Talk:Ruger Mini-14

Additional Images

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Ruger Mini-14 with short barrel - 5.56 x 45mm

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Ruger Mini-14 with Bushnell riflescope - 5.56 x 45mm

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Custom Ruger Mini-14 with aftermarket folding stock, sniper scope and muzzle brake - .223 Remington

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Ruger Mini-30 with Clyde Armory SCAR stock chassis - 7.62x39mm.

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Ruger Mini-14 with SCAR CQB stock - 5.56x45mm

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Ruger Mini-14 in a Archangel Manufacturing Sparta Pistol Grip Rifle Stock - 5.56x45mm

Mini-30

Much as I like the gun itself, should we have it on the page? It doesn't appear to have been used in any movie or anything. Just a thought. StanTheMan 18:44, 4 May 2010 (UTC)

I removed it as it does not meet the criteria according to the rules and regulations. --AdAstra2009 19:34, 4 May 2010 (UTC)

Actually it falls into a grey zone. When the flush factory magazine is inserted, you can't tell the difference between the 30 and the 14. Since armorers counterbore the front of the barrel to screw in the BFA the bore from the front looks the same (and we use the same size threaded plug, though the interior hole varies in size depending on the power of the blanks). The Mini-30 also is a legitimate variation of the Mini-14. Other gun pages have variants listed which may not have been seen, but they are there just in case. The Mini-30, I think should be at least listed, just for the sake of completeness. As I've said before, there are other gun pages where we have variants listed that don't have any current movie or tv credits, but they may in the future. MoviePropMaster2008 22:54, 4 October 2010 (UTC)

- Well, as I said, I like the gun itself, removing it was just a thought I threw out - I didn't really care too much either way. However, since then, I have noticed several guns that aren't in anything, and I have only recently considered that they're there for additional reference and completeness. I've become even more conscious about that as I myself have removed some gun variants solely because they weren't featured in anything (Variants on the Glock and 1911 pages for instance), but those were out of consideration of reducing size on the site as well as annoyance that people seemed to have just posted models they thought were 'cool to have'. BUT, I apologize, as in the end it is for you fellows to decide whether to have 'em or not. I always just kept 'not making it a personal playground' in mind whenever I edited. I guess there are grey areas for everything though. :) In this case, I got no problem myself with the Mini-30 being back, indeed would like to see it again. As I said, I liked it and thought it was an interesting piece. StanTheMan 01:18, 5 October 2010 (UTC)

Well that jacked image wasn't so great anyway, because it was so non standard. I will grab a few photos of blank adapted Mini-30s that are in active armory, so at least they are 'movie guns' (even though I am not aware as of this moment if they have been featured anywhere).  :) MoviePropMaster2008 05:33, 5 October 2010 (UTC)

Mini 14 / AC556 Confusion

There's a lot of confusion between the Mini 14 and the AC556. My understanding of what is available is as follows:

• Mini 14: semiautomatic, traditional stock, 18 inch barrel, no bayonet lug, no flash suppressor
• Mini 14 GB: semiautomatic, traditional stock, 18 inch barrel, bayonet lug, flash suppressor
• Mini 14 GB-F: semiautomatic, pistol grip and folding stock, 18 inch barrel, bayonet lug, flash suppressor
• AC556: select fire, traditional stock, 18 inch barrel, bayonet lug, flash suppressor
• AC556-F: select fire, pistol grip and folding stock, 13 inch barrel, no bayonet lug, flash suppressor

I have never seen an AC556 with a folding stock AND an 18 inch barrel. Nor am I aware of "AC556-K" being an official nomenclature. If anyone can provide evidence to the contrary of any of my claims, it would be welcome. BurtReynoldsMoustache 02:36, 6 December 2010 (UTC)

You can have a folding stock on a standard barrel Mini-14. Like on the A Fish Called Wanda page you went into an explanation about barrels being changed out, when the stock is much easier to swap. I have seen a few standard barrel Mini's with factory folding stocks, but not sure if they were available like that from the factory. I always thought the K stood for compact. I kept that AC556 pic on the A Fish Called Wanda page because the front sight and lack of flash suppressor, compared to the GB-F pic. In the summary it was called a Mini-14 not a AC556. --Predator20 02:54, 6 December 2010 (UTC)

Then the rule for 18 inch barrel models is to look at the barrel. If there's an original barrel AND a folding stock, assume the stock has been swapped in. If there's a government barrel AND a selector switch AND a folding stock, assume the stock has been swapped in. Original barrel = Mini 14. Government barrel and no selector switch = Mini 14 GB. Government barrel and selector switch = AC556. As for the 13 inch barrel models, as far as I can tell they are all AC556's. Whether they are referred to as AC556F or AC556K or AC556KF or FK or whatever remains to be determined. BurtReynoldsMoustache 07:09, 6 December 2010 (UTC)

"If there's an original barrel AND a folding stock, assume the stock has been swapped in." I looked on GunBroker, the amount of factory folders with standard barrels and GBs was half and half. Could those with the standard barrel had the stocks swapped? Yes, but very unlikely. Just because it wasn't show in Rugers catalog doesn't mean it was available. "As for the 13 inch barrel models, as far as I can tell they are all AC556's" Not sure if it's cost prohibitive to do. A standard Mini could be converted to full auto and had the barrel cut down at the same time since you're already having to buy a tax stamp. --Predator20 15:13, 6 December 2010 (UTC)

So then we have Mini 14-F and Mini 14 GB-F, which means at some point we're going to need a photograph of a Mini 14-F. And yes a standard Mini 14 could be chopped and converted, but how likely is it that that is the case with what's seen in movies? Is there a way to differentiate a factory automatic from a conversion? And would a chopped and converted Mini 14 have the AC556 selector switch? And we still don't know the official nomenclature of the factory 13 inch model.BurtReynoldsMoustache 17:20, 6 December 2010 (UTC)

The problem is finding a good pic of one. Even if we're not able to get one of a Mini 14-F, I'd at least like to get a blued Mini 14 GB-F pic. We have a stainless pic but the blued seems like it would be more common. With so many variations it gets to be pain.--Predator20 19:32, 6 December 2010 (UTC)

Relation to the 7.62mm M14

I couldn't help but notice the similiar shapes of the M14 and the Mini-14 (especially without the pistol grip). Is the Mini-14 a 5.56mm version of the M14 ? (I am Indian so forgive my ignorance) --Devang.dn 11:13, 12 March 2011 (MSK)

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Ruger Mini-14 Rifle with factory 30 round Magazine - 5.56mm

They're mechanically similar, but not quite the same. The name is derived from the fact that it looks like a miniaturized M14, because "Mini-14" rolls off the tongue a bit better than "Mini M14." Don't worry, your ignorance is forgiven. We all have to start somewhere. Pyr0m4n14c (talk) 15:55, 6 January 2017 (EST)

Wonder if this guy is still here, six years after the post.--AnActualAK47 (talk) 16:24, 6 January 2017 (EST)

NYPD SWAT

Out of curiosity, does anybody know if the NYPD fields (or has fielded) the Mini-14? I'm asking because I've seen images of SWAT officers with Mini-14s, implied to be NYPD, but I don't have any confirmation. Help would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Pyr0m4n14c (talk) 01:09, 27 July 2016 (EDT)

I can't speak for NYPD particularly but it seems quite a few departments have been sporting Mini 14s rather than ARs in recent years.. Shots of SWAT officers from San Bernardino clearly show them using tact'd-out Rugers. It's certainly possible. StanTheMan (talk) 01:21, 27 July 2016 (EDT)

Do you know what the particular reason for using a Ruger in recent years would be? I am curious on that, I thought ARs were the go to for police in the US.- Zombiedrd (talk) 13:39, 27 July 2016 (EDT)

I think a big part of it may be political, as mentioned/noted here - http://forum.imfdb.org/showthread.php?t=2424 StanTheMan (talk) 15:42, 27 July 2016 (EDT)