Ruger Mini-30?

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JesseJames

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I've been considering getting a semi-automatic carbine. I've been looking at the Ruger Mini-30 that shoots the 7.62x39mm SKS round.
I want one that has good knockdown power at about 100 yards and this particular firearm fits the bill. I want it to also have open sights which is standard on the model.
Now the big issue is that I am left-handed and I have had a devil of a time trying to find left-handed semi-auto rifles. Does anyone have any experience with this particular rifle that it won't really bother me during operation if I choose to get it?
For the record, I own a Ruger M77 Mark II in .30-06 with a variable power Tasco scope. No frills hunting rifle that I really need to clean copper fouling out of the bore of. Need to re-zero also.

A Savage 12FLVSS .22-250 with a fluted heavy barrel and a Sightron varmint scope up to 24x. Shoots like a dream now. My preferred rifle at the range.

And a Winchester 1300 pump shotgun. I may get a rifled slug barrel for it. No frills workhorse shotgun.

Then of course, the Ruger carbine will fill that automatic niche void.
 
HMMM

Not familar with the Ruger but an SKS would be cheaper. It has open sites and whatnot. Not so sure on the left-handed firing. I am left-handed but, and do a lot of things right handed.

SirPorl
 
I'm shooting a Mini 30 I just bought.
I think it's a great rifle and cartridge. I also shoot a yugo SKS and think the SKS is heavy for hunting, thats why I have the Mini 30.
My Mini 14 is a great rifle too , but not for deer size game.
Both rifles eject the brass out the front [the 14 and 30] so it should not IMHO be a problem for a south paw.
Longboard:cool:
 
Buy 4 SKS rifles and 1k in ammo and you will be happier and not spend any more than if you bought just the Mini-30.

If you are worried about weight, get a Chinese SKS instead of the Yugos that are coming in right now. Probably go for about $200-$250.

There is nothing that the Mini-30 can do that the SKS can't do as well for 1/2-1/4 of the price.

I.G.B.
 
as an added thought

I"ve read many a post saying that the rugers are only 'farily' accurate...certainly not moa or close to it.If so-so accuracy is ok with you,then go for it.
anyone disagree? I'd like to hear some stories contradicting the ones I've been reading for a loooong time on the Rugers.
 
The SKS ejects shells more-or-less straight up and slightly to the right. They are very "lefty" friendly. Only thing is that the safety would be hard to work with a left trigger finger.
 
I too strongly considered the Mini 30.

I researched it and decided to go the the other way. I bought a pair of Norinco SKSes, replaced the crumbling wood with light synthetic stocks, and spent less than I would for a used Mini 30. I have two functioning rifles and if it ever comes down to it, a complete set of spare parts!
 
Due to the safety and mag release, its is pretty southpaw friendly.

I'd be more likely to pick up an AK pattern rifle instead of the mini 30 though. To be perfectly honest, I've never really thought about a mini 30.

The AKs safety isnt as accessable (well, its pretty much on the wrong side), but with the availabilty of 30 round mags I could deal with it (I'm left-handed).

My .02.
 
I've got a Mini 30 and have 2 centavos to say about it.

First, the 7.62x39 is an OK whitetail deer cartridge, especially when the various commercial (Rem, Win, Federal) purpose made loads are used. Any cartridge good enough for ~150 lb mammals is OK for ~100-200 lb deer. I agree completely with longboard regarding weight. It's a nice package for deer hunting in the less than 200 yards ranges.

As for a SHTF rifle, it's so-so. As I've said before, my example has a wimpy firing pin. It always touches off commercial US ammo, with the concomittant softer primers, but doesn't work on combloc stuff (surplus, Wolf, etc). I've compared the primer dents to SKS and AK's and found the combloc guns produce dents that are much more authoritative.

Accuracy is OK; 2-3 moa. Nothing to write home about, but it'll bag a deer or hold back hordes of watermelons and their milk-jug overlords...

If it's just a 7.62x39 semi auto you want, consider an SKS while the getting is still good.
 
I'm with the other posters.

For an accurate and inexpensive rifle in 7.62x39 you can't go wrong with a SKS. The current batch of Yugoslavian M59/66s have a flashider/grenade launcher which means nothing for hunting, but does protect the crown of the barrel, which does. Or you can pay a little more and get a M59 which looses the grenade launcher and a little weight accordingly.

Or if the reason you want a Mini-30 is the larger capacity magazines, then an AK -variant might be a better choice, since 30-round magazines are cheaply available for AKs.

I'm a southpaw, have both an AK and a SKS, and have no problem with either one. They eject the brass hard enough that I've never gotten hit with any. On the AK, I use my right hand to operate the bolt, and keep my left hand on the pistol grip pulling the rifle into my shoulder when charging after a magazine change. Also the AK mag release is centered on the rifle behind the magazine, so it works just fine for lefties. The safety is very right-handed, but I don't use it except when storing or transporting, keeping an empty chamber is easier as the safety physically blocks the bolt as well as stopping the sear. It's also difficult to move as well as fairly noisy, no snick here.

As far as open sights go, I had trouble getting used to the sights on my AK and ended up replacing the rear sight with a drop-in Williams peep sight. If you want to scope either rifle there are rails that replace the rear sight that you can mount a scout scope to.

Tex
 
JesseJames said:
Now the big issue is that I am left-handed and I have had a devil of a time trying to find left-handed semi-auto rifles. Does anyone have any experience with this particular rifle that it won't really bother me during operation if I choose to get it?
Click to expand...

I don't know about the Mini-30, but the Mini-14 owner's manual does not recommend its use by left-handed shooters. That being said, I'm left-handed, I've shot a Mini-14, and never had a problem. (Same for my Remington 742.)
 
I like the handiness AND the detachable mags of the Mini-30. True, my sks's were much cheaper,and work just fine,but I just prefer the Ruger. It has more sighting options also, at least easy,quality options.
JMHO

SKIP
 
I have a Mini-30 and use Wolf and Barnual type ammo almost exclusively and never had a failure to fire. Its a ranch rifle set up and easily scoped, iron sights are kind of weak and best replaced with after market. High cap mags that work can be difficult to find, but I live in a 15 round max state so its a non issue. Its as accurate as I need it to be. Final point if you have a problem with a Ruger you can send it back to them for warranty work. Who are you going to send an SKS to Yugoslavia is gone.

For me the Mini-30 is the keeper and I have had an SKS which I sold.

TC
 
I have a Mini-30 and 4 Sks's (2 Yugo 59/66,1 Chinese Type 56,1 Chinese SKS-M) and like them all for different reasons.The Mini (mine is a ranch rifle) is much easier to scope,comes with built-in scope bases.Accuracy is certainly acceptable for most deer hunting,and the rifle is short and handy.I have mags from 5 to 50 rounders,and they all work.Shoots any ammo.Costs a lot.
SKS's are the bargain of the age right now.Most states won't let you hunt with a standard 10 round mag,so you will have to get a five rounder to hunt there.The SKS M or D uses AK mags so you can just pop in a five rounder and you're good to go.Can't scope one worth a damn,but accuracy is good enough for deer hunting with irons.Shoot any ammo.Can buy 4 for the price of a Mini-30.Bayonets and grenade launchers make them a bit muzzle heavy,but I like the stability of a muzzle-heavy rifle.The SKS is certainly a better deal than the Mini 30.
 
i have a mini14 an ak and a couple ars. the mini is fun but it's not particularly accurate and the mags can be hit or miss. i suggest that unless your state has stupid fun rifle laws get an ak. the mini isn't really any more accurate and the ak mags are alot more reliable. both rifles are rock solid and the actions themselves are reliable. both are accurate enough for most uses. the ak will cost the same or substantially less depending on the quality you're looking for.
 
TankCommander:

Although I've plinked lately with a really good used Mini 14, my question is about firing pins on newer Mini 30s-my used Mini 30 is being shipped right now to a store.

On "PerfectUnion" (the Mini website), a 30 owner said that he had
mostly mis-fires with Wolf ammo, but so far none with Golden Tiger, Bear or whichever type Russian rounds.
I'm quickly trying to find out what will probably happen with my first 30. My only backgrpound was seldom shooting a .22 bolt-action.

No semi-auto experience unil last October (new M-1 carbine).
Trying now to play catch-up, really fast. Was about to buy more Wolf, until I read his comments tonight.

Already having bought at least 500-1,000 rounds of 7.62x39 Wolf, can I buy a much better firing pin if this happens? Would Tiger, Bear be much more reliable?
Gun reliability (with lower ammo prices) is the only objective for me, not accuracy.
 
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