mini 30??

[BayouBocephus]

I am a college student that wants to buy a new rifle...preferably a semi. I really cant afford an AR so I was thinkin would a mini 30 be acceptable?

Pros? Cons? Any input would be great!!

Thanks

 

[Realbigo]

I have heard that they can be finicky. I have no expierience w/them myself. You may as well get a well made AK. The Mini 30's are getting harder, and harder to find parts for, plus the mags are alot more expensive. Just my opinion

 

[Rubber_Duck]

+1 on getting the AK.

 

[rhinoh]

Owning a Mini 30 and an AK...I'd say buy an AK if you can only have one. The Mini 30 will not shoot ALL the Cheap Russian Steel Ammo (CRSA)...the AK will. Mini 30s don't hit the primer hard enough to set off ALL the CRSA. Maybe 3 out of 10 don't go bang, you can change the hammer spring and get it down to 1 out of 10 don't go bang. Not acceptable in my opinion. I load brass just for the Mini 30 because of this. PITA I was quite pissed to spend twice what an AK cost, at the time, on a Mini 30 and have problems with it. Then there is the high cap mag problem, never found any over 10 round cap to work well. If I had it to do over I wouldn't have bought the Mini 30. But I'm keeping it since I also have a Mini 14 to match it

 

[Maelstrom]

I have a Mini 30 and, as long as I've used factory mags, I've never had a problem in a couple of thousand rounds.

 

[Bodo]

I own a mini30 no problems at all. more accurate than the AK.and its made in the usa

 

[R.W.Dale]

a mini 30 really isn't any cheaper than an entry level AR15

 

[Master Blaster]

If you don't reload I would not advise buying a Mini 30 or an AK clone at this point:

It used to be you could by 7.62 for $99 per thousand rounds of wolf, No Its almost twice that much and the supplies dried up completely a couple years ago.

With Our new glorious multiculturally diversified leader and his house majority, most likely there will be some sort of ban of 7.62x39 ammo, since its deadly cop killer armour piercing ammo and no one needs one to HUNT.

SO I would not be surprised if the 7.62x39 ammo became unavailible ( or at least super expensive, taxed) in the next two years or less. I would advise you to buy a 10/22 carbine for a semi auto for plinking and practice, and look for something in
.223 which IMHO is less likely to be banned since many US manufacturers make it. Even then you may want to take up reloading for it.

 

[blacksmithsc]

Two things:

1. I've owned a Mini 30 and a Mini 14. I found the Mini 30 to be more accurate when firing more than 3-4 rounds in quick succession. As others stated, Mini 30's may or may not like the cheap Russian ammo, mine didn't. I did find some relatively cheap brass 7.62 that was made in Africa that it liked OK.

2. Look around at gun and pawn shops for used ARs. The two big gun shops here in the Charleston SC area have a plethora of used ARs for $500-600.

 

[benEzra]

IMO, an AK is a better all-around rifle than the Mini Thirty, unless you are very partial to straight wooden stocks and Garand-style safeties.

Reliable over-5-round magazines for the Mini Thirty are expensive, whereas 20- and 30-round AK magazines are inexpensive and readily available.

AK's are just as accurate as Mini's.

Reliability is close, but the AK probably has the edge in durability.

There are FAR more aftermarket accessories available for the AK platform than the Mini Thirty.

If you need a replacement bolt or firing pin for an AK, you get online and buy one. If you need one for a Mini Thirty, you have to send the rifle or bolt (respectively) back to Ruger and pay shipping both ways.

As far as ammunition availability, 7.62x39mm firearms are so popular that even if importation of ammunition ceased, domestic production would pick up the slack.

 

[BayouBocephus]

thanks

thanks for the replys...i think i might start checkin pawn shops and seein what i can get

 

[Tarvis]

I say build an AR . I like my mini (14), but either the scope is trashed or the rifle is not accurate, as its shooting minute of barn with handloads currently, which forced my to stick it in the safe.

 

[Reid73]

I am a college student that wants to buy a new rifle...preferably a semi. I really cant afford an AR so I was thinkin would a mini 30 be acceptable?

What do you want the rifle for (i.e., what sort of shooting do you anticipate doing with it)? A stated purpose is necessary for any intelligent discussion of whether or not your proposed choice is "acceptable".

(1) If you want a gun for casual plinking, the Mini-30 is an excellent choice, as is the Mini-14. However, I should point out that Ruger's 10/22 can do the same job for a lot less money (gun and ammo).

(2) If you want a tough, compact gun for routine packing to handle predators (foxes, coyotes, bobcats, etc.), the Mini-30 is a good choice, and the Mini-14 is an excellent choice.

(3) If you want a gun for short-range deer-hunting, the Mini-30 is a decent choice.

(4) If you want a gun for serious target competition, the Mini-30 is a poor choice.

(5) Finally, if you want to look 'cool' and impress non-shooters with the fact that you own a 'machine gun', the Mini-30 is a poor choice. An AR-15 would definitely fit that bill much better, and can be assembled from parts for not much more than the purchase cost of a new Mini-30.

 

[BayouBocephus]

the purpose would include SHTF, protection, truck gun, deer , occasional plinking, etc. Just more of an all around gun

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

much of the above detractions of the M30 are true enough, that said good ammo and good 10 round mags make it a pleasure to own. mine is.
I sold my fairly good shooting SKS to a buddy and kept my M30 since I load my own for it to hunt with.

 

[Reid73]

the purpose would include SHTF, protection, truck gun, deer, occasional plinking, etc.

In that case, the Mini-30 would be a very suitable choice.

 

[BayouBocephus]

that being said would an AK be any different and cheaper?

 

[22/22mag]

Mini-30 great gun lots of good 10 rd mags out there use good USA ammo.

Now a Saga AK in 762x39mm will cost less, shoot all the crap ammo and scare the sheep..Best AK for the$$$

 

[Deer Hunter]

Nope, the AK will do everything the mini will do. But it'll do it with more aftermarket parts availible and at a cheaper price.

 

[BayouBocephus]

the AK is seems to be winning out...I think that would be the way to go for me...

 

[Reid73]

Of course it will be different, it's a different gun.

The average AK is just as tough and reliable as a Ruger, and perhaps more so.

The AK's design is not as good for prone shooting.

For offhand shooting, most people find that the Mini has about the best handling going. Better than the AK? I think so, but try both and see what you think.

The AK definitely has a higher 'cool' factor, which you might enjoy ... unless you actually have to use it one someone (in self-defence, I trust) and are subsequently prosecuted and/or sued, when the jury might not be favorably impressed.

Regarding cost, you're best advised to take a look at local gun shows and gun stores and make your own comparisons of what it actually available to you.