Gun Review: Ruger Mini-30 Rifle

The Ruger Mini-30 is a semi-automatic rifle which fires the 7.62x39mm round. It is a moderately priced firearm which can be found in many gun shops. It's more popular cousin the Ruger Mini-14 which fires the .223 round is even more widespread. Both rifles are fairly reliable and accurate for their intended purpose.

The weight of the Mini-30 is a little over six pounds and the full length is 37.25 inches. Barrel length is 18 ½ inches. An owner can stick to the original stock or use black tactical stocks if legal in one's state. The Mini-30 fires the same rounds as those fired through the traditional AK-47. One should use cheap foreign ammo at their own risk as such could cause corrosion/damage to the firearm.

Magazines are somewhat easier to find for the .223 model than for the Mini-30. Avoid cheaply made magazines as these will cause the rifle to jam, I learned this the hard way. Magazines made by Eagle tend to perform well under most circumstances. The factory 5 round magazine is adequate for basic shooting or long range target practice although many prefer at least a 10 round magazine with a semi-auto rifle.

While the Mini-30 has not seen as much use in military or police units as the Mini-14 it is popular among civilian shooters due to its affordable price and relatively low cost of ammo. It was introduced in 1987 and is a choice for some deer hunters. The Russian round is also able to penetrate more deeply than the .223 round but may not be as effective as the .223 in a self defense role due to a smaller permanent wound channel.

The rifle has a hand guard for protection from excessive barrel heat and better handling. The sights on the model tested were standard adjustable iron sights. A quality scope may be mounted if desired. I would recommend getting tall scope rings if getting an extended range scope to clear enough room for the front of the optics.