Worst rifle you ever bought

[DShortt]

I know that's what's expected out of them. That's still crappy. Can't make excuses for them. AR15's aren't bolt action rifles either, but I've got one that shoots like it.

You know, as a general rule I like Ruger. But the Mini-14 is definitely not something they should be proud of IMHO.

 

[freebird22/250]

Remington 742 Miss A Matic, in 30-06 sprg. wouldn't keep 3 shots in a pie plate from 50 yds.

 

[ronsatspokane]

You know, as a general rule I like Ruger. But the Mini-14 is definitely not something they should be proud of IMHO.

I like the action but I've never seen one that could shoot. Not sure why they are going for the prices they are.

 

[hicap40]

I'll start. I bought a used Zastava m85 bolt action .223 a few years ago. I think Remington sold a model 788 that was similar if not identical.

Barrel had a big chunk of rifling missing so I rebarreled it. Bolt is sticky. No solution to that. Is what it is. Plagued by light firing pin strikes and no solution in sight.

I'm not a quitter but I'm about ready to wrap this thing around a tree and burn whatever remains.

Christianson Arms BA Tactical........ Bar None!!!!!

 

[Brians356]

M-1 Carbine made in Florida by I think Universal. But I only paid $50 for it "as new". It functioned properly but POI about a foot to one side at 75 yards. The barrel was visibly skewed that direction.
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[Brians356]

You know, as a general rule I like Ruger. But the Mini-14 is definitely not something they should be proud of IMHO.

Remember "Chief A.J."? He advertised full page in Varmint Hunter as I recall, offered to accurize your Mini-14. Talked up his exploits hunting wolves in the Yukon from a snowmobile. A huckster but entertaining.

A friend has several Mini-30s, claims he gets them to shoot 1 MOA or better.
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[danny]

You know, as a general rule I like Ruger. But the Mini-14 is definitely not something they should be proud of IMHO.

It is intended for uses such as a farmer carrying one on a tractor to blast a Coyote, etc. An M1 Carbine, etc. is about the same class of rifle and it isn't likely going to be any more accurate. The AR 15 has been mentioned, and that, depending upon configuration, might also be about the same class of rifle, but accuracy, as mentioned, is lots better. That is true, but the AR design has turned out to be a fluke in the semi automatic world. The only problem the Mini 14 has is people buying one and expecting bolt action accuracy.

Danny

 

[Adam in WI]

My 582 Mini-14 shot well enough for me. Problem with it was recovering brass; some of it I think ended up in low-Earth orbit. I kinda miss that rifle to be honest.

 

[Knotwild]

I bought a Mini14 40 years ago. I only used it for Mag dumps on junk cars and other interesting junk. I could hit a car at 50 yards and it was reliable with FMJs. What more could one ask for?

 

[COLT45SA]

Any replica or "new model" Winchester Model 1885, 1886, 1892, 1894 or 1895...it just ain't the same thing as an original!

Do you still have the 1885~? Do you want ro sell it~?

 

[lawman29]

Do you still have the 1885~? Do you want ro sell it~?

My 85, 92 and 94 are originals. I had an 86 and 95 that were replicas that I got rid of....

 

[17cal Fan]

Savage Model 25
Had 2 of them, 1 in 17 Hornet, 1 in 222. Both would shoot very well but they were cheap, clumsy, ugly and that was just the action and barrel. The stocks would not make anything unless it was melted and poured into a brick mold along with the plastic trigger guard and magazine. Savage = great ideas, horrible execution.

 

[Kalitrazescapee]

Mini 14 ranch rifle,,,,,Ruger 77 in 30-06 had a bad/ walking barrel as it warmed up......savage 99 in 300 which sighted in after removing scope and installed marbles buckhorn and tang 1951.

 

[Attrum]

Hands down a varmint Ruger No. 1 in 220 Swift. 4” gun at 100 yards. 2 trips back to Ruger and they actually made it worse. Loved how it looked, but hated to take it to the range. That thing was one frustrating rifle. Anyway, it’s someone else’s problem. It left me 30 years ago.

I’ve often wondered how many times that thing has changed hands over the years.

 

[pilot]

Th

Easy, Marlin model 60. Gun wouldn’t run, I had it back in high school for a couple months. I’ve matured since then but at the time it had jammed one too many times and I wrapped it around a pine tree. I didn’t want anyone else to experience the misery and frustration and ended it. Jackrabbit shoots with my high school buddies was serious business, we would hop in the back of a truck and shoot 20-30 jacks in the evening cruising the old farm roads. You had to be fast and after 4 summers and falls of doing it we were pretty good, a jack didn’t stand much of a chance of seeing another day once spotted but it was beyond aggravating when your rifle wouldn’t work. I had worn a 10/22 out when I bought the MarLin, growing up I’d shoot at least a brick a week and my original 10/22 finally gave up the ghost. I wish I knew the round count on that first 10/22. After the Model 60 I went back to a 10/22 and lived happily ever after.

That sounds eerily familiar. Got the model 60 for Christmas, traded it for a 10/22 by spring for the same reason. That was 1970 or so.

 

[COLT45SA]

My 85, 92 and 94 are originals. I had an 86 and 95 that were replicas that I got rid of....

Is the original '85 still original, or has it been altered in one way or another? Hi-Wall or Lo-Wall? What caliber?
'85s are my passion. Bought one a while back that had been 'rode hard and put up wet'. Had it converted from .25RF to .38 Special CF and refinished the furniture. I must say it looks pretty good today with its original Lyman tang-peep sight.

 

[TaperPin]

Hands down a varmint Ruger No. 1 in 220 Swift. 4” gun at 100 yards. 2 trips back to Ruger and they actually made it worse. Loved how it looked, but hated to take it to the range. That thing was one frustrating rifle. Anyway, it’s someone else’s problem. It left me 30 years ago.

I’ve often wondered how many times that thing has changed hands over the years.

That’s funny - I had a #1 varmint barrel in 22-250 that was only slightly better. It did teach me to not spend more on a potential fix than the gun was worth.

 

[TaperPin]

I just walked by the used gun rack at Sheels, and there was the exact version of the Weatherby stainless 30-378 that I mentioned earlier. It was barely shot and was right next to a 300 rum and blued 300 wby in the same condition so I think someone’s kids cashed in dear old dead dads rifle collection.

I‘m not going to lie - my head briefly told me to buy it! Lol
I told myself if the gun isn’t bought, as a reward for making a good decision a 300 prc reamer and new barrel are in order! Lol

The 30-378 is what the 16 yr old in me wants.
300 prc is what the 55 yr old me wants.
300 Win mag is all I need.

 

[jonbearman]

My worst were a wore out stevens visable loader and the remington 597 that would sheer of my cleaning brush bristles like a hair cut.

 

[lawman29]

Is the original '85 still original, or has it been altered in one way or another? Hi-Wall or Lo-Wall? What caliber?
'85s are my passion. Bought one a while back that had been 'rode hard and put up wet'. Had it converted from .25RF to .38 Special CF and refinished the furniture. I must say it looks pretty good today with its original Lyman tang-peep sight.

It's a low wall that had been varmitized... I had Keith Kilby at Wyoming Armory do a complete makeover. Restocked, case hardened, rebarreled and chambered in 218 mashburn bee.