Talk:Ruger Mini-14
Contents
- 1 Ruger Mini-14/30 Barrel Twist Rates
- 2 RugerForum.com - Mini 14 model history and the 196
- 3 Mini-14 Rifle (Manufactured from 1978 to 2004)
- 4 New Mini-14 Ranch Rifle
- 5 Upgrading the Ruger Mini-14 “The Brownells Way”
- 6 580 and 180 series Mini 14
- 7 Here's a list of the different series of the Mini 14 by year.
- 8 Mini 14 Series by Year
- 9 Harmonic Barrel Stabilizer II with Adjustable Gas Block & Stabilizing Bar (Strut)
Ruger Mini-14/30 Barrel Twist Rates
Ruger Mini-14/30 Barrel Twist Rates
180 Series Mini-14Beginning Serial Nbr 180-00001--1974--1 in 10 180-05101--1975--1 in 10 180-28282--1976--1 in 10 180-59251--1977--1 in 10
Mini-14 Thin barrel, ejector is in the bolt, no scope ring scallops cast into the receiver.Beginning Serial Nbr 181-07488--1978--1 in 10 181-48351--1979--1 in 10 181-84879--1980--1 in 10 182-45601--1981--1 in 10 183-03581--1982--1 in 10 183-40455--1983--1 in 10 184-17175--1984--1 in 10 184-26063--1985--1 in 10 184-95448--1986--1 in 10 and 1 in 7 185-14140--1987--1 in 7 185-50455--1988--1 in 7 185-56556--1989--1 in 7 185-81009--1990--1 in 7 186-05029--1991--1 in 7 186-18250--1992--1 in 7 186-20065--1993--1 in 7 186-31116--1994--1 in 7 186-42502--1995--1 in 7 186-58133--1996--1 in 7 186-66855--1997--1 in 7 and 1 in 9 186-81445--1998--1 in 9 186-87432--1999--1 in 9 *196-06325-2000--1 in 9 *196-44553-2001--1 in 9 *196-80982-2002--1 in 9 *196-99207-2003--1 in 9 *197-12180-2004--1 in 9 * Mini-14 serial numbers rollmarked with Mini-14 Ranch Rifles beginning in 2000
Ranch Rifle Thin barrel, ejector in the bolt stop assembly, scope ring scallops cast into the receiver, buffer system using the recoil spring assembly.Beginning Serial Nbr 187-00001--1982--1 in 10 187-02611--1983--1 in 10 187-13218--1984--1 in 10 187-27226--1985--1 in 10 187-50919--1986--1 in 10 and 1 in 7 187-59308--1987--1 in 7 187-70033--1988--1 in 7 187-84127--1989--1 in 7 188-01157--1990--1 in 7 188-30499--1991--1 in 7 188-50902--1992--1 in 7 188-66901--1993--1 in 7 188-71086--1994--1 in 7 188-85981--1995--1 in 7 195-06037--1996--1 in 7 195-27761--1997--1 in 7 and 1 in 9 195-44221--1998--1 in 9 195-63542--1999--1 in 9 196-06325--2000--1 in 9 196-44553--2001--1 in 9 196-80982--2002--1 in 9 196-99207--2003--1 in 9 197-12180--2004--1 in 9
New Mini-14 Ranch Rifle 580 Ranch Rifle (early version): Thin barrel, ejector in the bolt stop assembly, scope ring scallops cast into the receiver, buffer system using the recoil spring assembly, new tooling resulting in a slightly different look to the receiver (more rounded edges, etc.) 580 Ranch Rifle (later version)-581: Thicker flanged barrel, ejector in the bolt stop assembly, scope ring scallops cast into the receiver, buffer system using the recoil spring assembly, new tooling resulting in a slightly different look to the receiver (more rounded edges, etc.)Beginning Serial Nbr 580-00001--2005--1 in 9 580-15286--2006--1 in 9 580-32382--2007--1 in 9 580-50951--2008--1 in 9 * 580-76276 and 581-00000--2009--1 in 9 * 581-48753--2010--1 in 9 * 581-71056--2011--1 in 9 * 581-95645--2012--1 in 9 * New Mini-14 Ranch Rifles rollmarked with Mini Thirty Rifles beginning in 2009.
Mini-30Beginning Serial Nbr 186-00501--1986--1 in 10 189-00001--1987--1 in 10 189-15143--1988--1 in 10 189-17652--1989--1 in 10 189-25005--1990--1 in 10 189-38805--1991--1 in 10 189-51041--1992--1 in 10 189-52528--1993--1 in 10 189-59348--1994--1 in 10 189-65480--1995--1 in 10 189-75697--1996--1 in 10 189-82126--1997--1 in 10 189-84971--1998--1 in 10 189-89313--1999--1 in 10 189-96162--2000--1 in 10 *196-06325-2001--1 in 10 *196-44553-2002--1 in 10 *196-99207-2003--1 in 10 *197-12180-2004--1 in 10 * Mini Thirty serial numbers rollmarked with Mini-14 Ranch Rifles beginning in 2001
New Mini-30Beginning Serial Nbr 581-01002--2006--1 in 10 581-05892--2007--1 in 10 581-06747--2008--1 in 10 581-11910--2009--1 in 10 581-48753--2010--1 in 10 581-71056--2011--1 in 10 581-95645--2012--1 in 10
RugerForum.com - Mini 14 model history and the 196
RugerForum.com - Mini 14 model history and the 196
The first 180's were made in Southport, Connecticut have a walnut stock, gold bead front sight and a bolt hold open device located on the outside of the receiver. After 1400 to 1600 of those were produced, Ruger started making them in Newport, NH they were given the large blade type front sight (retaining the hold open device monstrosity on the left side of the receiver). Ruger changed the hold open device to one that was internal and started numbering them with a 181- prefix. All guns from the 181- prefix through 188- are essentially the same, except the 187's are the Ranch rifle model with Ruger's integral ring system cast right into the receiver. Most of the 189's are Mini-30's but when Ruger ran out of regular serial numbers with the standard model and the Ranch model, they were mixed in with the 189- prefix until that prefix was used up. When 189-99999 was reached, Ruger went to 195- since the 190-, 191- and 192- was used with Ruger's AC556. Serial numbering went into the 197- prefix when Ruger decided to update the Mini and give it new sights....calling it the New Mini-14 Ranch Rifle, or New Mini-Thirty, and starting them out at the 580- prefix and 581- prefix respectively. When the 580- prefix was complete used up Ruger mixed all New Mini-s in the 581- prefix.
As far as rifling on the old Mini-14 series 180 through 189- and 195- to 197-, there were at least two and maybe at least 3 rifling changes. Chet15
Some have better sights than others, but none were produced using the best rear sight in conjunction with the best front sight. The point there being that the best rear sighting arrangement went bye-bye with the pre-Ranch models, and the best front sight is only found on the 580-up models. By design, some eject out the top, some out the side...meaning that the Ranch Rifle models are much easier to successfully mount a scope onto. If that's your thing, you may also be interested to know that somewhere towards the end of the "581-series" of serial numbers, Ruger began D&T'ing the Mini receiver and included a matching rail in the box for those who prefer conventional "Weaver type" rings. As a group, and in terms of sitting at a bench while chasing small groups on a paper target, most of the blued Mini's I've owned would consistently outshoot most of the otherwise identical stainless models I've owned. I can't say why that is, I just know that that's been my experience. And FWIW, most of the as-issued Mini-30's that I've owned (or worked with) would outshoot most of the as-issued Mini-14's that I's that I've owned. As far as barrel design goes, the 581-up has the best Mini-14 barrel by far...but, that particular barrel will not directly interchange on any other serial number series. Plus, it uses a 1-9 twist which may or may not be optimum what whatever use you have in mind. That said though, as far as I'm concerned...when Ruger began installing their "new-fangled barrel", they all but made their previous Mini-14's obsolete for anything other than casual plinking. Yeah, it really is that much better.
Are any of the others "notoriously poor" or "the best of the bunch"?...well no, not really. After all, when ya get right down to it, the Mini-14 is what it is, any/all of 'em will do exactly what they were intended to do, and baring some sort of factory defect, will reliably keep doing it time after time, year after year. On the other hand, it is not now, nor has it ever been what it is not...so my advice to anyone whom may be thinking about buying one is to align his expectations accordingly. Otherwise, he'll surely be setting himself up for failure.
DGW
Mini-14 Rifle (Manufactured from 1978 to 2004)
Mini-14 Rifle (Manufactured from 1978 to 2004)
Caliber: 223 Rem, 222 Rem Beginning Serial Number: Years of Production: 181-07488 1978 181-48351 1979 181-84879 1980 182-45601 1981 183-03581 1982 183-40455 1983 184-17175 1984 184-26063 1985 184-95448 1986 185-14140 1987 185-50455 1988 185-56556 1989 185-81009 1990 186-05029 1991 186-18250 1992 186-20065 1993 186-31116 1994 186-42502 1995 186-58133 1996 186-66855 1997 186-81445 1998 186-87432 1999 *196-06325 2000 *196-44553 2001 *196-80982 2002 *196-99207 2003 *197-12180 2004
- Mini-14 serial numbers rollmarked with Mini-14 Ranch Rifles beginning in 2000
The above chart shows the approximate first serial number shipped for the indicated year. This number should be used as a point of reference only. It is not necessarily the very first serial number shipped, but it can be used to determine the approximate year your Ruger firearm was shipped.
Ruger does not necessarily produce firearms in serial number order. There are occasions when blocks of serial numbers have been manufactured out of sequence, sometimes years later. Also, within a model family the same serial number prefix may be used to produce a variety of different models, all in the same block of serial numbers. And in some cases, firearms may be stored for a length of time before they are shipped.
New Mini-14 Ranch Rifle
New Mini-14 Ranch Rifle
Caliber: 223 Rem, 5.56 NATO, 300 BLK
Beginning Serial Number: Years of Production: 580-00001 2005 580-15286 2006 580-32382 2007 580-50951 2008 * 580-76276 and 581-00000 2009 * 581-48753 2010 * 581-71056 2011 * 581-95645 2012 * 582-29041 2013 * 582-67966 2014 * 583-17719 2015
- New Mini-14 Ranch Rifles rollmarked with Mini Thirty Rifles beginning in 2009.
The above chart shows the approximate first serial number shipped for the indicated year. This number should be used as a point of reference only. It is not necessarily the very first serial number shipped, but it can be used to determine the approximate year your Ruger firearm was shipped.
Ruger does not necessarily produce firearms in serial number order. There are occasions when blocks of serial numbers have been manufactured out of sequence, sometimes years later. Also, within a model family the same serial number prefix may be used to produce a variety of different models, all in the same block of serial numbers. And in some cases, firearms may be stored for a length of time before they are shipped.
Upgrading the Ruger Mini-14 “The Brownells Way”
Upgrading the Ruger Mini-14 “The Brownells Way”
Brownells makes it very easy for any shooter, experienced or not, to convert his Ruger Mini-14 into a tricked-out rifle that meets your exacting wants and needs. One stop shopping at its finest. “The Brownells Way” assures you that you will receive only the finest components that you can depend on day in and day out.
580 and 180 series Mini 14
580 and 180 series Mini 14.
Ruger's signts on their 580- guns are probably a lot better than the old series (including protected post front sight), and if you get a .223 with a serial number above about 580-50000 it will have a heavier contour at the rear of the barrel....which is better for accuracy.
If you're going to mount a scope you'll be best off with a Mini-14 Ranch Rifle - they have scope ring attachments forged into the receiver.
The differences between thr 580-581 series: the receiver contour is different. The barrel is different. The buttplates on the stocks are different. The sights are different. The rear sight in particular, is different in function. It has an aperature on a post that screws in or out for elevation adjustments and is moved left to right in a track by opposing screws for windage. The twist is 1 in 9". Others have been 1 in 7", 1 in 10" and 1 in 9" also. Supposedly the tolerances have been tightened on the 580,581 series for better accuracy. Supposedly part of the inaccuracy problem of the old rifles was due to the front sight being pressed on the barrel which sometimes bent the barrel a little. the new sight is a better protected post, not pressed on in the same way.
The 581 and later 580 series (in .223) had a tapered barrel which is thicker at the gas block and thins toward the muzzle. The early 580 series had a barrel of the same diameter ahead of the gas block. Get the tapered barrel, they changed it for a reason. Don't be confused by 580, 581 series designation, when they get to 99,999 in the 581 series, it will become 582 series.
Here's a list of the different series of the Mini 14 by year.
Here's a list of the different series of the Mini 14 by year.
180 Series
- Produced from 1974-1977.
- Brass ejects upwards.
- Shipped from factory with wood handguard installed.
- Original Mini-14, no longer supported by Ruger (i.e., no 180-specific parts available)
181 - 186 Series
- Produced from 1978-1999.
- "Standard" Mini-14
- No factory scope mounts, single blade front sight, low round rear peep sight.
- Brass ejects upwards.
- Still supported by Ruger factory parts.
196 - 197 Series
- Produced from 2000-2004.
- Same as 181-186 Series.
187 - 188 Series
- Produced from 1982-1995.
- Mini-14 Ranch Rifle
- Factory Scope Mounts, flip-up rear sight, single blade front sight.
- Brass ejects to side to avoid contact with scope.
- Still supported by Ruger factory parts.
195 - 197 Series
- Produced from 1996-2004.
- Mini-14 Ranch Rifle.
- Same as 187-188 Series.
580 - 581 Series
- Produced from 2005-Present.
- Mini-14 Ranch Rifle.
- Winged Rear Peep Sight, Winged (3-blade) Front Sight.
- Integrated Scope Mounts.
- At some point in the 580 Series, Ruger introduced the "heavier," flanged/tapered barrel which improved accuracy and decreased heat sensitivity (stringing).
Twist Rates for Mini 14.
Mini14 rate of twist
- 1974- 1986 is 1 in 10
- 1986- 1997 is 1 in 7
- 1997- present is 1 in 9
Mini 14 Series by Year
Mini 14 Series by Year
Harmonic Barrel Stabilizer II with Adjustable Gas Block & Stabilizing Bar (Strut)
Harmonic Barrel Stabilizer II with Adjustable Gas Block & Stabilizing Bar (Strut)
Accuracy Systems'
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The Stabilizing bar screws directly into the face of the gas block giving you a more rigid, more stable integrated connection.
Available with or without our gas tuning system. (Hence the Name Adjustable Gas Block System)
Less busy look like others on the market which use two small set screws and an additional clamp to achieve rigidity.
Our single front clamp securers the Stabilizing bar to the barrel giving the rifle a cleaner less cluttered look.
A removable sling swivel stud is included.
Hole pattern matches Ruger's factory Gas block Top & Bottom for aftermarket add on accessories.
Will fit Amega Ranges, AltiMAK, Ranch Products and Accuracy Systems Scout Mounts.
Gas Pressure Adjustment screw is located between the barrel and stabilizing bar which protects it from being bumped and still
easy to adjust.
Gas Pressure Adjustment screw does not have the positive Click feature as the Gen 4 gas block however there is a set screw for
locking Gas Pressure adjustment Screw in place after the adjustment has been made.
Comes Complete with Gas block, Gas block Top, Stabilizing bar installed, Gas pressure adjustment screw, set screw, Barrel Clamp,
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