In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

mini 30 is it garbage?? good hi cap mags??

BRONCO1500BRONCO1500 Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
edited January 2002 in Ask the Experts
Hello all, I have no experience with the mini 30. I am considering getting one for plinking. I know the are not the most accurate rifle, but i care more about reliability. Anybody with experience i would apreciate hearing about it. Could anybody compare it to a sks? (Less accurate? Less reliable?) I wanted a u.s.a. made 7.62,but...Also i have herd that only certain hi-cap mags will function in the mini 30 (i herd usa brand 50rnd are garbage, true??) What about good 30rnds?? Any help will be GREATLY apreciated!! Being a student i dont have a lot of money and dont want to waste money on a junk gun.Thanks to any replies!!
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Ruger Mini 30 is a great gun. Reliabilityis very good. It is built much better than the SKS. I believe there are some after market mags around for them. The guys here dont seem to have much faith in USA mags.I dont beleive hi caps will work in the all weather models. I recommend the gun highly.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ref44ref44 Member Posts: 251 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Avoid USA mags like the plague...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • competentonecompetentone Member Posts: 4,696 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own three Mini-30's--so I guess you can conclude that I like them.I have USA Brand 30-round magazines which work perfectly. But I purchased my mags before 1994. Since the ban, nearly all the Mini-30 high capacity mags I've seen offered for sale have looked "very poor"--I don't know if/how they would work.Ruger never made any magazines other than their 5-round, for the Mini-30. I'm sure there is someone who is making quality 10-round mags for it now; and if you hunt around long enough, I'm sure you could find some quality 30-rounders too.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jdb123jdb123 Member Posts: 471 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    there are some good after market hi-caps for mini-30's {i had good luck with triple k mags}remember the mini 30 is made by ruger which means you will get what you pay for in my opinion, they cost around 500$ give or take and are well worth it,the mechanical zero on the rifle doesnt offer much of a sight picture and will need adjusting{obviously}[This message has been edited by jdb123 (edited 01-14-2002).][This message has been edited by jdb123 (edited 01-14-2002).]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DiabloDiablo Member Posts: 251 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    From experience,I would save up and buy a high quality M-14 M1A1. Like a Springfield Armory.Four reasons:1. Accuracy2. Reliabilty3. Lots of 20 round quality mags out there4. Holds its value.Now a M14 M1A1 is probably twice the cost if the Mini-30...but money better spent.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 25-0625-06 Member Posts: 382 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sir, some time back Shooting Times magazine had a test between a Mini Thirty and a SKS. I believe the test was done by Layne Simpson. The Mini-30 was scoped and the SKS was shot with open sights. Guess which one shot the better 100 yard groups? I know this was only one gun and one test, but the people I know that have had them both and shot them alot say the price difference is not worth it. You can also get a SKS that takes AK-47 magazines, if you want more than 10 shots. One other caution, buy only non-corrosive ammo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leadlead Member Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You say you are a student and money is an issue. I work for a living, have two kids, a dog and a mortgage and money is a big issue. You can find good Romanian SKS with matching numbers, and buy hundreds of rounds of ammo for less than the price of a good used Mini 30. The Ruger is a great gun, but just for plinking I think the SKS is a good way to go.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I hate to beat a dead horse.... My unscoped mini-30 shoots great. The magazines are all USA and I have had nothing but problems with them. But the mags new in 1999. I have a 20 rounder that won't click into the locked position. But, then I have several USA 30 round magazines that work flawlessly. It seems to be a gamble with them.P.S. The suggestion on the M-14 is a good one. I bought the Mini-30 as a substitute for the gun I really wanted. In the long run, I should have saved up for what I really wanted. Last year I did and bought an Armalite AR10-A2 .308...Now that gun is a real blast to shoot! An M-14 Next, hmmmmmm sounds like a good idea.P.S. again, I also ordered a Robinson Arms VEPR II in 7.62X 39 mm. These are supposed to be fun but at $500 may be a bit much.T
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chuckuchucku Member Posts: 17 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I HAD a mini-30. It worked fine with the 5 round mag. It wasnt that accurate! I bought a ak-47 for $300 that will outshoot it. I also have a sks that outshoots my ak. I paid $149. Just my 2c.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.