Ruger hi-cap mags
- Thread starter Alan Fud
- Start date
- Status
Cortland
Member
Remember -- Mr. Ruger never meant for "normal people" to have his 30 round magazines or folding stocks. And even with Mr. Ruger gone, that's still the policy.
Hkmp5sd
Member
Ruger does not sell >10 round rifle magazines to civilians, even with the ban over. Like true hypocrites, they do sell >10 round magazines with their handguns rather than losing all that money to other manufacturers.
yesterdaysyouth
Member
it's amazing how politics will make a man buy an AK...
No supply of reliable, hi-cap or low-cost Ruger magazines exist that I know of. I understand you can have limited success with a pair of pliers and reshape the feedlips on the aftermarket mags, but AR mags are cheaper, higher quality, and basic ARs don't cost that much more than a mini-XX anymore. Figure in 5-10 reliable hi-cap mags and the AR will probably be cheaper and more accurate. Or you could just get an AK and all of the mags you want for less than $10 each. AK, AR, SKS, FAL, Garand, M1A, anything but a mini-XX. Thanks for nothing Ruger. They had a chance to easily start selling reliable, hi-cap mags and chose not to. After the ban expired, a few places got some new, factory mini-14 20 round mags and they flew out the door at $35-40 each; Ruger declined to provide additional supplies to non-LEO.
After a brief review of the facts, I won't be buying anything with the Ruger name until they rethink some corporate policies.
Last edited:
Chipperman
Member
That's why I have no interest in Rugers. 
I've got a few 20 round mags from PMI that work well in my Mini 14. I don't thimk PMI is in business any longer, but I still see them NIW at gun shows from time to time.
I expect that someone like (Mec-gar) will start making Mini 14 mags soon, now that the AWB is over.
I expect that someone like (Mec-gar) will start making Mini 14 mags soon, now that the AWB is over.
George S.
Member
Just got home from the Washington Arms Collectors show in Puyallup WA today and I saw lots of hi-cap mags for Mini's. Most 20 round mags were in the $15-17 price range and 30 rounders were going for $30-35. I did see one 65-round mag (it was about 16" long!!) and one vendor had a 100 round double drum setup for $129. Most of the AR mags were in the $12-15 range for 20 rounders so I didn't find a big price disparity there.
Aftermarket mags abound for the Mini and for the most part given the reports I have read on different forums, they seem to work. I use John Masen 10-rounders and they all work without fail.
As to cost of AR vs the Mini, the cheapest new AR I have seen is the Oly Arms Plinker at a retail of $595 in their plant just a couple of miles away from me. I can find new Mini-14's all day long for $475. I don't own an AR and I have no real desire to buy one. I never liked the one I carried in Southeast Asia; it didn't feel comfortable and I just never got used to it.
Aftermarket mags abound for the Mini and for the most part given the reports I have read on different forums, they seem to work. I use John Masen 10-rounders and they all work without fail.
As to cost of AR vs the Mini, the cheapest new AR I have seen is the Oly Arms Plinker at a retail of $595 in their plant just a couple of miles away from me. I can find new Mini-14's all day long for $475. I don't own an AR and I have no real desire to buy one. I never liked the one I carried in Southeast Asia; it didn't feel comfortable and I just never got used to it.
Cortland
Member
I know someone who has zytel mini-14 magazines and he says they work great (in his AC556 no less!). Of course, I've never actually seen zytel Mini-14 magazines for sale, so that may just be useless information
Drakejake
Member
Mag Heaven for Mini 14 Owners
The end of the AWB appears to have been a tremendous blessing for owners of the Mini 14. 20 and 30 round mags are now available for $10 to $20. Most of these mags appear to work, perhaps because of the Mini's somewhat foolproof design. Factory 20 rounders are now available at reasonable prices. I have bought 13 new ones at prices ranging from $30 to $40.There are also aftermarket 20's which closely resemble the factory mags. There are no identifying marks on these mags and they may be Pro Mags. The happiest surprise for me are the 30 and 40 round mags by PMI (Precision Mag) which I bought new in the plastic wrapper. I have now tested two of the 30's and two of the 40's. All four mags have worked perfectly. Yesterday I rapid fired one of the 40's from the hip. The barrel was hot and smoking but there were no jams or misfires. The great supply of working, cheap, hi-cap mags for the Mini 14 (and Mini 30?) improves the competitive position of these Ruger firearms.
Drakejake
The end of the AWB appears to have been a tremendous blessing for owners of the Mini 14. 20 and 30 round mags are now available for $10 to $20. Most of these mags appear to work, perhaps because of the Mini's somewhat foolproof design. Factory 20 rounders are now available at reasonable prices. I have bought 13 new ones at prices ranging from $30 to $40.There are also aftermarket 20's which closely resemble the factory mags. There are no identifying marks on these mags and they may be Pro Mags. The happiest surprise for me are the 30 and 40 round mags by PMI (Precision Mag) which I bought new in the plastic wrapper. I have now tested two of the 30's and two of the 40's. All four mags have worked perfectly. Yesterday I rapid fired one of the 40's from the hip. The barrel was hot and smoking but there were no jams or misfires. The great supply of working, cheap, hi-cap mags for the Mini 14 (and Mini 30?) improves the competitive position of these Ruger firearms.
Drakejake
jeff-10
Member
The Mini 14 is a very reliable weapon and it can even function well with terrible magazines. Personally, other than factory magazines my favorites ones for the Mini 14 are Thermolds.
Lone_Gunman
Member
Where did you get these factory magazines?
Quintin Likely
Member
I'd like a Mini 14 as a simple little beater carbine. Something I wouldn't feel too bad about dragging through the woods, something light and fast to point. But if Ruger isn't going to make normal capacity magazines available to the public, I guess I'll have to save my pennies for another AR or wait until the aftermarket steps up.
Drakejake
Member
Lone Gunman,
One of my sources has been Cal's Sporting Armory, through several online purchases. I believe there are other sources as well. A supply of Ruger mags marked for Law Enforcement Use Only has come to market. Try a Google search for Ruger Mini factory mags (or magazines). Cal's has had these mags, then run out, then gotten them again, and has changed the prices several times. Also search for PMI magazines.
Drakejake
One of my sources has been Cal's Sporting Armory, through several online purchases. I believe there are other sources as well. A supply of Ruger mags marked for Law Enforcement Use Only has come to market. Try a Google search for Ruger Mini factory mags (or magazines). Cal's has had these mags, then run out, then gotten them again, and has changed the prices several times. Also search for PMI magazines.
Drakejake
If you have a friend who is an LEO, have him buy the factory mags for you. Since the ban expired, the letterhead paperwork is no longer necessary, but even if the supplier requires it (out of stupidity), it is not legally relevant anymore.
It's been a few years ago, but I bought some 20 round LEO mags for $20/apiece (in person, at a LEO shop).
It's been a few years ago, but I bought some 20 round LEO mags for $20/apiece (in person, at a LEO shop).
Drakejake
Member
Factory Mags for Sale
Someone has some 20 round factory mags for the Mini 14 for sale for $34 over at PerfectUnion BBS. Look in the for sale--mags section. I don't know whether they are actually in stock. By the way, the Mini 14 group at Perfect Union is probably the best discussion group for this rifle.
Drakejake
Someone has some 20 round factory mags for the Mini 14 for sale for $34 over at PerfectUnion BBS. Look in the for sale--mags section. I don't know whether they are actually in stock. By the way, the Mini 14 group at Perfect Union is probably the best discussion group for this rifle.
Drakejake
- Status