[Camera man]

Just an FYI..... I called Ruger and asked one of the folks about there SS #'s. I wanted to know where the pre and post ban #'s started. She told me that if you buy a Mini 14 with the number
186-38000 and above it is post-ban. The cross over happend some where in the 37900 range. Anything below 186-37900 should be pre-ban. To be safe, I will not buy one that is not below 37k. If anybody out there has info. about this, I would like to know.

 

[cajungeo]

Hey Cam man. IF I can give ya a search tip? As you know keywords "pre ban" or "post ban" will not come up because the words must contain 4 letters or more. If you type in "serial number" this thread comes up. Which shows date of ban Sept 14, 1994. Then by clicking on the "Sportables" link an age chart will come up showing the serial # verses year of manuf. It will get you pretty close. http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/showthr...t=serial+number
Hopes this helps ya.

 

[nitesite]

This pre-ban/Post-ban thing sure can get confusing.

I own a 187-55xxx Mini-14/5R Ranch Rifle. According to the letter I received from K.M. Pritula, Ruger Custodian of Records, mine was shipped from Ruger in February 1986, making it Pre-ban. I would infer, then, that a 186-series rifle is also Pre-ban (14 Sep 1994).

Cajungeo, you do a very admirable job moderating this forum. You are to be commended. You also add a vast amount of first-hand knowledge. I've lurked here for quite some time and I have yet to find that I disagree with you. Thanks for your hard work!

Here's a pretty good URL to help look up Ruger Rifle dates of manufacture, although it might actually be date of release/shipment. This URL has probably been posted before.

http://www.sportables.com/ruger_rifles.htm

Hope the link works and I was of some help.

nitesite -- former LEO and US Army Staff Sergeant :usa:

 

[Camera man]

Thanks guys. This is the type of feed back I was hoping for.

 

[cajungeo]

Welcome to the forum nitesite, and thanks for the compliments. I must say most of what I have learned about the mini is from the ole timers; satan, bushwack, flac, grinch, and everyone else in this forum. I've read every post back to day one. A lot of knowledge is here!

 

[Camera man]

Ok guys, here is my problem. I have gone to the site that has the mini 14 SS #'s. My mini has a SS # of 186-43XXX. The sporables site has it as being made some time in 1992 - 1993. The #'s go from 186-18250 in 1992 to 188-66901 in 1993. I just got off the phone with Ruger and my mini was made in Feb. 1995. So is the site wrong or am I missing something? I'm going with the people at Ruger on this one. And once again I was told by Ruger that to be safe that the Mini's from 186-30000 are for sure, pre-ban. That goes for all standard Mini's, blue and s. steel. No info on the Ranch mini's. And the magic number for the mini 30 is 189-60000. Feel free to call Ruger records at 603-863-3300. So now what????

 

[cajungeo]

Hmmmmmm---interesting. I used to have a different chart. I will see if I can dig it up.

For the short term. I would agree with Ruger's answer to be safe. Will see if I can find the other chart.

 

[slimedog]

I'm sure I'm missing something really obvious, I'd be fascinated to hear why it matters whether you had a pre- or post-ban manufactured mini. Please enlighten.
Thanks.

 

[Camera man]

Its called a $10,000 fine and jail for having a hi-cap mag, pistol grip or folder and flash hider on a post ban. With a post-ban, I can have a detachable mag and one other of the magic list. Its good to know what the date of manufacture is to keep out of trouble. I personally think its a bunch of crap, but its the law.

 

[cajungeo]

We aggree its a crappy law.