thoughts on the mini 14?

[INMIline]

I just picked one up with a folding stock for $350. Clean, I didn't get hurt. But it's my first. So is it true that only the Ruger brand mags are worth running?

[TOrrock]

So is it true that only the Ruger brand mags are worth running?

Yes, and stick with the 20rd mags.

They can shoot decently, but they tend to heat up quickly and get POI shift. Cutting the barrel back to 16" and recrowning it actually tends to help in the accuracy department.

What generation is it?

[Littlelebowski]

I wouldn't want one over an AR but I'd darned sure consider it for that price. Nice deal.

[travistheone]

Great price.

Fun little guns, easy to strip.

Mag changes can be sticky, practice with them. Stay with Ruger branded mags.

[bkb0000]

meh... they're lame. but i agree that the price you paid is good to go- even if you hate it as much as i hated mine, you could still make money on the deal. i sold my all-weather model for $550 a couple years ago, having paid $420 for it about 8-9 years ago.

[ST911]

Mini-14: Sporting/hobby/commercial grade gun. Reliable, but not durable. For best results, use OEM mags and SAAMI spec ammunition only. Shoot it enough and you will have certain parts issues at relatively predictable intervals. If you can get a spare firing pin. You'll be needing it.

Newer generation (580+ series) are better than the older ones.

[556mp]

Yes, and stick with the 20rd mags.

They can shoot decently, but they tend to heat up quickly and get POI shift. Cutting the barrel back to 16" and recrowning it actually tends to help in the accuracy department.

What generation is it?

A good friend of mine had one cut back and it had a surprising improvement in accuracy.

As for reliability... I never beat them up, so I couldn't say. But I can say that aftermarket mags a junk. Probably 2/3 of the 10round mags I purchased had the indexing holes stamped in the wrong spot and they would not feed rounds.

My ranch rifle would string the shots once hot but they are fun guns and serve their purpose. I also had a old pre-ban folder many years ago. I should have kept it as I live in NY and things like that are a rare find.

Anyway, good luck and enjoy.

[ST911]

A good friend of mine had one cut back and it had a surprising improvement in accuracy.

Cutting the barrel back to 16" is the easiest way to improve their accuracy and consistency.

[wetidlerjr]

Cutting the barrel back to 16" is the easiest way to improve their accuracy and consistency.

The barrel on my Tactical is 16.12" from the factory.

[RAM Engineer]

There used to be a gunsmith up in middle Tennesee that specialized in the Mini-14. I can't remember the name of it right now...