Shooting My "New" Ruger Mini 30 & Mini 14 - My Excitement Turned Into a Big Disappointment! 7.62 x39

[@gdog1443]

I love how you guys just hang out in the desert and shoot stuff, it’s good to spend time together while you still both can, you’ll both miss that one day, don’t give it up until you really have to, life is good.

[@LYMANHALL30]

@@gdog1443 no it ain't. It just is then it aint.

[@gdog1443]

@@LYMANHALL30 happiness is not a condition it’s a decision.

[@LYMANHALL30]

@@gdog1443 I recon so for some. However, the objective reality is that if happiness is a decision then it is not material in any sense. Life just is, until it aint.

[@gdog1443]

@@LYMANHALL30 life’s what you make it buddy, we will all end up in a box one day there’s no getting out of that, enjoy what you have in the living now.

[@Amir_Nassir]

True, man! I cherish the time with my Ma & Pa at the range. If life plays out how it usually does and they pass before me, i'll always remember those times.

[@d.r.keeler2804]

I had the receiver locking up worse than yours on my used mini 30. I made arrangements to send it to Ruger for service because I couldn't make it work. Ruger was great. They replaced the springs and returned it to me in a week at no charge. It's worked great since. So mirroring some other comments, check out the springs.

[@JohnSmith-nt3ud]

Really enjoying your videos. Bought my Mini 30 almost 10 years ago exactly like yours. Never used 5 round mags. Anyway, it would fire brass flawlessly no problems. Steel case was another story. I took it back to the dealer the following week and they sent it back not two weeks later with a tag “bolt was out of limits” whatever that means. They even sent it back with a free soft case. Anyway, it now fires everything flawlessly brass or steel. Although I try to steer clear of steel case in any firearm. One of my favorite rifles. Wish I had a place like yours to have fun. Thanks!

[@stormlakebobcat9058]

Steel case? Mosin enter the chat : nyet comrade. Ammo is just fine. 😅

[@Xaphiero]

Yeah, ditch the cheapie steel ammo.

[@whiteyfisk9769]

That means it was out of tolerance/ specification limits

[@mattacedo]

Rugers not designed to shoot steel

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

​@@stormlakebobcat9058 yeah, except the Mosin action gets sticky after a couple of rounds.

[@billm2407]

Bought a 2023 Mini-30 stainless with wood furniture. 1x red dot. Been a great little carbine. Shoots everything I feed it, including metal case. Pretty accurate compared to one I previously owned some years ago, getting consistent 3” groups at 100 yards, with 2” groups shooting Hornady Black and my hand loads. Got a PSA AK for half the price, and it’s a good shooter, too. Both are great fun!

[@HDSME]

I dumped my last one it had a pencil barrier was not a good shooter since they supposedly retooled and have the small fat barrel

[@dale27488]

Brass is metal, too

[@whiteyfisk9769]

All cases are metal, except allegedly the military has polymer cases. Did you mean steel case??

[@billm2407]

Beg pardon - STEEL CASE is the correct term. Tula, Red Army, etc. So far my Mini-30 hasn’t had issues with them. It really likes the PSA Sabre Black Tip.

[@HDSME]

@billm2407 use to bye cans of that good stuff

[@ironhorse127]

Just left the beautiful state of Nevada. Henderson area specifically. Love it there, love the freedom to own and shoot these great rifles. Enjoyed the video as always.

[@Prepare2Survive]

When someone shoots 7.62x39 in an area like yours it reminds me of the movie Red Dawn from 1984.

[@mixup98]

👍😎

[@thelastminuteman7513]

WOLVERINES!!!!! Imagine if the Wolverines joined up with the A-Team to fight the commies. That would be the kind of plan I love to see come together.

[@johnmikel5934]

Agree on that ​@@thelastminuteman7513

[@TacShooter]

@@thelastminuteman7513 The A-Team never actually shot anyone, did they? Seemed like they only attacked materials, like people's tires.

[@mixup98]

@@thelastminuteman7513 How about the Wolverines, the A-Team, and Mixup and Son 👍😁

[@aireydc]

Mine is wood stainless, runs only brass FMJ and soft points. Have six mags 5 to 20 rounds. No problems over three years. Ruger customer service has never failed me.

[@mixup98]

Ruger customer service will be next on my list if my new magazines and recoil spring don't fix the problem.

[@coryhobgood5713]

Could be the mags or recoil spring. But honestly, that Russian ammo sucks. Pay a little more and shoot brass case.

[@azmaddog6]

@@mixup98 Since the rifle was not used much it may have been owned by a non-gun person and may have been stored with the bolt ln the open position for "safety". Larry Vickers had an FAL stored that way and had similar issues.

[@maxwelledison03]

"Runs only brass fmj and soft points"... So, it's crap.

[@myfavoritemartian1]

My mini was like yours: FTF the first two and empty the rest. Every Mag. I clipped off one coil and they worked fine! Also Mine didn't like soft or hollow points. SO with FMJ and the clipped mags it was fun.

[@dudleyjames4845]

I agree with the wolf extra power springs. They work great. Also, polish the hell out of the contact surfaces where rounds ride into chamber. Then polish the hell out of the chamber. It will perform flawlessly, no matter what mag you are using.

[@TiredOfApathy]

You aint wrong. Nvr an issue for mine. Flitz polished and springs changed. Maybe 2k through it without a single hiccup.

[@squrtcap]

I had a Mini 30 from the 90’s with wood stock and loved it. Sold it and bought one like this in 2018, it was horrible compared to the wood stock and never could feel comfortable with it. It was stolen a few years back and never recovered, but my Marlin 45/70 Guide Gun with all its leather, minus $100 worth of ammo, was returned to me.

[@ziggyz2958]

When given a choice, I usually prefer a wood stock for that beautiful classic look.

[@JonMelbo]

Different stock shapes can certainly feel more or less comfortable according to each person's preferences for sure. And I'm with Ziggy on appreciating the visual appeal of a nice wood stock. Just the same though, I generally prefer to buy synthetic equipped hardware for the superior durability and lack of swelling. YMMV

[@GnarlyCharly1988]

glad you got the marlin back

[@mariodesmo]

I bought one of the first mini-30's at my local gun shop back in the day. When they first came out, a mini-30 (I believe) was about $350, and mini-14's were around $275-$300. A case of 1000 rounds of 7.62x39 or .223 by Norinco cost about $110-$120. UPS was transporting a lot of lead back then! lol Good Luck!

[@msw00]

I've owned two and both had issue with steel case ammo. Bought the longer firing pin from Midway and popped it in, shoots everything great without miss. Ruger twenty rounders are also the sweet spot, those five rounders stink. I love this rifle.

[@JohnQuincy1776]

it seems like too much pressure from the magazine spring or a weak recoil spring.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

I got mine when the new generation came out 680 bucks at the gun show. Police model, short barrel,flash hider. I have put this thing through a lot and it has NEVER failed.

[@stephenembrey883]

The one I used to have never jammed but it was so inaccurate I just couldn't justify keeping it.

[@maxwelledison03]

They're junk.

[@glennmurray.]

@maxwelledison03 Did you own one?

[@maxwelledison03]

@@glennmurray. Very briefly. Very. It was somewhat reliable, which is not a very confidence inspiring term, but was woefully and almost comically inaccurate. After having replaced springs and getting it to function as best it could, it was then sold and replaced (if memory serves, with a beautiful Norinco preban with cash to spare for ammo and dinner for 2). It will not be missed. I buy Ruger for revolvers, nothing else.

[@glennmurray.]

@maxwelledison03 I think I will stay clear of it🙂👍

[@markthomas5316]

If the new mags don't solve the problem, you might try polishing the feed ramp. That worked for me one time on a different model. Thanks for the video.

[@hotrodray6802]

Is there a feed ramp, or is it like an SKS ??

[@thesaint1517]

Enjoyed seeing the mini thirty in action. It appears to be the recoil spring that might be soft although magazines are sketchy sometimes. I've been wanting to purchase the mini 30 but I always end up buying something else. Love my mini 14. Thanks for sharing!

[@jdsolberg7613]

Not to worry, if your new parts don't fix the issues, Ruger warranty service is some of the best in the business!

[@fatboy9072]

It's not new, It's Used

[@jdsolberg7613]

@@fatboy9072 They'll fix it.

[@JPCUSA76]

@@fatboy9072 Ruger hasn’t cared when I needed service on a couple used ones.

[@rudder727]

@@fatboy9072 I think Ruger is like many gun companies that have transferable warranties,

[@JonahPedersen-tz3uk]

I want to second tgis. Ruger gave me the best customer service I have ever had. I was trying to locate some parts and they sent them to me for free.

[@Courier-Six]

Everyone is going to bring up the spring. If i know one thing and i could call myself an expert on them, it is Ruger Ranch Rifles. The magazines of the Mini-30 are notoriously finnicky. I actually needed to send my rifle back to Ruger with the magazines, and they needed to be hand fit to the rifle. Steel case also has issues with sticking. A lot of people will say it is because the ammo is crappy, etc. It has been my experience that the primers are a bit hard but do fire. The issue I experienced was failure to extract since my Mini-30 had a bore diameter of .308 and steel case ammo is .312, which means the cases stick in the chamber because the case mouth expands too much. My solution to the issue was shooting brass cased Belom ammo, i would then handload the cases with Varget and a 150 grain .308 projectile for my M1 Garand. It vastly improved accuracy and reliability of the Mini-30. Eventually, i decided it was too much hassle to go through and sold it

[@patrickbrophy5310]

Everything I have read on the mini 30 states it’s a .308 diameter bore, whereas traditionally 7.62x39 uses a slightly larger bullet. Domestic brass cased ammo should work much better. Steel cases can and will stick (shotguns shells with steel bases included).

[@jamayajackson5256]

@@tonyrebel63 wtf are you talking about?

[@fiveowaf454]

@@patrickbrophy5310 Only the very early models had the bore diameter issue.

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

Oh my god, it has a .308 barrel? That's terrible! That is very much not in spec.

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

​@@tonyrebel63 you doing okay?

[@BRLaue]

Used to run those deserts in the late 60’s, early 70’s. Sure makes me nostalgic. Keep’’em coming.

[@chrishynes6091]

Try changing out the spring with a Wolff extra power recoil spring...you may thank me later.😁

[@308reloader5]

yeah could be weak if its been siting around for 10 years or so but the bolt looks tight and guides were the case ride along to the ramp

[@behindenemylines3361]

I used wolf springs in several of my rifles, their good stuff.

[@marksini3598]

Agree with replacing recoil spring

[@redrider7730]

@@308reloader5 I have pistols and rifles that have been sitting around for 100 years and most still function properly. It requires use to wear out a properly made spring, and it appears this rifle in the video has not been used at all. While I agree this could need a new recoil spring to make it run properly, this problem of feeding issues has been a thing in brand new Ruger Mini 30's and 14's for decades.

[@krisgreenwood5173]

A wolf extra power spring is a good way to break your firing pin. Stop using Russian ammo with hard primers designed for AK 47 rifles. It's right in the Ruger owners manual.

[@MLZ1957]

The Ruger Mini 14 is by far the best 5.56x45 platform ever designed. I have an 800 series ranch model that now lives in an Arch Angle stock. Fully adjustable length of pull as well as the comb. To top it off I also installed an Accu Strut barrel stabilizer. Apparently, the barrel can bend when firing for extended periods. And I Added a Mo Reaper mussel brake. Beats the hell out of the M16A2 that I used in the Army.

[@ewilliams865150]

No it doesn't. But that can be your little secret.

[@Nhoutdoor]

@MLZ1957 sorry,but I had both and both are junk. Have colt m4 carbine with 7k rounds through it without a SINGLE malfunction. Ruger is entry level.

[@publius9606]

If you actually believe the Mini 14 is "the best 5.56 x 45 platform ever made" I am compelled to remind you that drug use and firearms dont go together.

[@MLZ1957]

@@publius9606 Well then you should stop using them.

[@garagemetalshop7975]

I loved this video and three work in progress on your rifles. I especially loved the pictures of you and son at the end. You raised him right.

[@_ArsNova]

The Mini-14 isn't a bad rifle, but for what it is, and what they charge, there is basically no reason to not just get an AR instead. Cheaper and better in every single performance metric, from reliability to accuracy.

[@newcreation2521]

Well said.

[@john_barnett]

Unless you really liked The A-Team

[@jackcrisci2957]

Well, there is one. If you live in a state where it's illegal to own an AR.

[@CrimeVid]

Apart from AR's looking like refugees from a plumbing sale.

[@BlackSheep883-d7n]

@@CrimeVid agree

[@davidbladen5667]

I had similar problems with my Mini-14 that I bought new in 2012. I sent the gun back to Ruger twice. When it came back and still had the jamming problem I wondered if I was doing something wrong. I also ordered 10 10-round magazines. The magazines were delayed for about 5 weeks. Ruger was changing their magazine supplier because of quality control issues. Also, I checked the rifle for any wear marks. What I discovered was that the operation rod was making contact with the inside of the plastic stock just enough to slow the op rod down to cause problems. I lubed the area on the op rod with Remoil and then with Lucas Bros. gun grease and firing a couple of boxes of PMC ammo and that solved the problem.

[@TheRealKpocalypse]

Many years back, I upgraded my recoil spring to a wolf extra power recoil spring. Since I was at it, I also changed the hammer spring (also from wolf) for those stubborn primers. Also had a trigger job done to it. I put a lot of extra cash into making my mini 14 better than an AR. Basically it was a bet and I won.

[@shellback99]

I did the same on mine minus the trigger. Eats steel cased much better now but still have a malfunction about every fifth mag or so.

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

until you do sustained rapid fire and either melt your plastic stock or light your wood stock on fire because of the open gas port just blowing gas right on to the stock surface.. its why i ditched mine.. a high capacity semi that cant do rapid for any length of time is like an armor plated bath towel utterly useless hope they added some sort of heat shield since 1995 TBC by sustained i mean a normal amount. not just running it as fast as you can reload to melt it. i was doing two gun drills and it would just over heat on the rapid fire segments. ditched it. bought an AK to replace it' less accurate to be sure but it would run till i got tired of reloading drums and magazines and the stock would only smoke edit BTW my current is an AR platform i built myself. runs steel cases no problem hows that mini of yours run with steel?

[@TheRealKpocalypse]

@@ripvanwinkle2002 eats steel cases all day

[@conanlive3784]

Do you need an extra power spring for the Mini 14? Thought it was only needed on a Mini 30. I just bought one of each, and am getting ready to order Wolff springs. Want to know what all springs to order.

[@shellback99]

@ my mini 14 is bone stock I have never had a malfunction

[@skitzdaniel3314]

As an engineer I designed, and installed nearly 30 - 40 automation machines in my 45 years. One of my biggest issues with automation that I had was misfeeds of parts into assemblies. The problem usually was that fits between parts were to close from tight tolerances. I would polish part with fine 600 sandpaper to smooth surfaces and give a little more clearance of .002 -.005. I also have had feed problems with magazines on some of my guns with magazines. I fixed that with resizing, tightening, or loosening the top of the magazine lips, so the bullet was presented to the barrel at the right angle and slide right in. It is a patient, fine adjustment because it usually is a tight tolerance to make it happen....001 - .003. You have to use a digital caliper to sense whether you moved (bent) the lip just enough. But, I found the feed problem more often to be the magazine on how it sits and locks when inserted, and the bullet gap at the top of the magazine.

[@milehighgimpster]

I love both of these rifles and wouldn't mind having either or both. I'm an old school blued steel and wood guy though. I'll bet it's a simple fix for your mini 30. Thanks for this video

[@tnsteel]

I bought and sold one. Won't run steel case, only high dollar brass. Lots of internet solutions to modify, but it won't run out of the box. Mine was roughly like a bolt action.

[@recoilrob324]

The Mini-30 had problems with light primer strikes using steel case ammo and there was lots of discussion and people doing different things trying to solve them. The problem is in 7.62x39 ammo with the foreign stuff being CIP spec while USA uses SAAMI. In most calibers they're pretty much the same, but in x39 the shoulders are at different angles and the datum where the headspace value is measured also a bit different. These differences are slight....but enough that a CIP round drops into a SAAMI chamber a bit too far for reliable ignition with a standard firing pin protrusion length. Ruger used to state in their manual to use only SAAMI spec ammo and I've never heard of them having malfunction problems using that while most people wanted the caliber to use all the cheap surplus that was available and many guns just wouldn't run it reliably. There also was the issue of the early guns having .308" barrels while CIP x39 has .311 which would have made a bit more pressure in the smaller barrels. I don't know how Ruger is building them now....and it might be a good thing for Mixup to check with them as to his barrel diameter and whether the chamber is CIP or SAAMI.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Seems like a lot of work to have less power than a .30-30 without any of the reliability of the .30-30 in my opinion. 😁

[@redtra236]

@@exothermal.sprocket Using brass cased ammo isn't a lot of work but more costly if you aren't reloading. I believe Ruger says not to use steel cased ammo in any Mini-14/Mini-30/AC556 platform rifle. Which sucks since brass cased 7.62x39 isn't that common but I've seen them run very well with brass cased ammo. If you can collect most of your cases and reload them its not much of an issue though.

[@mikespangler98]

My Mini-30 also did not work well with steel cased ammo. Works fine with Fiocchi brass cases which is what I reload. I also found someone selling different gas port bushings so now it ejects the cases less than 30 feet away. I liked that so much I also got smaller bushings for the Mini-14.

[@anthonyguidas2012]

Can’t wait to see a follow up video when you get the bugs worked out.

[@warrenharrison9490]

I second this motion 🙋

[@terrillwilliams2498]

Me too

[@maxwelledison03]

Which is when it's sold for an SKS.😂

[@Just_here_for_fun]

Ruger specifically says to only used brass in the Mini 30.

[@rob6850]

Seems silly to design a 7.62 x 39 rife around anything but cheap steel-case stuff.

[@armorer94]

​@@rob6850agreed.

[@zdub8438]

If it won't run steel, it doesn't deserve brass.

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

He commented on another comment saying this. Hus manual does not state that. That is on older models apparently.

[@josephpepper3087]

@@zdub8438 I don't blame a gun for not working with crummy ammo. Use brass in Mini's. Download mags. 4 in 5 rd mags, 18 in 20's, and 28 in 30's. Only use Ruger mags.

[@8626John]

Few things are more disappointing than getting a new firearm and having problems with it right out of the gate. Thanks for taking us along.

[@whiteyfisk9769]

If you get enough guns, thats just the way it shakes out sometimes

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

​@@whiteyfisk9769 they didn't say otherwise, and it is still disappointing.

[@dboutdoors6180]

Especially when it's way overpriced!

[@chrhadden]

i dont buy a whole lot of guns but i thought this type of thing was common

[@ryanm4013]

Almost every gun I’ve every bought needed a break in period of a few hundred rounds to work as intended

[@dalesmyth7398]

I have the Ruger American Rancher chambered in 7.62x39mm, bolt rifle. Factory 5 rd. mag, and I bought 2 more, same magazines you have on the Mini 30. Everyone of the magazines had sharp edges, just rough around the feed lips and follower. I took my Dremel out with a cratex stick that I use for polishing feed ramps, and polished the whole front of the mag, feed lips as well. Helped big time, lots smoother to cycle the bolt, no bullet tips or cartridge cases hanging on the mag now. Look at your mags, and see if there's any sharp edges on them. Polish that out, smooth them up, and I bet they'll work. It looked like the tips were hanging on the front part of the magazine in your video.

[@Thedoug369]

I used to have the exact same Mini 14 less the red dot about 30 years ago.. Bought it for $400, sold it for $600 a few years later. Wish I still had it ✌️

[@yourmomma2995]

i did the same, I'm poor so i have to sell something to get something new.

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

I've had the same "seller regret" for every gun I ever sold!

[@Thedoug369]

@@JohnMcClain-p9t lol,I hear that!

[@76629online]

I have the same Mini 30 that I bought new about 7 years ago. Had similar issues with steel cased ammo. I have found that if I take that ammo and lay it on a table on a rag, before I load it in the magazine, and spray it down with WD-40, that it pretty much solves the feed problems.

[@SCSlimBoiseID]

I had a Mini 30 for several years. Pains me that I let it go. I bet if you shipped that one back to Ruger, they'd fix what ails it. That's a spiffy Mini 14 you have there. I had an AC556 for a year or two (paid the $200 tax, got the stamp, all legal-like), but it got too expensive to feed it, so I sold it (again, all legal-like) to a guy who had a collection of Class III stuff. That old pumpkin sure came apart from the soft-point slug. Fun stuff. Stay safe out there.

[@alandavis9644]

My Mini 30 Tactical throws both brass and steal into the next county! Never had a problem, ever with 5 to 20 round clips. Its my #1 go to for most everything! Got a Sig Whisky 3 on top, I call it "my deer mowing machine".

[@frankwrogg2515]

The pictures at the end were great, looking well!

[@gud2go50]

I have owned 2 of these rifles over the years. I have a love hate relationship with them, because of accuracy issues or not shooting Russian ammo dependably, but I just could not stay away from them and just recently purchased a brand new 2024 made version of one. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that except for the very first round of different Russian steel cased ammo, I have had no light primer strikes at all! And the accuracy is a bit better. It is not minute of angle, but minute of deer which is plenty good for my purposes. At age 64 and a bad shoulder, this light weight rifle is easy to pack around in the deer woods. Plus, I have a bunch of stockpiled ammo for my AK that I enjoy shooting through this thing. Great video! Your taste in firearms is very similar to mine, but living in the desert, not so much!😂

[@ChooseFreedom-o1e]

I had a Mini-14 about 45 years ago until I did a couple of mag dumps and then leaned it against a tree. The barrel warped and what little accuracy it had was lost. Ruger replaced the barrel at no charge and I promptly sold it.

[@dannyarcher6163]

You’re truly blessed to have that land and shoot at will!

[@jw5188]

Same problem I have with my mini-30. It is frustrating. I tried different ammo and different magazines. Good luck.

[@MARedleg]

I remember when you could buy a mini14 at my local Walmart here in south Texas. I bought one in 2005 and sold it to a brother just a couple of years later. I didn’t shoot it very much but I always used the cheap Russian ammunition. It functioned flawlessly with the five rounder and the 20 round mags. I seem to recall the sale price back then was 499.00 at Walmart.

[@Theblackwolf-v5q]

You are absolutely correct. Those mags do not like being topped off. Go one round down👍

[@msomething3579]

Never had any problems with my Mini-14, however several other firearms with feed problems turned out to be just certain magazines. Kept track of which mags were having difficulties and problem was solved. Not all mags are created equal,.

[@markfyke9758]

My experience also. 5 round mag , load 4.

[@brianmoran3450]

30 round mag ? Put in 25.

[@Theblackwolf-v5q]

@brianmoran3450 my personal preference, and this is just what I do from past experiences, I go 28, in a 30. But that's just me

[@AndrewCummings-do2bz]

Just buy some new 10 and 20 round mags, 5 shot mags are a really low amount anyway.

[@raymondward1009]

I bought a M1A (standard) brand new from Springfield about 2 years ago, only taken it out to a range 1 time. It came with one 10 round clip and I spent the better part of the first year I had it buying metal GI clips where-ever I could find them (don't care for P-mags). After I had accumulated 30 or 40 regular metal GI clips I finally took it to a friends privet range. Granted this was a brand new rifle, never been fired, I went thru about 4 or 5 of the standard 20 round GI clips, with no issues (some where new-old stock) but the factory 10 rounder was hard to insert and didn't cycle completely 2 or 3 times. I keep that 10 rounder in the rifle with an empty chamber but I will likely swap it out for one of the 20 rounders before shooting it.

[@jeffreyoldham55]

Incredible range. You may be disappointed with the Mini 30, but I sure enjoyed hearing the sound of the report echoing off the canyon walls. I'm sure you'll get it sorted and hopefully, will return soon with another video.

[@mixup98]

My 'shooting range' is pretty awesome and we love coming out here to shoot. I should have my follow-up video posted next weekend, maybe sooner.

[@chrishill1286]

I bought a mini 14 for Y2K, beautiful stainless ranch. Accuracy was minute of paper plate, very disappointed. Sat in the safe for over a decade, after doing a lot of reading I cut the barrel down to 16" crowned it put on a CMT flash hider, did a good trigger job on it and got it down to just under 1.25". Monitoring forums quality is still an issue although the thicker barrel did address the accuracy, malfunctions are still haunting the platform. Mine still sits in the safe behind my AR platforms. Sorry fan boi's I get the nostalgic connection to the Garrand but that doesn't bring home the bacon!

[@compaq2441]

@@chrishill1286 i 2nd. I have owned 3 mini 14’s over the last 40 years and all of them were poor shooters. I had a mini 14 ranch rifle actually keyhole rounds at 15 yards. Barrel throat was bad right out of the box. Yes Ruger fixed it but it should have never even been assembled with the barrel it came with. Let alone passed any level of QC. I still have the rebuilt one but it is a safe queen.

[@chrishill1286]

@@compaq2441 I know and I have Ruger revolvers and rifles that are fine, the mini appeal is the Garand persona and I get it. The new mini's are supposed to be much better if you don't get a bad one.

[@mattstone4169]

That's a shame I have a 300 blackout mini 14 and it runs amazing even with a suppressor actually even better than my sugar weasel

[@samabinguap8303]

@@mattstone4169sure bud, we definitely believe you and the 20 some odd rounds you shot in trash.

[@GovtWatchdog]

I bought my mini-thirty new back in ‘99. Had lots of issues with steel cased ammo, not with hard primers but with feeding/ejecting the cases. It only seemed to do well if the steel cased ammo was copper or zinc washed.

[@DymondzTrucking1962]

I will keep my s k s thank you. I never miss one of your videos. I can't believe what they're getting out of those mini 14

[@PassivePortfolios]

I had a cheap Chinese SKS. Never had any problems with steel cased ammo - Russian or Chinese.

[@patrickbrophy5310]

It’s because of the ban states where you cannot own an AR. I prefer the mini 14, but refuse to pay gouging prices that Ruger is charging.

[@tubeonline629]

I wouldn't say Ruger is gouging prices on the mini's, They are a complicated firearm to produce because of all the machine work.

[@TempoMontages]

@@patrickbrophy5310 Yea my state banned everything about 2 years ago so i bought a russian sks for 500$ instead of spending 1k for a ruger

[@stormlakebobcat9058]

SKS and the mini 30 are great in any collection 😅🦅🇺🇸🗽

[@TacShooter]

The reverb on the gun shots sounds awesome in that location! Sounds like an old cowboy western movie!

[@DonutVIP]

wide open valley are my go to, the sound bouncing off the mountain valley sounds sooo good

[@corplavilla]

I have one of these. After putting many add ons, for the muzzle, barrel support, different scope rings( to use the iron sights) and changing the trigger spring, to name a few things. It is a great gun for the price. The mini 30 is very accurate with a great caliber. Mine is a little heavy with all I did to it but, I’m super happy with it. One thing is you have to use Ruger mags and( it takes practice) make sure to get the mag angle properly or it jams.

[@torqueguy1]

Mix. You talked me into my SW 41, for which I will always be grateful for. We shoot tomato soup cans at 100 yards, offhand. Have a Burris Fastfire 3 on it cause I’m an old phuquer. Thanks🎯

[@mixup98]

The S&W Model 41 is an awesome target pistol and I'm glad you bought one. I have owned mine since 1981 and it will belong to my son someday. Maybe I will do another review on it sometime in the near future. I also glad to here that we are both in the "old phuquer" club 👍😁

[@chrhadden]

you dont shoot grilled cheese to go with it?

[@jasonlaureno8422]

I had a similar experience years ago. Always loved my Mini-14s, but was also fond of 7.62x39 cartridge as I've owned a number of Kalashnikov and Siminov rifles. Found a used, near-mint mini 30 on the rack of a local gun store and couldn't resist the price. Had the same feeding issues you experienced. Traded it back in almost immediately. I don't do ammo finicky guns.

[@rocketlauncher1504]

Thanks for taking us along! Enjoy your weekend.

[@mixup98]

Thanks, you too!

[@loulunetta425]

After several years my Mini14 started acting up with a sticky bolt. The problem end up being a dirty bolt hold open mechanism. I took it apart and cleaned it and, viola, problem gone. Love that Mini 14,,,,I put mine in the ATI folding stock....that wood one is enticing.

[@grumpygrumpgrump136]

I have had a boat load of trouble out of the 10 rounders, but good luck with the 5 rounders.

[@paulayala4816]

My buddy was having the same issue with his Mini 30. I think he said the issue he had was with the polymer coating of the shells. He picked up some Federal Premium brass and he had no feed or extraction issues after. Honestly, I think it is a combination of polymer coating and tight tolerances of the Mini 30. I inherited all the 7.62 ammo his rifle wouldn't feed and blew through it with my Yugo SKS without a single hiccup. Of course the build quality of the SKS is pretty sloppy, but it works.

[@jeffcornett4290]

I have that same Tracker. Love it. I bought my Mini in 86 and it’s one of the guns I swore I’d never sell. I haven’t fired it in years.

[@bruceliggett8036]

Absolutely love watching you and your son shoot! Great video Sir!

[@mixup98]

Thank you Bruce.....much appreciated!

[@ziggyz2958]

I love the look of those Mini's. I had a folding stock Mini 14 years ago when they were still legal where I live. IME the malfunctions you are experiencing could very well be magazine related. BTW the scenery where you are shooting is absolutely stunning. You are lucky.

[@robertrudd3648]

Look at what Accuracy Systems has to offer. Fixed mine! Golden Bear Ammo also helped. Good Luck!

[@BicBradley]

They rebarreled my Mini 30. If they hadn't it would have stayed in the closet forever.

[@eatdafat7101]

I changed out the firing pin with a slightly longer one on my 30 since I planned to shoot pretty much only steel case. I've not had any issues with light strikes on mine. Pro mags are hit or miss from my experience. I haven't had any issues with the Roger mags.

[@michaelpage4199]

I agree change out the spring. Great review

[@DavidLaMorte-z3j]

Bought a new Mini last year. In 5.56. It functions fine and is plenty accurate. I did find though that it won't function with the factory 30 rd mags. Not the gun, but the mags don't feed "up", the rounds jamming in the mag. Not what I expect from Ruger. The 20 rd mags though, function and feed reliably. Good thing I only bought 4 30's and focused on the 20's, buying 11 of those. Over all I like the new production Minis - in 5.56.

[@andrew69novak]

Over half the trouble I have had with feeding has been from the mags.

[@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus]

They go really well with a full-diameter barrel from the breech to muzzle without that step mid-barrel for the original gas-housing. This requires a new gas-block and machining of the operating rod and bottom of the barrel. The one I did shot reliably around MOA with cheap Barnaul factory ammo. There’s a few gunsmiths in the US offering this and it’s very worthwhile. If you go the extra distance and pillar-isolate the action then they can shoot like a good bolt gun.

[@Salieri47]

Ruger has caught some flak over a few things over the years, but the Mini 30 seems to be the main object of criticism.

[@buckhammer2]

Polish the inside of the magazine lips. You have to much friction on the first two rounds. Also load the mags up and let them set for a week to compress the mag spring a bit. And another viewer stated, install a Wolff extra power recoil spring. That baby will run like a sewing machine after that! Love your channel!

[@aaronneumeyer5572]

Nice video, looking forward to the follow up!

[@KenS826]

Your Mini 14 looks awesome. I would love that stock. I have a 14 and a Mini 30, from the 70s and 80s, respectively. Both function very well. The 14 is known to lose accuracy as the barrel heats up, so I installed a strut. I have no intention to ever sell either one.

[@mixup98]

Thanks, I like the folding stock on my Mini 14 too. I like the idea of installing a strut, I might try that.

[@bobjones9727]

Good video. That Mini 30 is a semi auto single shot with the Wolf ammo. I know of ranges that won't even allow that ammo. I love Ruger and I'd bet that 30 would work flawlessly with premium ammo.

[@cameronnorton5898]

Wolf is great ammo for AK/SKS. Most ranges don't allow it because the ferrous jacket can spark and start range fires. Mini 30 is notoriously finicky.

[@redtra236]

@@cameronnorton5898 A lot of ranges seem to think steel cased = steel core too for some reason when those are completely different things

[@cameronnorton5898]

@@redtra236 I'd say 90% of steel case ammo has a ferrous bi-metal jacket. Steel core is a rare thing outside of green tip 5.56. One spark can light up all the unburned gunpowder on the floor and create an absolute inferno. They are right to have the policy that any projectile that can attract a magnet should be banned from indoor range use.

[@B25gunship]

Premium ammo being the key words here with Russian ammo no longer being imported. If you don't have a stash of the cheap stuff it can get pricey. I've been lusting over a Mini 30 for some time now. Cheapest new one I can find here in the "Peoples Republic of New York" is $1150. That's a pretty penny for a gun that historically has had some issues. I almost pulled the trigger on one (pun intended) a couple weeks ago but held off. I have since taken it off my wish list and have decided to lust after something or someone else. I know there are really good reliable ones out there but the cost and now ammo situation are a deal breaker unfortunately.

[@arthurvarady7258]

I have had the exact Ruger Mini 30 for about 10 or 12 years and I changed all of the changeable springs out in the firearm if that makes any sense LOL but I have a few hi cap mags + two five rounders and she eats every ammo on the market there is only one drawback the Accuracy is Down Right Horrible no matter if I reload my own with good components, I guess it’s the rifle to have if you want to shoot up close but it is what it is I guess. Super Videos by the way keep them coming.

[@Soli_Deo_Gloria_.]

Have you ever tried the metal Promag 30 round magazine... Just wondering if they are functional or junk ?

[@HanzBlitz-i8t]

@@Soli_Deo_Gloria_. Junk. The only good mags pro mag makes are Saiga drums.

[@jamesrunningwind-vu3kn]

I bought one of these way back in the day, like 40 years ago. Bought it at a Walmart. Back before walleeworld went left. Other people I knew got themselves one too. Back then the average price tag was $449-$499, blued or brushed stainless steel. The key to happiness with these is simple. Keep it clean, and lightly oiled. A few that I knew that had issues like slide, ejection, feed...their actions were dry. .?. These are simple, lightly oiled, and slide contact surfaces lightly greased, and it'll function. Stay away from cheap aftermarket magazines.

[@thatwelder3211]

I seen you loaded 3 rounds when shooting the pumpkin and it worked flawlessly. I wonder if you trim a hair off the spring in the mag if that'll fix the problem. Also a new main spring for the bolt.

[@HyksosKhamudi]

My ruger mini 30 I have put a few hundred rounds through it and no issues thus far all Barnaul steel cased. My mags are both 20 rounders.

[@alexg2933]

Sorry that happened to you Mixup! Nothing worse than finding out you bought a “project gun”. Hope the new recoil spring and mags work it out for you.

[@mixup98]

I'm very optimistic about the new mags and spring and we will find out in a few weeks if I ended up with a lemon.

[@englishrupe01]

@@mixup98 Great video, regardless, thanks. While you are at it, though, i would definitely polish that feed ramp, anyway. Can't hurt. Thanks, again.

[@texasd1044]

Very nice and enjoyable video. Thanks to you and your son. Good info on your experience. I have a number of Ruger firearms. I bought new, a 1990's Mini-14. The rifle does have magazine and ammo preferences. Profoundly so. Tried and ended up throwing away Russian ammo and Winchester, of all things. It does like Remington and most others. Obviously, the previous owner of the Mini-30 had the same issues that you are experiencing and sold "the damn thing". Good luck getting it fixed.

[@Boneless_Chuck]

6 bucks a box for x39 is coming back. Right, guys? 😮‍💨

[@zachz699]

Its coming back like a quarter buying a bag of candy in 1960 is coming back

[@whiteyfisk9769]

As soon as we Americans are brave enough to get rid of the Federal Reserve....so yea, never happening

[@claygoodwin8108]

If everybody would stop buying ammo for a few months, the price would come down to three dollars a box

[@NS-hs6lt]

@@whiteyfisk9769 Sounds like you hate a free market commie. No hate, but I'll leave it to you to decipher if I'm on your side or not. Or somewhere between.

[@RichardKinley-b5l]

@@Boneless_Chuck I did see boxes of 9mm at Rural King, $11.99 for 50. A little better I guess.

[@MrSumGuns]

Until just a couple of years ago the mini 30 does not function well with steel case. Beware that the extractor will rip the case head of of steel casing. I know this cause had a customer it happened to. The case head ripped off and he forced the bolt forward forcing the next round into the broken case jamming it in there. It was the toughest gunsmith job I ever had. Love your videos!

[@mikes8948]

Anticipating the update!

[@SEPTEMBERMAN]

I purchased a used 2012 Mini 30 about two Years ago. It wouldn't feed (FTF) ball for shit, not even with new 20 round OEM magazines! I replaced the recoil and hammer springs with Wolff extra power ones as well as replaced the magazine release with a wider faced aftermarket one. Using a fine drum bit, I Dremel a "U" shape in the front of each magazine about 3/16" from the hole that locks magazine to magazine well. THAT fully exposes the tip of the next round to be chambered. I also replaced the magazine springs with Wolff +10% extra power ( 223/ 5.56 ) 30 round mag springs. NOW I have zero issues when firing my Mini 30. It reliably feeds/ fires Norma tactical, Belom tactical as well as Magtech and S&B 7.62X39 all brass FMJ's. I don't shoot steel cases and I have no need to attempt to fire HP and SP's. THAT is what worked for me. Semper Fi

[@mixup98]

Thanks for sharing your solution for fixing your feeding issues. I did replace my factory recoil spring with a Wolff extra power spring and that took care of the feeding issues. I will use my Dremel on the top edge of the magazines to help with feeding. Thanks again for the great comment.

[@SEPTEMBERMAN]

@@mixup98 I hope it works for you as well!

[@Caje-zf8md]

I always take note on the kind of weaponry that operatives carry. In an old 1985 photo there is a US Ambassador surrounded by State Dept. bodyguards: one bodyguard is carrying a folded stock Ruger AC-556/Mini-14 much like yours while the rest of his team are carrying M4s. Apparently he had no qualms with the choice of his firearm. BTW: I use steel-case ammo only in my foreign-made guns.

[@jeffreyTro]

Very comforting. Big fan of the Mini-14s

[@melissasmess2773]

Love the Garand action of those, sorry your rifle not working well. Thanks for sharing guys! 🔫🤠👽

[@stormlakebobcat9058]

It's more the light primer strike in the mini 30 regarding the steel ammo. Although mine required a breaking in period. Now it shoots flawlessly 😊

[@JimB1]

I have a Ruger 9mm. Would not cycle a full mag without jamming. Sent back to factory, seems to have been fixed. But I am one of those that if it fails right out of the box then I just will never trust it. I was told that I was ""limp wristing "" not holding firm grip when firing, which caused the jam. Security 9.

[@markmccoy1512]

A wolf spring kit will fix it. Mine wouldn’t even fire the Russian ammo. Wouldn’t hit the primer hard enough. Averaged 2-3 failure to fire per 10 round mag. Called Ruger, they said it’s not designed to fire the Russian stuff. Would not warranty the gun. Hammer spring, and a recoil spring came in the pack. Extra power springs.

[@clintwestwood1895]

Love you guys, blessings from a fellow Nevadan.

[@Moses1973]

Had to laugh at the start of your guys video. I thought you pissed your boy off and he was leaving you in the desert. Looks like you got home👍

[@jonathana2079]

Mixup my mini 30 was purchased in December 2014. It looks just like yours. I have no problems with any type or brand of ammo. What did give me trouble was a Ruger made 10 round magazine. It wouldn’t feed at all, but my 5 round magazines work fine. There are aftermarket magazines from Promag. I find they work great, but you might have problems with the final round fitting in . Here in the Empire State we are limited to 10 rounds, but you might find Promags that hold more.

[@mixup98]

I have already purchased a 10- round and two 20-round mags (Ruger mags) and they are all working great in my Mini-30. I just completed my follow-up video and it will be posted later today. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@prodigy6000]

Love your range

[@XRakkgruntX]

Probably the magazines, I had one also, put about 8,000 rounds through it in a few years. Decided to go with .300 BO for ease of reloading and gives some life to 5.56/.223 brass that would other wise get thrown out. Mine was great, no issues and accurate. Wolf ammo was 94.00 for 1000rds then, I used to buy 5,000 at a time, my mini fired only steel all those years and no problems whatsoever

[@jamesadams8064]

This video just makes me appreciate my Czech made VZ 58s AND CZ 527 IN 7.62 X 39 a little more. From what I read/hear online those Czech made firearms were designed for the steel cased ammo. There must be something to it because all my 7.62 x 39s run like a Swiss watch.

[@lonniedufour2925]

I had a very early Mini-14 and it ran everything… not like my finicky AR that doesn’t like hand loads. Good luck with that 30. Changing the spring should do the trick.👍🇺🇸

[@mixup98]

👍😎

[@jerryjohnson4618]

Very cool firearms 👍👍

[@keithwhisman]

I’ve had a few rifles that wouldn’t cycle properly like your mini 30 and a replacement of the recoil spring fixed all my issues in each gun.

[@donwyoming1936]

In all my years of being a gun dealer, I never had a customer happy with the performance of a Ruger Mini-14 or 30. Always got traded in a year or two later.

[@m_hub3957]

i hsve 2 14s and a 30 love all 3

[@OGbqze]

Maybe you only ever heard from people that had bad experiences? Most people that have a great time with their guns typically don't go back to the gun shop to talk about how much they love them. They only go back when they have problems.

[@thelastminuteman7513]

My first rifle back in 2017 was a Mini-14, still have it have half a dozen ARs and a few others like the VHS-2 and CMMG Dissent and the Mini-14 is still my go to I keep in the bedroom for home defense. It's been a great rifle with some upgrades to make it better and personally if I'm forced to use it I'd rather the jury see "grandpas old wooden hunting rifle" then the "scawy Ass -salt Rifle-15".

[@timhughes562]

Bought my 14 in the late 90's. Love it and have had no issue at all. Thinking about getting the Sampson manufacturing stainless folding stock for it. Picked up many ruger factory 20 and 30 round mags when Nobama won his first term. No issues.

[@redtra236]

I think this is mostly because of people running steel cased ammo, which sucks with mini-14s too in my experience.

[@jeremypriest4062]

Yup. Unfortunatley, pretty normal with these. Mine took ALOT of tweeking. Upgraded all the springs, firing pin, and she only likes the ruger mags.

[@Robert_Sparkman_05]

Didn't the old TV show called "A Team" use a rifle like your folding stock mini 14?

[@ChooseFreedom-o1e]

You are correct. You know why the never hit anything in the show? Because they used a Mini-14 lol.

[@JohnLeePedimore]

Yes, however the gun they used was called the Ruger AC-556. It was a selective fire version of the Mini-14.

[@MPGunther1]

I'm sure you'll get the bugs out of it. Looking forward to seeing if the higher capacity mags work better

[@richardrogers8254]

Just a guess but I would think that somebody had probably left that thing locked open way too long and weakened the recoil spring. Put a new recoil spring in it, take a Dremel tool with some Jewelers rouge and polish the feed ramp really good. Great video, and that pumpkin just disappeared! Always loved the sound of a mini-14 when it fires its got that metallic clank.

[@PassivePortfolios]

Russian steel cased ammo works well in SKS and AK-47, not in Mini-30. Some bolt action rifles have trouble extracting this ammo as well. Not sure why. This is well known at the local range. Thanks for another great video !