Mini-30 - Should I, options?

[bclark1]

Grrr. Internet just took a dump and I lost my post after getting it all typed out.

Anyway, I like the Mini-30. It's a niche I'm looking to fill, a semi-auto of a caliber between .223 and .30-06. I like the look and feel. I prefer new production rifles, with warranties and easy service, to milsurps and some imports. My impression would be a little rifle more accurate than a cheap AK but not designed for bench rest shooting, and a little handier than a FAL or BAR (not to mention I like the ability to accept standard capacity aftermarket mags, when compared to a BAR). I like plinking away, not much for letting the barrel cool between shots, and I understand (at least in older Rugers) the barrel on them is thin and can degrade rapidly from the heat of continuous shooting. Given all this, what's everyone's take on the Mini-30 living up to what I'd like? If money weren't an issue, I'd opt for a new Springfield M1A instead, even though the .308 really isn't the "in-between" round the 7.62x39 is, but I can't spend a grand. Are there any similar platforms I've overlooked that fit this bill?

 

[ZeroCool]

Mini-30's work, but they arent particularly good at anything. They arent as accurate as you would expect (thin barrel I suppose is the culprit) and hi-caps are hard to find and expensive.

A much, much, much (can't stress that enough) better option would be the 7.62x39 Saiga rifle in a 16" barrel. Small, fairly light, and in my experience, both more reliable and accurate at 1/2 the price to boot.

I got my Saiga for 225 dollars brand new, but I think that they have gone up in price since then.

Do a search in the forum for mini 30 and saiga, I think you will find your answer.

Whatever you decide, its always fun to get a new gun.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Having finally had a chance to use a Mini-30, my advice is STAY AWAY!!!

It's reliable, based on the 20 or so rounds I saw shot and expected by the way the thing throws the brass. It isn't any more accurate than an SKS I used to use (actually, may be worse, not sure) and the factory 5 round magazine makes capacity moot and it really is sort of limited.

I would look to other options, especially for the $600 asking price of the Mini.

As for accuracy: At 50 yards, I'd call it more of a pattern than a group. That's for 3 shots. You might hit a grapefruit. A golf-ball is definitely out though. Not particularly confidence inspiring from a bench-rest. I may have had better luck with the factory irons and a good prone position though. (The rifle was scoped with an inexpensive Bushnell 3-9.)

 

[browningguy]

The only mini I've seen any actual test results on that were promising was the new target model (.223 only), and I'm not sure when you will be able to buy one.

I just read an article in one of the gun rags called "Ruger MOA Mini-14 in .223".

What a joke, the smallest actual 5 shot group was 1 7/8", most were pushing 3" and a few over 4". He managed to call it MOA because he threw out 1 shot and had four under an inch, and he's "sure" it will do better after he finishes breaking it in.

In short, it doesn't seem to really be significantly better than the old mini. It is fun to shoot though, and I like the look. I'd even buy one if it was more accurate than my Yugo SKS. The Saiga option is also attractive, although they have gone up recently they are still in the <$400 range at Houston shows.

 

[____hoot____]

Had a Ruger 44 carbine, two 30-06 742's, and a Browning BAR in 308 and 3-5" groups were the norm for all of them. Twelve years ago I bought a case of korean war vintage mint Russian SKSs for 98$ each, shot a five round group through each of them and kept the best. Then and only then did I finally own an auto capable of MOA groups.

 

[Manedwolf]

IMO, the Mini-14 and Mini-30 were made before they knew better. The barrels are too thin, lots of other issues with them. Accuracy is mediocre at best.

They were fine when introduced, perhaps, but there's so many better options now, not the least of which is the Saigas, which have a chrome barrel and much better accuracy for much less money.

 

[DWARREN123]

SKS, Norico or Russian then Yugo> Good semi-auto rifles and in most the accuracy is as good or better than the Mini 30. In fact my Norico SKS is much more accurate than the Mini 30 I had.

 

[dfaugh]

SKS, Norico or Russian then Yugo> Good semi-auto rifles and in most the accuracy is as good or better than the Mini 30.

I know you said no milsurps, but an SKS will do ANYTHING a Mini-30 will do, and is probably more reliable and at least as accurate. And you can get a "new" (unissued) one for under $200.

 

[wen]

i had a ss mini30 for about a year, but only fired 300 rds till now. The gun itself is not that good as what i thought, but the acurracy is still acceptable. i put about 200-250 out of 300 rounds in a 4inch circle target, at 100 yards without scope by useing Tiger ammo(no idea who makes Tiger). The high cap mags are hard to find, but many people use AK magazine for there mini30, they said just drew a hole on the mag(dont' see it).
$600 to buy a mini30? If i have another chance, i will not going to buy it.....

 

[mrmeval]

I'd suggest looking at the KelTec it's .223, takes AR15 magazines and it folds up for easy transport.

There are ways to rework a Mini14/30 to be accurate, someone here was asking about it. You have to do a meticulous adjustment on the gas block. To fix the over heat problem there are heavier barrels. All of this is aftermarket afaik.

There is also Rugers utter contempt of civilians when it comes to high capacity magazines, they don't offer them to us peons at all. They also protected their own behinds when it came to the AWB.

 

[rangerruck]

I would like them, I suppose, but i've got two Saigas, and the cost of both is cheaper than a mini30.

 

[dmftoy1]

I spent 3 afternoons trying to help my neighbor sight his in . . . . we finally came to the conclusion that it was sighted it and just not very accurate. We were seeing groups around 5-7 inches but this was with the cheapest nastiest wolf ammo. He toyed with the idea of trying some more expensive ammo but his whole reason for buying it was to be able to shoot the cheap ammo. I believe he traded it off on an AR15 in 7.62x39 which was MUCH more accurate with cheap ammo . ..BUT there's a big magazine issue there. (getting reliable ones is tough)

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[aka108]

Owned one for several years and sold it. It ran fine, never hung up a round but it was without a doubt the least accurate rifle I ever owned, less so than an old Mauser with a shot out bore. Stay away from them. Too highly priced and to highly rated by Ruger. The 16" Saiga mentioned above is a far better choice and at half the price.

 

[asknight]

If you are expecting to pay retail on a Mini-30, I would seriously consider an Arsenal AK instead.

 

[ArmedBear]

I know you said no milsurps, but an SKS will do ANYTHING a Mini-30 will do, and is probably more reliable and at least as accurate. And you can get a "new" (unissued) one for under $200.

An SKS is bulky, heavy, and ergonomically, it's garbage. The Mini-30 is a FAR handier little gun, and stainless, too. Either one will be fun as hell on reactive targets with iron sights; neither one will keep you interested at an organized range, shooting for accuracy.

The newest Minis -- came out this year I think -- have better barrels and other parts, AFAIK. Ruger re-tooled the things.

That said, they're damned expensive for what they are, unless you have a real need.

An SKS is a wonderful toy for a good price, and it likes the cheap ammo. The Mini-30 is probably at its best as a working gun, a "Ranch Rifle" as intended.

Ruger will fix your rifle, if it ever breaks. GREAT service.

I've never shot a Saiga, just an AKS, so I can't speak for the ergos of the Saiga.

I do like my Mini-14; everyone else who ever shoots it does, too. It's stainless/xytel like the newer Mini-30s. I'd recommend the 14 as a fun-as-hell plinker, hands down my favorite even at 150+ yards on things like coffee cans with iron sights. Again, it's handy and fun as all get-out. Very different from an SKS.

That said, I don't know if the 7.62x39 really offers the best fun factor in something other than an AK or SKS. Ammo the Mini-30 likes isn't cheap.

The M1A is a really nice rifle, and it might be your best choice. It's heavy, but it's a real gun.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Bad gun

Bad design

6MOA is handgun accuracy, believe it or not you could buy a Ruger Blackhawk in 30 carbine and have better accuracy with a .30 cal. Frankly you could buy a lot of handguns that would all shoot better than a Mini. Apparently "Ranch Rifles" are made for people with postage stamp lots because you're sure not going to hit anything in the "Back 40" with it. If you're looking for a similar rifle in a different caliber you might just consider the .30 Carbine! Auto Ordinance is making them new now. My buddy has an original milsurp and it's tons of fun to shoot mostly because you can actually hit stuff with it! Plus it carries some military relevance if such is important to you.

 

[Skibane]

An SKS sounds like your best bet. Granted, it won't carry a new-gun warranty, but a like-new "unissued" specimen will only cost about 1/3rd of what a stainless Mini-30 goes for - and that price includes accuracy that is superior to a Mini-30 (and most AKs as well), drop-dead reliability, and an interesting military history. Furthermore, SKS's are easy to repair, replacement parts are readily available, and they usually hold their resale value well. (Unlike the Ruger, they aren't being made anymore, which automatically makes them potential collector's items).

Finally, it should be mentioned that for every Mini-30 fan, there are dozens - maybe even hundreds - of people who have had bad experiences with them. That should tell you something.