Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the carbines category.
01 / Overview
Ruger Mini-14
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1973–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the carbines category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Production Year1973
- Service Entry Year1974
- DesignerL. James Sullivan, William B. Ruger
- Weight (Empty)2.9 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
- Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
- Calibre5.56 mm
- Case Length45 mm
- Calibre Classintermediate
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation9MOD.9
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modessemi-automatic, full-automatic (AC-556)
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity5
- Cyclic Rate of Fire40
- Practical Rate of Fire40
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typemanual
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
- Muzzle Velocity990 m/s
- Effective Range (point)400 m
- Sighting Range200 m
◆Barrel & Sights6MOD.6
- Barrel Length470 mm
- Rifling Twist1:9 RH
- Sight TypeIron sights
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelYes
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialinvestment-cast, heat-treated steel
- Furniture Materialwood, synthetic
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitymultiple variants with different stocks, barrels, and accessories
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
- Production Start1973
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1964First deployment: Rhodesian Bush War
- 1973Production started
53
years in service
10
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries10country
05 / MASS Score
CARBINES RANKING Carbines · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
ⓘ Rankings are within theCarbinescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE10terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources