MINI 14

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1022

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 5, 2016
Messages
27
Location
N G MOUNTAINS
Guys I have an early mini ,180 series.
Can I shoot 556 ammo in it or only 223 ?
Thanks in advance......
 

pisgah

Buckeye
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
1,633
Location
Upstate SC
As is true of probably 99% of all rifles made in the USA chambered for .223 or 5.56 -- either will be fine.

Now get ready for a whole buncha people who'll say otherwise...
 

DGW1949

Hunter
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
3,947
Location
Dixie
COSteve is telling you right.
That said though, bear in mind that the gun in question is getting perty-dern old, and that it is largely a "one off" design which Ruger no longer services, or has parts for. What that tells us is that new factory-spec parts for "wear items" such as it's op-rod spring, firing pin, extractor, bolt roller, latches 'n plungers, fire control parts, etc, are simply not obtainable.

Not saying that you shouldn't use and enjoy your gun, just saying that t'were it mine, I'd treat it as gently as possible...which to me personaly, would not include using NATO-spec ammo.

Hope this helps.

DGW
 

44rugerr

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 31, 2007
Messages
159
Location
Indiana
I agree with, DGW. My 180 series is my safe queen, serial #34X. Purchase a later model for daily use.
 

DGW1949

Hunter
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
3,947
Location
Dixie
blume357 said:
Why not just shoot it till is dies... then worry about getting a newer one?

Mostly because it aint dead yet.
At this point, it still has value to those who collect such things.
It also has value as an occassional shooter.
By contrast, an obsolete, non-working rifle aint worth much.

Just my .02 .

DGW
 

1022

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 5, 2016
Messages
27
Location
N G MOUNTAINS
I showed this Ruger to a buddy of mine and he seems to think it may be worth more than a regular mini.
It is a 180 series with wooden handguard and ser #32xxx,it's in probably 90 %.
Could he be right ?
I know without seeing it it would be hard to say but he seems to think it is maybe a $1000 gun ....
 

DGW1949

Hunter
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
3,947
Location
Dixie
In 90% condition, I'd say more like $500....maybe $550 tops.
But hey, he could always throw it on one of the auction sites and hope that someone's emotions gets the best of them.

DGW
 

steelshooterco

Single-Sixer
Joined
Sep 24, 2014
Messages
315
Location
Shawnee, CO
Take the stock and handguard off, get a current stock ($35-45) handguard ($15), shoot it till it dies, return it to Ruger for service, likley get a refund or offer to replace with a new gun.

Keep or sell the old stock on E-bay.
 

DGW1949

Hunter
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
3,947
Location
Dixie
steelshooterco said:
Take the stock and handguard off, get a current stock ($35-45) handguard ($15), shoot it till it dies, return it to Ruger for service, likley get a refund or offer to replace with a new gun.

Keep or sell the old stock on E-bay.

The 180-series Mini-14 is an animal all onto itself.
The newer (181-up) stocks & hand guards will not work on a 180 gun.

DGW
 

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