We have had a love/hate relationship with the Ruger Mini-14 since we first became aware of them in the 1980s. Like a typical kid growing up in New York City at the time, my first exposure to the Mini-14 was watching the A-Team when I was in the 8th grade. I always liked their look, and who wouldn’t? It was a scaled-down M14, and Ruger used to offer them with a metal folding stock.
I have owned two over the years, thus the nature of the “hate”. Despite placing optics on them, they never came close to an AR in the accuracy department. Magazines made by the aftermarket companies were less reliable and more expensive than their AR counterparts, and it just seemed as if you had to pour more money into them to get them to run the way you wanted them.
Until now, that is!
Ruger Mini-14 Rifle
Well, actually, until a few years ago (2005) when Ruger overhauled the Mini-14’s shortcomings.
The Mini-14 piqued our curiosity when we started seeing their prices inch higher than comparable ARs, and knowing Ruger’s marketing and sales strategies led us to believe that they were doing something right.
We asked Ruger to send us one for review. They responded by shipping us a Mini-14 tactical stainless model with a threaded barrel, flash suppressor, and a traditional black synthetic stock. The rifle shipped with a Picatinny scope mount, 1” rings, and 20-round magazines.
Ruger Mini-14 Rifle: The Good
While we love the classic looks and styling of the Mini-14, it is all not just for show. The sights are reminiscent of the M14 as well. The front sight is a blade protected by wings on each side, just like the M14, M1A, or M1 Garand. The rear receiver-mounted aperture sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation.
Even though our rifle came with a scope base and rings and one of the first Minis we fired was a scoped ranch rifle, we strongly prefer these iron sights to optics.
At the range, we had a Mini-14 flashback and were expecting something on the order of a 4 MOA rifle. We were pleasantly surprised to achieve less than half that with the irons!
The 20-round factory magazines were impressive and proved reliable on every shooting session. However, it made us call to mind a conversation with a Ruger sales rep over 20 years ago when we asked if Ruger would offer a 10-round magazine instead of the current (at the time) 5-round magazine.
He answered, “Why would you need more than 5-rounds in a hunting rifle?”
We sold our Mini-14 within a week but are thankful that the company has since taken a better outlook on accessories. The factory 20-round magazines made our day.
Ruger Mini-14 Rifle: The Bad
One of the reasons we wanted to try the Mini-14 was to see if we could address one of the rifle’s shortcomings regarding mounting a suppressor. A true gas gun like its bigger brother, the M14 means that the shooter will end up with a face full of gas due to the open top receiver.
We solved that problem with the M14 but found no way to beat the gas system on the Mini. A few of our friends on the hardware side had ideas, but none came to fruition in time for our review. It is a shame because this version has a threaded barrel, but the only real solution might be an OSS-type suppressor that eliminates this type of pressure significantly.
The factory trigger breaks at 6.5 to 7 pounds from the factory. Take-up is long and gritty. This is not the type of trigger that we like on a rifle. There are aftermarket triggers available that can improve this, but we would like to see Ruger step it up here as they have with their factory AR and 10/22 triggers. This is one of their flagship rifles, after all.
All that said, the suppression and the factory trigger are minor concerns. The trigger can be cleaned up, and some rifles simply will not suppress well.
Ruger Mini-14 Rifle: The Reality
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Extractor, Ss - Extractor For Ruger Mini-14 Rifle | Brownells.com | $ 13.49 |
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Ruger Mini 14 Ranch .223 Remington Rifle, Black Synthetic - 5817 | Palmetto State Armory | $ 1269.99 $ 1103.99 |
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Ruger Mini 14 Ranch .223 Remington Rifle, Black Synthetic - 5817 | Palmetto State Armory | $ 1349.99 $ 1049.99 |
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ProMag Archangel Sparta Pistol Grip Conversion Polymer Stock for Ruger Mini-14, Mini Thirty, 6.8 Ranch Rifle | GunMag Warehouse | $ 214.99 |
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If you are looking for an accurate, reliable, semiautomatic rifle with more of a traditional sporting rifle stock, the improved version of the Mini-14 may be what the doctor ordered. It can also help those suffering from AR burnout or shooters who live in “ban states” governed by prejudiced lawmakers who base their legislation on appearance over function.
It is one of the few semi-automatic rifles available in stainless steel and that may be enough of a reason for some shooters interested in an “all-weather” rifle. Ruger offers the rifle in other calibers as well, such as 300 Blackout, and the rifle’s cousin is known as the Mini-30 in 7.62 X 39.
Apart from all of that, the Ruger Mini-14 is a classic American design that is perfect for the M14 aficionado or anyone who was a fan of the original A-Team series from the 1980s.
Specifications:
- Model Number: 5819
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Stock: Black Synthetic
- Front Sight: Blade
- Rear Sight: Adjustable
- Thread Pitch: 1/2″-28
- Bbl Twist: 1:9″ RH with 6 grooves
- Magazine Capacity: 20
- Finish: Matte Stainless
- Weight: 6.7 lb.
- Overall Length: 36.75″
- Barrel Length: 16.12″
- Length of Pull: 13″
- MSRP: $1359.00
Mike Searson’s career as a shooter began as a Marine Rifleman at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989.
Mike has written over 2000 articles for a number of magazines, websites, and newsletters, including Blade, RECOIL, OFF-GRID, Tactical Officer, SWAT, Tactical World, Gun Digest, Examiner.com, and the US Concealed Carry Association, as well as AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.
Sorry you came to the party late – I have a Mini built in 1976 (when I bought it) something to do with the 200th year of American Liberty. Granted I don’t shoot it all that often (collectible more or less) but I never had a single one of the ‘issues’ that are supposedly inherent with this rifle. I’ll hang onto it thank you very much.
My issue has been reliability … Accuracy is fine but I have had repeated problems with failures to eject and with the trigger group unlocking itself and dropping down … Have now had it back to the factory twice … Have not range checked it since its second return from repair a week ago … Ruger people are good folks and I’ve owned other Ruger products that were good but this one bothers me … Just don’t know if I can depend on it when the chips are down … It’s a confidence thing … Travel requirements mean I won’t… Read more »
Thanks for the article Mike all good points, I too have had a love/hate relationship with the Mini. However over the years I’ve appreciated some other very positive aspects of these newer Mini’s/ranch rifles: – you can top it off with loose rounds while the mag is still in place (even with a scope attached). this is very useful if you lose your other mags or you’re down to only one mag. can’t do that with an AR,Ak, HK93, etc -checking the chamber is easier and bolt returns to battery. this is a weak point of non reciprocating bolt handle… Read more »
Stumbled on this review, but before I get going, a heads up to Washingtonians. Lawmakers in WA State are preparing to ban all Semi- Auto Rifles. “ALL OF THEM” Takes effect July1st 2019 if passed. Billionaires Paul Allen and some other Microsoft Fool are hell bent on trashing the 2nd. Paul Allen is dumping 2 Million of his own into the mix. WA Sates is screwed 7 ways to Sunday. Their proposed Bill is so unconstitutional at both the State and Federal Level it is beyond absurd. It is 32 pages long and 100% Out of control. They have word… Read more »
I’ve had and played with several Mini-14s over the years. I had a “fix” for the old ones that worked consistently for me. I’d replace the front sight with a finer sight (an HK type seemed to work best for me) and then stick with 64-grain Winchester JSPs for hunting and the 62-grain FMJ ammo for plinking. The groups would always shrink in half by doing this and friends who tried it also had good results.
I bought my first Mini-14 post-2005 and kept hearing of their inherent flyer prone inaccuracy which I found non-existent in my scoped one. I was grouping around 1.5 moa and sometimes better depending on ammo quality. Hornady TAP 75gr .223/ HSM 77gr 5.56 (they stabilize, no keyholing) was best, the latter better and harder to come by, next Lake City/Win M855. I found it funny that Hornady’s TAP T2 75gr. had poorer grouping (shortened bullet profile/lower BC most likely). I also inadvertently increased accuracy that reduced barrel harmonics with out using/applying any of the after-market stabilizing braces. I do wish… Read more »