastic

[Bayou Blaster]

Has anyone compared the mini's to the M15's as far as weight? My wife seems to be able to handle the M15 fairly well. She says it feels like handling (weight wise) my ruger 10/22. Which one kicks more? If I got a mini it would be for her.

Mini-14 Woodstock: 7 Lbs
Mini-14 Synthetic: 6 3/4 Lbs

M4-A2 (AR-15 Variant): 6.22 Lbs W/O Magazine
M4-A3 (AR-15 Variant): 6.35 Lbs W/O Magazine

Recoil difference is negligible between both firearms with .223 ammunition.

M-4 (AR-15 Variants) will have slightly greater felt recoil than Mini-14 when AR-15 variants are being employed with mil spec 5.56 x 45 ammuntion.

Accuracy Winner: AR-15 Variants.
Engagements with Mini-14 should be limited to 100yds after 1st shot in pinpoint situations. Thin barrel heats up and barrel harmonics will affect accuracy more so than AR-15 variants. Note: Newer models fair better than older models in this department. Mini-14s have never been known for their accuracy. The addition of an Accu-strut, muzzle break and shortening barrels to legal minimum length have improved accuracy in older Mini-14s greatly. The Accu-strut reduces barrel harmonics,helps stiffen the barrel by reducing whip and acts as a heat sink to disipate some heat. Shortening the barrel also stiffens the barrel and reduces harmonics.

Jam Clearing Drills Winner: Mini-14
Mini-14's exposed bolt/chamber area make this easier with Mini-14.

Magazines (Ease of loading into/removing from firearm) Winner: AR-15
NOTE: Aftermarket Mini-14 High Cap mags have suffered from poor workmanship contributing to reliabilty issues. Ruger has been marketing 20rd mags and is beginning to offer 30rd mags as well. Prices for these mags are much higher than those used in the AR-15. Only other Mini-14 high capacity mags I have seen work 100% of the time were manufactured by a company called PMI (Precision Mag Industries). I have used both their 30/40 rd mags with no problems.

Reliability (Jamming) I won't declare a winner. (Don't want to start any pissing contest)
However, I have never had my Mini-14 jam yet. This with a wide variety of both steel or brass cased ammunition.

Maintenance Winner: Mini-14.
AR-15 requires more maintenance/cleaning than a Mini-14. The AR-15s gas tube diverts some propellent gases directly into the internal workings.

Parts Availibilty Winner: AR-15 Variants
If you want spare parts for your Mini-14 you will have to send the firearm back to Ruger. As a minimum I would recommend a spare firing pin. Note this is about the only aftermarket INTERNAL part you can purchase.

Mini-30s: Are made to shoot the American 7.62 x 39 cartridge. It differs from the Russian 7.62 x 39 in that the bullet diameter of the Russian bullet is in the .310 - .311 diameter; whereas the Amercian bullet is .308 diameter. Note this cartridge is not to be confused with the .308 winchester (7.62 x 51). Accuracy is much better when using American ammo. Factory High Cap mags for the Mini-30 are not available to my knowledge. Some people have converted aftermarket mags with modified AK-47 magazine followers with some sucess.

If you already have the Mini-14 I would not think it to be a bad choice for your wife Lil-Bear. If she is a novice shooter the learning curve is easier/shorter than with the AR-15 variants. However, there is alot to be said for commonality if you are shooting the AR-15. This would be a plus with parts and magazines. Good Luck with your decision.

[Lil Bear]

Thanks! That is the kind of info I was looking for. I believe we will stay with trying to find another M15 variant. She likes the one I have, especially the collapsable stock. I am going to get one of those but pads for it and have her shoot it again. Any other ideas on how to tame its recoil without a barrel compensator?

[Bayou Blaster]

Thanks! That is the kind of info I was looking for. I believe we will stay with trying to find another M15 variant. She likes the one I have, especially the collapsable stock. I am going to get one of those but pads for it and have her shoot it again. Any other ideas on how to tame its recoil without a barrel compensator?

The newer A3 style flash hiders help with muzzle rise as they are not slotted toward the 6 o'clock position; this to prevent dust from kicking up while shooting in the prone position but it does not help with felt recoil. Most compensators do a great job but increase both muzzle flash and report (noise).

Without using a barrel compensator I would recommend she keep her chicken wing (shooting elbow) tucked in and maintain slight forward pressure with her non-shooting hand on the foregrip. This helps with felt recoil and minimizes body part exposure. She should not be burying the stock into her shoulder. Too many people think they have to do this. Make sure the firearm is parallel to the ground as well. A very slight forward lean helps as well. Hopefully your AR-15 variant is employing the newer T6 style stock and not the older CAR-15 stock. The older stocks are not that comfortable. Make sure that LOP (Length of Pull) is adjusted correctly for her as this can effect felt recoil.

A good rule of thumb to follow concerning measuring/adjusting Length of Pull (LOP):

Bend shooting arm in a 90 degree position
Palm of shooting hand should be open
Measure from center of palm to end of forearm (Arms Pivot Point)
This measurement is a close approximation of your LOP
Keep in mind that heavy clothing may change this slightly.

AR-15:
Another way is to grasp the firearm's stock or pistol grip in the shooting hand and rest the stock against the pivot point of forearm (inside of portion of elbow). You will find the results are very similar to the previous recommendation. This method works very well when measuring new or un-installed or adjustable/collaspable stocks.

The rubber slip-on pads for the collaspable stocks help alleviate the sharp bottom profile of this stock if it is digging into her shoulder pocket.

Hope this helps.

[Lil Bear]

This helps a lot!

Mini 14, hope i didn't hyjack your thread-SORRY!

[Bryon]

I just ordered a Tapco stock for my Mini 14. Has anyone installed one? Just curious, any input?

[Bayou Blaster]

I just ordered a Tapco stock for my Mini 14. Has anyone installed one? Just curious, any input?

I tried it: If your looking for the Tactical look or an adjustable length of pull it might be what your looking for. I found it detracted from the utility/design and intention of the firearm; kind of cumbersome/akward for it.

In the end I removed the original wood stock on my stainless Mini-14 Ranch Rifle and went with Rugers "All Weather" stock. A little lighter and more unassuming with a scope and standard 5rd mag. I can flip off the scope and load the 30/40 rd stainless mags in no time. I've also got one of these stocks should I need a little more flexibility:

http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_page_detail.cfm?recordno=4&Product_CatalogID=2703&ProductNumber=07%2D01%2D14&ProductCode=21&ProductSubCodeID=155&NewProduct=0

Good Luck with your new stock.

As far as Mini-14's question of the Mini-14 being my MBR, I would have to say no. I consider MBRs to be: M-1A1 (Civilian M-14), M-1A (Garand), FN FAL, H&K 91, German K-98, 1903-A3 series Springfield etc.

Mini-14 as a SHTF rifle? With the right magazines, bells and whistles it can be effectively employed to serve this purpose. I have yet to have any malfunctions with my Mini-14 or 30. Can't say the same about the AR-15/M-16 Family of firearms of which I have extensive experience with and own. They have their own advantages/problems. Your mileage may vary. My SHTF rifle? Decisions, Decisions?