Henry Rifle Forums

I recently acquired a 1980 mini 14. I was able to get it onto the range not too long after it was delivered to the local gunshop by UPS, and my first five shots were NOT disappointing, considering old eyes and the military peep sights. I am NOT going to scope this gun. It will be riding in the UTV, in a scabbard that was a gift from a fellow forum member.

The Mini is in Excellent shape, and the stock is great looking... The rear peep is click adjustable and I had thought about replacing it with the Tech Sight upgrade that the forums all rave about, but a) The sight on the early Mini 14s is a quality sight, and b) The sight on the early models is NOT plug and play.


I fired the first five shots with military ball ammo at 25 yards since most of our shots will be at around that distance with this rifle. I was happy with this group. Knowing I was going to swap out the stock and planning more practice, I didn't make any sight adjustments at this point.


I fired a three shot group with hollow point varmint ammo to see how it grouped and I was very happy with that as well. Sight adjustments will be made in the very near future as soon as the recent cold spell passes. This three shot group is more than adequate for Coyotes.


The Hogue stock came in, and I swapped that out with only minor fitting. Nothing wrong with the factory stock, but I didn't want to beat it up hauling it around in the UTV or bracing it against makeshift rests like tree trunks or fence rails, so the Hogue stock it is... (Sorry for the poor pic, when I can get a better one I'll put one up.)


Since old eyes were having trouble picking up the front sight blade and I didn't want to fool with replacing it, I stopped in Hobby Lobby while we were out and picked up some BRIGHT orange paint. A couple coats of that orange, with some clear coat over that.. and we are good to go. That front sight POPS right out now. Especially in the sun.


The only other thing I have done is to order a couple more 5 round factory Ruger mags. (I have five thirty round mags but this is a Varmint gun, and the five round mags fit flush, so the gun slides right in the Scabbard.) The scabbard is mounted on the Grab rail attached to the back of the front seats. So the Mini rides secure and out of the way be readily available if needed.



With some practice it will be a good ranch gun. The Ruger American Ranch Rifle will still be there for still hunting over the coyote call... The Scope is crisp and clean and it lays the three shots right in together.

The "Box" beside the far window... ? It has a 3" foam pillow in the bottom.
It's where Miss Fiona rides when she goes for her ride every evening.
She wears a harness and is clipped to a lead, and hangs her head out the window of course, but she has that padded box to give her the lift she needs to see OUT.

Very nice Ruger marine. I like how you have the scabbard placed in the ATV.

Nice find and those Mini 14's are good shooters. Have had mine for some years and swapped out the stock for the original type folding stock that Ruger offered at one time and being made by another company now. I have since gone back to the factory peep sights to keep it a little more compact.
Still shoots great with no cycling issues.

I like the looks of the paratrooper stock. How rigid is it when open and locked?
I had a GB model of the mini 14 back in the Early 80s with the folding stock, that had a bit of play in it.

Nice set up BOM, both the rifle and the scabbard. Miss Fiona sure is a lucky dog.

I've always liked the looks of those things and like you think they make for a nice truck/ATV rifle.
But, I just usually just grab one of the levers and go.
Like the scabbard placement.
Definitely looks like it groups well enough also.

RP

I’ve had my Mini up for sale for the last month and have had zero interest in it. I can only sell it to an Idaho resident due to the new Washington assault rifle ban. I find this surprising, thought there would be more interest. Pulled the ad off the local site as we’re leaving town for a few days.

It’s a great shooter.

Nice lookin rifle there Hatch.

RP

I like it. I have also owned one in the past but mine was the mini thirty with the hogue stock. I sold it quite some time ago but it did shoot good when I had it. Your old eyes sight remodel is the same thing I do. Testors model paint and some toothpicks. I use the toothpicks around the rear sights on pistols and a small brush for the front.