Bountyhunter

I want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly. Everything from function to what accessories work and which ones don't. Anyone use anything other than Ruger magazines? Pics would be welcome too.

44s Rock

Mine's plane jane w/ all factory mags except a 30, going to have to check when I get home.

deputy125

have not had one in over a decade.......almost 2............

they are a solid carbine especially if you treat it as a hunting tool or a police carbine to end a threat....in other words, treat it like a 30-30 with the same accuracy standards and firepower usage. That barrel on the mini is lighter weight and heats up faster and the sights are not as precise as the AR series.............

The mini is not a mega-blaster designed to lay down supressive firepower and expecting benchrest accuracy. If the later two are your goals, then the AR series is the best.

The mini in my opinion is one heck of a good tool and i actually like them over the AR series as they just fit me better and actually seem more reliable within their limitations/

As far as after-market equipment, been there, done that...........and never again. "tactical scout" forward rails for scopes or to co-witness red dots are worthless as are the "see thru" scout scope mounts. Nothing beats the ruger scope rings as far as optics, but should you plan on wanting to mount an eotech or such, then i would recomend something like this.......... http://www.amazon.com/Ruger-Ranch-Rifle ... B001CN9V8G

http://www.amazon.com/Ruger-Ranch-Rifle ... B001CNFEGE

there are several styles out there but i like those that will just lay a flat mounting base over the ruger dove tails so you can install what-ever you want from a eotech to just using regular weaver scope rings to using see-thru rings with a scope or quick detachable rings so you can still use the irons....... will not force you to remove the rear sight...........they are made out of aluminum and you can just cut ans shorten them as you like.

Stay away from the b-square side scope mount as they are a pain to maintain zero.

Most flash supressors in my opinion are a waste of time as well and can mess with the barrel harmonics and accuracy.

in other words, if you are really wanting to trick her out and go all out............the AR is most likely better. But if you are going to leave her stock, then some ruger factory mags, a sling, and perhaps a weaver style mounting base for an eotech or halo sight is in my opinion the most sound choices you can make.......all the other window dressing just drives the costs up into the AR range and do nothing really to increase the productivity of the carbine.

Bountyhunter

Deputy, I already have the Mini. Just looking for a do's and don'ts sort of list. Although you did cover quite a few do's and don'ts.

As far as optics, I might try it with a 22 magnum scope I have here if I hunt with it, but I'm going to stick with the factory sights. It's a SHTF, and fun gun. No need to put a bunch of crap on it that might break when it's needed most. Looking for a defensive gun, not a tack driver. I got the newer model, so better barrel, better accuracy, and better sights than the older ones I looked at. I mostly bought it because I have about 3000 rounds of 223 sitting here and no 223 .

Bountyhunter

It'll do what you need it to I'm s ure!

gunman42782

Have owned a bunch over the years. You can learn a lot at perfectunion.com, although some of the guys over there seem to be Ruger bashers.

Snuffy

With the type of work Ruger is turning out these days I can well understand why Ruger is bashed. The best thing about the older Min1 14's is that they will feed anything in223 ever wolff. They willcover alot of area meanignthey won't group or at least mine wouldn't. But they will shoot as fast as you can pull the triger.

Pathfinder06

BH... I now understand the mini 14 purchase due to in-stock ammo... but I'm just curious what you didn't like about the M1A.

Bountyhunter

I liked everything about it. I needed the money.