I don't believe all years\serial numbers. I currently have a 186-6 era Mini-14. I like to find a factory synthetic stock to fit the rifle. Am I limited to the same year or..... I don't really want to modify it a whole bunch to get it to fit my action.

Thoughts?

any factory synthetic will fit it - no modification needed.
they never made a factory synthetic for the 180 series or the AC556...
(which are the only rifles that have a "different" receiver.)

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^ Yup. Any post-180 Mini-14 will fit in any stock (Mini-14 or -30), AFAIK.

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What are some of the better synthetic stocks out there? I currently have a Ramline, but have also been talking to Gundoc and he mentioned that its not all that great. For now I am going to put my 188 back into the factory wood and was thinking about a hogue in the future... but after looking through the gallery it is also tempting to keep it in the wood...

I'd say Bell and Carlson and Hogue would be your best bets. Expect to wait a bit for a B&C stock -- last I heard, their wait time was 8-10 weeks...

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Have a black Hogue on my 183 SS. Love the improved handling due to the tackiness of the rubber and it improved the accuracy due to the snug fit. I had a Butler Creek folding stock before moving to CA. When I move to another state, I'll put the Butler Creek on my 16" 581.