Ruger mini 30 pros and cons

Good: 7.62x39 is cheap.

Bad: price magazines and you'll see.

BSW

mini-30, almost as reliable as your ak. if you get one theres some things you need to know.

-it doesnt like the berden primed stuff. it can shoot the stuff but expect missfires and light primer stikes. to remedy this poblem, use boxer brass. cabelas has my favorite
boxer brass. OR you can remedy this problem by buying a wulf extra power spring.

-accuracy is decent with the newer mini-30's. the older ones are give 'er take 1-6 moa.

- the mini-30 likes to run well oiled. do this and you'll be one happy person.



I have one and I really like it

this is a review of a new mini-30

OR you can remedy this problem by buying a wulf extra power spring

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I installed one, didn't help one bit.

The inability to shoot some cheap imported ammo is the main drawback IMO. Mine functions older Uly HP but not recent WMC-HP which I believe is made in the same factory.

I'm interested in this as well. In practical terms, what does the Mini-30 do that the AK or Saiga sporting 7.62x39 won't do?

I'm interested in this as well. In practical terms, what does the Mini-30 do that the AK or Saiga sporting 7.62x39 won't do?

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Enable you to spend $20+ on mags that are flimsier than AK mags?

BSW

I've had one since about 1986
The good: 1. Reliable with good ammo, mine is so-so with wolf steel ammo.
2. You don't need an optic since accuracy is about 8 MOA.
3. Spending cash on a trigger job, accustrut improves accuracy to about 6 MOA.
4. Looks good until you shoot it.

The bad: 1. 20rnd factory mags are now available for big cash. All other mags are junk.
2. Accuracy is about 8 MOA.
3. Spending cash on a trigger job, accustrut improves accuracy to about 6 MOA. OK maybe 4 MOA.
4. Looks good until you check your target..

It's my trunk gun.
I understand the new ones are more accurate, wouldn't take much.

Stick with the AK.
I’ll most likely get banned from the site for awhile for offending another member who thinks his mini shoots ¼ MOA.
See ya when/if I get out of the time out corner.
Just trying to save the OP some cash.

I had a series 189 Mini-30. It was a great shooter that shot 4" groups. That is a 30 shot 4" group at 75-80 yards and shot by my then 15 year old daughter(only the second centerfire she had ever shot). No barrel cooling time allowed. Ammo was cheap Chinasports. Never a failure to fire or feed using a 30 round magazine made by USA.

I've never really cared for or been interested in owning the Mini 14/30 platforms. Dunno why... Lots of opinions from others that it's a poor product.

But I have a love affair with the SKS. Have you considered it? It's arguably a better and more proven platform with some cool history. Cheaper at around $300.

I bought one when they first came out in the late '80s.
Absolutely, by far the least accurate rifle I have ever owned and I have owned about 200.

The thing shot 12" patterns at 100 yards with an optic in place.

I'm having a blast with mine, accuracy is fair enough, I really don't have a complaint. I liked the idea of having an American firearm chambered for the same cartridge as my AK's. It is a very sturdy built firearm. I have a review here on the 30 Tactical titled "My New Ruger Tac-30".

I like mine since late '85
6 deer later using PMC 125gr SN
50 yard 5" target using reloads------------------
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The one thing you don't want to do with any mini is to install an extra power spring on the hammer. Theres been a some reports of broken firing pins and a few of them had the extra power springs installed. The whole gun has to go back to Ruger to get a new pin fitted.

what does the Mini-30 do that the AK or Saiga sporting 7.62x39 won't do?

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Have great ergonomics.

All the handling virtues of the M1 carbine with more powerful and less expensive ammo.

The price of mags is the main drawback, but at least now Ruger is making 20 rounders.

Mine does fine with Wolf steel case, ran 90 rounds last through it last weekend shooting steel plates, no failures to fire.

Have great ergonomics.

All the handling virtues of the M1 carbine with more powerful and less expensive ammo.

The price of mags is the main drawback, but at least now Ruger is making 20 rounders.

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I agree with the above. The Mini-30 is an outstanding little carbine, the big brother of the M1Carbine and little sister to the M14.

if you like the feel of the mini or the fullsize better than the AK variants, then I think these are definitely worth a look.

(re: SKS)

I bought one when they first came out in the late '80s.
Absolutely, by far the least accurate rifle I have ever owned and I have owned about 200.

The thing shot 12" patterns at 100 yards with an optic in place.

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How was that optic mounted? If it was a receiver cover mount or a rear-sight-replacement mount, the mount was probably the problem. The only ways I know of to securely mount an optic on an SKS are to drill and tap the receiver (not the receiver cover) for a mount, or to replace the gas tube with an Ultimak style rail.

How was that optic mounted? If it was a receiver cover mount or a rear-sight-replacement mount, the mount was probably the problem. The only ways I know of to securely mount an optic on an SKS are to drill and tap the receiver (not the receiver cover) for a mount, or to replace the gas tube with an Ultimak style rail.

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I believe he was talking about the Mini, not SKS. His copy being an early one (likely with a .308cal bbl) I don't doubt his findings. The newer ones are much improved (though still nowhere near target grade) IME.

I believe he was talking about the Mini, not SKS. His copy being an early one (likely with a .308cal bbl) I don't doubt his findings. The newer ones are much improved (though still nowhere near target grade) IME.

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Oops, I believe you're right!

Sorry about that...

I'm interested in this as well. In practical terms, what does the Mini-30 do that the AK or Saiga sporting 7.62x39 won't do?

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Ruger factory service is also nice.

Mini 30

well, I've had one for a few years now and am happy. The first thing I got rid of was the rear sight. Put in a Williams peeper with smaller dia peep insert and it has been my hunting rifle ever since. Second thing to go was the wood stock-replaced w/Hogue Overmold. Good cal out a ways, and has digested all I have fed it...russki and usa stuff. Even reloads...mine and store bought ones. Weight fits me fine. Use on quad or keep it in the truck toolbox. My boy accidentally ran over the thing with a big quad, it's been without any probs and no effect on accuracy or function. I keep major parts greased, as oil will spray all over the place during recoil, (getting it off glasses is an un-needed thing). Get one while you can, use the 5rnd mags--- get higher caps later.

Is it true as the barrel heats up the accuracy drops dramatically with these guns? How's recoil?
Tim

TML said:

Is it true as the barrel heats up the accuracy drops dramatically with these guns? How's recoil?
Tim

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I have not found this with mine, but mine is the 30 Tactical with the heavy barrel.

Recoil is just a little more than the .223 .

Is it true as the barrel heats up the accuracy drops dramatically with these guns? How's recoil?

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That is true of virtually all firearms, that said the bigger the bbl the longer it will take to heat up (and the better it will dissipate the heat). The Mini, which is generally equipped with a fairly light contour bbl, is no different. IME groups will begin to open up fairly quickly (may very well not be the case with the H-Bar version), but then again it is neither a varmint nor LR precision rifle, so I expect nothing less. Recoil is noticeable when compared to a Mini-14, AR-15, or M1Carbine, but easily manageable. It is comparable to, but slightly less than a .30-30Win. lever rifle.