Ruger Mini 14 or Mini 30? What do you guys think?

[calicojack]

Every year or so, I think about getting a Ruger Mini 14. I also like the Mini 30 but I have heard they are not as reliable. Opinions?

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Every year or so, I think about getting a Ruger Mini 14. I also like the Mini 30 but I have heard they are not as reliable. Opinions?

The Mini-30 is reliable as long as you use Ruger OEM mags. I know of quite a few that will run steel case and brass case ammo flawlessly with Ruger OEM mags, but if you use a 3rd party mag, you'll have malfunction after malfunction after malfunction.

 

[RJRjr]

I like the mini 14, but O would say whichever ammo you have a larger stockpile of. I don't have any rifles in x39 so 14. First rifle I ever bought. Still have it.

 

[Worsley]

Mini 14 for me. Why are they so darn expensive, still?

 

[calicojack]

The Mini-30 is reliable as long as you use Ruger OEM mags. I know of quite a few that will run steel case and brass case ammo flawlessly with Ruger OEM mags, but if you use a 3rd party mag, you'll have malfunction after malfunction after malfunction.

I actually have 2 Mini 30 mags for my Ruger American but they are 5 and 10 round capacity.

 

[calicojack]

Mini 14 for me. Why are they so darn expensive, still?

True - could probably get an AR 7.62x39 and save $200

 

[linkstate]

Mini 14. But that’s only because I bought the last few OEM 20 rounders bass pro had on the shelf before 2013. Someday I’ll pick one up. Stainless with wood stock so I can sort of channel my inner A-Team.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I actually have 2 Mini 30 mags for my Ruger American but they are 5 and 10 round capacity.

I bought a Kriss Vector pistol, then bought a G21 and G41.

 

[silver78]

I have owned three mini 14s. To me the AR 15 platform is better and offers better value. OTOH if you want a really interesting cool Ruger autoloading rifle take a look at the Ruger SFAR.

Ruger® SFAR™ Autoloading Rifle Models

ruger.com

 

[toppkatt]

The Mini-14 is nostalgia. It's a Garand (greatest Generations' rifle) receiver that looks like an M14 (the shortest serving small arm of the US military) and uses the current ammunition of the US military rifle caliber. Much as I don't care for the AR platform, I have to give it superior accuracy in general to the Mini-14 and are less expensive.

 

[willtill]

The Mini-14 is nostalgia. It's a Garand (greatest Generations' rifle) receiver that looks like an M14 (the shortest serving small arm of the US military) and uses the current ammunition of the US military rifle caliber. Much as I don't care for the AR platform, I have to give it superior accuracy in general to the Mini-14 and are less expensive.

Yep. Great rifle. Love ❤️ my Mini-14.

 

[John from MD]

If you want nostalgia, buy the Mini 14, the AC 556 semi auto version with the bayonet lug and flash suppressor. The earlier ones that various police agencies used in the late '70's would only give 3 MOA accuracy if that. Maybe the newer models are better but will never shoot as good as a FrankenAR.

If you get a Garand specialist to work on the trigger, that would make the gun more shooter friendly. While there was some aftermarket support back in the '80's and '90's, I doubt there is much today.

For what you get, they are too expensive IMHO.

 

[toppkatt]

If you want nostalgia, buy the Mini 14, the AC 556 semi auto version with the bayonet lug and flash suppressor. The earlier ones that various police agencies used in the late '70's would only give 3 MOA accuracy if that. Maybe the newer models are better but will never shoot as good as a FrankenAR.

This is the one I had and as you stated 3MOA (didn't matter what ammo used). Also, there were a good number of aftermarket items available (it is a Ruger after all) and a strut installed on the barrel near the gas port was supposed to help increase accuracy. I think Ruger has worked on the accuracy issue and improved it but I'm pretty sure the AR platform still has superior accuracy over the Mini-14.

If you get a Garand specialist to work on the trigger, that would make the gun more shooter friendly. While there was some aftermarket support back in the '80's and '90's, I doubt there is much today.

For what you get, they are too expensive IMHO.

 

[Huckleberry]

Somebody has to say it but Mini-14 threads make me miss Lou45

Also reminds me of fuching up by not buying one of the Mini-14s he was selling especially one of the Stainless GB

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

If Ruger had designed the Mini-14 around the AR-15 magazine they might have enjoyed far greater market share. The proprietary magazine design increases the investment needed into owning one. Clone magazines have generally shown spotty reliability.

Like the AR series of rifles…the Mini is more reliable with the caliber it was designed around. The magazine well dimensions make it difficult to design a magazine for some calibers like the 7.62x39.

 

[IronEye]

I had my "Lou45" GB14 out at the range yesterday. Fun gun. I especially love the "LE and Gov't Only" warnings on the gun and the magazine that came with it from the Assault Weapons Ban (1994-2004) era.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Mini 14 for me. Why are they so darn expensive, still?

Back in the day , Minis were half the cost of ARs . ARs have come down in real terms , Minis have kept pace with inflation .

 

[ohen cepel]

New ones are more accurate. Ruger did a pretty major redesign to them 10+ years ago.

I like them as they are not an AR. Interesting video of a study comparing jail time for using an AR vs a Mini;

Not saying it is right, but..........

Also, there are times I simply like a wood stock on things.

Yes, stick to Ruger mags. They make 5, 10, 20, and 30 round factory versions.

Oh, and I think 2A has a like new one for sale recently at a very good price.

 

[Kman]

I have an old ranch 14 and a newer tactical 14.
The tactical is more accurate. Both are reliable with oem or John Masen mags.
I want a 30, but I won't spend $1000 on a mini.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

Minis had a reputation for mediocre accuracy for years. The problem was traced to poor barrel harmonics. Once that was addressed in production the issue went away.