Ruger Mini-14

Ruger Mini-14

The Mini-14
Type Semi-automatic carbine (Mini-14)
Place of origin  United States
Service history
Used by See Users
Production history
Designer L. James Sullivan, William B. Ruger
Designed 1967–1973
Manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
Produced 1973–present
Variants

See Variants:

  • Ranch Rifle
  • Mini Thirty
  • Mini-6.8
  • XGI
  • Bolt-Action Only (BOA)
  • AC-556
  • GB
  • Target
  • Tactical
  • NRA Edition
Specifications
Weight 6 lb 6oz (2.90 kg)
Length 37.25 in (946 mm)
Barrel length 22.00 in (559 mm) (Target Rifle),
18.50 in (470 mm) (Ranch Rifle, Mini-30),
16.12 in (409 mm) (Tactical, Mini-30, NRA Edition),
13 in (330 mm) (AC-556)
Cartridge 223 Remington/5.56x45mm (Mini-14/AC-556)
7.62×39mm (Mini-30)
6.8 mm Remington SPC
222 Remington
300 AAC Blackout
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire Semi-automatic (Mini-14)
750rpm Selective fire (AC-556)
Muzzle velocity 3240 ft/s (990 m/s)
Feed system 5, 10, 20, or 30 round factory box magazine. Numerous aftermarket magazines and drums.
Sights Iron sights

The Mini-14, Mini Thirty, and Mini-6.8 are small, lightweight semi-automatic carbines manufactured by the U.S. firearms company Sturm, Ruger. The Mini-14 non-target versions can fire both the .223 Remington cartridge and the similar military 5.56x45mm cartridge. The target model Mini-14 rifles are chambered only for the .223 Remington cartridge. The Mini Thirty uses the 7.62×39mm and the Mini-6.8 fires 6.8 mm Remington SPC.

Ruger offered a selective fire variant of the Mini-14, the AC-556, to police and military customers. AC-556 models have a slightly longer receiver (shared with early production "series 180" models) to allow for full automatic operation. These models are available with features such as short barrels and bayonet lugs. The Mini-14GB model is a semi-automatic variant for police and military use with the additional factory options of a short barrel, folding paratrooper stock, flash suppressor and a bayonet lug.[1]

Design

Designed by L. James Sullivan[2] and William B. Ruger, the rifle employs an investment cast, heat-treated receiver and a version of the M1/M14 rifle locking mechanism with a self-cleaning, fixed-piston gas system.[3] The rifle is available in stainless or blued finish with hardwood, synthetic, or laminated stocks and an 18.5-inch (470 mm) barrel. Target models are currently available only in .223 Remington and are not chambered to fire the 5.56x45mm NATO round. They feature a 22-inch (560 mm) heavy barrel and either a laminated wood or Hogue overmolded synthetic stock.[4] Most Mini-14s have a classic sporter appearance, in contrast to comparable autoloading rifles such as the AK-47 and AR-15. However Ruger now offers some Mini-14 rifles in a black ATI adjustable folding stock with a pistol grip. While the magazines of the Mini-14 resemble M16-style STANAG magazines, the two designs are not interchangeable.

Production versions

Initial rifles were produced with a complex, exposed bolt hold open device with no button for manual engagement. Stocks were somewhat angular and heat shields were made of wood. These rifles, with serial number prefixes before 181, were tooled and redesigned with a new stock, new bolt hold-open mechanism, and other small changes.[5]

In 2003, Ruger again overhauled the design and the production process to improve accuracy and update the styling while at the same time reducing production costs. The new models, marketed as Ranch Rifles, are based on the previous Ranch models, with integral scope bases. In 2005, the new ranch rifles carried serial numbers beginning with 580. These rifles are sometimes referred to as 580 series ranch rifles. These new models use a modified gas system designed to reduce barrel vibration, and new iron sights.[5]

At an unspecified time in 2007 to 2008, Ruger added a heavier tapered barrel to the Mini series. The heavier barrel had an overall larger diameter with the barrel visibly becoming thicker in the final inches as the barrel approaches the gas block from the muzzle. These changes combined with tighter tolerances result in greater potential accuracy.[3] The new mini-14 rifles are capable of shooting under 2 MOA (Minute of angle) accuracy.

History

The Mini-14 was first introduced in 1974 by Ruger. The name Mini-14 is derived from the military M14 rifle.[6] It incorporated numerous innovations and cost-saving engineering changes. The Mini-14 proved popular with small-game hunters, ranchers, law enforcement, security personnel, and target shooters.

Variants

The rear sight on standard models was an aperture sight with large protective wings, and there were no integral scope bases, until recently. In 2005, Ruger made design alterations to the Mini-14 altering the receiver, rear and front sights. All new Mini-14s are built with integral scope bases, non-folding ghost ring aperture rear sight and a winged front sight similar to that used on the Ruger Police Carbine.[5]

Ranch Rifle

In 1982 Ruger began marking many Mini-14 rifles as "RANCH RIFLE" instead of "Mini-14" on the receiver. This version was optimized for use with a telescope sight, thus was produced with integral scope bases on receiver and is supplied from the factory with Ruger scope rings. The rifle's ejector is set to eject the spent cartridge case at a lower angle to avoid hitting a low-mounted scope ejection and the rear sight has a folding aperture, which fits under a scope. The older models lacked a winged front sight. The Ranch Rifles are the most basic models, they generally come in a wood rifle stock or synthetic stock with black or stainless receiver, and feature an 18.5" tapered barrel. Although some are available with a 16" barrel such as the NRA edition. These rifles feature an adjustable ghost ring rear sight and winged front sight. They are sold with a 20-round detachable magazine; however, in some states like New York, New Jersey and California, where certain magazines are banned due to their capacity, the rifles are sold with 5-round magazines instead. This model will chamber both .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition.[5]

Mini-14GB

Ruger Mini-14/F30GB semi-automatic rifle is completely original Ruger issue featuring a pistol grip, folding stock, 30-round magazine, bayonet lug, threaded barrel, and flash suppressor.

The Mini-14/20GB featured a flash suppressor and a bayonet lug. The "GB" stands for government bayonet.[7]

AC-556

The AC-556 is a selective-fire version of the Mini-14 marketed for military and law enforcement use. The design incorporates a selector on the right/rear of the receiver to select either semi-automatic, 3-round burst, or full-automatic fire modes; the manual safety at the front of the trigger guard operates the same as a standard Mini-14. The front sight is winged and incorporates a bayonet lug. The 13-inch (330 mm) or 18-inch (460 mm) barrel incorporates a flash suppressor, which can be used to launch approved tear-gas and smoke grenades. A folding stock was used on the AC-556F and AC-556K. The rifle came equipped with 20-round magazines and a 30-round version was available for a time. The AC-556 was dropped from production in 1999 and Ruger stopped offering service for the rifle in 2009.[8][9]

Mousqueton A.M.D

In France, the AC-556 is known as the Mousqueton A.M.D. The Mousqueton A.M.D. was used by several governmental agencies within the French Interior Ministry: the Police Aux Frontières (“P.A.F.”—Border Police), the Police Nationale Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (or “C.R.S.”—Riot Control Brigade) and even the Army’s Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (“GIGN”) special operations unit.

Ruger Mini Thirty with pistol grip folding stock, Harris bipod, 30-round magazine, AK-74 style flash hider with added flash diverter and 3-9x40mm scope on Ruger high-post rings
Mini-14 with various accessories

Target Rifle

A "Target Rifle" version with a heavy barrel, adjustable harmonic dampener and target stock was introduced in 2006. The "target rifle" is only designed for the .223 Remington round, 5.56 NATO is not warranted by Ruger.[10]

Tactical Rifle

The "Tactical Rifle" is a newer model with a 16.12" barrel (1:9" RH twist rate) with flash suppressor, and are available with a standard fixed stock/forend, or a collapsible ATI brand stock with Picatinny rails. This rifle is marked on the receiver as "Tactical Rifle". It is very similar to the "Ranch" model except for the "bird cage" flash suppressor, folding stock, and shorter barrel. This model will chamber both .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition.[11]

NRA

In 2008 Ruger introduced an NRA model, with a shorter 16.25-inch (413 mm) barrel, two 20-round magazines (where permissible), and a polymer stock with a gold National Rifle Association medallion. Ruger made a donation to the NRA-ILA for every rifle sold.[12]

Mini-Thirty

In 1987, Ruger began production of the Mini-Thirty. The Mini-Thirty is chambered for the Russian 7.62x39mm cartridge, used in the SKS and AK-47, as many states prohibit hunting of deer with calibers smaller than 6 mm (.243 in). The 7.62x39 mm has similar ballistics to the well-known .30-30 Winchester. The Mini-Thirty was only available as a Ranch Rifle, with integral scope base. Current production Mini-Thirtys are similar to Mini-14's except for caliber. The Mini-Thirty is available with a 16.12" or 18.50" barrel, with a twist rate of 1:10" RH.[13]

Other calibers

Some early Mini-14 rifles were chambered in the .222 Remington cartridge. Since the .223 Remington is not completely dimensionally equivalent to the 5.56x45mm, Ruger chambered Mini-14s for both 5.56 and .223 Remington. Civilian firearms chambered in 5.56 are highly restricted in countries that restrict or prohibit firearms that chamber military cartridges (such as Mexico). By chambering the Mini-14 in the similar but not interchangeable .222 Remington caliber, the Mini-14 could be sold in those countries.[14]

In 2007, Ruger began production of the Mini-6.8 utilizing the commercial 6.8 mm Remington SPC cartridge. As of 2012, the Mini-6.8 has been discontinued and is no longer listed in the Ruger catalog.[15]

In 2015 Ruger introduced the Mini-14 Tactical chambered in 300 AAC Blackout.

XGI

A larger version of the Mini-14, called the XGI, was developed by Ruger in .308 Winchester and .243 Winchester. Although it was advertised in 1984–1985, it never entered production due to unresolved mechanical and production issues.[16]

Bolt-Action Only (BOA)

A small number of straight-pull, bolt-action only Mini-14 and Mini-30 rifles were manufactured for sale in the United Kingdom as a result of legislation which banned semi-automatic centrefire rifles in 1988.[17]

Accessories

There is a wide range of after-market accessories available for the Mini-14 and Mini-30 to include numerous stocks, magazines, weaver and picatinny rail mounts.[5]

Users

Bermuda Regiment Soldiers armed with Mini-14GB/20 rifles in Barbados for Cricket World Cup 2007

Criminal use

American Robert Hansen would kidnap and hunt his victims in the Alaska wilderness with a Ruger Mini-14 rifle in the 1970s and 1980s.[36] In the 1986 FBI Miami shootout, robber Michael Lee Platt used a Ruger Mini-14 to kill two agents and wound another five. Canadian Marc Lépine used a Ruger Mini-14 to kill 14 women and wound 10 other women and 4 men in the École Polytechnique Massacre in Montréal on December 6, 1989. The incident led to more stringent gun control laws in Canada.[37] Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik used a Ruger Mini-14 (alongside a Glock 34) to kill 69 people on his Utøya-Killing-Spree during the 2011 Norway attacks.[38]

In popular culture

The Ruger Mini-14 were seen extensively in the The A-Team an NBC television series that aired from 1983 to 1987 in a multitude of episodes.[39] It was chosen because of its reputation for reliably firing blanks, which tend to clog a gun's action.[40] George Clooney uses the Ruger Mini-14 as a sniper rifle with collapsible stock, side-mounted scope and large homemade silencer in the 2010 film The American.[41]

References

  1. ↑ The Mini-14 Exotic Weapons System, Paperback – June 1, 1982 by Joe Ramos (Author), Paladin Press, ISBN 0873645278
  2. ↑ Ezell, Virginia Hart (November 2001). "NDM Article - Focus on Basics, Urges Small Arms Designer".
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 J. Guthrie. "The Mini Grows Up--Again". Rifle Shooter.
  4. ↑ "Ranch Rifle Target model with overmolded stock" (PDF) (Press release).
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Lewis, Jack (28 February 2011). "Today's Mini-14". Assault Weapons. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 128–130. ISBN 1-4402-2400-5.
  6. ↑ Jack Lewis; Robert K. Campbell; David Steele (26 September 2007). The Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 87–89. ISBN 0-89689-498-3.
  7. ↑ Peterson, Phillip (30 September 2008). Gun Digest Buyer's Guide To Assault Weapons. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media. pp. 198–200. ISBN 978-1-4402-2444-7.
  8. ↑ "Ruger AC-556 Select Fire Military Rifle". 1 February 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  9. ↑ Chris Bishop; Tony Cullen; Ian Drury (1988). The Encyclopedia of World Military Weapons. Crescent Books. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-517-65341-8.
  10. ↑ Dan Shideler (7 August 2011). Gun Digest 2012. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 439–440. ISBN 1-4402-1447-6.
  11. ↑ Publishing, Skyhorse (1 November 2009). Shooter's Bible. Skyhorse Publishing Inc. p. 43. ISBN 978-1-60239-801-6.
  12. ↑ "Mini-14 Ranch Rifles & Mini Thirty Rifles - NRA Mini-14 Rifle".
  13. ↑ Shideler, Dan (28 February 2011). "The Hammer of Thor". Gun Digest Book of Deer Guns: Arms & Accessories for the Deer Hunter. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 42–43. ISBN 1-4402-2666-0.
  14. ↑ Brister, Bob (1984). "News from the 2 R's". Field & Stream 88 (10): 110. ISSN 8755-8599. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  15. ↑ Ramage, Ken; Sigler, Derrek (19 November 2008). Guns Illustrated 2009. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. p. 146. ISBN 0-89689-673-0.
  16. ↑ R.L. Wilson (2008). Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company & Their Firearms. Book Sales, Inc. p. 173. ISBN 0-7858-2103-1.
  17. ↑ Bishop, Chris (1996). The Vital Guide to Combat Guns and Infantry Weapons. Airlife. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-85310-539-5.
  18. ↑ Graham Williams (July 1, 1988). "NSW Declares Chemical War On Prisoners". Sydney Morning Herald. Other equipment includes [...] a Ruger .223 gas-operated, semi-automatic carbine (with a range of 2800 metres)
  19. ↑ Ruger Mini-14 "223 Ruger Mini-14".
  20. ↑ "Bermuda Regiment Fitness for Role Inspection". British Defence Staff. November 2005.
  21. ↑ Martin K.A. Morgan (January 9, 2015). "The Mousqueton A.M.D.— France’s Mini-14". Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  22. ↑ "French Police Mini-14". January 11, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  23. ↑ Gander, Terry J.; Hogg, Ian V. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995/1996. Jane's Information Group; 21 edition (May 1995). ISBN 978-0-7106-1241-0.
  24. ↑ Soldier of Fortune magazine, Robert K Brown, 1980
  25. ↑ Dick Chase, Eric Adams, Mick Wayland, Bob Bartlett. "Firearms Support Team and Firearms Training" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  26. ↑ "Firearms". Surrey Police. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  27. ↑ "Mini-14 Uses". ammoparadise.com.
  28. ↑ Larry Celona (2002-07-04). "Terror-Wary NYPD testing new assault rifle". New York Post. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "NYPD boosts training after Mumbai attack". Associated Press & Taipei Times. 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  30. ↑ http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Career_Opportunities/POR/docs/CadetHandbook.pdf
  31. ↑ http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Employee_Resources/Training_and_Professional_Development/pdfs/trainingmanual.pdf
  32. ↑ http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Employee_Resources/Training_and_Professional_Development/pdfs/trainingschedule.pdf
  33. ↑ http://www.realpolice.net/forums/firearms-4/22684-agency-issue-very-long.html
  34. ↑ http://www.doc.state.nc.us/NEWS/1998/985news/firearms.htm
  35. ↑ Lewis, Jack (2007). "CQB Combat Training". Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons (7 ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 134. ISBN 978-1-4402-2652-6. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  36. ↑ Olshaker, Mark, John E. Douglas (1998). Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780684864471.
  37. ↑ Rathjen, Heidi; Charles Montpetit (1999). December 6: From the Montreal Massacre to Gun Control. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart. ISBN 0-7710-6125-0.
  38. ↑ Borchgrevink, Aage (2013). A Norwegian Tragedy: Anders Behring Breivik and the Massacre on Utya. Polity. ISBN 9780745672205.
  39. ↑ "Eight things you might not know about the Ruger Mini-14". American Rifleman.
  40. ↑ Major Pandemic (March 27, 2014). "Ruger Mini-30 Rifle". alloutdoor.com. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  41. ↑ "Rifles". Port Fire Studios. 2014.

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