dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Not sure why the detractors. It’s a proven model with a proven record. It wasn’t designed to hold off the barbarian hordes. It’s an excellent rifle for it’s intended purpose.
Just Bought a New Ruger Mini 30
- Thread starter IJ1981
- Start date
You would also lose the five round flush fit option which is one of the reasons i really like SKS and Minis.
Riomouse911
Member
At just about every barbecue, there has to be at least one person there wanting to piss on the hosts charcoal.
The mini-14 is a pretty darn good rancher/defense gun. Hundreds of them spent a couple of decades in service with one of the ten largest sheriffs departments in the US, the California Dept of Corrections and others.
The mini is well known to be nowhere near as MOA accurate, customizable or ergonomic as the AR systems, but they work and work when you pull them out of the trunk covered in in desert sand, rain, mud, snow, etc.
Stay safe.
The minis have some sort of allure that I can’t quite place. I’ve wanted one for a while but can’t justify it at the current cost. They’re beautiful and also kind of ugly at the same time. They’re a bit contrarian too. In a world of AR-15s you can be a Mini-14.
I always thought they were a good police patrol rifle. They have most of the capabilities of a basic AR but without the aesthetic tactical baggage. (No hate for the AR but it’s a bit of an icon for better or worse).
I always thought they were a good police patrol rifle. They have most of the capabilities of a basic AR but without the aesthetic tactical baggage. (No hate for the AR but it’s a bit of an icon for better or worse).
I have 2 Mini 30’s:
A Mini 30 Ranch Rifle
And a late model stainless steel Mini 30 Tactical
Both are equally accurate and 100% reliable with steel cased ammo.
I’ve taken small game with mine and I have no problem hitting rabbits at 75 yards offhand.
I find the 124 grain fmj’s far less destructive than 55 grain fmj 223/5.56 at the same distance.
A Mini 30 Ranch Rifle
And a late model stainless steel Mini 30 Tactical
Both are equally accurate and 100% reliable with steel cased ammo.
I’ve taken small game with mine and I have no problem hitting rabbits at 75 yards offhand.
I find the 124 grain fmj’s far less destructive than 55 grain fmj 223/5.56 at the same distance.
Speedo66
Member
Lots of comments about the known problem of steel ammo not being reliable in some Mini-30’s, with remedies of stronger springs and slightly longer firing pins.
Just want to add that I am not aware of that problem with steel ammo applying to the Mini-14.
Just want to add that I am not aware of that problem with steel ammo applying to the Mini-14.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Never had a problem with steel ammo in my Mini 14. With the new firing pin fitted, no more problems with the 30.
desmobob
Member
I bought my blued-and-wood-stocked Mini-30 in the nineties and I think it's a great rifle. My reasoning for choosing it was that it was a sort of "modern day Model 94 Winchester" for Northeastern woods whitetail hunting.
I didn't shoot cheap steel case ammo through it... I had an SKS for that. I hand loaded pretty much everything I shot through it. I loved the aperture sights but put my first red dot optic on it... a Tasco that was popular back then.
I only had two very minor complaints with that rifle: 1) the safety is inside the trigger guard (not unsafe, but it bugged me mentally) and, 2) take-down for detail cleaning was sort of a PITA. Overall, it's a favorite design that is reliable and fun. I always enjoyed it. Not every rifle needs to be sub-MOA.
I didn't shoot cheap steel case ammo through it... I had an SKS for that. I hand loaded pretty much everything I shot through it. I loved the aperture sights but put my first red dot optic on it... a Tasco that was popular back then.
I only had two very minor complaints with that rifle: 1) the safety is inside the trigger guard (not unsafe, but it bugged me mentally) and, 2) take-down for detail cleaning was sort of a PITA. Overall, it's a favorite design that is reliable and fun. I always enjoyed it. Not every rifle needs to be sub-MOA.
Riomouse911
Member
Take down can be stiff. I bought a couple of cheap #2 Phillips screwdrivers just to pry the trigger guard up to take the guns apart at work for cleaning and inspection.
Stay safe.
Stay safe.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Im looking forward to the range report.
wmgeorge
Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2017
- Messages
- 560
I got my Mini 30 a few weeks ago and love it, its the tactical and it came with 2 20 Rd magazines. Will not run the cheap looks like Wolf but its not ammo Sportsmans Warehouse sells but it works great with the real Wolf ammo, no issues at all!
The Happy Kaboomer
Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2012
- Messages
- 386
I bought Mini 30 in the late 80's. Shot crate upon crate of Ruskie and Chicom ammo through it with zero problems. Scoped and killed a dozen or so deer with it. NO PROBLEMS with any ammo. Still have it.
Good to know. I picked up mine about a week ago. When all the holiday festivities are over, I will take it out and see what it likes to eat. I will install a Nikon 2x7 BO scope on it to assess it's accuracy capabilities, then likely install an ultimak rail and a dot optic on it.
