Yugo AK for Mini 30

[Jesse82]

I'm considering trading my Yugo M70 AK for a Mini 30.

I had a Mini 14 but sold it & bought the Yugo because I wanted a slightly larger caliber than .223, more of an impulse deal than anything :banghead:
I want a reliable mid range rifle to fill the gap between my Glock and .30-06

My question is are the Mini 30's as reliable and durable as the 14's?

 

[BADUNAME13]

A buddy of mine traded for a mini 30... TRY finding good 'standard capacity' mags for it!...

 

[W.E.G.]

I could never get a scope to stay mounted properly on any of the Ruger "Mini" rifles.

I had the 14 and the 30.
Glad to be rid of both of them.

The AK is much better at what it does, than the Ruger is at what it tries to do.

If you want a really accurate rifle, you want almost anything other than an AK or a "Mini."

 

[fletcher]

Unless you have another AK, I'd stick with your Yugo. It will serve you fine.

 

[Prince Yamato]

If you're shooting beyond 200 yards and want a scope mount, consider something like an m-14 or an AR in .308. If you're really not interested in anything greater than minute of grapefruit, then an AK should suit you just fine. I know they're not precision rifles, but they're not as inaccurate as grumbling Stoners (ha!) lead you to believe.

I want a reliable mid range rifle to fill the gap between my Glock and .30-06

That would be the AK to a T.

 

[Rexster]

As much I as I like my Mini-14 and numerous other Ruger firearms, I would avoid the Mini-30. I have been reading forums for a long time, and very few like their Mini-30s, and the ones who do lament the unavailability of any reliable magazines except for the factory 5-rounders. When someone finds a reliable aftermarket hi-cap mag for the Mini-30, it becomes a holy artifact, escorted by an entourage of chanting priests and monks, and protected by fearless warriors. Only the worst of monsters will cause the king to command the deployment of the holy hi-cap mag of Antioch! John Farnam, in his book, strongly recommends against the Mini-30, though he does recommend the Mini-14 as being reliable. John Farnam has been teaching people for a long time, and has seen what is reliable. If you like the Mini, be advised Ruger has started chambering them in 6.8! I would wait to see how other people like them before taking the plunge, but it has my attention!

 

[Jason_G]

If you're shooting beyond 200 yards and want a scope mount, consider something like an m-14 or an AR in .308. If you're really not interested in anything greater than minute of grapefruit, then an AK should suit you just fine. I know they're not precision rifles, but they're not as inaccurate as grumbling Stoners (ha!) lead you to believe.

Yeah,
With either the AK or the Mini, you're looking at some relatively weak ballistics out past iron sights range, even if your rifle is tuned. It's just the nature of the cartridge. For the niche you described filling, the caliber would be perfect, just keep in mind that there is no real need in even trying to scope it with anything other than a red dot. A good set of iron sights will do just as well for the Mini-30 or the AK for their effective range if you are skilled with the irons.
All things being equal, there are plenty of mags for the AK, and only one real source of mags for the Ruger that actually hold more than 5 rounds AND feed, and that's the steel Promag magazines. I like the way the Rugers handle and I've thought hard about them on several occasions, but if you already have an AK I'd hang on to it and be content.
If I were in your shoes I would wait 'till a Yugo SKS came my way and snatch it up in addition to the AK.
HTH.

Jason

 

[Technosavant]

I'm not sure why you don't go for the AK. It is the benchmark of reliability while maintaining enough accuracy (surely at least as much as the Ruger Minis) out to 100-200 yards. Magazines with 30 and 40 round capacities are easy to find and reliable (with 75 round drums even possible). Your 30-06 is good enough for the longer ranges. I just can't figure why you'd be interested in swapping it for a Ruger rifle. If it just doesn't turn your crank, so be it, but I doubt the Ruger will do anything the AK won't do, with the sole exception of looking more PC.

 

[strat81]

If reliability is your first priority, stick with the AK.

Otherwise, I'd skip the Mini-30 and get an AR chambered in 7.62 if you want something more accurate.

 

[Jason_G]

an AR chambered in 7.62 if you want something more accurate.

If you mean 7.62 NATO, then an M14 would be a better route for that IMHO.
The AR-10's are nice but a bit more finicky than the M14 platform.
If you want something other than the AK in 7.62x39, grab a Yugo SKS. About $180-$200, and you can do as much or as little to them as you want. Very reliable.

Jason

 

[blackhawk2000]

Are you high?

You want to trade a 3-4 MOA 7.62X39 rifle, that has readily available cheap mags, and is ultra reliable, for a 3-4 MOA 7.62X39 rifle, that has expensive, hard to find mags, and is fairly reliable...not to mention made by satan?

 

[Titan6]

I want a reliable mid range rifle to fill the gap between my Glock and .30-06

Why not a shot gun? At mid range it is much more powerful than a rifle and just as reliable. It is also much more versatile.

My question is are the Mini 30's as reliable and durable as the 14's?

IME yes. But neither are as good as a good AK. If your AK is already relaible and accurate I would keep it.... or get a shotgun.

Are you high?

Not very THR. I understand but still not THR.

 

[tinroad37e]

Ruger Mini-30

I have a mini-30 and it's reliable as they come. As reliable as an AK? I don't know, because I have never owned one. I have fired a couple thousand rounds with no problems. On the other hand, hi-cap magazines are touch and go. Some work and others don't. I purchased it for a 50 yard brush gun for deer and hogs. It groups at 1" with a scope at 50 yards. At 100 yards and a cold barrel it will shoot 3". I have bolt action guns and some m1 garands for 100 yard guns. I read all the crap about reliability issues prior to buying mine, and I what most people won't tell you is they have never fired a mini-30, but they had problems.

 

[SJDigriz]

Keep The Ak

Keep the AK. An AK is uberreliable, parts abound for next to nothing, mags are cheap and virtually indestructible, and you can shoot cheap, commie steel-cased ammo for years.

 

[blackhawk2000]

That's just my wacky sense of humor.

 

[JESmith]

Rifles nearly equal

I have owned both a mini-30 and a Yugo for several years. Both rifles have had trigger jobs, 16" barrels, and muzzle brakes. I have shot at least 1K rounds thru each and have hunted hogs and whitetail deer with each. Most of this has been Wolf 123g HP (black box) ammo. I have never used lacquered ammo.

Accuracy wise... both rifles perform nearly identical with consistent 3 inch groups at 100yds. I was getting 6 inch groups with both until I shortened the barrels and added muzzle brakes.

Reliability wise... both have been handled rough, drug thru the mud, and basically used and abused. so far I have no complaints from either one. I would give the Ruger a slight nod for ease of field cleaning.

Feed wise ..I have never had magazine issues out of either rifle, but I have bought quality mags, never the cheap stuff. For the mini-30, I have Ruger 10 round mags and unstamped 20 round mags that are EXACTLY indentical to the Rugers. The dealer I bought them from claimed they were OEM from the same manufacture that made the Ruger mags. I am inclined to agree with him.

The only issue I have ever had was with one case of Wolf ammo. I had troubles with the primers not firing. While both rifles had problems, it was much worse with the Ruger. (about 2 rounds in 20 for the mini compared to 1 round in fifty for the AK) A $6 HD replacement spring solved the problem.

Cost wise ... The AK is cheaper to buy parts for. Mods are readily available for both to do nearly anything you want.

For hunting, I usually choose the Ruger. I do it mainly because I hunt on other people property and farmers tend to raise their eyebrows at my underfolder with a 30 round mag. The never give the mini a second glance. Also for some reason, I am better at running targets with the Ruger.

In the final comparison... Both are quality military rifles. If I had absolutely had to choose, I would pick the AK over the Mini-30. However, I wouldn't rush out and buy one if I had the other. If it was a straight up trade, I would shoot a hundred rounds out of both side by side and then decide.

 

[blackhawk2000]

The mini is NOT a military rifle.

 

[JESmith]

I guess I should clarify myself. It was desgined to be a military rifle but it was never adopted. It was built to be a replacement for the M1/M2 carbine, but in .223 for easier supply logistics. This is witnessed by it's many similar features in size, function, operation and ergonomics with the M1 carbine. Ruger shopped this rifle around with little success except for few small military regiments such as Bermuda. Ruger however did have quite good success in the LE market. It was used as a mid-range weapon to compliment the handgun, and shotgun in a squad car. Most agencies have now phased them out in favor of the AR.