Ruger Mini 30,.. Thoughts, Opinions? Prior to Purchase.

[Neon Knight Anubis]

I've heard a lot of very positive things about the Saiga made rifles,you might want to take a look at those.

[addict]

Remember, most AK's are imported as kits. Essentially shot out military rifles with the recievers destroyed and rebuilt as semiauto. My experience is that the new production rifles imported as sporters like the Saigas and hopefully the Chezk PAP's (puleezee EAA!) are much better shooters. Everyone needs both! Buy before our grossly deflated dollar raises the prices on these imports!
Addict

[MAUSERMAN]

I would never put down anything Ruger builds but the mini 30 is junk. I own 3 types of AK's and they work without fail. Siaga makes rifles in 223,7.62x39,and 7.62x51. These rifles will eat any thing you feed them and mags are available. If you want power and value get the .308 carbine my dad has one and its down right awesome.

[fightingquaker13]

With ammo going up across the board, I have a chance to buy a new Ruger Mini 30 in 7.62.

Not familiar with this rifle, but ammo is cheaper than my .223 Sig 556, and considering the stainless and black polymer stock, Garand style action, is this a good rifle or are there other comparable choices?

Any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Yeah, don't buy it. Get an AK. The acuracy is comparable, if not better and the mags are MUCH more available and  cheaper. You can get a decent one for $400-$600 and parts and acessories far, far more available. Try Classic Arms they have a good rep on the Saiga board and I was an inch away from from buying a Century made GP 1975 AK (which is US made so no 922R BS)  from them ( currently $519 with 4 mags and a case). They also have DPMS Sporticals for $699 if you want to go AR as I wound up doing. I spoke to the owner who assured me that their guarantee was simple. Don't like it, send it back and they'll send you a new one. Don't like that, send it back again and they'll replace it till its right, no repairs, a new rifle. You can't beat that. They also have Sterlings for $479 (I am tempted but broke and left handed). Seriously, don't mess with the Ruger. Its reliable if my mini-14 was comparable, but mediocre accuracy and hard to find and expensive mags. Get the same deal on an AK and save money on mags and parts. Check out the website and give them a call. I didn't complete a deal with them but they did impress me. It seemed to be a very no BS, what you see is what you get and if its not we'll make it right type of outfit, but I make no guarantees.
FQ13
PS Tom hates Century, BillT loves them. Me I don't know but was tempted to give them a whirl as they have a dimpled reciever (tighter mag fit) and are supposed to have gotten a WHOLE lot better in current new production. You can also pick up a new Wasser for less than $400 or a Saiga for a little better than $300. The Saigas can be modified to take AK mags if you put in some US parts to keep BATF happy and don't mind a little dremel work.
http://www.classicarms.us/

[Badgersmilk]

Keep in mind mini-30's are horrible mutt's that dont know what caliber they really are.  What I mean is Ruger thought it wise to put a .308" bore on what is supposed to be .310" per 7.62x39 caliber spec.'s.  ALL other 7.62x39's in the world are correct .310".  The only way you can put "proper" ammunition in a mini-30 is if you hand load it with .308" bullets.

I love Ruger, but   STUPID MOVE!  Resulting in a "Stupid Mutt" of a gun.

[Sponsor]

[ccd]

Get a Saiga in 5.45x39, they are in the US now, there is still very cheap ammo available online for it.

[Big Frank]

Keep in mind mini-30's are horrible mutt's that dont know what caliber they really are.  What I mean is Ruger thought it wise to put a .308" bore on what is supposed to be .310" per 7.62x39 caliber spec.'s.  ALL other 7.62x39's in the world are correct .310".  The only way you can put "proper" ammunition in a mini-30 is if you hand load it with .308" bullets.

I love Ruger, but   STUPID MOVE!  Resulting in a "Stupid Mutt" of a gun.

Does the width of a hair, or less, really make that much difference?

[tombogan03884]

 Frank, it's only 1/3 of a hair, on a dimension that has a tolerance of almost a hair and a half.

[Big Frank]

You mean size doesn't matter? 

[pioneer]

Ruger Mini-30 is ideal for an around the house, defense gun.  Not a tack driver, but at self defense ranges, who needs it?  I have a Mini-14 and am very pleased with it.  Not a match gun, but holds center mass at 100 yds. with iron sights.   

About foreign ammo, I never recommend imported cheap ammo in any gun.  Much military surplus has corrosive priming and other factors that can be harmful to your guns.