[willyjixx]

i think the title explains it

[dude]

doubtful and 'why?' are the first two words that come to mind

[Triad]

I don't think so, but if you find one let the folks here know because a fair number would be interested.

dude, why? Because it's easier to find 30 round AR mags that work, and they're alot cheaper.

[willyjixx]

because i have a ton of .....ahem AR 30 an 20 round mags an only two 10 rds for my mini. (an they suck) it always shoots the last round out the top of the rifle :confused:

[TNT]

I have never seen any conversions.:( Magazine problems is just one of the reasons why I sold both the mini 14 and 30. It would have been nice to have cheap and reliable 20 or 30 rounders.

[Hkmp5sd]

If your intention is to convert the lower priced pre-ban AR magazines into ones that you can use in your Mini-14, I'm afraid you are out of luck. ATF has ruled you can only convert pre-ban magazines to work in a different gun if they still function in the original gun.

[dude]

...but the AR mag is designed to work in a mag well with a totally different operation & design.

There are a some good working and inexpensive 20 and 30 round aftermarket mags for the mini, you just have to hunt around a bit. I had two stainless 30 round aftermarket mags with grey followers that worked flawlessly for many years. They came with the rifle when I bought it used but have no brand name.

[willyjixx]

awww crap.

oh well looks like ill just hafta buy a rifle that can accept the AR style mags. thanks for the input fellas.

to bad i cant use my mini as a trade in to a good AR:D

[Andrew Wyatt]

well, you mught be able to modify the mags by cutting the appropriate alot in the back for the latch to lock into and the hole in the front for the front pin to interface with.


you'd have to modify the trigger group to machine away the "plates" that make the magazine well narrow at the front.

[Sactown]

willyjixx,

Shop around for some PMI mags. The only Mini mags that seem to work well for me are the factory 5rnd, PMIs, and the ProMags. Everything else is junk...John Masen, USA, Triple K, etc. PMI's expensive but they work work great in Mini-14s. If you're having trouble with 10rnd mags, try the ProMag 10rnd mags, they work just as good as the factory mags.

Or, like you said, just buy a AR-15 cuz you can.

[ajacobs]

If your intention is to convert the lower priced pre-ban AR magazines into ones that you can use in your Mini-14, I'm afraid you are out of luck. ATF has ruled you can only convert pre-ban magazines to work in a different gun if they still function in the original gun.

I am not sure but I believe you are confusing this with the ruling about things like 9mm in 40 cal postban mags.

Many rifles have preban mags being converted conmercially. Uzi mags for 9mm ar's m14 mags for sr-25's and ar 10's etc. The factory will even convert them for you in the case of armilite.

[Snaps]

Couldnt' you just buy some cheap mini 14 mags? I mean if it's not designed to work in the gun even if it does it's probably not going to do as well as another that is designed for your gun. See what I'm trying ot say? Didn't come out exactly the way it did in my head.:banghead:

[dude]

What exact type of mini is it??

I am looking for an older non-ranch mini, let me know if you are thinking about selling as I could meet you 1/ way between here and Reno any time.

[Hkmp5sd]

I am not sure but I believe you are confusing this with the ruling about things like 9mm in 40 cal postban mags.

Many rifles have preban mags being converted conmercially. Uzi mags for 9mm ar's m14 mags for sr-25's and ar 10's etc. The factory will even convert them for you in the case of armilite.


DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
WASHINGTON, DC 20226

OCT 20 2000

903050:CHB
3311/1-051

Dear Mr. Bardwell:

This refers to your letter of September 15, 2000, in which you asked about modifying a magazine.

As defined in section 921(a)(31), of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.), the term large capacity ammunition feeding device -

(A) means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device manufactured after the date of enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (September 13,1994) that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition; but (B) does not include an attached tubular device designed to accept,and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

It is generally unlawful for a person to transfer or possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device as provided in 18 U.S.C. section 922(w).

A magazine manufactured prior to September 13, 1994, would not be a large capacity ammunition-feeding device as defined. You asked about altering such a magazine so that it could fit in another type of firearm.

If the altered magazine could no longer function in the firearm for which it was originally designed, it is our opinion that a new magazine has been manufactured. The fact that the materials used to construct the new magazine were made prior to September 13, 1994, would not mean that the magazine was manufactured prior to that date. The altered magazine would be a large capacity ammunition feeding device and it would be subject to the prohibition in section 922(w).

If the magazine has minor modifications performed, such as cutting an additional slot for a different style of magazine release, and it still functions in the original firearm for which it was designed, we do not believe that it would be considered a new magazine. However, it major changes are made it is possible thata new magazine has been manufactured. It is not possible for us to render a final opinion on such magazines without examining a sample.

We trust that the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry.
If you have further questions concerning this matter, please contact us.

Sincerely yours,

[signed]
Curtis H.A. Bartlett
Acting Chief, Firearms Technology Branch

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter88.txt

[willyjixx]

H&K MP5 thanks that answered that question so i wont be doing this. however i cant sell em either so i am just gonna save for a new AR (i figure save up cash an see what happens october 04! who knows might get a cheap one!)




What exact type of mini is it??


190 ? on the left side of the weapon where the serial number is there is 3 digits before the numbers. think this is what your asking.


I am looking for an older non-ranch mini, let me know if you are thinking about selling as I could meet you 1/ way between here and Reno any time

sorry bought it brand new 2001 an its a stainless steel w/ synthetic stock ranch rifle. but if is see one i will let you know. why not IM me or E-mail me with the details an i will look into the paper an shops around here for you.



i bought two 20 round mags an both of them do the same thing.
on the 2nd to last round after that is fired it extracts an ejects it an then before loading the last round it pops straight up an out of the weapon? im wondering if its spring tension doing it. i will probably purchase some "Quality" mags to alleviate this. i just wondered if i could use some existing mags i have to alleviate the cost of new mags

[Andrew Wyatt]

Check the bottom of the bolt for burrs.


I had a mini that did this recently. There was a somewhat large burr on the bottom of the bolt that would scrape the top round as the bolt retracted, moving it just enough that the feed lip would no longer capture it, sending it shooting out of the top of the weapon.


I'd get 3 rounds out of a five round magazine before the gun would lock back, empty.

[chadintex]

I own neither rifle, but I seem to remember someone selling mags that fit both the ar and mini 14 a few years ago(?) I think it was JG Sales. So maybe it is possible.

[willyjixx]

the five rounders run flawless andrew,

plus its brand new?

barely 500 rounds

[Andrew Wyatt]

check the bottom of the bolt anyway. my five rounders are magazines of questionable manufacture, and they work flawlessly in my other mini.

[willyjixx]

willdo an thanks!