EvisceratorSrB
Member
I have plenty of rounds under my belt through an SKS, but not one through a Mini-30. Which self loading 7.62x39 rifle is, in your humble opinion, more reliable or accurate.
Ruger Mini-30 Vs. SKS
- Thread starter EvisceratorSrB
- Start date
- Status
hickbob
Member
AK-47...oops that wasn't an option...
Technosavant
Member
I haven't shot a Mini-30, but from what I have read, I'd take the SKS over the Ruger 10 times out of 10.
The Ruger has a thin barrel, which deforms when heated by multiple shots- the SKS is usually built like a tank, so that ain't gonna be happening. The SKS is also incredibly reliable, but I haven't heard bad things about the Ruger. I don't see how the Ruger could possibly have worse sights than the SKS, but the SKS is good enough.
The deciding factor for me: you can get 2-3 SKS models and maybe some ammo too for the price of a new Mini-30.
With a few changes, I think the Ruger Mini 14 and 30 could be fantastic guns, but Ruger doesn't seem to be interested in making them. A heavier barrel, factory mags with higher capacities, and they'd be selling them off the shelves like hotcakes. But they just don't bother, and they leave money on the table. Not too smart for a business to do that.
The Ruger has a thin barrel, which deforms when heated by multiple shots- the SKS is usually built like a tank, so that ain't gonna be happening. The SKS is also incredibly reliable, but I haven't heard bad things about the Ruger. I don't see how the Ruger could possibly have worse sights than the SKS, but the SKS is good enough.
The deciding factor for me: you can get 2-3 SKS models and maybe some ammo too for the price of a new Mini-30.
With a few changes, I think the Ruger Mini 14 and 30 could be fantastic guns, but Ruger doesn't seem to be interested in making them. A heavier barrel, factory mags with higher capacities, and they'd be selling them off the shelves like hotcakes. But they just don't bother, and they leave money on the table. Not too smart for a business to do that.
EvisceratorSrB
Member
Oops...I live in California...
hickbob
Member
Move to Texas...we can even carry around .50 BMG rounds in our pockets (if we wanted to???)
But seriously, I feel sorry for those that live in Communist states..he he
But seriously, I feel sorry for those that live in Communist states..he he
R.W.Dale
Member
In that case how bout one of these 7.62x39's
mljdeckard
Member
My biggest single problem with a mini-30 is that it's American. The advantage of rifles that shoot 7.62x39 ammo is that it is cheap. The BAD NEWS is, it is inferior quality. A friend of mine got a Makarov as a gift from a girlfriend, and he asked me what kind of ammo to use in it. I really didn't know, so I did some digging, and the rule I came up with is, "Use Russian ammo in Russian guns. Don't use Russian ammo in American guns." It could be lacquered, corrosive, hard-cased, whatever. The Russians designed their guns specifically so that they wouldn't have to make high-quality ammo for it to function. (Quantity v Quality yet again.)
You can shoot dirty ammo all day long in a Russian gun and not worry about it. You can skip cleaning your SKS and not worry about it. (I do.) But if I have a mini-30 or a 7.62 upper on an AR, I would suddenly find myself counting magazines and anticipating failure to feed. In buying an American rifle chambered for Russian ammo, you are giving up the main advantage of an SKS/AK. Lots of cheap, low-maintenence shooting. The flip-side of this, if you have one of the AKs chambered for 5.56, you can use the Wolf ammo in it and not worry. Maybe I'm being too picky.
You can shoot dirty ammo all day long in a Russian gun and not worry about it. You can skip cleaning your SKS and not worry about it. (I do.) But if I have a mini-30 or a 7.62 upper on an AR, I would suddenly find myself counting magazines and anticipating failure to feed. In buying an American rifle chambered for Russian ammo, you are giving up the main advantage of an SKS/AK. Lots of cheap, low-maintenence shooting. The flip-side of this, if you have one of the AKs chambered for 5.56, you can use the Wolf ammo in it and not worry. Maybe I'm being too picky.
wayne in boca
Member
I have both a Mini 30 and four SKS's (two Yugos,two Chicom) and they all go bang every time with the same ammo.The Mini 30 is scoped and muzzle braked and is more accurate than the Commie guns.The only problem I ever had with the Mini was bad mags.Good solid carbine,only costs as much as 4 SKS's.
Grunt
Member
I voted for "other" because I prefer my AKs over my SKS rifles. I didn't realize you were in California. In that case I would suggest moving as the best option. However, if it has to be a California approved 7.62X39 rifle, I'd go with the SKS.
possum
Member
I would take the sks for reliability, and ease of use. s far as accuracy goes, i hit copenhagen cans with my norinco sks all day long. It is sweet, plus with the cost so low, if it gets banged around your not gonna hurt it and if you do you ain't out of much.
KINGMAX
Member
Get another AK
Get another AK of some type
Get another AK of some type
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
My questions would be:
Is there anything the Mini-30 will do that the SKS will not do?
If so, is that difference worth the price difference between the two rifles?
When you have those two question answered to your satisfaction, you'll know which one is the right choice for you.
Is there anything the Mini-30 will do that the SKS will not do?
If so, is that difference worth the price difference between the two rifles?
When you have those two question answered to your satisfaction, you'll know which one is the right choice for you.
EvisceratorSrB
Member
What he said ^^^^^^
lol
lol
MachIVshooter
Member
The Mini-30 is better built than the SKS, but at 4 times the price it is more expensive than any other non-NFA 7.62x39mm rifle on the market. If you are looking at spending over $500 on a 7.62x39mm and live in CA, I'd opt for a real Russian-Made SKS. They are better made and much more conversational pieces than the Chinese and Yugo Knock-off's. But if you are going to drop $500, you might as well go $750 and get and M-1 Garand and have a real piece of history with a whole lot more power!
Ohen Cepel
Member
If you want a rifle that takes mags, get an AK.
The SKS is a great rifle and a real bargain now. However, it's a 10 shoot deal.
I've never cared for the Mini-14 and it seems that mags are a bit hard to find and expensive. AK mags are neither!
The SKS is a great rifle and a real bargain now. However, it's a 10 shoot deal.
I've never cared for the Mini-14 and it seems that mags are a bit hard to find and expensive. AK mags are neither!
Creeping Incrementalism
Member
On THR, people from California need something like a flashing red light next to their location--it would cut down on the "Just get an AK" responses.
Actually, (and surprisingly) these never really cost that much, even during the AWB. I bought mine for $325 with an ATI "dragunov" stock and scope, during the ban. There's a NIB one on Gunbroker right now for $400. And mine is way more accurate (but much heavier) than an AK.
Edited to add: These are also VERY reliable, compared to any aftermarket conversion you might try. Mine's got 5000 rounds through it, with exactly one failure, using a wide variety of AK mags.
Nathan Williams
member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2006
- Messages
- 190
I have no experience with the mini-30, but I owned a mini-14 sometime ago and it was a fine gun. It never gave me any trouble even shooting wolf ammo. So my vote goes to the mini-30. I never cared for the SKS due to the fixed box magazine, I like my detachable mags. Sure you can modify a SKS to take detachable mags, but to my understanding this setup in not reliable and is quite expensive. Pay a little more and get a better gun.
Lupinus
Member
I'd go with SKS
- Status
