#mini-14

In the 1980's the Ruger Mini-14 was the gun of choice for crack commando units operating out of the Los Angeles underground. Even better if it is the 'stainless steel' version with the folding stock.

Bill Ruger, also known as one of the biggest fudds in the firearms industry, could also be argued is a proto-weeb of the highest order.

In the 1950s, he made his first pistol in .22lr, called the Ruger Standard, based on the design of the Japanese Nambu pistols.

While having features similar to the German P08 Luger pistol, making it very marketable based on the Lugers reputation, as that was currently seeing success as a competition pistol in Europe after the war.

Now taking a hard right, seeing classic anime, such as Evangelion, making a habit of referencing or showing German culture, we are currently realizing that the perfect blend of American industrialism, German aesthetics, and Japanese innovation is now a solid tradition. So, to celebrate this blend of culture, I'd recommend spending the weekend plinking with a Ruger MkIV or 22/45 topped off with some prime Japanese optics;

The Ruger Mini-Fudd-teen is what you buy when you want a semi-auto intermediate caliber rifle, but the SKS is for commies and “no one needs” an AR-15.

This is what you buy when you don’t actually care about the right to bear arms.

This is what you buy when you want something to pop off a few rounds in the woods to celebrate popping off a few rounds in your sister.

This is what you buy when you have a crippling addiction to a mediocre-at-best 80s TV series.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment & The Mini-14

Formed in 1965 the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) is a territorial line infantry battalion, whose primary role is internal security. Initially equipped with the British Army’s L1A1 self-loading rifle, the Mini-14 was selected by the Royal Bermuda Regiment in 1983 to replace the L1A1. The 1980s saw a number of other British Army affiliated units move away from the L1A1, with the Falkland Islands Defence Force selecting the Steyr AUG.

Members of the RBR on dress parade with Mini-14s, c.1994 (source)

The Mini-14 GB (Government Barrel) semi-automatic rifle was purchased from Ruger. The Mini-14 GB had a thicker profile barrel with a a flash hider and mounting lug for the US M7 bayonet. The Royal Bermuda Regiment issued the Mini-14s with 20 round magazines. They were initially shipped with standard wooden stocks but in the early 1990s black polymer stocks with pistol grips were procured from Choate. Another unique attribute of the Regiment’s Mini-14s is the regimental crest stamped on the left side of the receiver. Less than a thousand rifles were produced for the Royal Bermuda Regiment.

Member of RBR cleaning their weapon after a range day, c.2012 (source)

The Mini-14 was developed in the late 1960s by L. James Sullivan and William Ruger, chambered in .223 Remington / 5.56x45mm it is a gas operated rifle with a rotating bolt. The rifle was essentially developed as a scaled-down M14 with a cast receiver and a simplified gas system and bolt. 

RBR soldier with ‘new’ L85A2 with ACOG, c.2019 (source)

The search for a weapon to replace the Ruger began in the 2010s with the German Heckler & Koch G36 and the US M4 both being tested. The HK G36 was selected but budget constraints saw the British L85A2 adopted instead. The rifles, along with 1,600 magazines and over 400 ACOGs were donated to the regiment. The switch to the L85A2 began in 2015 and was completed in early 2016. The Royal Bermuda Regiment’s use of the Mini-14 is one of the few military procurements of the rifle.

Sources:

Images: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

RBR Recruits at the range with Mini-14s c.2013 (source)

Rifles worth $1.4m donated to Regiment, Royal Gazette, (source)

RBR Soldiers Get to Grips with Rifles, RBR, (source)

Regiment Soldiers Continue Training Overseas, BerNews, (source)