Ruger Mini-14 Rifle Stock differences

jsixshoot

I need to know how to tell the difference between a Ruger Mini-14 180 series wood stock and a 181 series.

I need to find a wood 181-series (or later) 'wood' stock for a project that I'm working on. I find plenty of stocks on Ebay, but often sellers have no idea what series they are selling. If I could tell them what to look for, perhaps I could increase the odds I won't end up with a 180-series stock that I cannot use.

Thanks experts! I really appreciate the help.

jan.

iwannausername

The 180 series was the original, and had a wood handguard on top as opposed to the plastic ones of 181 and later.

jsixshoot

iwannausername,
I do thank you for your input. However, this much I know. The wood handguard appeared on-and-off on the Minis until 1983, and some of them appeared on earlier 181 series (post 1978). My question was, how can one tell the difference between a 180 and 181 series by just looking at the STOCK?

I was looking at some Mini pictures (1975 vs 1984) and it looks like the earlier model had more of a crescent shape butt, while the later model was more squared off. Anyone have any more feedback on this simple possibility? I'm thinking, however, that there might be difference between the trigger-housing hole as well, and that this difference is the one that makes interchangeability between the two models difficult.

thanks all, j

Emmett Dunham

I can't be sure 100%, I think the older model of the mini 14 may have had a walnut stock and steel or aluminum butt plate. The older 10/22 had this stock butt plate combination on it and later went to Birch or beech and plastic.

Emmett

dcs shooters

As far as I know the main difference is the 180's wood handguard and metal butt plate. They might have changed the wood the stocks are made of.

BGHillbilly

My old 181 has a wood handguard and a plastic butt plate. Not sure of year of mfg, bought it used in 84 or 85.

fullcaseload

If all else fails, try emailing/calling Ruger.(I've contacted their customer service several times and they were always friendly and helpful).

gruntled

The difference is in the gas port design. It is almost impossible that someone would have a 180 stock for sale. All 180 parts are very rare.
I had one that someone had made into a folding stock. When Kalifornia came up with the assault gun law was when I found out about the 180 problems. I was unable to find a replacement stock & since I didn't want to register it I took it to a gun show in Las Vegas & sold it.

Actually if you got a 180 stock by accident it would not be a disaster. All of the parts that are different are in very short supply & badly needed. You could probably sell it for far more than you paid.

jsixshoot

Gruntled,
Thanks. That's useful info. sounds like I might even make a few bucks if I stumbled across a 180...maybe sell it for more than I paid.

JudgeColt

The early 180 series rifles have walnut stocks, an aluminum buttplate, a front sight that resembles a 10-22 front sight and a different rear sight. Later 180 series rifles have the hardwood stock and plastic buttplate. The sights are what was used on all standard rifles after the 10-22 style mentioned.

While I cannot verify that this is correct, it is my understanding that Ruger will not repair a 180 series rifle, but will instead replace it. There must be something very wrong (dangerous?) with the design, yet the rifles were never recalled. Can anyone verify this information?

gruntled

The gas port on the newer mini-14s is much lower. The rod goes at a straighter angle & the channel under the barrel is much deeper.
The big problem with the 180 was with the bolt & extractor.
Ruger will not sell the old parts & guns with broken bolts make very poor golf clubs.
I was told that Ruger will offer a buyback but not at anywhere near what a new Mini-14 will cost. I forget what I got for mine but it was way more than what Ruger was offering. That was quite a few years ago so I don't know what they do now.