The Mini-14

This firearm came up on Bane's Blog. The uninformed were toutin' this useless piece of shit, as I have seen some magazines do, as a useful weapon. This leads me to think those commenting have no actual experience with one. My experience with one created an overpowering urge to destroy it lest it multiply. The run of the mill mini-14 is not capable of accuracy comparable to a typical snub revolver. I know that seems counter-intuitive, since barrel length would appear to affect accuracy, but it is simply unable to precisely place bullets. Note the use of the words 'precise' and 'accuracy'. These are not interchangeable. Precision is repeatable accuracy.

You may have a Mini-14 that shoots dead nuts bullseyes first shot every time but the next ten rounds are all over the countryside. Let it cool back down for 30 minutes - first shot- bullseye; next 10 to hell and gone. Now I don't actually believe there are Mini-14's out there that are even that good.

It is on par with eastern bloc weapons where accuracy is reported in percentage of hits. Which is to say - shit.

Ruger is unapologetic about this. The will tell you it is a 'utility' gun and a five inch group at fifty yards is accepatble. Ripoff city.

I think they are made with rejected 10/22 sporter barrels. Only thing I can figure that would make them so bad.