Looking to pick up a mini 14 for a ranch gun. Don't need it, just want to add one to my collection. Varmint, target, etc.... Who has one and do you like it?

Got one. Love it!

I had an early 2000's ranch rifle on which I operated the iron sights. I liked it. It was reliable and sturdy. It was accurate enough for a carbine, but I would recommend a more recent model with the somewhat larger diameter/heavier barrel. It has a bit better accuracy I am to understand.

My brother has one. It would be excellent for ranch service.

Forgot to ask also, which model do y'all have and why you like it?

Curious... what's the draw to these over an AR-15? Are they lighter? Cheaper? More reliable?

It's a semi-auto .223, right?

My dad has an older Mini14. It's very servicable and reliable, and fun to shoot. I almost got one myself, but for roughly the same money, I got a Ruger Gunsite Scout. It's a bolt gun, and more accurate than the Mini. plus, I've got several ARs so I already had a semi .223. The RGS comes in both .223 and .308. It's now my son's deer rifle and my all-around ranch rifle

I have the Ruger Mini and love it

They break fewer of the scary black rifle rules that gun banners want to bring back.

I have one and like it, but, like my AR much better. If you have an AR already and you just want one, go for it. One word of caution; don't buy anything other than Ruger brand magazines for it or it will jam.

My brother has a stainless Mini 14 that is a great gun. I researched them pretty thoroughly before I purchased an AR some years ago. I'm having trouble recalling why I ultimately decided on the AR, but I think the AR I was looking at had an edge in accuracy, IDK, I paid more for the AR, so I know I had a reason to go that route.... But the Mini 14 is a real good and proven rifle for the money and would make a great ranch gun. (I also like the Mini 30s, but haven't shot one yet..)

We have one... It's heavier and less accurate than my AR. It's fun to shoot, but I would take an AR over it all day long.

Yep. Have the synthetic/stainless version with the standard barrel.

Highly recommend this barrel stabilizer that improved accuracy at 100 yards from 6" groups to 2-3" groups... especially helpful to dissipate heat as well when emptying a 10 or 20 shot mag:

http://www.trueshottechnologies.com/

_89

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Curious... what's the draw to these over an AR-15? Are they lighter? Cheaper? More reliable?

It's a semi-auto .223, right?

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Lighter? No

Cheaper? No

More reliable? No

More accurate? No.

If you want one just to get one, go for it. I totally understand "I want it, have the money and I think I'd like it" as being more than reason enough to buy a gun.

But it is inferior to the AR in basically every way possible. Doesn't mean it isn't worth owning or that it won't work just fine for you....just that it isn't the best option.

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Haha, that answers my question for sure.

I can certainly see the appeal of a traditional looking rifle, with wood stock. My dad hates all the tactical looking stuff. He appreciates a classic wooden stock. And they certainly do have a certain element of pretty. I suppose I could see getting one for that reason.

We have two.

Stainless/synthetic one bought new in early 2000's
Blued/wood one hat i bought used mfg in the 80's

Both are great guns. Not tack drivers but both have killed their fair share of yotes and piggies

My LGS (NW Houston) has one on cash consignment in 300BLK with synthetic stock.
I've thought about picking that up - would be a killer truck gun on the ranch

I like the wood stock look. I have an AR. I just have been wanting a mini 14 for a while and I'm ready to pull the trigger. My AR is rigged out so this mini 14 would be my every day truck/gator gun.

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Mini outperforms AR in one area vastly: butt stroking.

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Not to be overlooked!

Is that a SBR or 16" barrel?

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Is that a SBR or 16" barrel?

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That top one is an AC-556 machine gun with a 13" barrel.

SBR stainless factory folders are super sexy.

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Is that a SBR or 16" barrel?

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That top one is an AC-556 machine gun with a 13" barrel.

SBR stainless factory folders are super sexy.

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There's some cops in France using AC-556s. After the latest attacks in Paris there were some pictures of them out and about with them.

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I like the wood stock look. I have an AR. I just have been wanting a mini 14 for a while and I'm ready to pull the trigger. My AR is rigged out so this mini 14 would be my every day truck/gator gun.

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk you out of it. Just pointing out the differences for someone who asked.

I get the buying something because it's different thing. If you want it, go for it!

That's why I have a Tavor.

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Curious... what's the draw to these over an AR-15? Are they lighter? Cheaper? More reliable?

It's a semi-auto .223, right?

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I just prefer the feel of an old school wood stock rifle. I have a few BBG's and they don't feel right, and are too loud for my sensitive ears.

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Is that a SBR or 16" barrel?

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That top one is an AC-556 machine gun with a 13" barrel

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You had me at machine gun.

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I like the wood stock look. I have an AR. I just have been wanting a mini 14 for a while and I'm ready to pull the trigger. My AR is rigged out so this mini 14 would be my every day truck/gator gun.

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk you out of it. Just pointing out the differences for someone who asked.

I get the buying something because it's different thing. If you want it, go for it!

That's why I have a Tavor.

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That's why I have a PMR-30!

When I got into guns, I made it my mission to collect every type of gun used in the show. That's why I have a crappy Tec-9 that lives in the safe never to see the light of day

I liked mine, but had to sell a gun to buy a gun.

Love my Mini.
It is a very different gun than my AR, and I don't know why they are always compared.
The Mini was designed as a ranch hand gun and it is well suited to carrying in the woods and in a truck. I find the Mini more enjoyable to hike around with and it is very attraction a nostalgic way.

The Mini 14 is a lot of fun, I like the Garand style action. I enjoy shooting it more than ARs. I bought mine right before the first Clinton scary looking gun and high capacity magazine ban for $458 at the Marine Corps exchange. If the opportunity presents itself I'd like to ad a Mini Thirty to go with it.

I agree with Bender. Even Bill Ruger called it "the worlds most expensive plinking gun."
If you want one to have it, by all means...but it would not be my first choice for a semi auto rifle

I like my mini 14