Mini-30 as first tactical rifle?

[camjr]

Does anyone have any experience with the Ruger Mini-30 in 7.62x39? I've never owned a tactical rifle, so am completely open to most options. I know the market prices are inflated right now, but I've got the funds (and spousal permission ) now to pay cash. I've been reading a lot about both the AR and AK platforms, know people with both, have fired both, and have a pretty good working knowledge of the advantages and disadvantagas of both the rifles and normal calibers. I've always gravitated towards the indestructable utilitarian in most things. I began looking at Mini-14's as well, but started looking into the Mini-30 as an option.

Any words of advice from the group? I'm not looking for a 300 yard tackdriver, or a rifle to get into 3-gun competition. I'm simply looking for another defensive tool in the toolbox.

Cheers!

[lrb111]

I have one in stainless. I like it just fine, I bought it because I wanted something in 7.62x39, and for teh same reasons you stated. I bought mine from another member of the forum. So, it was broken in, and I cannot speak to a"new in box" rifle.
For HD, it's quite alright. If were planning on using it for hunting, I would look at something different. The mini-30 can be made to accurate at near 200 yards, but it's using a round that was designed for close combat, and not much else.
Also, as a "ranch rifle" I can only assume that Ruger had 50 to 100 yards in mind as a defensive range. With the iron sights, that kind of range is acceptable, to me.
Magazines can be expensive. Many of the plastic,and resin based mags tend to deform at the top. They may also balk at the lock up configuration when inserting the mags. I load my 30 rounders light for storage, with 20-25 rounds. That keeps the lips from spreading too badly. Metal mags have fewer problems.
Personally, I think it's a fun gun.
Here's a subforum on Perfect Union that has plenty on the mini-14/30. Lot's of opinions. http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lodge2004]

Don't know much about the Ruger, but would say...seriously think about the availability of magazines/ammo/accessories and how they will contribute to the overall cost. I've spent the last two years acquiring what I'd consider a "basic load" of accessories. Once you add up the magazines, ammunition, optics, spare parts, tools, cleaning supplies, etc...they can greatly exceed the cost of the rifle itself.

[RECIT]

I too have been looking at the Mini 30. I have plenty of 7.62x39 ammo and I love the look of a more basic rifle. I can also appreciate the simplicity of the action similar to the M14 or M1A. Its basic and super reliable. I have heard they are not the MOST accurate past 100yrds. The Mini 14 is more accurate due to the round, Mini 30 has knock down though. I like the 30 myself. Ammo is cheaper and it is easier to find inexpensive surplus.

[Medino]

I prefer my Ak47 its not picky about what it eats, plenty of spare parts/mags, not extremely expensive(maybe not so much recently), and is near indestructible, and has never jammed. Accuracy however is acceptable i can still hit a torso sized at 100 yards with iron sights and i am a bad shot that is plenty for hog hunting.

Its all about preferences if you want something cheap in 7.62X 39 i would suggest an SKS.
I would not feed your Ruger any steel cased ammo specifically Wolf i heard they have had problems feeding.

[RECIT]

I would think it would be the opposite with the steel cased ammo. The design of the Mini is so close to the M1A or M14 and those were rough and rugged battle rifle that I'm sure will eat about anything you could feed it. I shoot LOTS of wolf through my AR and AK and have no issues with them feeding or getting stuck in the chamber. I would not think the Mini would have any trouble eating all the wolf you can get your hands on. But the SKS is a cheaper more plentiful rifle that will be as accurate as the Mini 30 would be. And there are tons of tactiCOOL items for the SKS. There are some for the Mini, but I think the aftermarket for the SKS is better. There is a nice CHEAP Mini 14 available on http://www.texasguntrader.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; right now with a Hogue stock and some other goodies for around $600. I know its not the Mini 30, but its still cheap...

[WarHawk-AVG]

If you do get the Mini-30, or even have a Mini-14 you can get one of these

http://www.amegaranges.com/mini14_new.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[WarHawk-AVG]

If you are going to get a Mini-30...buy a SKS and use the saved money to buy extra ammo.

Believe it or not...you will get more bang for your buck with an SKS and they shoot dang near the same.

You can tacticool out an SKS fairly easily as well.

[BigRon]

Used to woods hunt in Louisiana with a mini-30. A lot of folks used shotguns and 30/30's hunting with dogs. I think the mini 30 is a good fit when you need a fast handling carbine. Don't know why the same attributes would not make it a good tactical rifle. I like the SKS, but the ranch rifles have (IMO) more secure scope mounting and are made in America by Americans. I would prefer that my weaponry not be manufactured by Godless communists or slave labor.

[CWOOD]

I have a Mini-14. It is my second. The first (a GB) one I HAD to sell WAY too cheaply when we were in the 'broke' times some years ago. My lovely wife bought me one for Christmas (after listening to me whine about having to sell it long ago). I wish we had waited a bit longer. The one I have is the later model s/n 580- series. However the most recent modification includes a thicker/stiffer barrel and accuracy is said to have improved DRAMATICALLY.

First of all, the Mini's WILL do just fine shooting the steel cased ammo. I have run at least 1000 rounds of Wolf .223 through mine. Never a problem. In fact, before I bought the Wolf ammo, I called Ruger Customer Service and asked about using it and they sait it would not be an issue...and it hasn't been.

One problem with the Mini-14 has been accuracy...especially after the barrel is heated from firing. You thend to get 5-6 inch groups at 100 yards with occasional flyers after barrel heating. If you are after precision shooting at 100 yards or beyond, you will not be satisfied with this type of rifle. For me that is the ONLY issue. That being said, I don't plan on shooting anything smaller than a man-size target beyond 100 yards. For that I have a 30.06. Besides, beyond 100 yards we are not really talking about Home Defense.

The rifle is great fun to shoot and shoots EVERY time. It doesn't require meticulous care and cleaning. The stainless is excellent. It feels good to shoot. As a Home Defense weapon it would be excellent as it's size makes it easy to move around in close quarters. There are some very potent self defense rounds on the market.

I use mine for Close Quarters Carbine matches with most distances from almost contact to about 20 yards with a few out to 50 yards. I use the open iron sights (ghost ring) and they are very good for these matches. It would also be good in a 3-Gun match.

I strongly urge the use of factory magazines. Ruger now (finally) sells 20 rounders to the public again.

Just about anything I say about the Mini-14 should apply to the Mini-30. There are obviously differences in cartridge performance but that is about it.

If you get one, look for the very latest model with the thicker barrel if more accuracy it needed. Othewise most any one will do. If you want to use a scope, I suggest getting a s/n 580- series or later as the scope mounts are much improved over the earlier models.

I hope this helps. If you are ever in Austin and want to shoot it, let me know.

The SKS and AK rifles are just fine too.

The AR system is excellent, accurate and flexible.

Hard to go wrong. Just depends on what pleases YOU. Shooting things is FUN.

[camjr]

Well, as the original poster, I feel I need to update the group. I handled and fired different platforms, and ended up buying an AK instead of the Mini-30. I wanted a compact package (the reason I was drawn to the Mini-30 over the SKS in the first place), and picked up an AMD-65 AK variant. Side folder stock, front and rear pistol grips, and carbine-length barrel and muzzle break. Perfect for what I wanted the rifle for.

Cheers!

[RECIT]

Good choice. As rugged as can be and accurate enough. I like my Ak but am on the hunt for a Mini myself. Have fun and shoot a lot.

[BigRon]

Have fun with your rifle. The AK is a fine weapon.

[kurt]

I have had my mini 30 since i bought it new in about 2002. I love the gun just wish someone would make a decent dependable magazine holding 20 rounds. The aftermarkets I have bought were horrible. I have a Leupold scope on mine and it shoots about a 2 inch group at 100 yards with wolf 122 grain hollowpoint ammo.

I do miss my ak47s though. great guns also.