Might get a Mini from an estate. There are several. What do I need to know? Best years? Most reliable production years? Etc...?

Thanks!

If you want to mount a scope, look for a Ranch Rifle. The more recent enhanced accuracy models have a heavier barrel tapered from the gas block toward the front sight. The front sight will have protective "wings" on each side of the blade.

ETA: I've never had one that was unreliable when used with Ruger brand magazines.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: arfmel,

i have seen a lot of the older mini's have a lot of rust/pitting in barrel possibly due to corrosive Ammo... I'm not sure if this is a common thing or just common in some of them I've seen.

Field strip and look at gas port in front of operating rod.
That will tell you if properly maintained and cleaned.
one more thing,American ammo maker haven used corrosive powders since the early fifties,Minies are not that old

Older mini-14s had a bit of barrel whip so accuracy was up and down. If you get an older model, check into Accu-strut.

They are good solid rifles. I sold mine long ago, but I never had a problem with it. It ate everything I fed to it. Mags can be pricey. If you don't go with ruger mags, it's a total crapshoot with loaded dice in favor of the house.

How GOOD are the Ruger magazines?

Compare/contrast the life expectancy, say, to AR Magpul and GI mags if you can.

My mini is from the early '90s, and I have three Ruger mags for it. I don't think I could shoot out the Ruger mags in my lifetime. You would have to abuse them, like drive over them with a car, to wear them out.

They load like am M14/M1A, which is to say, you rock them in, rather than slamming them in. A pin holds the top front edge of the mag, and the rear is held by the mag catch.

I am very happy with mine. Mine is old with the thin barrel, so it's slightly less accurate than an AR, but extremely reliable and easy to carry.

As an aside, my daughter much prefers the Mini to the AR for shooting and carrying. Says it fits her better.

What are the first three (3) digits of the serial number?

Ruger factory mags are steel and very durable. Easily the equal of AR15 GI mags, in my experience.

Older, thin barreled models: get an accu-strut or make one. Makes a big difference.

Rear sight on first gen ranch rifles sucks.

they launch brass. watch where you park your car.

The general consensus on magazines has always been just use Ruger and you will be good to go.

Any other manufacturers' just don't work out so well. Never got a solid answer why.

quote:

Originally posted by apprentice:
The general consensus on magazines has always been just use Ruger and you will be good to go.
Any other manufacturers' just don't work out so well. Never got a solid answer why.

PMI(Precision Mag Industries) magazines made during the Clinton ban years work just fine. The stainless PMI mags are marked on the bottom plates. But, not the blued ones. Here some pics of the PMI mags:

Paid $400.00 for a used ranch rifle, got a battle sight zero at 25 meters. Thin barrel shoots well when cold, group spreads as barrel heats up. Beats bouncing my Bushmaster around on the front of ATV.