Mini 14 Target Rifle Question

[Breck6812]

Purchased my first mini 14 with the thought that since the target rifle has an "accurized" barrel it would be a good fit for my wife and I since we are both newbie shooters. It is apparent that this gun is intended to be shot from a bench since it is very heavy. Problem is we would like to shoulder the weapon also but the added weight of the barrel stabilizer makes it too heavy for my wife. My question is whether or not it is safe to change the barrel to perhaps the "ranch" style barrel to reduce the weight. Also wondering if perhaps cutting the barrel down below the grooves is a safe option also. Any advice for this newbie is helpful.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

You can remove the harmonic barrel tuner but the basic Mini 14 Target is around 9+ pounds so I don't know how much that will help.

A review http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Mini14Target.htm

 

[Breck6812]

I did consider removing the barrel tuner but as you can see it makes for one ugly gun when removed. Hoping that swapping barrels is an option.

 

[dfletcher]

As a long suffering Mini 14 fan my approach would be to simply get rid of the Target version and get the regular "new and improved" standard Mini 14. If you like the current thumbhole stock I'm pretty sure one can be found, just drop your new Mini into that one - or, buy the new Mini, swap stocks and sell the Target version in a conventional stock. There are other approaches I suppose.

For a lighter "Target gun" you could swap out stocks to something conventional or even synthetic. You could send the rifle to Accuracy Systems for the barrel change. If a "take off" barrel is found and installed by a local gunsmith I would ensure it is the newer stout barrel rather than the "pencil barrel" type. The Mini Target uses (I think) a standard size gas block so it seems to me that can be recycled off the old gun.

 

[Breck6812]

Thanks Fletch, I have tried selling the rifle but unfortunately I can't get even close to what I paid for it. I did find a reputable gun smith that would reluctantly cut & crown the current barrel but did recommend that I simply re-barrel it. Hopefully I can find a heavy barrel locally without having to ship it off. In the meantime though I think I will invest in another mini as I am already upside down in my current version. Any thoughts on where I can order a heavy barrel?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Since the target Mini doesn't have a front sight cutting and crowning the existing barrel should be a piece of cake. Ask another gunsmith. Should cost about $50.

 

[GMan351]

Trade it. I'm sure if you post on here that you would trade for a newer Mini and what type you would want (stainless, blued, wood, syn...), someone would probably take you up on it. True you have more money in yours than a regular Mini, but instead of putting more money into it, get what you want by trading. You'd be happy and they would too.

Just an idea........and I don't have one to trade.

 

[wunbe]

Ruger made a target model of the mini 14!!! That's like lowering an Edsal.

wunbe