The Ruger Mini-14 has been with us since around 1973, and approximately three million of these rifles have been produced since its introduction, which speaks for its popularity. Originally, they were chambered for the .223 round, but now they can all accept 5.56mm rounds. Despite all of that, is the Mini-14 still fit for duty? Can it keep up with other platforms? Is it reliable? And how about accuracy? Is this rifle cost-effective?
These are all valid questions, and we’ll answer each one in this article, along with some others.
In full disclosure, I will point out that Ruger did not help in any way with this review. They did not send any rifles or other gear, so this review is 100% independent and uninfluenced. My personal rifle was used, along with a friend’s Tactical model (because two is more fun than one, am I right?).
Tech Specs
- Barrel Length: 18.5 inches (1:9 Right Hand Twist).
- Front Sight: Protected blade.
- Rear Sight: Adjustable, aperture.
- Weight: 7 pounds.
- Overall Length: 38 inches.
The action is similar to the M1 Garand, and it has a fixed piston gas system and a moving, self-cleaning gas cylinder. The fact that it doesn’t blow gas into the rifle’s action (like the AR-15 series) helps that action to stay much cleaner.
The barrel is cold hammer forged, which contributes to good accuracy and a long life.
Scope rings are included with each rifle, and mounts are machined directly into the receiver, so mounting an optic is very easy. Additionally, the receiver is drilled and tapped, so the included Picatinny rail can be mounted as another option for mounting optics. Ruger has really stepped up its game as far as making the mounting of optics easier.
Why would one want the Mini-14?
What made me want to invest in the Mini-14? A few important (to me) reasons. It was the first “real” rifle that my dad presented me with as an early teen. I had a couple of .22 rifles up to this point, but the .223 was a different ballgame to me then. So, of course, there was the nostalgia factor.
Secondly, it isn’t an AR-15. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the AR-15 and use it frequently. But frankly, I simply got what I’ll call a case of “AR Burnout.” Every darn thing I hear about is the AR or AK. It’s as if they’re the only two platforms that exist (I’m exaggerating only slightly here). They’re superb weapons, and each has its own attributes. I just wanted a change of pace, and the Mini-14 provided exactly that: a bit of variety. Too much of one thing can lead to burnout, and a little variety can make life more fun and interesting.
We’ll examine the other reasons (reliability, effectiveness, etc.) very shortly.
Cost Effectiveness
Early on, the Mini-14 was intended to be an inexpensive, working man’s rifle, and prices were pretty manageable for most folks. Also worth mentioning is that, back in the 1970s, the other main .223/5.56mm rifle was the AR-15, which wasn’t exactly inexpensive at the time. That fact made the Mini-14 even more attractive.
The Mini-14’s action, which resembles that of the M1 Garand, M-14/M1A, and M1 Carbine, endears it to quite a few people, including yours truly.
Fast forward to current times, and as I type this, the price of a Mini-14 is a little north of $1,000 new. To add to that, Ruger factory magazines are really the only option if you expect reliability from your Mini-14. While they’re not overly expensive (as this is written, 20-round magazines are $34.99 each), they’re not cheap like AR-15 and AK-47 magazines are. We’ve been spoiled by the cheap prices of magazines from the more common platforms. When you think about it, though, the Mini-14 magazines aren’t any more expensive than most pistol magazines these days.
For a SHTF rifle, cheap magazines are commonly available and very attractive. This is a weak point for the Mini-14, as the magazines aren’t overly plentiful. So it behooves you to get lots of magazines ahead of time so you’re ready for any eventuality. When you think about it, you should do for any pistol and/or rifle that you have, so the Mini-14 isn’t off the beaten path as far as magazines are concerned.
All in all, going the Mini-14 route won’t be the cheapest choice, nor will it be the most costly.
Accuracy
Much drama has been conjured up regarding the Mini-14’s accuracy (most of it on the internet). Tales of groups that are four to six inches are taken as the gospel.
Personally, my eyes aren’t what they used to be. Once upon a time, I could hit a 10-inch steel plate at 275 yards with open sights with a rifle. Nowadays, not so much. The sights are somewhat blurry now, and that does not contribute to good accuracy.
A number of years ago, Ruger retooled the Mini-14 series to tighten up the specs. The old machinery and methods were worn and tired, and an update was in order. So, was Ruger’s new approach effective at making the rifle more accurate?
We retired to the range with two Mini-14 rifles: A Ranch Rifle with an 18.5-inch barrel and a Tactical Model with a 16.12-inch barrel. Most groups ran in the 3-inch range, and we attribute this to those aging eyes that we mentioned. However, we were able to print a group slightly larger than two inches with Remington UMC 55-grain .223 ammunition (which isn’t necessarily match-grade) using open sights.
Obviously, we could have tightened these groups up with the aid of optics. We didn’t add optics for a few reasons: time constraints and the fact that we didn’t have any spare optics to mount at this time. Beyond that, though, we believe the Mini-14 shines with open sights. And really, how much accuracy is needed to hit a man-sized target out to a couple hundred yards? We must ask what range we realistically want to be able to engage targets to defend ourselves.
The twist rate of the rifle’s barrel is one turn in nine inches (1:9), which made us wonder whether or not it would stabilize heavier bullets. When we ran Nosler’s 77-grain load through the rifle, we got good accuracy, so it definitely stabilized the heavier rounds.
The Mini-14 is not a sniper rifle, nor was it ever intended to even come close to being one. As the name implies, it’s intended for ranchers and farmers to defend their livestock from predators. Or for people to defend against two-legged attackers anywhere. Police and Corrections have also used the Mini-14 over the decades to good effect. The number of these rifles that have been produced tells us that a lot of people use them and that they are popular.
I’m satisfied with the Min-14’s accuracy, and it fulfills my needs. The majority of people whom I know who own them are mostly satisfied with the accuracy.
Reliability
This one is easy: reliability has been 100% perfect with our Mini-14s. We used several different loads, including Remington UMC 55 grain .223, Hornady Frontier 55 grain .223, Nosler Varmageddon 77 grain HPBT Match, PMC X-TAC 62 grain Green Tip, and Hornady Frontier 55 grain 5.56mm.
Social Perception
These days, society has become obsessed with emotions. Black rifles scare many people, which draws attention to them (and to us if we happen to be carrying them). In our current climate, attention is probably not a great thing.
God forbid we have to use a scary, “black” rifle to defend life and limb. In court, the prosecutor will probably hold up the weapon that we used to make a spectacle of it (and us), claiming that it’s a weapon of “mass death and destruction” and that we were just waiting to use it on some hapless, homicidal madman as he attacked us or our family.
Using a weapon that’s more “tame” looking might sway things in our favor by making us look more reasonable. Let’s face it: a wood-stocked Mini-14 doesn’t look very threatening, at least when compared to an AR-15 or other similar rifle.
My rifle came from the factory with a black synthetic stock, and while it is very durable and practical, I thought it looked ugly. A friend offered an original wood stock from Ruger, and I jumped at the chance to buy it, as I like the wood stock far better for its appearance.
Legalities
Sadly, many states now restrict the ownership of the Black Rifles. As far as I know, the Mini-14 is legal in every state (check your state’s laws, though, don’t trust me on this). The conventional stock, lack of a flash suppressor, and other “evil” features make the Mini-14 less lethal (yeah, right!) than the black rifles. If all you can legally own is the Mini-14, you’re still doing okay.
Functionality
That’s a good point about the rifle’s appearance. No, the wood-stocked Mini-14 doesn’t necessarily look like a military-type weapon with its conventionally styled stock. However, that style of stock has taken us through a couple of world wars and beyond. It just works. Sure, there are newer designs, ones with pistol grips and such. But the conventional stock will still get the job done pretty handily.
We’ve found that Ruger’s 20-round magazines are the most reliable and available. If you can’t use those, the 10-round mags would be the next best bet. While I’d much rather have the 20-rounders in an emergency if all you can own is the 10-rounders, you’re not exactly defenseless.
If you’re able to, we can also dress up the Mini-14 with various stocks, including a folding stock such as the Samson A-TM stock (just like the A-Team used to use). This stock makes storing the rifle much easier, and you can put it away in a vehicle easily. Plus, many people really enjoy the appearance.
Controls
Much ado has been made about the Mini-14’s safety, which is the same style as the M1 Garand and the M14/M1A; a lever that must be pressed forward from inside the trigger guard to be taken off safety. The drama is from people claiming that having one’s finger in the trigger guard to remove the safety is an invitation to disaster. Oddly, it really hasn’t been an actual problem since the 1930s when the M1 Garand was introduced. I’ve never had an issue with it, and I’ve used all of the aforementioned platforms.
The magazine release is of the lever type, and it works well enough. It’s certainly not as fast or easy to use as the AR15’s push button, but it still gets the job done. Magazines must be rocked into place, similar to how they’re inserted into the AK platform.
In Summary
While it may not be a tack driver, Ruger has improved the Mini-14’s accuracy over the past several years to the extent that it’s noticeable to the user.
Reliability is excellent as long as the factory magazines are used. Since we don’t run into these magazines everywhere, it’s good to pick them up whenever we see them available. Certainly, they’re not rare and are currently available at GunMag Warehouse, so it’s a good idea to grab some up now. Go on, order a couple. I’ll wait until you’re finished.
I share the wistful notion that many others share: we’d love to see Ruger make a Mini-14 that would take the more commonly available and less expensive AR-15 magazine. Given this late hour, however, we’re not holding our breath because that’s highly unlikely.
The Mini-14 is not ammo-sensitive and has eaten up everything we’ve fed it so far. To us, that’s one of the most important aspects of whichever platform we happen to be using, especially ones that we bet our lives on. The fixed piston gas system and rotating, Garand-type bolt are attractive aspects of this rifle. This rifle is, after all, a semi-auto and will put rounds on target as fast as you can pull the trigger with very little recoil or muzzle rise. It’s just damn effective.
Finally, the conventional appearance of the Mini-14 can be beneficial in our current society, attracting less attention and allowing us to fly under the radar more readily. Nevertheless, the rifle remains an effective way to defend ourselves and our families.
If you’re after something a little different that’s still effective, go ahead and check out the Mini-14. It’s only gotten better over the years.
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