Admit it. We all have had a Ruger Mini-14 in our past lives. The classic wood and blued steel Mini-14 helped whet our appetite for 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifles pre-AR-15 days. When AR-15s became more accessible, it seemed ARs nearly made the Mini-14 obsolete. Some of you may still have one tucked in the back of your gun safe. I do and that started me thinking about building a GB model. The “GB” in the model name actually stands for Government Bayonet. You know with the folding metal stock and pistol grip. Samson Manufacturing makes a replacement stock that is a dead ringer for the original Mini-14 GB called the A-TM Folding Stock.
Samson also produces a handguard that’s compatible with a variety of red dot sights called the Hannibal Rail. The Hannibal Rail can also accept a forward mount scope, scout rifle style. Time to breathe new life into my old Mini-14 Ranch Rifle.
Table of contents
- Mini-14 Rewind
- Ranch Rifle Roundup
- The A-Team
- READ MORE An Automatic Mini-14: Ruger brings the A-Team with its AC-556 — Full Review
- Install A Samson A-TM Folding Stock
- Add In The Hannibal
- Ruger Ranch Rifle Fieldstrip
- Prepping To Install the Samson A-TM and Hannibal
- Samson Hannibal Rail Installation
- Mounting The Trijicon RMR
- Samson A-TM Folding Stock Installation
- How The Samson A-TM Folding Stock Works
- Samson A-TM Folding Stock and Hannibal Rail Review
- Extended Stock Shooting
- FAQ’s
- I Love It When A Plan Comes Together
Mini-14 Rewind
The original Mini-14 is best described as a scaled-down and semi-automatic version of the military M14 which was chambered in 7.62x54mm NATO. Similar to the M14, the Mini-14 uses a gas-operated short-stroke piston and a rotating bolt. When it was introduced in 1973, you could get one any way you wanted it as long as you wanted a wood stock, blued metal, and open sights. Choices were limited back then. The original spawned a slew of similar rifles.
In 1982, a major enhancement, which seems like a no-brainer in hindsight, was the addition of an integral scope mount. Ruger called this variant the Ranch Rifle. Since then Ruger has offered and continues to offer the Mini-14 in a variety of different calibers: 300 BLK, .222 Rem., 6.8 SPC, and 7.62x39mm. The model chambered in 7.62x39mm is called the Mini-Thirty. Stainless steel models were introduced in 1999. Stocks now range from the original hardwood to laminates and synthetics.
Ranch Rifle Roundup
Many US law enforcement and corrections facilities geared up with the Mini-14 because it offered lightweight firepower, was dependable, and was relatively accurate out to 200 yards. The Mini-14 also saw use with police departments in other countries. Perhaps one of the most recognized tactical variants was the Mini-14 GB with a polymer pistol grip and folding metal stock. It also featured a bayonet lug and flash suppressor.
The pistol grip version with the folding stock is called the Mini-14 GB for the commercial model and the Mini-14 GB TK was the select fire military version. The original Mini-14 was discontinued in 2004, but it lives on in the Ranch Rifle and other variants like a target model with a heavy barrel fitted with a harmonic tuner at the muzzle end and tactical models with muzzle devices and some with pistol grip stocks.
The A-Team
The Samson model name refers to the old TV show The A-Team. The characters in the series used a Ruger AC556, the full auto version of the Mini-14 GB, with a folding stock and pistol grip. I don’t ever remember A-Team hitting anything, but they sure did make a lot of noise-fighting bad guys.
READ MOREAn Automatic Mini-14: Ruger brings the A-Team with its AC-556 — Full Review
Install A Samson A-TM Folding Stock
Samson licenses the A-TM Folding Stock design from Ruger and uses the same specs as the original folding stock. In fact, Ruger provides the raw casting to Season which machines and finishes the metal parts. A few hardware updates were made by Samson and the pistol grip was switched to polymer. Original stocks had a Bakelite pistol grip. Wood stocks are CNC machined to close tolerances and my sample was beautiful. Not your typical tactical look. Ruger parts fit perfectly into the Samson A-™ which was a bit of a surprise. I’ve installed aftermarket wood stock in the past and always had to do file work to the wood to make it fit the barreled action. Not with the Samson stock. The Ranch barreled action and the trigger dropped right in. If you can field strip a Mini-14 or Ranch Rifle you can install the Samson folding stock.
Add In The Hannibal
The Hannibal Rail replaces the factory handguard assembly and it bolts onto the barrel, forms the top piece of the gas block, and runs lathe back to the front of the receiver. This gives the user a variety of optic-mounting options, from a scope mounted forward, scout-style to a series of tapped holes compatible with a popular assortment of red dot optics. I opted to mount a Trijicon RMR and bolted direction to the rail. Installing the Hannibal Rail is slightly more complex but easy for anyone who knows how to use a hex wrench. Plus the instructions from Samson are written in English and are easy to follow
The images below show the step-by-step process of installing the Samson A-TM Folding Stock and since the Hannibal Rail requires the barreled action to be removed from the stock, I installed it prior to installing the stock. This is the part the lawyers told me to add: Remember to make sure the rifle is not loaded and the magazine is removed. And if you have any questions about installing either part you can contact Samson.
Ruger Ranch Rifle Fieldstrip
Prepping To Install the Samson A-TM and Hannibal
Samson Hannibal Rail Installation
Mounting The Trijicon RMR
Samson A-TM Folding Stock Installation
How The Samson A-TM Folding Stock Works
Samson A-TM Folding Stock and Hannibal Rail Review
First off, installation of the stock and rail was easy with no hand fitting involved. It took about one hour to install the Hannibal Rail and the A-TM stock. There is no wiggle between the barreled action and Samson stock. The fit is tight and precise with no gaps. It is as if the rifle came from the factory with the Samson A-TM stock installed.
The metal folding stock itself is also tight and clicks in place when extended or collapsed. A post protrudes from the right side of the stock and the buttplate slides over the post. The buttons are not difficult to press when manipulating folding and unfolding the stock. In the folded portion the overall length of the Ruger Ranch Rifle is 19.5 inches. Extended, the overall length is 29 inches. The LOP is the same for the Samson A-TM stock and the factory wood stock: 13.5 inches, which in my opinion is a good length – not too long so a heavy coat makes using the rifle cumbersome and not too short that the rifle is difficult to shoot comfortably. The overall length of a Ranch Rifle with the wood factory stock and Samson A-TM stock is 38 inches.
Extended Stock Shooting
Shooting with the stock extended, I found that the balance was good. The pistol grip felt a little retro and that is a good thing. Flicking the safety on and off did not require me to reposition my shooting hand. I needed a screwdriver to remove the silly grin from my face after shooting the Mini-14 from the hip with the Samson stock folded. That itself was worth the time to install the stock and rail. Reducing the storage space needed by folding the stock is a big plus, especially if you plan to keep the Samson-ized Mini-14 for home defense or carry it in your vehicle. Since the rifle can be fired with the stock folded your rifle just became an oversized pistol that can be more easily manipulated in tight environs like the hallway from your bedroom or even inside a vehicle.
FAQ’s
Samson A-TM
Q: What are the benefits of a folding stock?
A: A folding stock offers several advantages, such as reduced storage space, easier transport, and the ability to fire the rifle with the stock folded, which can be valuable in confined spaces.
Q: Is the installation of the Samson A-TM Folding Stock complicated?
A: No, the installation process is straightforward and typically doesn’t require any hand fitting. It can be completed with basic tools and some familiarity with your Mini-14’s disassembly.
Q: What is the length of pull (LOP) with this stock?
A: The Samson A-TM Folding Stock maintains a standard LOP of 13.5 inches, which is generally comfortable for most shooters and practical for various shooting scenarios.
Samson Hannibal Rail
Q: What makes the Hannibal Rail different from the factory handguard?
A: The Hannibal Rail offers multiple mounting options for optics, red dot sights, and accessories, allowing you to customize your rifle’s setup. It replaces the standard handguard and adds versatility to your firearm.
Q: Is the installation of the Hannibal Rail complicated?
A: While it may require some disassembly of your rifle, the installation process is relatively straightforward and can be completed with basic tools. Samson Manufacturing provides clear instructions to guide you through the process.
I Love It When A Plan Comes Together
The Hannibal Rail completely changes the dynamic of the Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. At best you can mount a low-power scope on the Mini-14 and that is a step up, but the red makes the Mini-14 more nimble and faster to get on target.
The Ruger Mini-14, Samson ATM Folding Stock, and Hannibal Rail make a great team. I love it when a plan comes together.
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Col. Townsend Whelen would NOT have found the Mini 14 of any interest, nor do I having owned 2 and the Ranch Rifle.
And it takes a LOT of work to make one ‘accurate’, and frankly I found it not worth the time.
The ACC 5.56 was a joke, really.
I always had problems with cheek weld. You didn’t address.
I put both the stainless stock and the gray rail on my new stainless steel Mini 30. I am impressed with the sturdiness and quality of these items. Although I am not a complete noob when it comes to upgrading firearm parts, I found the install instructions and overall install quite easy. Accuracy Systems also has many upgrade components for Mini 14/30’s that can further enhance the accuracy and functionality of these iconic-looking rifles.
My only real criticism is that, although the walnut stock is beautiful, I might have preferred a composite (black) stock – I probably would have bought both.