Countries Whose Military Use theMini 14

[Black Fly]

I was looking through a website the other day and saw a photo of some Haitian ex-soldiers who were carrying the Mini's that they had been issued when in the military, before it was disbanded. I have also read that Peru's military had made a purchase of Mini's. I'm curious what other countries have used the Mini for their military and were they a primary rifle, or more limited in function.
Thanks
Bfly

 

[j p sixguns welldone]

Black Fly when I was in the Marine Corps. we trained with the Bermuda Regiment and they used the mini 14. J.P.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Our late Mentor, WBR's son-in-law, Steven Vogel, made lots of money for Sturm Ruger by negotiating those sales contracts with foreign nations! 8)

 

[SteelShooter]

Whole bunch of photos and information out there on these guys. They even have their own website. Lots of photos of the Mini-14, initially supplied in a wood stock, but Bermuda replaced those with Choate stocks.

The guns carried a special roll mark of the Bermuda Regiments crest on the side of the receiver.

Think these are pretty rare in the US. Is mentioned in the Wilson book.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda_Regiment

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?182498-Bermuda-Regiment

 

[E]

I've always wondered how those Choate stocks handle on a Mini -- lighter than the wood? Balance? Cool pics throughout.

 

[Pinecone]

E, I've had a Choate stock on my Mini-14 for the past 15 years and I wouldn't go back to wood. It seems a little lighter although I have never weight compared them. What I like is the fact it is good in all kinds of weather, a better more solid grip and it takes dings and bumps a lot better than wood. The recoil pad that came on the Choate gives me a perfect 14 inch length-of-pull. With the Choate, I have 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards with match grade ammo. It's my first choice now for deer and varmints.........................Dick :wink:

 

[E]

Thanks for the input, Pinecone. One of those OD green Choate stocks seems to be calling me a little louder than it was before.

 

[blume357]

All of my mini's have Butler Creek folding stocks on them... but I have two rifles with Choates and if I had to choose now I'd probably go Choate. I may be wrong, but I think the Butler Creek manufacturing has gone 'off shore'. As far as I know, Choates are still made here.

I had an email conversation with the head guy of Choate a few years back when I was modifying my PC9 with one of their stocks and looking for butt pad extensions. He seemed like a really knowledgeable and helpful person.

I put a Choate folder on my M1 carbine and I can agree... I'll never go back

 

[chet15]

Ruger made a group of Mini's for France...probably a fairly substantial contract...The rollmark on the receiver is also in french on those.
Then there were also the guns made in .222 which were not for the U.S. market. These are generally associated with Canada, but being a non-NATO round did other countries get some in .222 as well?
Chet15

 

[EVR]

Ruger made a group of Mini's for France...probably a fairly substantial contract...The rollmark on the receiver is also in french on those.
Then there were also the guns made in .222 which were not for the U.S. market. These are generally associated with Canada, but being a non-NATO round did other countries get some in .222 as well?
Chet15

The Mini was pretty common among French police & internal security forces years ago.

Curious about the .222.

Commercial sales? PLease elaborate. Very interesting.