Ruger Mini 14 or 30 ?

[MR73]

Ruger Mini 14 or 30 ?

I plan to get one just for plinking. Nothing else.

Regardless of the fact that many love their Minis and other hate them for a bunch of poor experiences, my question is the following:

Does the 30 operate as well with the 7.62x39 as the 14 with the 223 Rem. or are there issues due to the fact that originally this carbine was designed for the latter?

Also, is recoil acceptable with the Russian caliber?
Is it as reliable?
Other issues?

 

[jobu07]

The only thing that would get me to go for a mini in 7.62x39 is the cheaper ammo. I dunno, I prefer the 5.56 version. It really comes down to personal preference I think. I've found that the recoil on the .30 cal version isn't that much worse, if at all, than the .22 version.

 

[gezzer]

Neither get an SKS, cheaper and it works.

 

[jobu07]

Neither get an SKS, cheaper and it works.

That didn't take long...

 

[George S.]

One thing about the Mini is that if it needs repair, the owner only has to return it to Ruger for free repairs, whether the owner is the original purchaser or the 12th. Might be hard to do with an SKS....

I have a Mini Ranch and I find it a lot of fun. .223 can be had for cheap (Wolf 55gr is about $2.25/box of 20) and widely available. The 2005 version of the Mini 14 is supposed to be more accurate than previous versions.

The gas port bushing and the operating rod spring is unique to each caliber so there should be no issues with operation or reliability. Hi-cap mags are easy to find for both. I have both Masen and ProMag 10 and 20 rounders and they all work with no problems.

 

[10shooter]

I have both in stainless steel Ranch with Choate pistol grip full stocks. Both have a 2-6x scope and only one comes out of the safe at a time so my wife thinks I only have one. Both work flawlessly. For the mini14 any mag works, on the mini30 only 20round or less mags work flawlessly.