question on mags for Ruger Mini-14

[socalbeachbum]

I ordered a new 5802 Ruger SS Mini-14 and am in California so must use 10 round mags, and am wondering if Pro-Mag nickel plated mags are good quality? Specifically, do they function as well as OEM mags? is the nickel plating any good?

I do not find SS mags for the mini, and would like non-rustable type, polymer or plated. Anyone know of polymer mags for the mini that function perfectly? I have not seen 10 round polymer mags for the mini unfortunately.

 

[jmr40]

I'd just use the factory blue 5 and 10 round magazines. You're over thinking this.

 

[socalbeachbum]

well I failed to mention I am right by the ocean and blued steel tends to rust pretty easily.

 

[toivo]

I would stay away from the Pro Mags. Best advice is what jmr40 said. Second-best are the Masen mags -- cheaper, but sometimes they need to be tweaked a little, and they won't work on older models of Mini-14.

 

[socalbeachbum]

ok, maybe I should stick to OEM mags and use Duracoat or Gun-Kote on them

 

[hdwhit]

ProMag magazines have a spotty quality record. Some work, some don't. On the bright side, if they do work, they will keep working. So, if you are going to buy from an on-line seller, check their return policy.

I am not familiar with anyone else offering a nickel plated/stainless steel 10 round magazine for the Mini-14 other than ProMag. Maybe someone else has a better line on them.

 

[1KPerDay]

I have 4 pro-mags I bought when I was young(er) and stupid(er). They are great for practicing malfunction clearance drills and nothing else. I would buy factory magazines and keep them oiled or coat them as you said.

 

[Riomouse911]

I haven't ever had luck with anything other than Ruger factory mags in mini-14 or mini-30 guns. I tell all the guys in my office who buy their own mini mags to stick with Ruger mags in 20 or 30 rounds as well (we issue 2-20 rounders each, and I have about 60 rifles out in service.)

The Ruger 5 and 10 rounders work well in my personal mini 14 and 30. I keep my mags wiped down with a thin film of oil after handling/shooting and so far no rust (I am about 40!miles inland so not quite as salty/damp as the coast)

 

[toivo]

ok, maybe I should stick to OEM mags and use Duracoat or Gun-Kote on them

Masen does make a nickel-plated 10-round mag for the Mini-14.

http://www.johnmasen.com/Mini-14-10-Round-Magazine-p/1439n.htm

 

[brunowbe]

Only use factory mags in a Mini14. They may cost more, but they're the only ones that will always work.

 

[pintler]

use Duracoat or Gun-Kote on them

I had some second hand mini mags that had a lot of fine pitting and surface rust. I removed the rust (using Evaporust, IIRC) and painted with 'VHT Epoxy Paint' from the auto parts store, color Satin Black. I have to look closely to tell them from normal blued ones. It was maybe $10.

I concur with the 'use factory mags'. I've had a number of aftermarket ones, and some work, some don't. The fraction that don't is high enough I think it's cheaper to buy factory ones (unless someone gifts you aftermarket ones, in which case shoot 'em and keep the ones that work).

I have a single 30 round plastic tapco. I haven't had any problems, but I doubt I've shot 100 rounds through it; I think it sticks out far enough to be unwieldy.

 

[FL-NC]

I've never seen a reliable mini 14 mag that wasn't made by Ruger.

 

[Dr.Rob]

PMI mags are go to go but no longer made.

 

[Merle1]

Only use factory mags in a Mini14. They may cost more, but they're the only ones that will always work.

that's not 100% true - only some guns are picky
my series 183 works with any & all brand mags I have ever put in it

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

Don't forget, the insides/springs can and will rust too.
I use factory and Masen, mine are all Black-T coated inside and out as well as the springs. Cost $10 each but may get a discount if you have several done.
I send them mine disassembled, and sand blasted which gets me a much greater discount.
http://www.snipercentral.com/walter-birdsong-black-t-green-t-finish/
STW

 

[socalbeachbum]

STW thanks, Birdsong looks like a real find

 

[danez71]

STW thanks, Birdsong looks like a real find

I'm curious if you have had rusting issues or is this a precaution.

I have some friend in Huntington Beacheck about 5 miles from the ocean and they don't seem to have issue. Admittedly, I don't know what the care routine is but I don't think they have any stainless guns.

I used to live on Garden Grove about 15 miles and never had any issues



Just curious....

 

[socalbeachbum]

5 miles is a non-issue I would think. When you live at the beach everything corrodes, fasteners, coax connectors, brass, steel, aluminum, etc. Bluing makes a pretty crappy finish on steel for salt spray corrosion resistance. I find good old Parkerizing to be pretty good. We take guns offshore in our boat sometimes, and I like to not deal with rust. Just a preference. I do keep things clean and well oiled but salt air is very invasive. I'm in Dana Point, right on the water.

 

[Rule3]

Buy only RUGER mags, They work the best for their guns. They test them. Not just me saying this. many. many others will agree.

Mags will not rust if you take care of them, keep them coating with Teflon spray, silicon spray any dry lube.etc etc.

WD 40 SPECIALIST.

Pro Mags are junk

I have no rust on any of my blued firearms and I live in the sub tropic salt air.

 

[bluzman]

In addition to the 5 rd mag that came with my 581 series Mini 14 Ranch, the 10 rd mags I own include Ruger (3), John Masen (3), Korean made from CDNN (2), and Pro Mag (10). The only ones that took some filing/fitting to work properly were the ones from Ruger (go figure). The rest worked fine right out of the box.

 

[Danoobie]

Just three things about Mini-14 mags.
1. Be sure you use only factory mags.
2. Don't accept anything but factory mags.
3. Never use anything but factory mags.

If you think they are expensive, tell me how you feel about them after you've
used cheap mags, and had jams, the mag failing to mount properly in the well,
and the bolt balking because of crappy feed lips.