Ruger mini 14, why do I keep hearing about it? Educate me

I love the mini 14. Probably one of my all time favorite guns. Makes one hell of a hog rifle if you get the mini 30 or the M1A (Springfield). I'm sure you could still use the .223. All in all they are one of my favorite platforms.

I have heard the accuracy knock also but the ones I grew up shooting seemed to hit what I was aiming at. Maybe it was the shooter.

I've owned one for about 10 years. Back when ammo was cheap, I put thousands of rounds through it without a problem.

It's a budget AR IMO. It lacks the long range accuracy of the AR platform, but it is chambered for 5.56, takes 30 rd magazines, and isn't an 'evil black rifle'.

With the stock 5 rd magazine in it, it's hard to tell it from a 10/22 for the uninitiated.

Like others have pointed out, its action is based on the M1 Garand, a proven battle rifle platform if there ever was one. That action was also used in the M14/M1A.

I find gear snobs will turn their noses up at it, but then again, they do that to anything that's not perceived as top dollar. You find gear snobs in any and all hobbies.

They rub me the wrong way.

IMO the Mini 14 is a reliable platform with decent accuracy for a great price.

Regarding the accuracy issue: in 2008 Ruger re-designed the Mini-14 with a thicker barrel. On the later models you can see the taper where the barrel emerges from the stock. This was done because it was determined that the accuracy issue was primarily due to the barrel flexing when hot.

The new models are more accurate than the pre-08 models.

I like mine just fine. It goes bang when I pull the trigger and can shoot USMILSURP ammo or .223, takes standard capacity magazines, and provides a useful tool for livestock protection, target shooting, and possibly other work as well.

If you want to scope it, you should buy the Ranch Rifle, as it comes with rings. It costs a bit more. If I could buy mine again I'd go with the stainless model.

Some police forces use the full auto version, the AC556. Most recently, during the Dorner execution, you can see the San Bernadino county sheriffs carrying them in the news footage.

Is it worth it? I think so.

YMMV

It's the gun everyone migrated to in the 90s when the assault weapon ban went into effect. Fun fact: it's the gun the SWAT team that took out Christopher Dorner was using.

The news is, Feinstein says if it has a folding stock, it's an assault weapon and should be banned.

If it has a fixed stock, its a legal sporting rifle and should be protected from the ban.

The article.