A little Mini 14 help please!

[hittman]

Never owned one before. Heck, I've never even shot one. But .... the local gun pusher has one that looks to be in excellent condition. Wood, blued, 193- serial number prefix.

Heard stories in the past of some being unreliable and/or poor shooters. Weren't those the older versions? Anybody know if this one is new enough that Ruger may still service it if there is a problem? Anything in particular I should know about or look for before I consider it more?

His asking price in a tad under $500.00. I'll search GunBroker for values unless somebody wants to chime in on that too.

Thanks and Happy Independence Day to all.

** Edit to ad: Just checked my RENE and I'm not finding any 193-prefix so ..... will have to go back next week for a closer look.

 

[Rumrunner]

I have owned 5 mini's. Accuracy is hit and miss with the older models. Two of mine were really good shooters, with one shooting 1.5" groups at 100 yards consistently. That one was a 1999 model, the first year for the all weather mini. The other had a red dot and I could keep a magazine full into a man size target at 100 yards easily. Reliability has never been an issue. AR's were know for better accuracy and the Mini was known for reliability.

 

[Goldstar225]

Mini 14's have a long reputation of reliability but the serial number range you gave is from the era when accuracy was not a strong point. Some shot well, many did not.

Starting with the 580 prefix, accuracy improved.

 

[hickoryhillbill]

If it is in excellent condition , that price is very reasonable.

 

[blume357]

As for service.... i would not worry too much about that... the worse that might happen to it is the firing pin break from shoot cheap commy ammo.... and just about any gun smith can fix that....

 

[DGW1949]

Whether or not a Mini-14 will suit you depends entirely on what you plan to use it for. It seems to me that most Mini-haters are suffering more from a case of unrealistic expectations than from anything else.
In other words, most any Mini-14 (from any era) is a very good tool for doing what was it was made to do, and it'll do it time after time with minimum fuss. On the other hand, shooting small groups from a bench-rest aint what it was made to do.

Just something to chew on before plunking-down your money.

DGW

 

[Chief_10Beers]

Never owned one before. Heck, I've never even shot one. But .... the local gun pusher has one that looks to be in excellent condition. Wood, blued, 193- serial number prefix.

Heard stories in the past of some being unreliable and/or poor shooters. Weren't those the older versions? Anybody know if this one is new enough that Ruger may still service it if there is a problem? Anything in particular I should know about or look for before I consider it more?

His asking price in a tad under $500.00. I'll search GunBroker for values unless somebody wants to chime in on that too.

Thanks and Happy Independence Day to all.

** Edit to ad: Just checked my RENE and I'm not finding any 193-prefix so ..... will have to go back next week for a closer look.

Poor Shooter? Could be if Pre-580 series, if it is, Accu-Strut type Barrel Support and a .040-.045 Gas Bushing will take care of that. Call Ruger if they still support a 193 series, I don't see why they will not support it.

Edit to add, just got off Ruger's web site and I don't see any 193 series listed, I seen 195, 196 and 197. I seen a 183 prefix..............

 

[Fatdaddy]

About any Mini under $500 is a deal...if you can live with 4" groups go for it.
They are fun little rifles just realize their limitations going in and you'll be happy.

 

[hittman]

I sure hope somebody goes in that store and buys this Mini 14!

Double checked it today ..... prefix is 195, not the 193 I thought. Also it's wood and stainless, not blued. Ranch Rifle with one 5 round Ruger mag.

 

[Fatdaddy]

Less than $500 is a steal for that rifle.....go now!

 

[Dranrab]

Heck for $500 you can get a DPMS sporter AR that will likely give you much better accuracy. Ruger ARs can be had for under $600. I have owned 3 Mini 14's and that was 3 too many.

 

[Fatdaddy]

Heck for $500 you can get a DPMS sporter AR that will likely give you much better accuracy. Ruger ARs can be had for under $600. I have owned 3 Mini 14's and that was 3 too many.

"he don't want FOP he's a Dapper Dan man!" :mrgreen: