Attention Collectible Gurus

[adanymous]

Hey guys, Im new to this site, and first things first, I gotta say it is a bear to find an email address that this thing will take.

Anyhow, Im a guy who buys and sells alot of guns at gunshows. At the most recent show I had my old mini 14 out on the table. I have had it for years, and it has never been anything that special, just a standard ranch rifle. Anyhow, this old fart comes by and starts asking about it, and asks if I know much about it. So being a salesman I launch into how good a gun it has been (it has been good), when he says whoa son, I aint looking to buy it. Then he goes on a fifteen minute speech about how rare a rifle it is because it doesnt have a curved butt plate. And how my asking price is $400 too low for such a find. He brought a book over that said something to the same effect, but the book was not very specific.

So here is my question. Is it rare? and if so is it more valuable than a standard ranch rifle. Keep in mind that the rear peep is missing (has been since I bought it). Its in prob 95% -98% condition other than the site. The serial number is 187-492XX

Like I said, flat plastic butt plate with ruger phoenix on it. And I just found where someone drilled it for a second sling swivel on the forearm....funny I dont remember that being there

 

[adanymous]

It also has a flash suppressor, whether or not it is original to the gun I dont know. The finish matches pretty well, but could be aftermarket.

 

[west augusta]

With all due respect, I think the old fart may have been toying with you.

 

[adanymous]

It wont hurt my feelers either way, but I sure dont wanna sell it for $550 if it is worth $950

 

[adanymous]

anybody else wanna chime in

 

[picketpin]

I have no idea what it's WORTH. It's not something I collect/buy.

I guess MY answer would be, you already KNOW what you paid and what you consider a reasonable profit margun. I'm not sure how much time you want to get an swer that may or may not be correct to tell you it's worth a whole lot more than you thought.

While it's not something I routinely follow, I am not sure the good ole boy has a clue. I hear stuff about #1s all the time 10% of that information MIGHT be remotely accurate.

the best

RWT

 

[chet15]

anybody else wanna chime in

Sure! In 1987 the first run of Ruger's Mini-30's were produced. These all had a 186- prefix serial number and a Sporter style stock with flat plastic buttplate (just like you describe). Not many of these were made before Ruger decided to make the Mini-30 only with the curved buttplate style stock. In fact, I've only heard of them from 186-00501 to 186-02174, and the sn's from 186-00001 to 186-00500 were never produced.
Then Ruger went to the 189- prefix for the Mini-30....presumably because of the stock change, but I do know of one early 189- gun that has the Sporter style stock (189-01047...probably a leftover from the earlier production).
OK, your's is a ranch rifle in .223. Is your gun blue or stainless? I know of one other gun, a stainless ranch rifle with this style buttplate. I'm thinking this change occurred in the Mini-14 before the first Mini-30's were made. But anyway, your gun is the second I know of and now I'm wondering if there aren't several thousand in this 187-492xx to 187-57673 serial range with Sporter style buttplates.
Maybe nobody noticed it???
Anybody else got a Mini-14 ranch rifle in this serial range???
I will be honest with you though. Its tough to put a high price on something when nobody knows about it.
Chet15

 

[doccash]

Don't know much about Ranch / mini rifles....but old farts I'm beginning to understand. Never underestimate "old farts"---sonny. Dr.C