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Mini 14 - Carbine-esc? |
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New2brass 
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Dan Pinto, How Can I help Joined: Nov 29 2015 Location: CCC Status: Offline Points: 5527 |
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 Topic: Mini 14 - Carbine-esc?Posted: Nov 29 2025 at 12:13pm |
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Mini 14 Ranch 50th Anniversary Limited Edition  https://www.ruger.com/products/mini14RanchRifle/specSheets/5894.html Limited Edition 50th Anniversary model features a laser-engraved anniversary logo on the bolt as well as polished stainless steel accents, wood handguard, bayonet lug and flash suppressor reminiscent of the original Mini-14. Full-size walnut stock, including wood top cover is cut to utilize the M1 carbine sling/oiler, and the gas block features a left-side sling swivel. Accurate sighting system with ghost ring rear aperture sight and a non-glare, protected blade front sight with bayonet lug. Partial description above. It may be hard to make the case that the Mini 14 ranch is copying the M1 carbine with the wood handguard, bayonet lug and protected front sight as some of these features were on the M14 rifle which they were paying tribute to. But straight up they are looking to co-op the carbine guys with the sling cut to accept an oiler and sling. With an MSRP of $1399. it may be a better choice than some of the higher priced commercial carbines, has a proven track record, and uses the 5.56 ammo being much cheaper than .30 carbine. What say the carbine guys? |
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floydthecat
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Joined: Oct 13 2016 Location: Mississippi Status: Offline Points: 2307 |
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Posted: Nov 29 2025 at 1:06pm |
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I have kept one of each, a 223/5.56 and one in 7.62x39. It much closer mimics the M14 to me. The gas system differs greatly from either the M14, M1 carbine or the Garand. Ruger builds good stuff but still NOT an M1 carbine no matter how hard they try.
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thirtyround
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Joined: Nov 14 2016 Location: NE Arkansas Status: Online Points: 297 |
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Posted: Dec 01 2025 at 12:33am |
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The Ruger Mini 14 was introduced in 1973. The original intro had , as pictured, a wooden handguard, and did so up to 1979/80. after that, the handguard went to black fiberglass construction. JB
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John
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floydthecat
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Posted: Dec 01 2025 at 10:02am |
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Ruger redesigned the action after the first issue and no longer supports those early models. Unlike the USGI M1 carbine, Ruger has made changes to the design as things progressed making parts interchangeability problematic. Ruger wants the rifle sent home for any kind of service. This model shown is a retro with the early wooden hand guard but with the most recent action and barrel. One needs to do the research and purchase any mini based on its serial number to get the most recent design with all the better features.
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LDB415
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Joined: Nov 23 2025 Location: Friendswood Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Posted: Dec 01 2025 at 11:55am |
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The wood handguard makes all the difference in the world of that being a good looking gun or not. I'd have that in a blink. The rest not as quickly.
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David Albert
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Posted: Dec 01 2025 at 2:54pm |
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In my opinion, the Mini-14 is not Carbine-esque. There's a reason it's named the "Mini-14." Mine was acquired by my father around 1979, and I bought him an aftermarket hand guard to replace the wooden one for Father's Day in 1982. Wish I still had the wooden hand guard now...not sure what happened to it. The rifle spent many years in a "Maxi-14" stock which was broadly advertised in the 1980's. I bought a Samson stock for it a few years ago.
David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com |
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Past Pres., The American Thompson Association Amer. Society of Arms Collectors OGCA/TCA/Carbine Club/GCA/IAA SAR Writer Author - The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Reising Eagle Scout |
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floydthecat
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Posted: Dec 01 2025 at 3:16pm |
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Beware…..it is my understanding that the early wooden hand guards WILL NOT fit the later models due to changes in receiver machining. Just in case someone might get the idea to replace their polymer guard. These wooden hand guards do show up occasionally. It might require a little more research to determine if it fits your model. Not that I have tried it…..just find other comments about it.
David did mention aftermarket and there might be one out there that does interchange? Accuracy Systems might make one.
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David Albert
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Posted: Dec 01 2025 at 3:30pm |
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At the time I bought the aftermarket hand guard, no "later models" existed. So I assume there are a couple of different sizes of which to be aware.
David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com |
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New2brass
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Dan Pinto, How Can I help Joined: Nov 29 2015 Location: CCC Status: Offline Points: 5527 |
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Posted: Dec 01 2025 at 4:11pm |
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My mini is a first year production and has the wood upper. I do not think I will be cutting a slot for an oiler.
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David Albert
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Posted: Dec 03 2025 at 11:28am |
Funny thing. I found the original hand guard in my stuff yesterday. I had been overlooking it for years. And now looking at the 50th Anniversary Mini-14 Ranch Rifle with the Carbine style sling cutouts, I want one, lol. David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com |
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David Albert
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Posted: Dec 09 2025 at 4:07pm |
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Ok, I have to admit I went to my local Ruger dealer and looked at one of these 50th anniversary Mini-14 Ranch Rifles with intent to buy today. I like the sling cutout since I like Carbines, even though I still don't think the Mini-14 is "Carbine-esque." I would have bought it, but what you can't see in the photos is that it features a chrome bolt. The bolt is laser engraved with a 50th anniversary marking, but the shiny bolt really turned me off to the purchase. If Ruger had marked the bolt in a more discreet fashion, that gun would be home with me now.
Just my $.02. David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com |
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Past Pres., The American Thompson Association Amer. Society of Arms Collectors OGCA/TCA/Carbine Club/GCA/IAA SAR Writer Author - The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Reising Eagle Scout |
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floydthecat
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Posted: Dec 09 2025 at 6:54pm |
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They coulda left that off for sure. You can’t just grab another bolt and change it out and if you could…..might get lucky if it head spaced. Pretty sure Ruger will not sell you just a bolt, but they turn up now and then. You have to know the version because the design changed.
Don’t hardly seem worth the effort.
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David Albert
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Posted: Dec 09 2025 at 7:10pm |
Yeah, I have no interest in replacing a bolt. Maybe I'll end up buying it, but right now, I doubt it. Whoever thought it was a good idea to put a shiny chrome bolt on the rifle should have had better common sense about customer perception. The gun store employee said I wasn't the first to comment negatively about the bolt. David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com |
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floydthecat
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Posted: Dec 09 2025 at 7:20pm |
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Probably not that many buyers looking for it as USGI Carbine replacement. That shiny bolt will impress the market they are shooting for........people younger than most of us.
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DonFlynn
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Posted: Dec 11 2025 at 10:19am |
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I had 1 for a few years. I never did enjoy shooting it compared to my Carbines. I ended up selling it when I was out of work briefly in 2023 and had no desire to get a new 1
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David Albert wrote: