substitute ruger mags for mini-14

jambrdly · September 5, 2010, 04:21 PM

I love my mini-14. The only problem is, Ruger wants $40 for a magazine. That is outrageous. I's just a bit of folded sheet metal with a spring inside. I have tried a couple of cheaper after market brands and they fit too loosely - they rattle and thats not good. Does anyone know from experience of a good after market mag for the mini-14?

Thanks in advance

geetarman · September 5, 2010, 06:36 PM

There is another post on the forum on the same subject.

I will tell you what I told them. Spend the money and buy the factory mags.

I have a bunch of pieces of folded metal and springs mthat are supposed to be mags for Mini14. My son got a crap load of them and that is what they are.

Do yourself a favor and get the factory mags. You are going to be kicking yourself if you don't

Geetarman

ClydeFrog · September 6, 2010, 06:41 AM

For the posted uses, I'd check into the MagPul line. They make top quality AR rifle magazines and I think they include 5.56mm Ruger models too.
See www.Brownells.com www.Cheaperthandirt.com and www.Deltaforce.com .
Polymer magazines are out there too but I do not know if they function in Mini-14s.

Crosshair · September 6, 2010, 07:13 PM

Ruger is just selling their mags for MSRP. you can easily get them cheaper elsewhere. CDNN Investments has the 30s for $30 and the 20's for $25.

Yea yea, they are more expensive than AR mags. Complaining about Mini mags being more expensive than AR mags is like complaining about veal being more expensive than ground beef. You only have to buy a factory Ruger mag once. I have a 25-year old factory 30 rounder that continues to work fine with only basic rust protection. How many regularly used AR mags have seen their 10th birthday without a facelift or two?

plumbernater · September 7, 2010, 08:03 AM

Like said above buy the factory mags. I have a older mini 181 and a couple of aftermarket mags that seem to have there good days and bad days all of my factory mags work great. Oh yes , the new 30 rounders do better with 29. Bullet on top needs to be on the left looking at the mag, back of mag to front

KMO · September 7, 2010, 09:27 AM

Factory mags are the best bet for the Mini-14, and CDNN (mentioned above) always carries them for the cheapest price. But, I have had excellent experience with Thermold 30-round polymer mags also, and new Thermolds can once again be found for sale after a lengthy MIA. A new polymer magazine made by Tapco is out as well. They perform well, but they will allow the top round to pop out when stored loaded to capacity. A cheap dust cover takes care of that problem though...

Ruger factory 20-round mags
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/rumi14220blm.html

Thermold 30-round mags
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/57875

Tapco 30-round mags
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MAG340-1.html

BODAME · September 7, 2010, 09:37 AM

Words of Experience:Mini 14s are sometimes Picky Eaters
Ruger Mags: No Issues.
Others : Feeding Issues with several Mfgs

Idahoser · September 7, 2010, 10:43 AM

The mini-14 seemed really cool at first, when I first learned about it I mean. The idea is great, I wondered why there wasn't an M14 scaled for other calibers before I discovered THERE WAS! However the more I learn the less I want one. I hear problems with accuracy, the politics of the (original?) owner who wanted to limit civilian magazine capacity, and the trouble finding good magazines for reasonable prices...
Eh. I'll make do with ARs.

Crosshair · September 7, 2010, 10:49 AM

Part of the problem is that I'm relatively certain all the aftermarket Ruger mags are reverse engineered because the factory drawings have never been released.

KMO · September 8, 2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

However the more I learn the less I want one. I hear problems with accuracy, the politics of the (original?) owner who wanted to limit civilian magazine capacity, and the trouble finding good magazines for reasonable prices...

I wouldn't be steered away from the Mini-14 quite so easily...

1) Accuracy...This knock on the Mini is overblown. Accuracy issues are easily remedied, and inexpensively.

2) Politics...So, we know the politics of other industry leaders? Have a close look at Smith & Wesson's history. Ruger's customer service is second to none. That should be the focus. Politics sway with the breeze.

3) Magazines...The Mini-14 magazines are cheaper and more available now than they were just 3 years ago. I mentioned a couple of reliable aftermarket mags in the post above, and factory mags have also come down in price.

Check out the new factory tactical Mini-14...a great price right now, and accurate right out of the box...

September 5, 2010, 04:21 PM	#1
jambrdly Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Posts: 105	substitute ruger mags for mini-14 I love my mini-14. The only problem is, Ruger wants $40 for a magazine. That is outrageous. I's just a bit of folded sheet metal with a spring inside. I have tried a couple of cheaper after market brands and they fit too loosely - they rattle and thats not good. Does anyone know from experience of a good after market mag for the mini-14? Thanks in advance

September 6, 2010, 06:41 AM	#3
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	After market Ruger Mini-14/30 magazines... For the posted uses, I'd check into the MagPul line. They make top quality AR rifle magazines and I think they include 5.56mm Ruger models too. See www.Brownells.com www.Cheaperthandirt.com and www.Deltaforce.com . Polymer magazines are out there too but I do not know if they function in Mini-14s.

September 6, 2010, 07:13 PM	#4
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	Ruger is just selling their mags for MSRP. you can easily get them cheaper elsewhere. CDNN Investments has the 30s for $30 and the 20's for $25. Yea yea, they are more expensive than AR mags. Complaining about Mini mags being more expensive than AR mags is like complaining about veal being more expensive than ground beef. You only have to buy a factory Ruger mag once. I have a 25-year old factory 30 rounder that continues to work fine with only basic rust protection. How many regularly used AR mags have seen their 10th birthday without a facelift or two? __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

September 7, 2010, 09:27 AM	#6
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 949	Factory mags are the best bet for the Mini-14, and CDNN (mentioned above) always carries them for the cheapest price. But, I have had excellent experience with Thermold 30-round polymer mags also, and new Thermolds can once again be found for sale after a lengthy MIA. A new polymer magazine made by Tapco is out as well. They perform well, but they will allow the top round to pop out when stored loaded to capacity. A cheap dust cover takes care of that problem though... Ruger factory 20-round mags http://www.cdnninvestments.com/rumi14220blm.html Thermold 30-round mags https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ducts_id/57875 Tapco 30-round mags http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MAG340-1.html __________________ *"In God We Trust"*

September 7, 2010, 09:37 AM	#7
BODAME Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2006 Location: The Dodge House, NC Posts: 183	Ruger Mags Only Words of Experience:Mini 14s are sometimes Picky Eaters Ruger Mags: No Issues. Others : Feeding Issues with several Mfgs __________________ "A Man's got to have a Code, a Creed to Live By, No Matter his Job"

September 5, 2010, 06:36 PM	#2
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	There is another post on the forum on the same subject. I will tell you what I told them. Spend the money and buy the factory mags. I have a bunch of pieces of folded metal and springs mthat are supposed to be mags for Mini14. My son got a crap load of them and that is what they are. Do yourself a favor and get the factory mags. You are going to be kicking yourself if you don't Geetarman

September 7, 2010, 08:03 AM	#5
plumbernater Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2010 Posts: 165	Like said above buy the factory mags. I have a older mini 181 and a couple of aftermarket mags that seem to have there good days and bad days all of my factory mags work great. Oh yes , the new 30 rounders do better with 29. Bullet on top needs to be on the left looking at the mag, back of mag to front

September 7, 2010, 10:43 AM	#8
Idahoser Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2005 Location: West TN Posts: 244	The mini-14 seemed really cool at first, when I first learned about it I mean. The idea is great, I wondered why there wasn't an M14 scaled for other calibers before I discovered THERE WAS! However the more I learn the less I want one. I hear problems with accuracy, the politics of the (original?) owner who wanted to limit civilian magazine capacity, and the trouble finding good magazines for reasonable prices... Eh. I'll make do with ARs.

September 7, 2010, 10:49 AM	#9
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	Part of the problem is that I'm relatively certain all the aftermarket Ruger mags are reverse engineered because the factory drawings have never been released. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.