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Ruger Mini-14: Homestead Defender Pt 2

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  • Added: 12-Nov-08

PART 2 OF 3:
The Ruger Mini-14 is everything that Ruger says it is: light, fast handling, and durable. Right or wrong, Ruger has always marketed the Mini-14 as ranch and varmint rifle. However it also is a viable, high-value defensive rifle choice that makes a lot of sense and thousands of good people have purchased a Mini-14 with that exact use in mind. Nutnfancy has had a lot of trigger time behind Minis and can attest to their durability, reliability, and indeed impressive handling characteristics. For those users wanting customization, the Mini-14 can be outfitted with folding stocks (Butler Creek folder being the best) barrel shrouds, flash suppressors (older Minis), normal capacity magazines, and optics. In recent years the Mini-14 was finally improved by Ruger: thicker, more accurate barrel, an improved synthetic stock, and improved iron peep sights. Nicely done. The Mini-14 represents a good value in tactical carbines that can serve well in the defensive/offensive role as needed by law enforcement, select military users, and good ole civilian sheepdogs. But it has some definite downsides that a potential buyer should consider. First, its touted lightweight will be worsened by the fitment of optics using the heavy steel Ruger rings (included). And the normal capacity. quality magazines for the Mini-14 (like ProMag brand and Ruger factory mags) are usually made of steel and will add even more weight to your loadout (compared to AR-15 alternatives). Other downsides include: still unimpressive accuracy of only about 3 MOA with standard ammo, lack of an integral Picatinny rail system for optics mounting, inability to mount flash suppressors to new Mini-14, lack of accessory railing for light mounts, and a higher cost for magazines. The Target versions of the Mini-14 with their adjustable harmonic barrel dampeners totally correct the accuracy problems inherent in the design and they shoot tight groups. However they are much heavier (add 2 lbs) and more expensive, negating the high value advantage of the Mini-14. The design also comes in 6.8 SPC and 7.62x39mm loadings but their mags are harder still to find and Nutnfancy recommends the standard .223 version unless you want a deer rifle as well (get the 6.8 SPC in that case). Also be advised the 7.62x39mm Mini has a looser chamber to accommodate surplus ammo and it is even more inaccurate. But despite a few drawbacks, the Mini-14 remains a high-selling favorite among American shooters. For defensive use out to 100 yrds, the Mini would serve admirably despite its lack of ultimate accuracy. Couple that will diehard reliability and reasonable cost, the Ruger Mini-14 still remains a smart choice for the tactical carbine buyer.////////////////Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 7 out of 10///////////////


If you own a gun of ANY kind and are not a member of the NRA you need to change your ways. Political battles rage that serve to disarm you, leaving you the potential victim of criminals who have NEVER obeyed gun laws. Join the NRA today and donate generously to the NRA/ILA. This is a patriotic, freedom organization that fights tirelessly to maintain our freedoms and it advocates no political party.

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Comments on

Ruger Mini-14: Homestead Defender Pt 2

15 Comments | Add Comment
  • I hadn't shot my ...

    I hadn't shot my mini in a good long time and it jammed once or twice, took it apart, cleaned it, slapped it back together and it shot fine. I think my mag got squeezed funny; I'm using old 1980's stainless steel 50 round mags I got second hand and with that large capacity they can get tweeked funny :/

    By PRSpl4yer [Affiliate User] 1228096717 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • That term sheepdog ...

    That term sheepdog he uses, i'm finding catchy. for some reason.

    By ExOpsMercenary [Affiliate User] 1227639782 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • The cheaper than a ...

    The cheaper than a ar15 point is good, but I can find basic DPMS and Olypic for 700 or less if you look hard enough. Well at least before the elections. The new minis around here are in the 6-700 range. So if you go for basics, they aren't that much different in price. If I end up with a mini it will be used. Even used they are in the 4-500 range. So sad that the prices are so high.

    By stangstangsstang [Affiliate User] 1227597428 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • They ARE accurate. ...

    They ARE accurate. But it's a heavy benchrest gun and as expensive as an AR. Had Ruger just come out with a TACTICAL heavy barreled Mini-14, like that of Accuracy Systems in CO, then it would be selling even better. This "Tactical Mini" should have a high quality heavy barrel with 1:7 twist, be parkerized, have a full Picatinny rail, threaded front end with a flash suppressor, short rails up front to attach a light or grip, and have a matte finished dark earth stock (folding version too).

    By nutnfancy [Affiliate User] 1227324093 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • No problem brother. ...

    No problem brother...preach it! I like it.

    By nutnfancy [Affiliate User] 1227323564 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • IMHO his vies on ...

    IMHO his vies on teh 2nd ammendment is that we have the right to own pelet guns, which to him are high powered rifles too.

    We wont even get off on the "Assault rifle" ban. By DEFENITION an assult rifle has select fire. He along with his "party" want to ban scary guns and tax the hell out of anything thats left.

    By CPLBSS88 [Affiliate User] 1227141289 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Considering that ...

    Considering that every rifle round to date has a military background...yeah it will be banned if he gets the chance. He has also stated that he he will, if given the chance, ban hollow point rounds and any +p/+p+ along with all surplus ammo and imported firearms and there ammo. Anything that is left will be increadibly high taxed. Even most .22lr rounds are hollow points.

    By CPLBSS88 [Affiliate User] 1227141279 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • I must apoliize to ...

    I must apoliize to nutnfancy for this tangent but i think its nessicary to make viewers aware that our gun rights are seriously under threat. This is in reply to the Obama disscussion.

    By CPLBSS88 [Affiliate User] 1227141198 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • The 5.7 shares ...

    The 5.7 shares nearly identical ballistics as the .22Magnum(ie...a round suitable for rabbits.)

    YOU look it up.

    By bighitter42 [Affiliate User] 1226812506 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • ? To hell with the ...

    ? To hell with the fifth amendment as well right? not necessary in a free society? Did he vote to steal money from taxpayers and future generations to price fix in the housing market, and allow fraud to continue? Does he advocate continuing the welfare state? Welfare states always value liberty right?


    So the question should be, are YOU serious?

    By bighitter42 [Affiliate User] 1226812383 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • The wording of the ...

    The wording of the bill would in fact ban anything that can pierce vests...and besides, WTF does it matter if it wasn't designed to do it, if it still does?

    He will be anti free speech, he did vote for the Patriot Act II which had terrible first amendment restrictions in it. Plus there's a little thing called fairness doctrine the democrats are pushing.

    Anti-liberty? Does a politician that values liberty vote to ban guns? Ban ammo? Restrict free speech? Ignore the 9nth and 10th amendments

    By bighitter42 [Affiliate User] 1226812240 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Thats where your ...

    Thats where your wrong, in no way will he be anti free speech. where did you get that from? anti liberty>? you cant be serious. and no its not anything that will pierce vests its anything specially designed to pierce vests like the 5.7mm. look it up.

    By bixxl [Affiliate User] 1226811595 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • Dude, there are ...

    Dude, there are bills constantly going to subcommittee that would either reinstate the AWB, or otherwise unconstitutionally restrict our liberty. With the momentum Obama has, it could certainly happen.

    By bighitter42 [Affiliate User] 1226811046 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • "against armor ...

    "against armor piercing rounds and wants to have a more thorough background search. "...you said, "And i support both of those things."


    WHY? Read my other post, AP ammo is not what you think it is.

    By bighitter42 [Affiliate User] 1226810917 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
  • His definition of ...

    His definition of armor piercing rounds is anything that can penetrate police soft armor. That's quite literally every hunting rifle in America. And like I said, I guarantee that Obama will not legalize one single gun that is currently illegal. He will be, given the chance, the most anti free speech and anti liberty president in this countries history. That is if he doesn't abandon his convictions and voting record.

    By bighitter42 [Affiliate User] 1226810830 Reply Spam Moderate Up Moderate Down
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