[Kenter90]

I'm going to be buying a mini 14 Tactical and I was wondering of there are some things I should look out for? Or better yet to look for before I buy it so I don't get a lemon. I went and looked at it the other day and its a 581 series.

[scottybaccus]

If going new, make sure you get the tapered barrel. Stainless is a bonus. Do not pay full retail.

[Kenter90]

I have a good buddy that works at my local sporting goods store. He said he would sell me the aforementioned rifle at 675.00. Stainless is cool but 'm not sold on it. It is tapered all though i noticed the taper is only past the gas block? not tapered from the receiver to the point past the gas block?

[scottybaccus]

That's a little high for a blued gun in my area. A clean near NIB or gunshow NIB blued gun is closer to $600, though that might take some negotiating at a gun show. I paid $550 for mine in very good condition, little prior use, but no box, papers, etc. The stainless is a matte finish that seems more like raw steel. No shiny to it. Easy to clean.

You are correct on the barrel taper. That is the stiffest available from Ruger, aside from the target model.

[Kenter90]

Well I bought it the price may have been high but the owner of the shop wanted to charge me with retail of the gun not the 675. So I think its a good buy. I was cleaning it last night and I noticed it cycles with very little resistance. So I was thinking of my CETME and how when I first got it it was a stiff ole some beach. So I took a peice of emery cloth to my CETME bolt and got rid of a good portion of the paint that the factory applied to it. I was thinking of doing the same with my mini. I was going to sand the paint off in the ares outlined in yellow. Pretty much wherever the bolt slides-

[TLuker]

I would just run a few rounds through it and let it wear all by itself. My buddy just got a mini tactical and loves it. It's a great rifle and I'm guessing you'll be just as pleased. I wouldn't worry about the price either. It's Murphy law that no matter what you buy you'll see it somewhere else for a little less, but only after you buy it.

[Kenter90]

Damn Murphy and his law! lol Ya I just figure I could run a few rounds threw it and get everything loosened up that way or just polish those areas a little bit and save the ammo. Are there any see through thirty mm rings for these?

[TLuker]

There are see through mounts for the mini but everything I've read said they were not very good. They still sit too high and obscure your view with the peep sight? The side mount B-square will let you use your peep sights but I'm not a fan of that either. I just installed one for another buddy and I was not impressed with it. I've been trying to find a good mount that will let me use the iron sights or a quick detach with return (that will also let me remove the bolt) but I haven't had any luck.

[JTJ]

If you are willing to go to a scout configuration, Amega makes a scout rail. Weigand makes a picatiny base that goes over the action and attaches to the Ruger mounts. It can be removed and retain zero if you follow their directions. The rail allows the use of Weaver style rings. NC Star and UTG also make bases that go over the action but they do not compare to the Weigand. Joe Bob has the best price I have found on the Amega.

[TLuker]

Originally Posted by JTJ

If you are willing to go to a scout configuration, Amega makes a scout rail. Weigand makes a picatiny base that goes over the action and attaches to the Ruger mounts. It can be removed and retain zero if you follow their directions. The rail allows the use of Weaver style rings. NC Star and UTG also make bases that go over the action but they do not compare to the Weigand. Joe Bob has the best price I have found on the Amega.

Thanks, that Weigand looks pretty good. I'll be trying it out soon.