Ruger Mini-14

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.

[14] The original Mini-14 rifle had a rear aperture sight with large protective wings and no integral scope bases.

At the time, large quantities of surplus military ammunition were being imported into the United States at rock-bottom prices.

[16] They also have a new modified gas system designed to reduce barrel vibration[14] and can shoot two-inch groups at 100 yards, which is 2 minute of angle (MOA) accuracy.

These rifles feature an adjustable ghost ring rear sight and winged front sight, and they are sold with a detachable Picatinny scope rail mount and a choice of two 20-round or 5-round detachable box magazines to comply with some U.S. states and other countries, which have laws restricting magazine capacity.

[18][19] The Target Rifle does not have iron sights but includes the standard scope rings and Picatinny rail mount.

[20] Introduced in 2009,[21] the "Tactical Rifle" is the newest variant, which includes the shorter 16.12" barrel with flash suppressor, and is available with a standard fixed stock/fore end, or a collapsible ATI-brand stock with Picatinny rails.

[23] In 1987, Ruger began production of the Mini Thirty, which is chambered for the Russian 7.62×39mm cartridge, used in the SKS and AK-47, as many states prohibit hunting of deer with calibers smaller than 6 mm (.243 in).

It also has a shorter 16.12-inch barrel with flash suppressor, and is available with a standard fixed stock/fore end, or a collapsible ATI-brand stock with Picatinny rails.

The design incorporates a selector on the right/rear of the receiver to select either semi-automatic, three-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.

"—Riot Control Brigade), and the Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale ("GIGN") special-operations unit.

[35] Designated Mini-14/5R.222, these rifles were made mostly for civilian markets overseas where .223 caliber and 5.56 mm firearms are generally banned.

A wide range of aftermarket accessories are available for the Mini-14 and Mini Thirty, including numerous stocks, magazines, and Weaver and Picatinny rail mounts.

Stainless steel Mini-14 Ranch Rifle with various accessories
Ranch Rifle, note the scope mounts and ghost ring rear sight
Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle with a Bushnell 3-9 X 40mm rifle scope
A stainless Mini-14 Tactical (top) and Mini-14 GB-F
A Mini Thirty with aftermarket accessories
Ruger Mini-14 GB with a pistol grip, side-folding stock, 30-round magazine, bayonet lug, threaded barrel, flash suppressor, and M7 bayonet
French CRS police officer with Mousqueton A.M.D. with tangent rear sight, note the selector lever at the rear of the receiver
Mini-14 with various accessories
Disassembled Mini-14 with various accessories
Royal Bermuda Regiment soldier armed with a Mini-14 GB in 1994
French police armed with Mousqueton A.M.D. rifles
Map with Ruger Mini-14 users in blue