By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Israeli firearms trainer Cherev Gidon has been pushing training on the Ruger Mini 14 lately, as well as the Galil and M4 rifles. Their facilities are located in Pennsylvania, only two hours from New York City. Yes, their marketing is aimed (pun intended) at New York Jews who wish to familiarize themselves with the ownership, use and care of firearms, but Cherev Gidon sells training packages to anyone who applies.
I mention Cherev Gidon every chance I get. I do not receive compensation.
Gidon sells training packages to New Yorkers suffering under the state firearms laws, some of the most stringent in the nation. Among the many restrictions are regulations which ban most types of ARs.
Unlike the AR semiautomatic, the Ruger Mini 14 has none of the characteristics of the AR, and as long as the gun owner doesn't possess a "large capacity magazine", the rifle is legal to own and use in New York state.
I have never fired the Ruger Mini 14, but from what I have heard, it is a fine rifle in its own right. The fella I spoke with about the gun (a welder/coworker) said his father uses it for hunting.
You can see a photo of the Mini 14 in the Gun of the Week link below.
Not Cherev Gidon
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were mostly steady. Rifle ammunition prices were mostly steady.
Prices for used pistols were higher. Prices for used rifles were mostly higher.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Foundry 35, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .20 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen, Magtech, FNFMJ, Brass Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: AGB Ammo, Own Brand, RNFP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .18 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Extreme Reloading, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Fedarm, Own brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (10 Weeks))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Armscor, FMJ, Brass Casing .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Armscor, FMJ, Brass Casing .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammo Men, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammo King, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: True Caliber, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .80 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammo Liquidator, Winchester, Brass Casing, SP, .82 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Bud's Gun Shop, Federal, Brass Casing, JSP, 2.35 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds : Wholesale Hunter, Federal, Brass Casing, JSP, 2.36 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo King, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Ammo King, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2017))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $420 Last Week Avg: $404(+) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (7 Weeks))
Arizona (201, 3Q, 2017(+3))(180, 188): Mossberg MMR: $400 ($625 (5 Weeks)), $300 (4 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(468, 465): Mixed Build: $450 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(228, 241): American Tactical Imports: $400 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(230, 252): Mixed Build: $450 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $400 (15 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(577, 601): DPMS ORACLE: $400 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $810 Last Week Avg: $824(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (16 Weeks))
Arizona (49, 3Q, 2017(+6))(41, 41): DPMS Panther: $850 ($2,300 (15 Weeks), $650 (38 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(124, 130): Mixed Build: $750 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $675 (3 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(48, 49): Palmetto State Armory: $700 ($1,600 (46 Weeks), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(60, 60): Aero Precision: $950 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $750 (32 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(102, 102): Mixed Build: $800 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $593 Last Week Avg: $563(+) ($668 (3Q, 2016), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (34, 3Q, 2017(+3))(30, 34): B-WEST: $750 ($900 (15 Weeks), $400 (20 Weeks))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(110, 111): Century Arms C39: $525 ($800 (1Q, 2016), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(57, 56): WASR 10/63: $600 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(63, 65): IO: $490 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $350 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(121, 137): Century RAS47: $600 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $390 Last Week Avg: $375(+) ($495 (50 Weeks), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(6, 6): Winchester 94: $450 ($500 (35 Weeks), $200 (20 Weeks))
Texas (33, 3Q, 2017(+2))(31, 30): Winchester Ranger: $350 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $295 (19 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(17, 10): Marlin 336: $350 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (17, 3Q, 2017)(15, 13): Winchester Ranger: $400 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(28, 28): Marlin 336: $400 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $420 Last Week Avg: $391(+) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (134, 3Q, 2017(+4))(131, 134): Viking Tactical: $450 ($700 (19 Weeks)), $325 (5 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+2))(309, 324): American Tactical Imports: $375 ($600 (4Q, 2014)), $300 (42 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(160, 168): Taurus PT1911: $350 ($600 (7 Weeks)), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (197, 3Q, 2017)(180, 178): Rock Island Armory: $450 ($775 (7 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(363, 367): Tisas: $475 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $237 Last Week Avg: $215(+) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (20 Weeks))
Arizona (238, 3Q, 2017)(219, 221): Ruger: $250 ($400 (26 Weeks), $200 (10 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(574, 583): Kahr CW9: $275 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (6 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (368, 3Q, 2017)(354, 366): Smith & Wesson: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (31 Weeks))
Virginia (340, 3Q, 2017)(325, 320): Smith & Wesson M&P: $250 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(774, 760): Smith & Wesson Sigma: $160 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (20 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $320 Last Week Avg: $319(+) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(67, 63): Walther PPS: $325 ($500 (36 Weeks), $195 (16 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(143, 140): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $300 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $200 (40 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (108, 3Q, 2017)(105, 103): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $325 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(108, 109): Ruger SR40C: $300 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(173, 177): Walther PPS: $350 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Tennessee)
RugerMini 14 rifle chambered in 5.56mm