Ruger Mini-14

Mini-14
The Mini-14 Government Barrel with sling
Type
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1974–present
Used bySee Users
WarsRhodesian Bush War[1]
The Troubles
Militias-Comando Vermelho conflict[2]
Production history
DesignerL. James Sullivan, William B. Ruger
Designed1967–1973
ManufacturerSturm, Ruger & Co.
Produced1973–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass2.9 kg (6.4 lb)
LengthModel 5816: 965 mm (38.0 in)[3]
Barrel length330–559 mm (13.0–22.0 in)

Cartridge
ActionGas-operated short-stroke fixed piston,[4][5][6][7] rotating bolt
Rate of fireSemi-automatic mode:
40 rounds/min[8]
Full-automatic mode (AC-556 variant):
750 rounds/min[9]
Muzzle velocity3240 ft/s (990 m/s)
Effective firing range200 yd (180 m)[8]
Feed system5- to 30-round factory box magazine
Stripper clip (Cogburn Arsenal feed guide)
SightsIron sights

The Mini-14 is a lightweight semi-automatic rifle manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Introduced in 1973, the design was outwardly based on the M14 rifle and is, in appearance, a scaled-down version chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, though with its own gas system design.

Since 1973, Ruger has introduced several variants, including variants chambered in both .223 Remington and 5.56×45mm NATO, the Ranch Rifle with a civilian style rear aperture sight and integral scope ring mounts on the receiver, the Mini-14 GB with a bayonet lug and flash suppressor, variants with folding stocks, stainless steel versions of the most popular variants, a target version featuring a heavyweight barrel and barrel tuner, the Mini Thirty, which is chambered for 7.62×39mm, as well as variants chambered in 6.8mm Remington SPC and .300 AAC Blackout.[10] The rifle is currently used by military personnel, law enforcement and corrections personnel, and civilians in the United States and around the world.

  1. ^ "A BRITISH MERC, SOLDIER OF FORTUNE, AND A FIREFIGHT, Part One". 30 December 2021. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015.
  2. ^ "Weapons of Rio's crime war". The Firearm Blog. 2017-02-21. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  3. ^ "Ruger® Mini-14® Ranch Rifle Autoloading Rifle Model 5816". 2023-09-04. Archived from the original on 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  4. ^ "Upgrading the Ruger Mini-14 'The Brownells Way'". www.brownells.com. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  5. ^ Sagi, Guy. "Ruger Mini-14: A Garand-Inspired Carbine". American Rifleman. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Review: Ruger Mini Thirty Stainless Synthetic Tactical". 13 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Mini-14®".
  8. ^ a b Meet the Ruger Mini-14 Rifle: The Most Underappreciated Gun on the Planet? on The National Interest
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hogg was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Brister, Bob (April 1987). Field & Stream. CBS Magazines. p. 22.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)