Welcome everyone to the 68th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only have Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you, the readers, decided the subgun… thing… was just welded up fudd crap.  

HGFC – Diesel-Punk Overmatch or Pile’o’junk Mismatch — Poll Results

At this time the original auction is still up on GunBroker. We can only hope this steam-punk sub-gun finds its way to a new home in the near future.   

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at a tactically modified Mini-14. As is tradition, this custom Ruger Ranch is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $1,500 with No Reserve.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

Mini 14 Tactical or Trashed?

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Mini 14 Tactical or Trashed?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“Someone really wanted a Bren 2” – Matt M.

“It looks like a Walmart Halloween costume for a gun” – Sam S. 

“For people who want to hang with their backwoods SKS brothers but want to buy something made in murica” – Matt E.

“This Mini-14 was told to dress for the job it wanted, but unfortunately it is woefully unqualified for that job.” – Will P.

“We’re the B team…” – Rusty S.

“That ain’t the A-Team, Hannibal is spitting out his cigar” – Nick C.

“Just when I thought the “tactical” Mini-14 couldn’t get any uglier” – Benjamin F.

“He wasn’t wrong: nobody needs an AR-14!” – Giorgio O.

“The best range gun ever made, how can we absolve it of any validity?” – Mike R.

“That gun makes me want to stop shooting all together.” – Pete

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Mini 14 Tactical or Trashed?

Selling this heavily modified tactical gat is GunBroker seller jump22250, located in Ontario OR. Let’s see what they had to say about the modifications made to this Ruger.  

RUGER/TROY INDUSTRIES® MINI-14 – Stainless 196 Series *Troy Industries® Billet Aluminum Chassis (discontinued and extremely rare) *Troy Industries® Hand Grip Rail Covers *Accuracy Systems™ Adjustable Gas Block *Accuracy Systems™ Trigger Mod (appx 4lbs, crisp, just plain sweet…) *Accuracy Systems™ Extended Magazine Release *Rock River Arms® Adjustable Stock *Folding Stock Adapter *Houge® Rubber Grip *Stainless A2 Flash Hider *18.5 inch Threaded Barrel (1×28) *Magpul® RSA Sling Mount (front) *Ambidextrous Sling Mount (rear) *Diamond Head® Polymer Folding Sights *(1) Ruger Factory 5rd Magazine (1) Tapco Polymer 30rd Magazine *Gun is in nearly mint safe queen condition

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Mini 14 Tactical or Trashed?

Only three years after designing the M16, legendary firearms designer L. James Sullivan would go on to create the Mini-14. Common Mini-14’s are often seen wearing the factory synthetic or wood furniture. Clearly, that was not enough for this owner, and he seems to have created the bulkiest looking Mini-14 in all of human history.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Mini 14 Tactical or Trashed?

There are more than a few variants of the Mini-14.  These were designed for both law enforcement and civilian use, and come in multiple configurations.  This one, however, seems to be the “I’ll do you one better” edition after what was probably hours of looking at AR15 accessories.  I’m not sure why it was built, but I think at this point it would have been better to just get anything else.

The gun is certainly far from destroyed, and someone could and should restore it to its former glory.  Or maybe I’m wrong, and it’s time to show your grandpa that the future is now.  As always I leave it up to you, the reader, to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Mini 14 Tactical or Trashed?

What do you think?  Is this tactical Mini-14 a Hot Gat or some railed out tacticool Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this Custom MOD Ruger Mini-14 Ranch is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: