mini 30, is the mini 30 a good rifle to buy i.e. does it jam or misfire?

Question

I had a couple of people tell me that there's a problem with the newer version firing pins and sometimes they misfire

Answer 1

Probably a fine rifle, but you could do a lot better than the 7.62 X 39 mm. A lot of people will tell you that it will duplicate the performance of a 30-30, but only if you ignore the fact that the 7.62 X 39 mm typically uses a bullet that is approximately 30 grains lighter than the 30-30 at the same velocity or less. If the 30-30 is considered a 150 to 200 yard cartridge, the 7.62 X 39 mm is a 100 to 125 yard cartridge. If you are just looking for something to burn powder with, get an SKS or AK variant. They will be cheaper and just as trustworthy if not better.

Answer 2

The Ruger line is excellent. The Mini 14 and larger version, the Mini 30 are well made carbines if a bit small for anything but coyote & javalina hunting. If you plan to hunt deer you are better off with the Mini 30, but you could pick out a better deer rifle. Anything .243 up is good.

Any gun can misfire. Sometimes its not the gun but the ammo. Shoot your new Mini 30 at the range fifty or a hundred rounds and check for misfires (remember NOT to keep pulling the trigger if a shot doesn't sound 'right.'). Excercise gun safety at all times. If you do experience misfiring due to a defective firing pin, contact your gun vendor or Ruger. They should make it right. Ruger is good about that kind of stuff. Its not like it happens that often.

Best,

H

Answer 3

The mini 30 is a great rifle with many accessories that can be utilized. Use the right kind of ammo. DO NOT USE WOLF AMMO in the 7.62x39mm the rounds will give you problems. The only noticeable difference between the older and the the newer 30's is the front sight the older models had a problem of being damaged or being broken off the newer models have side skirts that help protect the front sight.

Answer 4

Ruger Mini rifles are time tested to be EXCEPTIONALLY reliable, though not overly accurate. The accuracy depends greatly on the ammo you feed it, and the care of the rifle. I own a mini-14 and have fed thousands of rounds through it without trouble. If you know people who are having trouble with a mini, it is probably from lack of proper maintenance, and use of cheap aftermarket magazines (everybody's gotta have the 30-40 rounders), and/or poor ammunition. A lot of the 7.62 ammo is soviet bloc/ chinese military surplus and while cheap to shoot, it was generally cheaply manufactured. I wouldn't spend much on a mini-30, simply because of the caliber. If you want a deer rifle, go with something more traditional. If you're shopping new, and like the mini, buy the 14. .223 is about as cheap to shoot as you can get, and the mini-14 makes an excellent med. range varminter/predator rifle. If you've got an opportunity to get ahold of one cheap, and want something to make noise with at the range, go for it. It's guaranteed to leave you smiling.

Answer 5

I use one for deer hunting, bought mine in 1989, never had a single misfire/jam. Good rifle out to about 300 yards. Don't know anything about the updated version but the operating systems are the same, the only difference I know of it the front sight.

Answer 6

Rugers mini 14 or 30 which ever the case my be.
Is a outstanding copy of the military M14.
The M14 evolved from the Time tested M 1 Grand.
I my self own one and have never had any trouble at all.
Feed it good ammo and keep it clean and you should be impressed.

Answer 7

As long as you keep it clean there should be no problem i have a M14 .223 and never had a problem with it after a thousand rounds it still accurate and functions well. Rugers are fine American firearms and they will fix any of their products for free including shipping !!!!!!

Answer 8

Never heard anything like that..old or new.

The Ruger MINI's are fine rifles.