Ruger Mini-14 Overview, History & Variants
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Welcome to Part 4 of my video series on the Ruger Mini-14 "Factory Folder" Semi Auto rifle
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This video is part 4 of a multi-video set featuring the Ruger Mini-14 semi auto rifle.
Series 1:
Part 1: Intro to the Mini-14
Part 2: POV Shooting (FPS style shooting video showing the gun in action, demonstrating the controls and ergonomics of the rifle, as well as any modifications I have done to the gun)
Part 3: Disassembly & Reassembly
Part 4: Overview of the firearm including design detail, function and features
Series 2:
Part 5: Shooting for Accuracy with the Mini-14
Thanks for tuning in! Lots more coming. I would appreciate your subscription as I hope to improve the level of content as the channel grows.
Correction Section:
Mini 14: Technical Specs:
- Calibre: .223
- Operating: Fixed Piston
- Modes of fire: Semi auto only
- Magazine Capacity: 5, 20, 30 (only 5 in Canada due to restrictive magazine limit laws)
- Sights: iron sights
- Barrel Length: 18.5"
- Barrel Twist: 1:9" RH
- Overall Length min/max:
- Weight: 6lbs 6oz with 13" barrel
- Muzzle Device: Flash Hider (pinned on)
The Ruger Mini-14 is classed based on barrel length in Canada. With a 18.5"+ barrel it is in the non-restricted category and legal to possess with a PAL (possession & acquisition license). The Chiappa 1887 T series shotgun is also a non restricted firearm in Canada.
#armandgun #mini14 #gunreview - Sport
![Why Won't the Ruger Mini-14 Just Die? [Part 1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EzyGl_w-IXg/mqdefault.jpg)
Recently I discovered my Mini-14 is an Oklahoma Highway Patrol 181 model. Apparently after a deadly shooting in 1978 the troopers were recalled to get better training and armaments to deal with more deadly scenarios. Mini-14's were issued that had specially made M1 Carbine styled stocks with a rubber buttpad along with the O.H.P. engraving and trooper number under the grip. Mine doesn't have a trooper number so it was never issued and didn't see use so it just sat in an armory until they were phased out for AR-15's. So lucky to have a own a piece of history that's practically in mint condition :)
Now all you need is one of the OHP 5.0 Notchback Mustangs to mount that badboy in.
that’s awesome. i have a ohp glock 17
Esse modelo é perfeito, será que fazem no calibre 7.62x51, .308 Win ??
There was a video that showed the mini-14 barrel wobble in very slow motion the barrel clearly flexes a lot. That accustrut stabilizes the barrel especially when it gets warm/hit.
In regards to the accu-strut, the concept revolves around the fact that if you ever watch any rifle being fired in slow motion you will see the barrel whip or flex. Because of the thin barrel in earlier mini-14s, this whip/flex is more pronounced and therefore causes more inaccuracy. By clamping the accu-strut to the barrel, it is supposed to lessen the whip/flex and therefore make it more accurate.
Tony Zee that’s what I was gonna post. Of course he isn’t completely wrong in thinking it’s not gonna do too much. Metal bends easily when hot and the Mini gets hot real fast. Inexperienced people hear about melting temperatures over 2,300 degrees and think the metallurgy stays consistent and solid until then but that’s not even close to true. Of course it’s unlikely the barrel will bend and drop but it will whip more erratically the hotter it gets and besides being thin an not having enough materials to absorb or dissipate, (surface area) the gas tube dumps tremendous amounts of heat back into the system and the heat shielding protects your hands, (this is good) but also reflect the heat back at the barrel.
I don't know if it's exposure to the A-Team and the Mousqueton AMD, but I really like this carbine, and that's probably my only unrational gun crush.
I have quite a few mini 14s. I liked even more after i did a dust test between it and my ar-15s . After that , iI sold all my ar-15s and starting collecting mini 14s .
I spoke to Ruger on the phone about my super-early 181 series Mini-14 my father passed down to me, because it said ".223 Rem" behind the rear sight. They said that any earlier model will shoot 5.56 just fine, despite being marked for only .223 Rem. I haven't personally shot 5.56 out of mine yet, but from what I was told it should be perfectly fine. I have also seen similar statements on Ruger forums, as well. Pretty sweet rifles! Funny how ARs are the main topic of debate for gun control, but nobody bats an eye at anyone carrying a mini lol.
I just bought a new 584 series, only the “Target” model mini is 223 only
All Mini-14's shoot 5.56 except the Target models but those are super rare nowadays that'll you'll never see one.
223 CAL not 223 rem stamped on mini-14's look again
I believe it says .223cal
not remington.
If it said remington, then I would hesitate to shoot .556nato
Very good review video and cool guns too
Nice collection! In answer to your question, which some people have wondered about- the amplitude of the waveform as recoil energy travels down the barrel is greatest at the exposed portion past the gasblock, as the barrel is supported only at one end at the gasblock; the muzzle end is free to whip about. The portion between the receiver and gasblock is supported at both ends, so stiffening that area wouldn't really do as much.
Compare accuracy with and without the strut. You should see a dramatic difference. Without strut, 4-6 MOA is typical; with strut, group size is typically reduced by half or even more (like 50-75%).
Accuracy Systems has aluminum top guards. I replaced my plastic gaurd with brushed aluminum one. Looks great excellent quality. They even have wood ones like the really early Mini-14 had. I have a 582 series, I like it. I swapped the gas orifice in the gas block in mine and installed a bolt buffer. Doing so,lowered the recoil a noticeable amount and probablely made it a little more accurate Took much of the clunkiness out. Felt like a totally different rifle after I lowered the gas pressure. I think it's way over gassed from the factory.
I'm a little late here but ultimak has a stainless railed top cover . L.James Sullivan did most of the engineering on the ar-15 and m-16 project . But he also worked on the m14 project for the army , he designed the Ruger m77 bolt action , he also designed the ultimax 100 beltfed , his last projects were the surefire mgx and a product improved m4 for arms west. The accu-strut is a harmonic dampener and a heat sink more than a reinforcement . Accuracy systems inc has a decent explanation.
Very cool 👍
I’d really like your thoughts on it. Great channel buddy. 👍
Dude thats such a cool gun!!
My brothers friend who's a member of the Bermuda defense force was qualified with ruger mini 14's until the replacement of the l85 just recently.
If my wife caught me watching your videos...
just picked mine up this afternoon! ranch model, in stainless.. came with two 5rd mags (boo) but the store i bought it at had 20's and 30's for sale behind the counter so grabbed one of each of those.. and 2 boxes of ammo for $1,068.99 definitely worth it
Just picked up a 14 and a 30 off the original owner, he bought new 30 yrs ago. Bunch of mags and the 14 has a old butler creek syn stock and extended flash hider, plus the original wood one 👍
Nice mini's just picked up a tactical mini. Put a leupold mark ar mod one on it and it's a sweet shooter so far. Yeah only sighted in at 25 yards but still made better groups than my ar15. They was a little bit under an inch off the back of an atv.
Good job on this video overall. However, you missed a variant made for Italy. That model was chambered in .222 cal as the Italians cant have firearms chambered in military calibers. Just a little FYI for ya. 😎👍
Hey , thanks for you videos I like your format. A I have the same Sage setup. Any idea where I can source the front hand guard and sling mount?
The accu strut keeps the barrel from "flexing" as it is fired. Check out any rifle being fired in slow motion. AK rifles "flex" a lot.
Also helps displace heat
@@mightymouse8095 Yes sir, thank you!
The Taper of the barrel ends (taper decreases deflection ) it ends where the barrel straightens, therefore the addition of the barrel support at the two points provides rigidity.. just my two cents
If you like the mini 14, try the mini 30 it’s big brother. Shoots 7.62x39 ammo, basically a low power 308. I love mine and use it for deer hunting. Also the ammo is super cheap if you run Russian steel stuff. Despite the negative videos on steel case ammo problems, for the most part mine runs steel case fine and I hint with Tula 154 grain soft points. Great ammo for 50 cents a round.
Thanks for the videos on this classic American rifle.
I love my mini 30, its been my favorite rifle since the 90s. it'll run all steel consistently with the exception of Tula. I'd say at least 3 - 4 rounds out of every 20 doesn't fire in the first hit.
Thanks! Where do you get the Stainless steel Mags that are Reliable?
I would love a mini-14 SBR, AC-556 clone with the 13" barrel.
They make a-tm stocks and sawzaws
@@Southized wtf is a sawzaw 😭
@@ZootedSosa Milwaukee product
Unlike the ar the mini 14 does not throw up into its own mouth.
I’ve got a 180 series I bought in 1974 for the large price of $400 early mini 14s were hit or miss you either had good accuracy acceptable or you had bad accuracy mine was one of the better ones hundred yards I get 2 inches all day long that is until the barrel heated up the Accu strut does help is strengthens the far end of the barrel which is thinner than the rest there’s a great article out there that you can find doing a Google search on the issue with the barrel Ruger knew about it and to keep the rifle and a price for everybody can afford at the time it just kept that profile the early 180 series was also able to fire 5.56 as well as 223 that is from the manual that I received with a gun when I bought it back in 1974 and also because of so many folks saying that you couldn’t fire 5.56 out of a mini 14 I went and contacted the company again several years ago and everything is good to go 5.56 or 223 are fired nothing but 5.56 out of mine and hasn’t been any issues at all it’s killed many deer and many predators in my early years
Please excuse any grammatical errors as this was dictated on the go
I have a 183 series rifle. The harmonics balancer I added did improve accuracy from horrible (2" group at 25 yards) to a half inch or less. No idea how it works but I think you get more 'whip' at the end of the barrel where it is actually the thinnest than at the thicker part closer to the breech
What balancer did you use? I have a 183
@@demo2952 Mine is earlier... like one of the first with a tapered barrel. I forget the brand but it is the one with what looks like a 5/8" bolt head on the end of the tube.. It was fairly expensive at the time so I did some tests with lead weights and hose clamps at the range. Moving the clamps around on the barrel from a rest at 25 yards the groups shrank from say 2" to just over an inch. Sooo... I figured I would give the dampner a try. since then with my handloads I have shot groups at 25 Yards that can be covered with a quarter. Bad news is that (possibly because of the tapered barrel) no matter how tight I got the clamps... the dampner wants to creep forward when shooting Possibly a good two part epoxy on the clamp would be enough but as you know the barrel gets HOT No matter how much I warn people someone manages to get burned. My solution.... while extremely effective... is not elegant I sectioned in half, I piece of 3/8" pipe and measured between the front clamp and the front sight and cut to length. installed everything again and tack welded the pipe section to the lower front clamp. Took it down again and welded it with my mig. no more problems! The gun went from a really fun short range plinker to a very accurate short to mid range (25-75+) yards plinker. Most people can hit a beer can at 50 yards with it now. I got the gun on a good trade years ago so don't have much in it but at this point I would not sell it. I would suggest you do some serious 25 yard sandbag shooting now. If your groups are say one inch or so now? you most likely will not notice the improvement even if your groups are say 25% better with a dampner. If they are in the 2" or so size that means like 8" at 100 yards and that was just not acceptable to me The mini now shoots right at 2" at 50 yards... I want all my open sight rifles to shoot under 2" at 50 yards. That really is about the best my eyes can do. Next time you are at an official range go to the 50 yard line... you will see folks with nice rifles with scopes shooting 3" or worse groups! Most of my handguns will do that good.. My old Remington 81 semi auto in .300 savage will shoot just over 2" at that range. Last time I was there I actually had 4 or five shooters stand behind me and watch LOL! They wanted to know what I was doing to get that but that was not the right question. the right question was... what were they doing wrong. I would say 90% or better of the time they were .........flinching Powerful rounds from sandbags with a straight line to the shoulder and sharp trigger guards... you do the math. Some dismissed my groups saying it was my handloads.. LOL... my handloads really are never better or... not much better.. .than good factory loads. I don't load for extreme accuracy. I load for 'cheap' and function and good accuracy. If I get factory accuracy with cheap and good functioning? great. Sorry for the long rant but it is a subject that I think about from time to time. My son wants me to do a podcast (whatever that is) He did a test youtube for me years ago but all it is is a 20 sec vid of me walking up (limping up) to my 52 Panhead and kick starting it first try with my left leg (right leg not so good from wreck) I love to 'improve' things. Almost everything can be improved with a little skill and imagination. Tools get rusty? I learned to nickel plate and now they are rust proof (mostly) and 'pretty. My black powder revolvers were really 'improved' when I nickel plated em. Gorgeous (IMO) and they clean up much easier... I also reamed the cylinders to bore size (that accuracy thing) Well... if you lasted this long without falling asleep let me say... it got the ball rolling so that I may just do another vid on the things I have mentioned here. Soooo.. thanks for the inspiration.
A Team rifle!
Hi. I think I have an early 80s (187 sn) Ranch rifle with the same stainless stock. Any way to tell if the rifle came with the stock from the manufacturer? Can we tell the year manufactured from the sereal number?
Minis are like the M1 garand, not the M14. Mini and Garand are long stroke, M14 is short. Just my 2 cents. Awesome review btw! Minis need more love lo
I think that was really the idea with the target model. Any rifle chambered in 5.56 isn't going to shoot any given .223 round as well as a rifle chamber for .223. Well before .223 wylde I guess though I haven't actually seen or done any testing to see how well .223 wylde actually work.
When you buy any new gun don’t go cheap, buy several brands and different bullet weights and find out what your gun likes the best
Went through and didnt find a video on the mini14 target. Just arent many on youtube showing them or what they can really do. Considering picking one up cause ive wanted a mini14.
I have a Target model. It's pretty accurate, but extremely heavy.
A team serie
What brand and where did you get the strut and flash suppresser?
Can we use the back end of the collapsible stock as front grip when it's folded?
Sampson makes a cover with rails and a spot for rmr
is the muzzle brake or flash hider pinned or 10x28 threaded? Want to do similar for ranch but threaded barrel not available
You forgot about the. 222 Remington clambering. These were produced for export though the occasional one popped up in the US mmarket. Mainly Mexico and France saw these guns because it's illegal for civilians to own arms in military calibers.
The talking hands.
The Chiappa has WHAT to do with the Mini-14?
What kind of Hormonic Turner is that?
Does the "fandangled device" actually do what it is supposed to do? Thanks to all who chime in. Check accuracy systems .com for a silver hand guard. Pretty sure they have 'em. Shoot safely, my Friends!
Where can I find a accu-strut?
Esse modelo é e perfeito muito bonito, prático, compacto, mas será que tem neste modelo no calibre 7.62x51, .308 win ???
Bral bych ac - 556 s 13" hlavní, a pokud možno se sklápěcí pažbou.
as well, as well, as well, as well, as well, as well, as well, as well
I really want a mini. I got an AR the summer before Trump got in office preparing for the worst. I don’t really like the platform. I’m not a big rifle guy. But do love the mini. I just got the basic entry level rifle. It’s one of armalite budget offerings. What do you think I could get in trade. In 2021.
I own a 183
Apparently you don't even read the RUGER Owners Manuals before making uninformed statements. If you had read the Owners Manuals you would have noticed that the caliber of the rifles are listed as 223 (5.56 MM) and it clearly states that it is perfectly safe to shoot the military 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge as it has been from the start.
Nerd
It's too bad 1887s are so cool because no matter whether you get an original Winchester, a good clone like the Chiappa or an out right cheap shit chinesium Centry Arms they run like shit. Most ammo finicky manual action firearm I've ever run but damn when you do get them to run they are fun. A lot of companies are putting out paper shells again try those for the best results.
I had a mini 30 , sold it , and got an AK , never looked back . Nothing wrong with it .........but not a lot right about it either . Very uninspired . It just felt cheap .
Looks like these are gone to Canada sucks
Garand is pronoun Garan. It's a french familly name and the "D" is silent.
Good video anyway
LOL. that accu-strut add-on is hilarious. This rifle really that bad? Reminds me of that Ford diesel engine a while back.. people would install those giant clamps over the heads to keep them from falling off the bottom end LMAO. Nothing worse than an inaccurate gun.
Thats what I say about tupperware 15s. They have a forward assist button! Nothing worse than a unreliable rifle.
5 moa .. your being kind ..heat impact shift . ruger junk known for years did nothing till the dies wore out .. then had to improve .. cheap mother f--ker's .. thank god old bill died .. gun so bad they started to make ar-15's to save the co. .. screw ruger you will find out the shit they made
Roy Rodriguez a bit harsh. But not entirely incorrect or unwarranted. It’s a cool gun but it has significant shortcomings. Plenty good enough for a magazine or perhaps two but the heat accumulation in the barrel causes a visible whip to the human eye that is startling especially when viewing it in slow motion. It’s really a 50yrd plinking gun with slightly less accuracy then a beat up old 10/22 with a rusty barrel.
well I bought a first stainless in the 80's total crap , sold it in days .. I had one of the early first model 1970 blued with the top wood hand guard . that worked very well .loved it ..it was true to the m-14 / m-1 carbine .. .worked was a joy to carry and shoot ..look I say crap because its like ruger makes a gun and never test it .. one mag will tell you the stainless is not stressed right .. but who cares just sell it why fix it .. now we all know why the A-team never hit anyone ..