70's Mini-14 availability?

[Kaylee]

On the shelves at the local library was Tappan's "survival guns" and I figured "oh what the heck" - it seemed an interesting look back into what people were thinking thirty-odd years ago. I vaguely recalled hearing something terrible about it at some point, but couldn't recall what.. I can't recall anythng jumping out as being glaringly wrong, though of course he had his prejudices.

I did have one question though.. he mentions that the Mini was at the time he was writing (late 70's I think) was one of those "LEO Only" things. You know, nothing legally binding, but he said Ruger wasn't selling 'em to just plain folks. Now, I know that's what they say about the 20 and 30 round magazines, but has that ever been true of the rifle itself?

The only serious problem with the Ruger Mini-14 is finding one to buy. There are very few around on the open market, and those usually bring scalper's prices of $400 or more. It is the factory's official position, at present, to make them available only to military and police buyers.

-K

(PS.. I have to admit, looking through that book - dang do we have it good today, both in terms of options available and their relative cost.)

 

[zinj]

He might mean the GB model with the shorter barrel and bayonet lug that was/is LE only.