The Mini-14 never saw U.S. military service, although Bill Ruger reportedly believed it could have become the U.S. military’s service rifle instead of the M16 had the timing been right.

When I learned that Ruger was releasing a new version of the Mini-14 Tactical this year, chambered in .300 AAC Blackout, it seemed like the perfect time to revisit the rifle.

Based of the design of the M1 Garand, Ruger released the Mini-14 in the late 1960s and it continues to be a popular carbine chambered for .223 Rem. and 5.56 mm NATO.