Ruger Mini-30 for a featureless rifle in 7.62, reviews\thoughts?

[pc_load_letter]

PLEASE, I DO NOT WANT TO START A "you can run an AK featureless debate"....

I own a WASR and while it's cool and all, was thinking about a Ruger mini-30 for some 7.62 shooting. Not to mention I think the mini-30 in that Archangel stock looks pretty slick.

Anyways, looking for some first hand experience...Do you like yours. How has it been with steel russian ammo? I've read that the firing pin will become smashed and break when using the heavy berdan primers on some steel ammo.

But I also just read that for 2016, Ruger has fixed the problem.

Just wanted your thoughts.

Thanks and happy new year!

[luckyduck]

I'd rather build a featureless AR lower with a increased power hammer spring and a 7.62x39 upper.

Ruger's products are on the mediocre range of the spectrum. Overpriced medicority.

[mooseboy84]

The main reason for 762x39 is that it's very cheap to shoot. A mini 30 will have too many light primer strikes with steel case ammo. American and brass is relatively expensive, if you don't mind buying it, the mini30 is fine. You can get a heavier hammer spring and new firing pin, or you can just get an sks. If you want a mini buy one, but you will have problems with steel ammo, and given upcoming ammo ban/rationing, if you want to spend $$$ on brass go ahead. Outside of the whole not being able to shoot berdan primed, the mini is a nice rifle.

[3GunFunShooter]

Best place to get information on the Mini's is www.perfectunion.com
Over 200,000 postings on the forum section.

[Jes]

The main reason for 762x39 is that it's very cheap to shoot. A mini 30 will have too many light primer strikes with steel case ammo. American and brass is relatively expensive, if you don't mind buying it, the mini30 is fine. You can get a heavier hammer spring and new firing pin, or you can just get an sks. If you want a mini buy one, but you will have problems with steel ammo, and given upcoming ammo ban/rationing, if you want to spend $$$ on brass go ahead. Outside of the whole not being able to shoot berdan primed, the mini is a nice rifle.

How much steel cased ammo have you shot through your Mini 30 and how many problems did you have?

[Fishslayer]

It's not a 1K meter bullseye match rifle but I've been happy with mine.

Magazines are a problem. Ruger doesn't make a 10 rounder for it.
Upside is I haven't had terrible luck with ProMags. Had to ream out a couple of locating pin holes but they seem to work OK.
The 5 round Ruger mags are stupid expensive.

The very early ones had .308 bores. By all acounts this is no big deal.

They toss brass every bit as far as any SKS, and Ruger says you must use brass. Other owners dispute this. I've had good luck with corrosive Yugo milsurp. Just have to clean it right away.

[rokstarr99]

My Mini does not like steel cased ammo, it's kinda like...bang, bang, click, bang, click...

[bohoki]

my thirty works fine with all steel case ammo with good magazines

[Barbarosa]

I've got a milled Arsenal AK and mini-30. Love them both. I shoot cheap steel cased ammo in the mini-30 all the time with no problems and no light primer strikes. Having to neuter my AK to make it CA legal is a PITA; the mini-30 is a great option for a featureless 7.62 x 39.

[pc_load_letter]

Thanks for all the replies gents. I will have to research the magazine issue and factor that into cost.

I did read a post somewhere that the 2016 mini 30s had fixed the problem with broken firing pins. Could just be conjecture.

Thanks again!

[GEBHARD]

It's not a 1K meter bullseye match rifle but I've been happy with mine.

Magazines are a problem. Ruger doesn't make a 10 rounder for it.

Yes they do...

http://shopruger.com/Mini-Thirty-10-Round-Magazine/productinfo/90485/

[mooseboy84]

How much steel cased ammo have you shot through your Mini 30 and how many problems did you have?

I do not own a 30. I have fired one a few times that a friend owns, and it did not like wolf at all. Out of first 20 rds had 3 light strikes. My friend was using mostly geco brass cased which seemed to work fine, but it cost 38 cents a round which is damn pricey for the caliber. I had thought about getting a 30, but the light strikes is a serious issue unless you want to buy pricy ammo. The 30 is already an expensive gun and not being able to reliably shoot mil-surp was a big turn off. I can't comment on the new 2016 models. Some people who can shoot everything with their older unmodified 30s may not have a problem because it could be a difference of 100the of an inch in firing pin length that may be within manufacturing tolerances that allows them to shoot stuff, but there is more than enough testimony and even YouTube videos documenting the problems on older models.

[smittty]

But I also just read that for 2016, Ruger has fixed the problem.

If they finally made it to handle any and all makes of ammo even the cheapest dirtiest russian stuff then I'd consider, but only after it's proven!

[Darquan]

Yes they do...

http://shopruger.com/Mini-Thirty-10-...uctinfo/90485/

In Fishslayer's defense Ruger did not make a 10 round mini 30 mags until recently. I have not found them for sale yet.

I guess I should say for sale and in stock.

[Barbarosa]

In Fishslayer's defense Ruger did not make a 10 round mini 30 mags until recently. I have not found them for sale yet.

I guess I should say for sale and in stock.

I've had mine for at least 10 years. Bought them straight from Ruger after trying aftermarket mags that were not reliable.