Mini 30 Problem 7.62x39

[Joe732]

Bought a Mini 30 built 1980 shoots 7.62 x 39 rounds.Bin having problems with
Russian and American ammo firing pin does not hit primer hard enough. Changed hammer spring and recoil spring after having to replace the trigger guard because the firing assembly used fall out after firing rounds.
Need some input

 

[Lee D]

honestly id send it to Ruger with a letter explaining all the issues youve had with it.
theyre kinda overwhelmed with all the new products being sent in with problems, but they will give it a thorough looking over and replace anything that needs it.

 

[wally]

Stronger hammer spring didn't fix it?

Probably need a new firing pin then.

Call them and see what they suggest, often they will send the part if replacement doesn't require special tools/jigs and you convince them you have basic mechanical skills.

 

[pbrktrt]

The Mini-30 was not designed to use steel cased, Berdan primed ammo. I know this doesn't make much sense, but it is what it is. If you truly love the rifle, send it to Ruger to have a new firing pin fitted as they will not sell one. It may or may not cost you for the repair, depends on the mood that day. When it comes back, use only boxer primed ammo and it will probably never miss a lick again. Do yourself a favor and put the stock springs back in, get a GunDoc trigger job, add an Accu-Strut, and throw a 1911 buffer at the rear. It will be a whole lot better shooting rifle. A reduced gas pressure bushing and gas block torque are things you can do yourself to further enhance the rifle. I'll shut up now and let you chew on this.

 

[Skyshot]

I may have an aftermarket FP in it now as Mini-30's will break the FP's if you shoot enough steelcase ammo in them. I would send it to Ruger.

 

[M1key]

Should light American ammo with their softer primers...

I agree on sending it to Ruger detailing problem.

M

 

[Isaac-1]

Does anyone know if the current production Mini-30 still has the problem with Berdan primed ammo?

 

[dprice3844444]

http://www.ktgunsmith.com/mini14_30bolt.htm

 

[Lee D]

thanks dprice

 

[M1key]

Does anyone know if the current production Mini-30 still has the problem with Berdan primed ammo?

Yes. However, some ammo is better, like Silver Bear and Yugo milsurp (tho mildly corrosive).

It is the general consensus over on the Perfect Union forum, that running berdan primed steel ammo will eventually cause firing pin breakage.

Personally, I avoid it in my Mini-30. I just ordered a half-case of brass-cased Fiocchi. A bit more cost initially than Russia commercial, but the reloadable brass pays for itself...

M

 

[diesel]

steel cased ammo

i have owned 2 ruger mini thirtys my newest one would not shoot wolf
i called ruger and they said it was due to hard primers.
my gun loves winchester white box
also the russian rds use a .311 diamiter bullet as compaired to american standard 7-62-39 uses a .308 diamiter bullet, ruger warns you not to use the surplus rds but my older mini ate wolf by the case

 

[WardenWolf]

The older Mini-30's have one major flaw: their bore diameter is .308, not the .311 that's needed for ComBloc .30 calibers. As a result, some American manufacturers of 7.62x39 actually started making ammo with .308-diameter bullets, which ruined performance for people shooting SKS's and AK's. Newer Mini-30's have a proper barrel diameter, but older ones like yours are particularly problematic.

 

[wasr10634unme]

comrade is right russian bullet need russian design rifle. go buy vodka and wasr 10

 

[MistWolf]

The older Mini-30's have one major flaw: their bore diameter is .308, not the .311 that's needed for ComBloc .30 calibers. As a result, some American manufacturers of 7.62x39 actually started making ammo with .308-diameter bullets, which ruined performance for people shooting SKS's and AK's. Newer Mini-30's have a proper barrel diameter, but older ones like yours are particularly problematic.

How is having a .308" bore a major flaw? How is it even a minor flaw?

 

[P30shtr]

If the bore is .308 and your using com-bloc ammo which is .311, your bullets are bigger than your bore. Not by much but it cant be good. If you have a com-bloc gun and youre shooting american 762x39 ammo, a lot of it is .308 diameter. Resulting in your bullets not conacting the rifling of your barrel fully, negatively affecting accuracy.

I'm no expert, hope this helped. Make sense?

 

[Double Vision]

My newer Mini-Thirty won't fire Russian steel but WILL shoot other Berdan primer rounds when in brass.

 

[briansmithwins]

If you really want to shoot the cheap commie surplus, sell the Mini and get either a SKS or AK.

BSW

 

[MistWolf]

If the bore is .308 and your using com-bloc ammo which is .311, your bullets are bigger than your bore. Not by much but it cant be good. If you have a com-bloc gun and youre shooting american 762x39 ammo, a lot of it is .308 diameter. Resulting in your bullets not conacting the rifling of your barrel fully, negatively affecting accuracy.

I'm no expert, hope this helped. Make sense?

Actually, the bullet being .003" larger in diameter than the bore for a 30 caliber isn't a big deal. I have heard others slamming Ruger for this but no one has offered any evidence that it's a problem, not even anecdotal evidence.

It does not increase chamber pressures much as long as the throat is correct. Maybe it has a negative affect on accuracy? How can it be said it has a negative affect on accuracy on a rifle design that is known for poor accuracy?

What I want to know, where is the evidence that firing 7.62x39 in a barrel that's .308" at the grooves is a problem?

 

[P30shtr]

Why ask if you already had an answer??

 

[Jeff F]

Does anyone know if the current production Mini-30 still has the problem with Berdan primed ammo?

Yes, according to things I have read.

 

[Jeff F]

The older Mini-30's have one major flaw: their bore diameter is .308, not the .311 that's needed for ComBloc .30 calibers. As a result, some American manufacturers of 7.62x39 actually started making ammo with .308-diameter bullets, which ruined performance for people shooting SKS's and AK's. Newer Mini-30's have a proper barrel diameter, but older ones like yours are particularly problematic.

Thats actually not a flaw in my book and I would much rather have one with the .308 bore. First they shoot the .311 bullets just fine. Second, if you reload, theres such a better selection of .308 bullets out there.

 

[MistWolf]

Why ask if you already had an answer??

Why do you ask?

 

[Blackhawk30]

Early Mini 30s had a longer throat to accomodate the .311 to .308 transition.