Ruger Mini-14
Ruger Mini-14
Ruger Mini 14 Minuteman Series
Ruger Mini 14 Minuteman Series
Part 1 Canvas GI Sling - Mini 14
Part 1 Canvas GI Sling - Mini 14
My 583 series Ruger Mini-14 Ranch features 1” sling loopsNot good enough for a 1 1/4” Canvas GI SlingPlus it is not easily detached for when the sling is looped up as a shooter’s aidSo Peel the 1” front sling loop off the gas blockBut the hole in the front mount does not fit any production sling swivels…not even the one’s sold by RugerSo Drill out hole…not that big of a dealNow you learn that the mount is too wideGrind down width…this is kind of ridiculous for a rifle that’s been in production for 6 decadesInstall a new 1 ¼” sling swivelUnscrew rear sling loopEpoxy Install an Uncle Mikes wood screw sling studInstall a new 1 ¼” sling swivelWeave Canvas GI Sling into the sling loops.Almost ready for the range..Coming Next for the Mini 14…Heel to Peep and LOP drama.
Tools and Kit Featured in Part 1
Tools and Kit Featured in Part 1
Uncle Mike's QD Wood Screw Type Sling Swivels 1-1/4-Inch Loop
Part 2 Length of Pull - Mini 14
Part 2 Length of Pull - Mini 14
The original Mini-14 featured a 12 ½” length of pull, the current millennium production is 13 ½”.While I’m ok with trigger manipulation at the new longer length, I think it makes for an excessive eye to peep sight distance.
To get the clarifying benefits of a peep, the eye should be about 2” or max 3” from it.Buttstock pad to peep is 14 1/2”..on the AR, with the same trigger LOP, it’s 11 ½”.
Cut ⅝” off the wood stock. Replace the recoil pad for a thin butt plate to shave another ¼”. for a 12 5/8” LOP.
Install Tech Sights to shift the peep back half inch. I wish it set all the way back to the end of the receiver. Aperture is nearly half that of the stock peep making for a crisper front sight. I need 10 MOA more elevation. Thought maybe the loop sling was throwing things off, but shooting without being slung up POI was the same. Groups are pretty good. File down the front sight? Need a good selection of shop tools to dial in the Mini.
To get the clarifying benefits of a peep, the eye should be about 2” or max 3” from it.Buttstock pad to peep is 14 1/2”..on the AR, with the same trigger LOP, it’s 11 ½”.
Cut ⅝” off the wood stock. Replace the recoil pad for a thin butt plate to shave another ¼”. for a 12 5/8” LOP.
Install Tech Sights to shift the peep back half inch. I wish it set all the way back to the end of the receiver. Aperture is nearly half that of the stock peep making for a crisper front sight. I need 10 MOA more elevation. Thought maybe the loop sling was throwing things off, but shooting without being slung up POI was the same. Groups are pretty good. File down the front sight? Need a good selection of shop tools to dial in the Mini.
Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release - Mini 14
Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release - Mini 14
The Mini 14 features an AK like rock in magazine catch. Plenty fast once you're accustomed to it and I think it eliminates the need for a tap tug check that most of us perform on straight insert STANAG mags. Spending so much time on a 10/22, I like to operate the Mini14 mag release the same way as Ruger’s 22 rifle…pushing forward with the back of my trigger finger. Allowing you to simultaneously eject the empty mag while reaching for a fresh one.
Mini 14 mags, even 20 rounders, can drop free if the rifle is horizontal otherwise the grip and strip method is going to be the most reliable way.
And it will certainly be the least painful method since the mag release lever can bite the backside of your finger…or chew on your glove. Seems like this pinch hazard would have been eradicated after 6 decades.
Nonetheless, the Mini 14 mag release is perfectly mirrored ambi for the ambidextral gunfighter. It also reduces the risk of an accidental mag disengagement compared to the AR…as long as you avoid those third party, extended mag release “upgrades”.
Mini 14 mags, even 20 rounders, can drop free if the rifle is horizontal otherwise the grip and strip method is going to be the most reliable way.
And it will certainly be the least painful method since the mag release lever can bite the backside of your finger…or chew on your glove. Seems like this pinch hazard would have been eradicated after 6 decades.
Nonetheless, the Mini 14 mag release is perfectly mirrored ambi for the ambidextral gunfighter. It also reduces the risk of an accidental mag disengagement compared to the AR…as long as you avoid those third party, extended mag release “upgrades”.
Parrot Vise
a Chinese copy of the awesome, hammer forged Versa-Vise. (if you can find an original, expect to pay MUCH more)
a Chinese copy of the awesome, hammer forged Versa-Vise. (if you can find an original, expect to pay MUCH more)
Bunkerkings Fly Compression Elbow Pads. Exceptionally light. Excellent breathability. Just enough padding, not too much to hinder steady hold factors.
Part 4 Safety - Mini 14
Part 4 Safety - Mini 14
The Ruger Mini 14’s inside the trigger guard, M1 Garand-like safety is simple and very ambidextrous friendly. One advantage over the AR thumb safety is that if you reach the Act part of the OODA loop and move your finger off index into the trigger guard to fire, you will get instant feedback if you forgot to take the rifle off safe. No such tactile feedback on the AR.
Some bedwetters think this inside the trigger guard safety is dangerous. I think it is fine for bare handed shooting, but I might dampen the sheets a bit if wearing diaper thick winter gloves…like 8 months of the year here in Wyoming. I definitely could see a risk of an accidental discharge if wearing thick gloves. More room inside the trigger guard would be useful, but just be glove aware.
I very much like that the Mini safety actually captures the hammer and locks up the sear. Too many safeties simply prevent trigger movement. But what if the sear fails…and there are plenty of ways that can happen…metallurgy failure, pins walking out, cracks in receiver or FCU. Kudos Ruger.
One reason I do ergonomically prefer my AR’s thumb safety is that it is a very similar motion, muscle memory to running the manual thumb safety on my KelTec P17 handgun.
But for the straight stocked Mini 14 Ranch rifle, the ambi trigger guard safety is excellent. Definitely safer than a cross bolt safety for the ambidextral gunfighter. See our video on the MC2c crossbolt safety as to why.
Some bedwetters think this inside the trigger guard safety is dangerous. I think it is fine for bare handed shooting, but I might dampen the sheets a bit if wearing diaper thick winter gloves…like 8 months of the year here in Wyoming. I definitely could see a risk of an accidental discharge if wearing thick gloves. More room inside the trigger guard would be useful, but just be glove aware.
I very much like that the Mini safety actually captures the hammer and locks up the sear. Too many safeties simply prevent trigger movement. But what if the sear fails…and there are plenty of ways that can happen…metallurgy failure, pins walking out, cracks in receiver or FCU. Kudos Ruger.
One reason I do ergonomically prefer my AR’s thumb safety is that it is a very similar motion, muscle memory to running the manual thumb safety on my KelTec P17 handgun.
But for the straight stocked Mini 14 Ranch rifle, the ambi trigger guard safety is excellent. Definitely safer than a cross bolt safety for the ambidextral gunfighter. See our video on the MC2c crossbolt safety as to why.
Part 5 Trigger - Mini 14
Part 5 Trigger - Mini 14
The Mini-14 stock is sandwiched between the receiver and the trigger group. I actually like THIS part of the field stripping process. Unlatch the trigger guard, pull straight out, and remove buttstock from the gas block flange.
Great design. Easy to clean and maintain.
The two stage trigger is very good…better than a mil-spec AR trigger but not as good as a Giselle.
<quiet for break and reset break>
Good enough that I won’t fuck with it. At the most maybe a MCARBO spring kit to drop the pull weight down a bit. Otherwise, I’ll let it polish itself with live fire and just keep it clean and lubed with Sentry Tuf-Glide.
As for manipulating the trigger with the standard straight stock, I recommend thumb to the side to create the exaggerated c-shaped trigger finger to prevent dragging wood…maybe to the point of fingertips to stock. I added some skateboard tape to keep my firing hand from slipping down the angled face of the grip.
The mini’s trigger is definitely one of the components that boosts its practical, in the field, accuracy.
Great design. Easy to clean and maintain.
The two stage trigger is very good…better than a mil-spec AR trigger but not as good as a Giselle.
<quiet for break and reset break>
Good enough that I won’t fuck with it. At the most maybe a MCARBO spring kit to drop the pull weight down a bit. Otherwise, I’ll let it polish itself with live fire and just keep it clean and lubed with Sentry Tuf-Glide.
As for manipulating the trigger with the standard straight stock, I recommend thumb to the side to create the exaggerated c-shaped trigger finger to prevent dragging wood…maybe to the point of fingertips to stock. I added some skateboard tape to keep my firing hand from slipping down the angled face of the grip.
The mini’s trigger is definitely one of the components that boosts its practical, in the field, accuracy.
Part 6 Piston Driven Action - Mini 14
Part 6 Piston Driven Action - Mini 14
The Mini 14 features a “self-cleaning”, fixed-piston gas system vs the AR’s “shits where it eats” direct impingement system. As for the AR being “dirty” or dumping heat onto its bolt carrier group, given my AR’s reliability I’m like “so what?”
However when a cartridge fails to fully seat in a dirty chamber, I do prefer the Mini 14’s reciprocating charging handle over the AR’s forward assist. The AR’s forward assist obstructs and nullifies the AR’s otherwise very ambi charging handle.
The REAL advantage of the Mini 14 action is the lack of a buffer tube inside the buttstock. This allows the Mini 14 to adopt a folding stock with ease (but don’t, see the full length review), the buttstock can be used like a club with minimal risk of wrecking it, and it allows the line of sight to be less than an inch above the bore…whereas the AR’s line of sight is about 2.5” high.
So overall, I do prefer the Mini 14…if it can match the AR’s accuracy.
Next in the AmbGun Mini 14 series…in the field accuracy
However when a cartridge fails to fully seat in a dirty chamber, I do prefer the Mini 14’s reciprocating charging handle over the AR’s forward assist. The AR’s forward assist obstructs and nullifies the AR’s otherwise very ambi charging handle.
The REAL advantage of the Mini 14 action is the lack of a buffer tube inside the buttstock. This allows the Mini 14 to adopt a folding stock with ease (but don’t, see the full length review), the buttstock can be used like a club with minimal risk of wrecking it, and it allows the line of sight to be less than an inch above the bore…whereas the AR’s line of sight is about 2.5” high.
So overall, I do prefer the Mini 14…if it can match the AR’s accuracy.
Next in the AmbGun Mini 14 series…in the field accuracy
Samson A-TM Folding Stock
(not AmbGun tested. Interesting, but I prefer the wood stock...reasons in full length review of Mini 14)
(not AmbGun tested. Interesting, but I prefer the wood stock...reasons in full length review of Mini 14)
Part 7 Sights - Mini 14
Part 7 Sights - Mini 14
Replaced the somewhat adequate Ruger rear sight with Tech Sights’ MINI200 . Better adjustments. Smaller aperture. About ½” more sight radius. (wish it added another inch and 1/)
Shooting 10 MOA low with the peep at max elevation, contacted Ruger support. Spoke with an interesting technician who recommended that if it's grouping well to just\ file down the front sight…he offered to do it for me and check out everything else for a refresh if I wanted to send it in.
I didn’t. So I did some BubbaSmithing. Measured where my sight was, where I wanted it to be, and knowing minute of angle change per ½ turn, I made a crude calculation as to how much I needed to remove from the front sight
I hand Filed the front sight down by 50 thousandth of an inch
ReSet the peep in the middle of its elevation adjustment.
Went to zero…spot on. No changes needed. Three shots cleanly in a 1” square at 25 meters. Iron sights, in the field prone, 4MOA gets it done. The clueless keyboard warriors will cry “muh 1 moa”. Yeah, whatever. Next field accuracy…offhand, sitting/squatting, and prone.
Shooting 10 MOA low with the peep at max elevation, contacted Ruger support. Spoke with an interesting technician who recommended that if it's grouping well to just\ file down the front sight…he offered to do it for me and check out everything else for a refresh if I wanted to send it in.
I didn’t. So I did some BubbaSmithing. Measured where my sight was, where I wanted it to be, and knowing minute of angle change per ½ turn, I made a crude calculation as to how much I needed to remove from the front sight
I hand Filed the front sight down by 50 thousandth of an inch
ReSet the peep in the middle of its elevation adjustment.
Went to zero…spot on. No changes needed. Three shots cleanly in a 1” square at 25 meters. Iron sights, in the field prone, 4MOA gets it done. The clueless keyboard warriors will cry “muh 1 moa”. Yeah, whatever. Next field accuracy…offhand, sitting/squatting, and prone.
Parrot Vise
a Chinese copy of the awesome, hammer forged Versa-Vise. (if you can find an original, expect to pay MUCH more)
a Chinese copy of the awesome, hammer forged Versa-Vise. (if you can find an original, expect to pay MUCH more)
Part 8 Social Credit Score - Mini 14
Part 8 Social Credit Score - Mini 14
Is the Mini 14 as accurate as an AR? Probably not. Is it as reliable? Maybe. But it is way more gray man.
No pistol grip, so it's not a deadly, high powered assault rifle in the som-nam-bulant public’s NPC brain.
Bare muzzle version…No flash hider or supressor so it's not a “weapon of war”.
Flush 5 round mag isn't dangling menacingly beneath grandpa’s wood stock and if you run 20 rounders in an INVRT bandoleer the round count will most likely fly under their radar.
Sometimes American forces deployed overseas like to run their M4’s with innocent looking 20 round mags and a shortened pistol grip for a less provocative posture. The Mini is the civilian civilized posture carbine.
Preserve the grey man advantage of the Mini…steer clear of folding pistol grip stocks, run a bare muzzle, stick with peep sights, and deploy with a 5 round mag inserted.
Don't try to make the Mini14 into an AR. If you want a pistol grip, muzzle device, and lots of 30 round mags, get an AR. If you want a folding backpack carbine, KelTec’s SU16c.
The Ruger Mini 14, the subdued profile, low drag, gray man, carbine…the sleeper with AR-15 capabilities concealed in a civilized wood veneer. Elegantly hanging over your fireplace.
And if that veneer is peeled back, I prefer the 18.5” barrel over the flash suppressed 16.5
No pistol grip, so it's not a deadly, high powered assault rifle in the som-nam-bulant public’s NPC brain.
Bare muzzle version…No flash hider or supressor so it's not a “weapon of war”.
Flush 5 round mag isn't dangling menacingly beneath grandpa’s wood stock and if you run 20 rounders in an INVRT bandoleer the round count will most likely fly under their radar.
Sometimes American forces deployed overseas like to run their M4’s with innocent looking 20 round mags and a shortened pistol grip for a less provocative posture. The Mini is the civilian civilized posture carbine.
Preserve the grey man advantage of the Mini…steer clear of folding pistol grip stocks, run a bare muzzle, stick with peep sights, and deploy with a 5 round mag inserted.
Don't try to make the Mini14 into an AR. If you want a pistol grip, muzzle device, and lots of 30 round mags, get an AR. If you want a folding backpack carbine, KelTec’s SU16c.
The Ruger Mini 14, the subdued profile, low drag, gray man, carbine…the sleeper with AR-15 capabilities concealed in a civilized wood veneer. Elegantly hanging over your fireplace.
And if that veneer is peeled back, I prefer the 18.5” barrel over the flash suppressed 16.5
Part 9 Field Accuracy - Mini 14
Part 9 Field Accuracy - Mini 14
Mini 14 Zeroed…Proceeded to do an AQT, squeaked in a Rifleman score of 211. Solid performance in the crucial slow fire prone stage was undermined by a slightly weak showing in stage 2, sitting. I usually do this squatting, but decided for some stupid nostalgic reason to do cross legged sitting. Nice groups, but a bit to the right. Sloppy NPOA. Clean up that stage for another 4-6 points, and I'm scoring the same as my iron sighted AR and only 10-12 points less than my ACOG equipped BCM. Scored a 48 out of 50 offhand…right up there with my best performances with the AR, irons or optic.
While the Mini’s in the field accuracy was better than the Internet experts led me to believe, the hand guard got uncomfortably hot. If the AR shits where it eats, the Mini burns where it shits. Not suitable for attending a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic, unless you were a glove on your support hand…or place a computer fan in the handguard.
Still it has been a satisfying project..not the easy snap together of AR15 legos but a soulful hand crafting every step of the way. If you had told me that I’d be altering sling attachments, cutting down the stock, reshaping a thin butt plate, and filing down the front sight, I’d have steered clear. But now that it’s done, well it feels special in a way that AR “builds” do not.
While the Mini’s in the field accuracy was better than the Internet experts led me to believe, the hand guard got uncomfortably hot. If the AR shits where it eats, the Mini burns where it shits. Not suitable for attending a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic, unless you were a glove on your support hand…or place a computer fan in the handguard.
Still it has been a satisfying project..not the easy snap together of AR15 legos but a soulful hand crafting every step of the way. If you had told me that I’d be altering sling attachments, cutting down the stock, reshaping a thin butt plate, and filing down the front sight, I’d have steered clear. But now that it’s done, well it feels special in a way that AR “builds” do not.
Filed frontsight and by sheer luck it's spot on. (almost, actually I need it to hit 6/10" high at this range.
So the rifle can shoot, but getting here was not easy.Install sling swivels
Cut down wood stock
Replace recoil pad with butt plate
Replace rear sight with Tech Sights
vs
QD sling swivels on AR are easy
Adjustable buttstockVery capable peep sights in the carry handle sight.
Cut down wood stock
Replace recoil pad with butt plate
Replace rear sight with Tech Sights
vs
QD sling swivels on AR are easy
Adjustable buttstockVery capable peep sights in the carry handle sight.
Mini 14's inaccurate? First time Zeroing...this group, fired prone at 50 yards kind of shocked me. Went to raise the rear sight 10 MOA and I ran out of elevation. Hopefully switching to Tech-Sights will solve that issue...else I'll have to file down the front sight a bit. At 50, I'd like to see it a couple inches high for a Battle sight Zero.
Part 10 Choate Ventilated Handguard - Mini 14
Part 10 Choate Ventilated Handguard - Mini 14
During my Mini 14 field accuracy testing using the Project Appleseed AQT, the handguard got uncomfortably hot.
The stock plastic handguard has limited venting and a metal heat shield inside. I suspect the heat shield helps for a short period but once the heat shield itself gets hot it becomes a hotplate beneath your hand.
Solution? The Choate ventilated handguard.
The idea is that, while there will be more heat rising off the barrel right off the bat, it will dissipate fast enough to prevent things from becoming unbearable.
Compared to the stock handguard, the Choate is a duller and a bit coarser…a feature? Less shine and better grip? It weights almost half that of the stock…saving 54 grams
The Ventilated Choate does not cover the operation rod so your hand can come in contact with it during cycling…But it would take a pretty tight grip to impact cyclic reliability.
Getting the handguard fitted into the gas block was pretty tight. I suppose you could tediously sand it down…or just gently tap it into place like I did.
Being in the middle of Wyoming winter, I can’t yet say this is the solution to making the Mini 14 suitable for attending a high round count shooting clinic.
I’m also looking at another means for taming the whole burns where it shits issue. Coming in Part 11.
The stock plastic handguard has limited venting and a metal heat shield inside. I suspect the heat shield helps for a short period but once the heat shield itself gets hot it becomes a hotplate beneath your hand.
Solution? The Choate ventilated handguard.
The idea is that, while there will be more heat rising off the barrel right off the bat, it will dissipate fast enough to prevent things from becoming unbearable.
Compared to the stock handguard, the Choate is a duller and a bit coarser…a feature? Less shine and better grip? It weights almost half that of the stock…saving 54 grams
The Ventilated Choate does not cover the operation rod so your hand can come in contact with it during cycling…But it would take a pretty tight grip to impact cyclic reliability.
Getting the handguard fitted into the gas block was pretty tight. I suppose you could tediously sand it down…or just gently tap it into place like I did.
Being in the middle of Wyoming winter, I can’t yet say this is the solution to making the Mini 14 suitable for attending a high round count shooting clinic.
I’m also looking at another means for taming the whole burns where it shits issue. Coming in Part 11.
Part 11 Accuracy Systems Adjustable Gas Block - Mini 14
Part 11 Accuracy Systems Adjustable Gas Block - Mini 14
The Accuracy Systems Adjustable Gas Block solves several issues I have with the Ruger Mini 14.
In part 9 I complained about the handguard getting too hot during sustained fire like what you’d experience at a rifle marksmanship clinic.
Reducing the amount of gas being dumped beneath the handguard helps keep things cooler there.
In episode 1 I complained about having to drill and grind to fit a standard 1 ¼” sling swivel
A proper Sling stud bypasses the hassle of grinding the stock gas block to fit market standard sling swivels.
Attending a Rifle Marksmanship Clinic with a stock Mini 14, the RSO will probably position you all the way to the right to keep you from pummeling other students with your high velocity brass. Dialing down the Mini 14’s aggressive ejection helps you avoid being shunned by your fellow students on the firing line. And your brass will be easier to police and less likely to be damaged. However, if you run an optic you may find that your brass strikes your scope since reducing the gas tends to shift the ejection path upward a bit.
Reduced Felt recoil. Reduced battering…important for dry lube, no grease. And you probably don't need a polymer recoil buffer.
Accuracy…I can’t detect a difference, but maybe the bullet does exit the barrel more fully before bolt unlock occurs? For sure, follow up shots are easier with reduced felt recoil?
The adjustment detents are distinct (once I figured out that the adjustment knob was supposed to be tight against the block, not sticking out). In feel, very similar detents to those on the KelTec RDB…I used the RDB protocol to dial things in. First I completely closed off the gas port so the bolt would not cycle…then opened up the gas click by click until it would cycle and lock back on an empty mag. And then clicked out two more clicks.
Reducing the gas impulse and running the Choate Ventilated handguard, it does make it easier to generate a malfunction by gripping the operation rod with my support hand. So with an exposed op rod, you might want to click out another click if you tend to a firm support hand grip.
Mini 14…Dial in the sling setup, shorten the eye to peep, install Tech-Sights, switch to the Choate ventilated handguard and then the adjustable gas block makes the package complete.
In part 9 I complained about the handguard getting too hot during sustained fire like what you’d experience at a rifle marksmanship clinic.
Reducing the amount of gas being dumped beneath the handguard helps keep things cooler there.
In episode 1 I complained about having to drill and grind to fit a standard 1 ¼” sling swivel
A proper Sling stud bypasses the hassle of grinding the stock gas block to fit market standard sling swivels.
Attending a Rifle Marksmanship Clinic with a stock Mini 14, the RSO will probably position you all the way to the right to keep you from pummeling other students with your high velocity brass. Dialing down the Mini 14’s aggressive ejection helps you avoid being shunned by your fellow students on the firing line. And your brass will be easier to police and less likely to be damaged. However, if you run an optic you may find that your brass strikes your scope since reducing the gas tends to shift the ejection path upward a bit.
Reduced Felt recoil. Reduced battering…important for dry lube, no grease. And you probably don't need a polymer recoil buffer.
Accuracy…I can’t detect a difference, but maybe the bullet does exit the barrel more fully before bolt unlock occurs? For sure, follow up shots are easier with reduced felt recoil?
The adjustment detents are distinct (once I figured out that the adjustment knob was supposed to be tight against the block, not sticking out). In feel, very similar detents to those on the KelTec RDB…I used the RDB protocol to dial things in. First I completely closed off the gas port so the bolt would not cycle…then opened up the gas click by click until it would cycle and lock back on an empty mag. And then clicked out two more clicks.
Reducing the gas impulse and running the Choate Ventilated handguard, it does make it easier to generate a malfunction by gripping the operation rod with my support hand. So with an exposed op rod, you might want to click out another click if you tend to a firm support hand grip.
Mini 14…Dial in the sling setup, shorten the eye to peep, install Tech-Sights, switch to the Choate ventilated handguard and then the adjustable gas block makes the package complete.
Mini 14 tends to be a bit over gassed. Reduce wear. Keep the brass closer. Less recoil for quicker followup shots. Plus it has a properly sized sling swivel.
After a year with the Ruger Mini 14, I couldn't help but compare it to my iron sights Ruger 10/22…which I've now dubbed the Micro 14….Mini 14 vs Micro 14.
My Micro 14 setup…
Running Ruger’s modular 10/22 stock with the shortest and lowest comb delivers a LOP of 12 ⅝” almost identical to my cut down Mini 14’s 12 ¾”.
My Micro 14 features Tech Sights front and rear with the rear sight extended well over the back of the receiver so that the aperture is 1.25” closer to the eye than my shortened Mini14. The Tech Sights also feature an AR style adjustable post…all around superior to the Mini 14 iron sights. I wish Tech Sights would extend the Mini 14 rear sight to the rear edge of the receiver
Both rifles have an 18.5” barrel and about 22.75” of sight radius.
The mag releases are very similar but the Micro 14 doesn't pinch.
The Mini 14’s safety is ambi superior to the cross bolt safety…crossbolt safeties being a bit of a hazard for the ambidextral gunfighter.
Charging handles are similarly positioned.
At just over 4 pounds, the Micro 14 is less tiring during a two day marksmanship clinic…about the same as Ruger’s new 10/22 Carbon once you factor in an optic for the carbon.
The Micro 14 is an awesome choice for earning your Rifleman patch at a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic. The techniques you learn will transfer just fine to your AR. Maybe a Tippmann M4 22 will deliver identical AR manual of arms but it is over a pound heavier than the Micro 14…and with all of the prone, sit, and stand you will notice every extra ounce.
Doing a quick cold weather AQT, I shot a 45/50 offhand, 42/50 squatting, 50/50 rapid prone, and 92/100 slow fire prone for a total score of 229/250. During the offhand, I placed my RH shots near the top and LH near the bottom so I could differentiate between them. I think the groups suggest a 50 score. Add that in and the overall score is 234. Right up there with the best of my optics scores.
Simple, light, and fairly quiet even without a suppressor. If I were bugging out I’d take this rifle and a few thousand rounds of ammo over an AR with just a couple hundred rounds.
My Micro 14 has the DLC coated Volquartsen Competition bolt…smooth action and reliable extraction. It’s a beautiful piece of work, but not essential.
Its trigger is upgraded with the Volquartsen HP+ kit….great trigger and the auto bolt release greatly improves the manual of arms. You can get a Ruger BX trigger, add in an auto bolt release, and have a near comparable setup and save some money.
The Volquartsen bolt and trigger kit were featured in episodes of our 10/22 Takedown build.
And the Tech Sights irons were also reviewed…both for the 10/22 and as part of the Mini 14 series. Links in the description.
I am very pleased with the Micro 14. Key features: 18.5” barrel, Ruger modular stock, Tech Sights, good trigger, and auto bolt release.
AmbGun 22LR Rifle PageProject Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic
My Micro 14 setup…
Running Ruger’s modular 10/22 stock with the shortest and lowest comb delivers a LOP of 12 ⅝” almost identical to my cut down Mini 14’s 12 ¾”.
My Micro 14 features Tech Sights front and rear with the rear sight extended well over the back of the receiver so that the aperture is 1.25” closer to the eye than my shortened Mini14. The Tech Sights also feature an AR style adjustable post…all around superior to the Mini 14 iron sights. I wish Tech Sights would extend the Mini 14 rear sight to the rear edge of the receiver
Both rifles have an 18.5” barrel and about 22.75” of sight radius.
The mag releases are very similar but the Micro 14 doesn't pinch.
The Mini 14’s safety is ambi superior to the cross bolt safety…crossbolt safeties being a bit of a hazard for the ambidextral gunfighter.
Charging handles are similarly positioned.
At just over 4 pounds, the Micro 14 is less tiring during a two day marksmanship clinic…about the same as Ruger’s new 10/22 Carbon once you factor in an optic for the carbon.
The Micro 14 is an awesome choice for earning your Rifleman patch at a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic. The techniques you learn will transfer just fine to your AR. Maybe a Tippmann M4 22 will deliver identical AR manual of arms but it is over a pound heavier than the Micro 14…and with all of the prone, sit, and stand you will notice every extra ounce.
Doing a quick cold weather AQT, I shot a 45/50 offhand, 42/50 squatting, 50/50 rapid prone, and 92/100 slow fire prone for a total score of 229/250. During the offhand, I placed my RH shots near the top and LH near the bottom so I could differentiate between them. I think the groups suggest a 50 score. Add that in and the overall score is 234. Right up there with the best of my optics scores.
Simple, light, and fairly quiet even without a suppressor. If I were bugging out I’d take this rifle and a few thousand rounds of ammo over an AR with just a couple hundred rounds.
My Micro 14 has the DLC coated Volquartsen Competition bolt…smooth action and reliable extraction. It’s a beautiful piece of work, but not essential.
Its trigger is upgraded with the Volquartsen HP+ kit….great trigger and the auto bolt release greatly improves the manual of arms. You can get a Ruger BX trigger, add in an auto bolt release, and have a near comparable setup and save some money.
The Volquartsen bolt and trigger kit were featured in episodes of our 10/22 Takedown build.
And the Tech Sights irons were also reviewed…both for the 10/22 and as part of the Mini 14 series. Links in the description.
I am very pleased with the Micro 14. Key features: 18.5” barrel, Ruger modular stock, Tech Sights, good trigger, and auto bolt release.
AmbGun 22LR Rifle PageProject Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic
Ruger Mini 14 Full Length Review
Ruger Mini 14 Full Length Review
NOTES
No significant difference in overall weight or length compared to an AR, but overall height is about half that of the typical AR.Sight Radius stock 22 3/8”Sight Radius with Tech Sight Rear 22 3/4”
LOPSN 580+ 13.25”Prefer 12.5/12.75” mostly to get closer to peep.
Peep sight is too far away to get the clarifying effect of its aperture.Getting 1” closer to peep. -3/8"` ”” Tech Sights further back on receiver-1/2 ” Shorten Stock-1/86” butt padTotal 1”Still not as close as AR and just barely functioning as a proper peep.
M1 GarandLOP 13 ⅛”Butt plate to peep 14 ½”
Mini14 modified buttstockLOP 12 ½”Butt Plate to peep 14 3/8”
Line of sight is less than an inch above the bore compared to 2.5” on the AR.
And with no buffer tube, you can use the buttstock as a club without wrecking its function.
I prefer thee 18.5 bare barrel over a 16.5” with a flash hider
No pistol grip and Smooth stock means Less drag coming out of scabbard
Ambi inside the trigger guard Safety, but maybe a bit risky with gloved hands.Ambi Mag release, but it’ll pinch if you use the more efficient trigger finger push forward rather than grip ‘n rip.
Field strip, getting the bolt and recoil spring in and out sucks compared to AR.
I have no preference between inserting AR vs rock in Mini14 mags. Mini14 Mag drops free if held horizontal
But magazine weightAR Duramag 3.03 ouncesMini Ruger mag 5.71 ounces
2.68 ounces heavier Almost twice as heavy
Figure about 12 ounces for a loaded 20 round magMeaning that for every 4-5 mags in your loadout you get an extra one for free…weight wise compared to the Mini.
Mag costAR 20 round Duramags $17Ruger 20 round mags $43
Meaning your can buy 10 Duramags and the ammo to fill them twice For the price of just 10 Ruger mags.
While I might prefer my Mini14 over an AR, the excessively long buttstock, peep too far forward, the unconventional front sling mount, and the pinchy mag release makes it hard to recommend for the new shooter.
Coming from the sailing world it is like sailing a wood boat vs a more refined and modern fiberglass one. From paintball it was like holding out with a mechanical autococker as the electronic guns rose to prominence. It is almost a spiritual connection.
However, if you're new to firearms, I suggest starting with a 10/22 first anyway, attend a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic, and earn your rifleman patch before you ever purchase a center-fire rifle. Do that, and the Mini is a great first center-fire rifle. Just know that you will probably need to reduce the stock length, do some minor work to get a proper sling installed, and mount a Tech-Sights rear sight.
Folding stock? Pass, if I want a folding, backpack carbine, I’ll go with the SU16c…the Mini’s supreme advantage is social acceptibility…don’t fuck it up with a folding stock and pistol grip or a big assed optic.
Also, It is a good ambidextral rifle, so if you want to capitalize on ambidextrous “optimal use of cover”, do not put a butt stock ammo pouch on it.
No significant difference in overall weight or length compared to an AR, but overall height is about half that of the typical AR.Sight Radius stock 22 3/8”Sight Radius with Tech Sight Rear 22 3/4”
LOPSN 580+ 13.25”Prefer 12.5/12.75” mostly to get closer to peep.
Peep sight is too far away to get the clarifying effect of its aperture.Getting 1” closer to peep. -3/8"` ”” Tech Sights further back on receiver-1/2 ” Shorten Stock-1/86” butt padTotal 1”Still not as close as AR and just barely functioning as a proper peep.
M1 GarandLOP 13 ⅛”Butt plate to peep 14 ½”
Mini14 modified buttstockLOP 12 ½”Butt Plate to peep 14 3/8”
Line of sight is less than an inch above the bore compared to 2.5” on the AR.
And with no buffer tube, you can use the buttstock as a club without wrecking its function.
I prefer thee 18.5 bare barrel over a 16.5” with a flash hider
No pistol grip and Smooth stock means Less drag coming out of scabbard
Ambi inside the trigger guard Safety, but maybe a bit risky with gloved hands.Ambi Mag release, but it’ll pinch if you use the more efficient trigger finger push forward rather than grip ‘n rip.
Field strip, getting the bolt and recoil spring in and out sucks compared to AR.
I have no preference between inserting AR vs rock in Mini14 mags. Mini14 Mag drops free if held horizontal
But magazine weightAR Duramag 3.03 ouncesMini Ruger mag 5.71 ounces
2.68 ounces heavier Almost twice as heavy
Figure about 12 ounces for a loaded 20 round magMeaning that for every 4-5 mags in your loadout you get an extra one for free…weight wise compared to the Mini.
Mag costAR 20 round Duramags $17Ruger 20 round mags $43
Meaning your can buy 10 Duramags and the ammo to fill them twice For the price of just 10 Ruger mags.
While I might prefer my Mini14 over an AR, the excessively long buttstock, peep too far forward, the unconventional front sling mount, and the pinchy mag release makes it hard to recommend for the new shooter.
Coming from the sailing world it is like sailing a wood boat vs a more refined and modern fiberglass one. From paintball it was like holding out with a mechanical autococker as the electronic guns rose to prominence. It is almost a spiritual connection.
However, if you're new to firearms, I suggest starting with a 10/22 first anyway, attend a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic, and earn your rifleman patch before you ever purchase a center-fire rifle. Do that, and the Mini is a great first center-fire rifle. Just know that you will probably need to reduce the stock length, do some minor work to get a proper sling installed, and mount a Tech-Sights rear sight.
Folding stock? Pass, if I want a folding, backpack carbine, I’ll go with the SU16c…the Mini’s supreme advantage is social acceptibility…don’t fuck it up with a folding stock and pistol grip or a big assed optic.
Also, It is a good ambidextral rifle, so if you want to capitalize on ambidextrous “optimal use of cover”, do not put a butt stock ammo pouch on it.
Mini 14 KD Score 218
Hannibal Rail for Ruger Mini-14
(not AmbGun tested. Interesting, but will it be too hot for sustained use?)
(not AmbGun tested. Interesting, but will it be too hot for sustained use?)
Mini-14 Starts AmbGun
Mini-14 Starts AmbGun
The Ruger Mini-14 was my first experiment with an ambidextral carbine.
Time to come back around, after years of learning and developing as an ambidextrous shooter, to explore the advantages (and failings) of the oddly likeable Ruger Mini-14.
Ambi mag release. Ambi safety.
Good iron sights and runs well from field positions.
Time to come back around, after years of learning and developing as an ambidextrous shooter, to explore the advantages (and failings) of the oddly likeable Ruger Mini-14.
Ambi mag release. Ambi safety.
Good iron sights and runs well from field positions.
AmbGun.com is THE ambidextrous gunfighting resource. Why you should become an ambidextrous gunfighter. How you can become an ambidextrous gunfighter. What the ambidextrous gunfighter requires in his equipment.
Ambidextrous "optimal use of cover", optimal use of terrain for steady hold factors.Training the brain so that both the left and right eye can pick up the sighting system. Perfectly mirrored controls for unconscious, bilateral transfer of skill. operation both left and right handed.
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Ambidextrous "optimal use of cover", optimal use of terrain for steady hold factors.Training the brain so that both the left and right eye can pick up the sighting system. Perfectly mirrored controls for unconscious, bilateral transfer of skill. operation both left and right handed.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of our posts at AmbGun.com contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. Clicking on an affiliate link which earns a commission does not result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. Mentions of associated products within the content of AmbGun.com may not be noted as an affiliate in every referrence. Money earned via affiliate links helps keep the AmbGun web site and video production up and running. AmbGun hopes that you'd prefer that our efforts earn a commission rather than bypassing our affiliate links and simply adding to the bottom line of large marketers like Amazon.com