Ruger 30 rnd mini-14 magazines

[aclundwall]

Gentlemen,

I have 5 30 round RUGER magazines for a Mini-14. I've never used them, and they don't look like anyone else used them much, either. They are NOT LEO mags, I got them as part of a trade before the ban was enacted. An acquaintance is asking about purchasing them. I understand that they're very hard to get, but still I do not know what a fair price would be.

I'm not sure I want to sell them. But, since I haven't shot my mini-14 in ten years, and have other mags to use if I decide to start shooting it now, I figured I would at least try to find out what they were worth! If anyone here has an idea about their value, I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks,

Art

 

[Roland of Gilead]

Depends on the type of mags. Metal mags are usually not that $$, depending on make. Also High cap Mini-14 mags are not hard to find, that is just something AR guys tell you cause they hate Ruger. I'd hate it too if a $450 rifle could do what my $900 rifle could do. Ramline sells 30 rd mags (good quality) for $25 new. They fit Mini-14 and also AR-15, M-16, AR-180. I have found two for $20 each since the ban expired, but mostly they are all still worth about $25. ProMag brand metal mags are worth about $15-$20. Any other metal mags I wouldn't give more than $10 for. Thermold 30 round mags were bringing $70+ before the ban expired, I don't think they have resumed production, I am not sure what they are worth now.
Stay away from Eagle brand mags, they are really common but really poor quality. This is what you get from Cheaperthandirt for $10 or so. Also, my advice is stay away from anything that is a 40 round magazine, I haven't found any of them that are acceptable quality.
I don't think this was the news you wanted, but it is the truth.

 

[ny32182]

The Ruger factory 30rd mags on Gunbroker are going for $100 each right now. I don't know about other people's experiences, but I've never seen a non factory 30rd mag that will run at all in my buddy's mini-14s.

 

[Byron]

I was at a gun show in Smyrna,TN south of Nashville about a week ago. New Ruger mags in 20 and 30 rounds were going for $32 each. They were marked LE. I knew one of the dealers and these were new in the box. Byron

 

[97widerider]

My experience.

I recently bought a mini 14 and have run across a few Ruger factory mags. I found one at a friend of a friend's gunshop and he sold me a 20 round for $40.00 slightly used though. He had three 30 rounders that he wanted $60.00 a piece, passed on it. I recently attended a three state gun show in Louisville, about 200 tables, and could find only ONE factory Ruger mini 14 mag in the entire place (20 rounds). They wanted $85.00 for it. I am finding them to be very rare. I too have heard that the 30 round mags just don't feed perfectly.

 

[KarbineKrazy]

I've seen a few local at different shops for $50 to $65...

 

[Connecticut Yankee]

Facts, Speculation, Advice on Factory Mn14 Mags

1. Over the past year I have seen 30 rd factory mags go for 125-150 per on auction arms and gunbroker. This is the factual statement.

2. Speculation: a) I have read and heard that Ruger never released 20 or 30 rdrs to the public b) or that they sold 20 rounders for a very short while but then stopped.

3. Hearsay: I have heard and read that ONLY the factory 20 and 30 rounders will consistently and reliably feed in Mn14s. Not feed mind you, but consistently and reliably. Anyone has facts on this?

4. Advice: Keep the 30rdrs if you like them, short of going to the web you can't get them. I have read the post about the LE mags above but this is the first time I"ve heard of such an offering it may or may not occur again.

 

[KarbineKrazy]

before the ban ended, they were a $125 magazine. Now that the ban has lifter, I haven't seen any mags over $100 except for the ultra rare factory nickel 30s....

 

[Mr. B]

Ruger factory mags in my area go for $40 to $80 if you can find them. When I had my 2 mini 14s the only mags that ran 100% were the factory mags. I called Ruger a month ago and a Lady told me Ruger has NO PLANS to sell >5rnd Ruger Mini 14 mags to the public even with the end of the AWB. I liked my Rugers but having a hard time coming up with good mags caused me to trade them in on a Bushmaster AR15.

Mr. B

 

[kjaniak]

Well.... I saw 2 20 rounds factory mags change hands at a gun show in my area for $75 each about 2 months ago.

 

[KarbineKrazy]

that's what they did before sept 13th.. After that, prices dropped considerably. Factory 20s should run about $40 now.

 

[Roland of Gilead]

I don't know about anyone else, but 30 round magazines of reasonable quality feed like a charm in my old Mini. I swear by Ramline magazines. I have two and they work flawlessly first round to last. They also let you see how many rounds are left in the magazine. I procured them after the AWB sunset. Before that I only had one 30 round, a Thermold. It also worked flawlessly for a while. Then I dropped it loaded one day on the concrete, and it landed right on one of the ears, and cracked it. Now if you insert more than 25 rounds you have to load it into the gun before it gets jarred or it will spit out five shells when that cracked ear flexes. If you can load it before it does this, or if you load it with only 25 rounds, it still works great. Keep in mind this I got this magazine used, with my mini about 5 years ago. I have no idea how old it is. I also have two metal 30 rd. mags that are not Ruger. They don't work so hot if you keep them loaded, but seem, to work ok if they have been loaded less than a day. I have one 20 round mag of the same manufacture, that works about the same. I think I gave less than $15 a piece for these mags, and I almost never use them. When I pick up the mini I either load it with a Ramline or the factory 5 rd. Usually its one of the Ramlines.

BTW my mini is pretty old too, 25 this year, doesn't that make it an antique?