Mini-14, Aftermarket Brands

[Spencer]

I own a Ruger Mini-14. I want a 30 round magazine but I've had absolutely no luck finding a factory 30 rounder. I've heard the ones that ARE listed run about $120.

I'm looking for an alternative. I have heard that USA mags and Eagle mags are very unreliable so I would rather not get into those type of brands. However, I was wondering if anyone had experiences with aftermarket brands such as PMI and Pro Mag and if so which one would be the best for my gun.

Thanks.

 

[cane]

As far as I know, Rugar only made 20round mags for the Mini-14. The last 5 I bought cast $25.00 each.

 

[Spencer]

From what I've seen, Ruger produced 30 round magazines for a short time and then discontinued them. I know they exist but they are just too rare.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

You can find 20 rounders on Ebay pretty easily.
Also, AJC Sportshop in Clute, TX has had 20 rounders.
So has an online outfit called fourfourmag.com

 

[Dave Markowitz]

PMI 30 rounders are very good. I have four and they all work perfectly in my Mini-14. However, I much prefer 20s.

 

[Spencer]

Any feedback on the Pro Mags?

 

[George S.]

I have some Pro-MAg 20-rounders and they work just fine. I paid all of $17 for them at a gun show. I did have to slightly bend one feed lip on one mag to get it to feed properly, but I suspect it may have been dropped at some point or maybe just something in production may have bent the lip slightly.

10 seconds with some needle-nose pliers and it works fine.

I like the 20's simply because they don't make the rifle too heavy and you can fit a full box into the mag. The 20-round mags fit in a standard GI-type AR cloth bandoleer with no problems.

 

[Spencer]

That's interesting about the 20 rounders. I've heard they are more reliable also.
Thanks.

Anymore feedback is welcome.

 

[nitesite]

I recently sold my 187-series Mini-14 and all the mags I had...

except one Ruger factory 30-rd in almost new condition.

I thought it would be worth hanging on to just in case I might one day buy another. But it's looking less and less likely that I ever will.

 

[Spencer]

Hmm. What would that be priced at?

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Still have my factory 30-rounder from back in the day---paid $20 for it new-----PMI are good----have had good luck with new Pro mags too.

From what I gathered online---30 round production ceased in 2002-03 or so----I bought mine in 1987---so not a short time by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

You can find 20 rounders on Ebay pretty easily.

I thought eBay wouldn't allow people to list anything over 10 rounds because they are communist and anti-gun?
Sportsman's guide has some 30 round steel mags for $20
And 30 round polymer ones for $16

 

[jagdpanzer347]

I tried out a Promag polymer thirty-rounder yeterday. Much to my surprise it worked just fine. Quite the opposite of my other experiences with Mini's and aftermarket mags. If it continues this sort of behavior on the next range trip I might have to pick up a few more.

-jagd

 

[Spencer]

Thanks for all your help on the topic.

After some searching we found a Ruger factory 20 rounder at a local gunstore and purchased it. It's excellent and I'm glad I found one.