Ruger survey questions

marksg · May 16, 2013, 09:23 PM

I got one of those e-mail surveys the other day and one of the questions was "would you like to see the mini-14 in a different caliber".

This made me think of a question I've wondered about before.

Why don't they make it in .30 carbine? Is there a patent issue? Or just not a market for it?

P.B.Walsh · May 16, 2013, 09:47 PM

.223/5.56x45 mm does everything that the .30 Carbine does, and better; remember the .30 carbine was to replace a pistol, not a rifle. Now a .45 10/22 would be the stuff.....

Maybe they could upscale the Mini to accomodate a .308, keep the same rough msrp, and use M14 mags.

HOOfan_1 · May 16, 2013, 09:47 PM

They chamber one of their revolvers in .30 carbine...can't imagine any patent issues.

marksg · May 16, 2013, 09:59 PM

.308 would be great if they would do that

HOOfan_1 · May 16, 2013, 10:04 PM

I'd jump all over a cast receiver M14 from Ruger for under $1000

jmr40 · May 16, 2013, 10:07 PM

They made a few Blackhawks in 30 carbine years ago. I've never actually seen one, they are pretty uncommon. I don't think 30 carbine would be a good idea.

Ruger tried to make a sligtly larger version in 308 called the Ruger XGI. They even showed it in their catalog at one time. They had problems with the design and as far as I know never released any. There are rumors that a few were actually made, and sold. But I've never seen any confirmation of that. They dropped the 308 idea and started making the 7.62X39 version.

They made a few in 222 for import in countries where military rounds are not legal. A local gunshop/gunsmith owner had a customer bring one in that would not function correctly. They finally looked on the barrel stamp and saw 222 instead of 223. It worked fine once the right ammo was used.

I wouldn't be interested in one in any chambering other than 223/5.56. But there is no reason it couldn't be chambered in most anything an AR can be chambered in.

Edit: After looking on Google it seems there were about 100 XGI's sold. They come up for sale at times

HOOfan_1 · May 16, 2013, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmr40

They made a few Blackhawks in 30 carbine years ago.

according to their website, they still make it

osprey176 · May 16, 2013, 10:37 PM

Ruger actually did make an upsized, .308 version of the Mini 14 back in the eighties.It was called the XGI.The rifle was developed,a few manufactured,and was even catalogued if memory serves me correctly.But it was discontinued before any were sold.The problem,as I recall was for some reason,the rifle was very inaccurate,too inaccurate to sell. I,as well as plenty of others I'm sure,would love to see Ruger fix the accuracy woes,and reintroduce the XGI.

TexasPatriot.308 · May 17, 2013, 12:59 AM

I own lots of Rugers, both rifles and pistols. My favorites are the No. Ones which are almost an obsession, I hunt with Ruger Blackhawks and I have owned mini 14s and 30s for years, my latest is a mini 14 tactical. I love the Garand action and M1As are in my safe too. I don't own one in 6.8, never got interestd in one. I do wish they would chamber one in pistol calibers like .45 acp or .44 mag.....I would get those in a hearbeat.

Eb1 · May 17, 2013, 01:39 AM

Yes, a 25 round .44 Mag carbine.

jmr40 · May 17, 2013, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmr40
They made a few Blackhawks in 30 carbine years ago.

according to their website, they still make it

Thanks for the update. I know they offered some back in the 1970's. They dropped them from production and this is the 1st time I've seen one in a catalog in a long time. I've still never actually seen one in person.

aka108 · May 17, 2013, 09:23 AM

Maybe a BB gun. Ruger MIni 30 was one of the worst firearms I ever owned. Only good Rugers are their semi auto 22 handguns and their single actiion revolvers.

HOOfan_1 · May 17, 2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aka108

Maybe a BB gun. Ruger MIni 30 was one of the worst firearms I ever owned. Only good Rugers are their semi auto 22 handguns and their single actiion revolvers.

And their double action revolvers, and their bolt action centerfires and their .22 rifles, and their centerfire autoloading pistols and their single shot rifles.

Lj1941 · May 17, 2013, 09:46 AM

5.45x39 because you can get ammo without selling everything you own.

**TimboKhan** · May 17, 2013, 09:50 AM

My dad has a .30 carbine blackhawk and it is his favorite pistol. It is fun to shoot. Not a lot of recoil, a big boom, reasonably accurate.

sent from my Galaxy Note II.

flipajig · May 17, 2013, 10:14 AM

I have several Rugers both rifle and pistol they did make a carbine in 44mag it was a 5 round rotary magazine it was called the deer slayer I think. I wouldn't heasitate one bit to buy another as for a clambering a round that I would like to have. The only one is in 45 apc
I don't know of one.
Flip

UplandRifle · May 17, 2013, 10:25 AM

For the money that it would be offered for sale, I would imagine most shooters would rather just buy a mil-surp M-1 Carbine with the historical provenance. Not to mention, the ammo is somewhat expensive if you don't reload compared to 7.62x39 or 5.56 and both have, in my opinion, a better all-around ballistic profile for the uses most shooters are going to have. That said, I love my 1944 IBM carbine.

Now, a 7.62x51 Mini that either replicates a semiauto M-14's operating system or comes close to it....I think that at the price point Ruger typically tries to operate, it would have excellent success.

25cschaefer · May 17, 2013, 10:32 AM

458 SOCOM, and convince one of the big ammo companies to start pumping rounds out for it. Seven rounds would fit in a 30rd mag, that's not high cap anymore. Just think; a semi auto with the power of a 45-70 that isn't a junky AR-15. Steel and wood, like rifles should be.

**Walkalong** · May 17, 2013, 02:40 PM

.30 Carbine, .300 BLK, 5.45X39,

firesky101 · May 17, 2013, 06:15 PM

6.5 grendel, .458 socom.

big boom · May 17, 2013, 06:59 PM

.35 Remington. In a light, stainless, mini.

Hopkins · May 17, 2013, 07:54 PM

Ruger hyped the XGI .308 in the Mini 14 for 3-4 years before abandoning it. The guns weren't standing up to in house testing and the model was scrapped. There was a lot of skepticism at the time about the rifle being able to hold together. Ruger's casting abilities have improved a lot since then.

Welding Rod · May 17, 2013, 08:37 PM

I would certainly consider a .308 Ruger M14 clone - I like the M14, but I haven't been impressed with the execution of the M1A by SAI.

In the present platform the 458 Socom would be a nice option.

**4v50 Gary** · May 17, 2013, 08:41 PM

38 Special/.357 Mag
44 Special/.44 Mag

jstein650 · May 17, 2013, 08:55 PM

It's a damn shame the 6.8SPC didn't take off better.. It IS a pretty ideal round in a fairly small/light AR or Mini14 platform. Kinda sucks when the only reason not to make a change is because, well, there's MILLIONS of the others out there. One could've made the same argument for Trapdoor Springfields, or hell, the Kentucky rifle... Jeeze, why aren't we all still shooting smoothbore muskets??

May 16, 2013, 09:23 PM	#1
marksg Member Join Date: March 16, 2012 Location: TN Posts: 145	Ruger survey questions I got one of those e-mail surveys the other day and one of the questions was "would you like to see the mini-14 in a different caliber". This made me think of a question I've wondered about before. Why don't they make it in .30 carbine? Is there a patent issue? Or just not a market for it? __________________ "There are a lot of wonderful things written into our constitution that were meant for honest, descent citizens.I resent the fact that it can be used and abused by the very people who want to destroy it." John Wayne

May 16, 2013, 09:47 PM	#2
P.B.Walsh Member Join Date: March 11, 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa,Alabama Posts: 1,914	.223/5.56x45 mm does everything that the .30 Carbine does, and better; remember the .30 carbine was to replace a pistol, not a rifle. Now a .45 10/22 would be the stuff..... Maybe they could upscale the Mini to accomodate a .308, keep the same rough msrp, and use M14 mags. __________________ "The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." -By a very inteligent person (not me)

May 16, 2013, 09:47 PM	#3
HOOfan_1 Member Join Date: August 11, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,751	They chamber one of their revolvers in .30 carbine...can't imagine any patent issues. __________________ "The worst of all conditions in which a belligerent can find himself is to be utterly defenseless"- Karl von Clausewitz

May 16, 2013, 09:59 PM	#4
marksg Member Join Date: March 16, 2012 Location: TN Posts: 145	.308 would be great if they would do that __________________ "There are a lot of wonderful things written into our constitution that were meant for honest, descent citizens.I resent the fact that it can be used and abused by the very people who want to destroy it." John Wayne

May 16, 2013, 10:04 PM	#5
HOOfan_1 Member Join Date: August 11, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,751	I'd jump all over a cast receiver M14 from Ruger for under $1000 __________________ "The worst of all conditions in which a belligerent can find himself is to be utterly defenseless"- Karl von Clausewitz

May 16, 2013, 10:07 PM	#6
jmr40 Member Join Date: May 26, 2007 Posts: 5,556	They made a few Blackhawks in 30 carbine years ago. I've never actually seen one, they are pretty uncommon. I don't think 30 carbine would be a good idea. Ruger tried to make a sligtly larger version in 308 called the Ruger XGI. They even showed it in their catalog at one time. They had problems with the design and as far as I know never released any. There are rumors that a few were actually made, and sold. But I've never seen any confirmation of that. They dropped the 308 idea and started making the 7.62X39 version. They made a few in 222 for import in countries where military rounds are not legal. A local gunshop/gunsmith owner had a customer bring one in that would not function correctly. They finally looked on the barrel stamp and saw 222 instead of 223. It worked fine once the right ammo was used. I wouldn't be interested in one in any chambering other than 223/5.56. But there is no reason it couldn't be chambered in most anything an AR can be chambered in. Edit: After looking on Google it seems there were about 100 XGI's sold. They come up for sale at times Last edited by jmr40; May 16, 2013 at 10:14 PM. Reason: typo and added info

May 16, 2013, 10:37 PM	#8
osprey176 Member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Location: w.nebraska,hunters paradise Posts: 260	Ruger actually did make an upsized, .308 version of the Mini 14 back in the eighties.It was called the XGI.The rifle was developed,a few manufactured,and was even catalogued if memory serves me correctly.But it was discontinued before any were sold.The problem,as I recall was for some reason,the rifle was very inaccurate,too inaccurate to sell. I,as well as plenty of others I'm sure,would love to see Ruger fix the accuracy woes,and reintroduce the XGI.

May 17, 2013, 12:59 AM	#9
TexasPatriot.308 Member Join Date: July 9, 2009 Location: Luling Texas Posts: 1,681	I own lots of Rugers, both rifles and pistols. My favorites are the No. Ones which are almost an obsession, I hunt with Ruger Blackhawks and I have owned mini 14s and 30s for years, my latest is a mini 14 tactical. I love the Garand action and M1As are in my safe too. I don't own one in 6.8, never got interestd in one. I do wish they would chamber one in pistol calibers like .45 acp or .44 mag.....I would get those in a hearbeat.

May 17, 2013, 01:39 AM	#10
Eb1 Member Join Date: January 15, 2008 Posts: 2,091	Yes, a 25 round .44 Mag carbine. __________________ Rest in peace, Moille. 5/15/2009

May 17, 2013, 09:23 AM	#12
aka108 Member Join Date: August 26, 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 1,701	Maybe a BB gun. Ruger MIni 30 was one of the worst firearms I ever owned. Only good Rugers are their semi auto 22 handguns and their single actiion revolvers.

May 17, 2013, 09:46 AM	#14
Lj1941 Member Join Date: June 12, 2009 Location: Portland,PA Posts: 218	5.45x39 because you can get ammo without selling everything you own. __________________ NRA- Life Member US Army Veteran 45 ACP -"102 Years and still going strong. Is Benghazi,the IRS scandal,Fast & Furious and the AP wiretapping scandal the "New Watergate"? Could be "Comrade"!

May 17, 2013, 09:50 AM	#15
TimboKhan Moderator Join Date: April 15, 2005 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 6,926	My dad has a .30 carbine blackhawk and it is his favorite pistol. It is fun to shoot. Not a lot of recoil, a big boom, reasonably accurate. sent from my Galaxy Note II. __________________ First Battalion, Seventh Marines, 1990-1994

May 17, 2013, 10:14 AM	#16
flipajig Member Join Date: March 12, 2009 Location: Gods coununtry. IDAHO. Posts: 693	I have several Rugers both rifle and pistol they did make a carbine in 44mag it was a 5 round rotary magazine it was called the deer slayer I think. I wouldn't heasitate one bit to buy another as for a clambering a round that I would like to have. The only one is in 45 apc I don't know of one. Flip __________________ Aim small miss small

May 17, 2013, 10:25 AM	#17
UplandRifle Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Posts: 48	For the money that it would be offered for sale, I would imagine most shooters would rather just buy a mil-surp M-1 Carbine with the historical provenance. Not to mention, the ammo is somewhat expensive if you don't reload compared to 7.62x39 or 5.56 and both have, in my opinion, a better all-around ballistic profile for the uses most shooters are going to have. That said, I love my 1944 IBM carbine. Now, a 7.62x51 Mini that either replicates a semiauto M-14's operating system or comes close to it....I think that at the price point Ruger typically tries to operate, it would have excellent success.

May 17, 2013, 10:32 AM	#18
25cschaefer Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Trinidad, CO Posts: 579	458 SOCOM, and convince one of the big ammo companies to start pumping rounds out for it. Seven rounds would fit in a 30rd mag, that's not high cap anymore. Just think; a semi auto with the power of a 45-70 that isn't a junky AR-15. Steel and wood, like rifles should be.

May 17, 2013, 02:40 PM	#19
Walkalong Moderator Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 29,676	.30 Carbine, .300 BLK, 5.45X39, __________________ Do you ever wonder why nobody ever robs the bag man for the mob? No, you don't. "Oh bother" said Pooh, as he chambered another round. Author unknown.

May 17, 2013, 06:15 PM	#20
firesky101 Member Join Date: November 21, 2011 Location: California Posts: 1,355	6.5 grendel, .458 socom. __________________ Yes, it's the apocalypse alright. I always thought I'd have a hand in it.

May 17, 2013, 06:59 PM	#21
big boom Member Join Date: May 14, 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 6	.35 Remington. In a light, stainless, mini. __________________ A modern 9mm may open uP to the size of a .45 , but a .45 sure don't get any smaller. Aim small, miss small.

May 17, 2013, 07:54 PM	#22
Hopkins Member Join Date: April 13, 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 143	Ruger hyped the XGI .308 in the Mini 14 for 3-4 years before abandoning it. The guns weren't standing up to in house testing and the model was scrapped. There was a lot of skepticism at the time about the rifle being able to hold together. Ruger's casting abilities have improved a lot since then.

May 17, 2013, 08:37 PM	#23
Welding Rod Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Posts: 1,100	I would certainly consider a .308 Ruger M14 clone - I like the M14, but I haven't been impressed with the execution of the M1A by SAI. In the present platform the 458 Socom would be a nice option. __________________ Burying guns to hide them from government is cowardice. A man who would hand his in is worthy of more respect.

May 17, 2013, 08:41 PM	#24
4v50 Gary Moderator Join Date: December 19, 2002 Posts: 14,769	38 Special/.357 Mag 44 Special/.44 Mag __________________ TFL Aluminium. Molon Labe!

May 17, 2013, 08:55 PM	#25
jstein650 Member Join Date: February 14, 2013 Location: Morganton, NC Posts: 275	It's a damn shame the 6.8SPC didn't take off better.. It IS a pretty ideal round in a fairly small/light AR or Mini14 platform. Kinda sucks when the only reason not to make a change is because, well, there's MILLIONS of the others out there. One could've made the same argument for Trapdoor Springfields, or hell, the Kentucky rifle... Jeeze, why aren't we all still shooting smoothbore muskets??