[Squeak]

I was looking at Mini 14's on the internet yesterday. I noticed that some are advertised as being "pre ban". I assume that there are "after ban" models out there - -??
What's the diffrence? Is 187 series a pre or post? Does that indicate what year it was made?
I see that some have an exposed operating rod & some have a plastic cover over the op rod. What gives with that?
Thanks!

 

[ShawnDow]

Im not a Ruger goo roo.. but usually "pre and post ban" was in regards to mag capacity and some cosmetic "Black gun" or "Assault rifle" nonsense. if its pre ban.. it would have higher mag capacity.. and some "scary" looking features... (note the sarcasm on all the negative BS here) and post ban would have smaller mag cap and less "military" similarities. the ban started.. what.. '94-ish, Im sure the guys here can give better answers.. I didn't get into firearms until the late '90's so I missed some of this "ban" BS!

 

[Alpo]

With a Ruger, I don't know if there are any "feature changes", but even though the Federal ban went away, some states still have it in their State Laws. So a "pre-ban" Mini would be one that was made before the ban took effect. Made prior to September of 1994.

As for Serial Numbers, according to here http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory.html# the beginning Mini 14 SN for 1994 was 186-31116, and the first Ranch Rifle SN of '94 was 188-71086. Now, the ban did not go into effect until September of '94, so if your state has still got that "Pre-Ban" BS, and you have a specific gun in mind, call Ruger and get a production date.

 

[Squeak]

Alpo: that's exactly what I was looking for. I plan to call Ruger on Monday & get an exact date. Thanks a lot.

 

[Alpo]

The plastic cover. I missed that the first time.

Depending on how you hold the gun, there is a possibility that the op-rod, moving back and forth, could hit your fingers. The plastic cover is just to prevent that. Also the top of it is ventilated, to act as a heat-release. The original design had a solid wood "heat shield" on top of the barrel, and while it prevented your fingers from touching the hot barrel (which was its purpose) it held the heat in. The ventilated plastic still keeps your fingers off the barrel, but lets the heat escape.

I think the plastic cover comes standard on a Ranch Rifle, but you could buy it, aftermarket, to put on a Mini. It's probably standard on all of them, now.

 

[Mach2]

Remember the older ones can't mount a scope if that was your plan.
The past 5 yrs or so they beefed up the barrel so you can spot the taper vs the older straight profile barrels. The thicker new tapered barrel stays accurate even after heating up. I have a flush fitting 5rnd mag and a 20rnd mag. The 30rnd mag is a bit long for prone firing.

 

[gdmoody]

I have one that I just bought 10 days ago and the serial number starts with 582-XXXXX. The one I bought way back had the 186-XXXXX. Now that don't tell you a thing but I thought I would mention it anyway!

 

[Raven18940]

There's really not much difference between a pre and post ban Mini-14. The only reason get one is if you really want a folding stock with a pistol grip. I used one with such a stock and found it rubbish for proper rifle shooting, but if "tactical" is your wish than get the pre-ban if you live in a ban state. Otherwise, pre-ban guns are worth a premium that I'd pass on, especially if you don't live in a ban state.

Pre-ban magazines can be worth it, but only if you live in a ban state and only if that's the kind of shooting you like to do. I'm personally a fan of the 5 round flush fit ruger mags.

 

[Alpo]

> The only reason get one is if you really want a folding stock with a pistol grip<

Raven, would you explain that statement, please. Because it appears to be saying that you can't put a folding stock on a gun made after 1994.

 

[Raven18940]

> The only reason get one is if you really want a folding stock with a pistol grip<

Raven, would you explain that statement, please. Because it appears to be saying that you can't put a folding stock on a gun made after 1994.

Sorry, that is also caveated by the "if you live in a ban state" statement.

 

[Alpo]

Okay, I'll accept that.

Living in a free state, I often have troubles with a lot of this crap - pre ban and post ban, and gotta have a permit to buy a gun, and one gun a month, and nonsense like that.

 

[gdmoody]

and one gun a month, and nonsense like that.

I'm going broke buying 5 or 6 a year, I hope thy don't start making us buy one a month!!

 

[Alpo]

I was difficult, but I did it for a while. Fortunately I realized I was not in Virginny, before my money ran out, so I could stop.

Don't know how them poor folks up there manage.