Yes, that is a good rifle. I had a Mini 30 a while back and really liked it, but just before I moved I had to sell it. Now I would like to get the MINI 14 tactical, but the price just pushes me away.
I do have the Ruger 380 which is OK to rack. The security 9 is more difficult for me. I just bought 2 Taurus, one is a 9mm and the other is 10mm both are easier than the Ruger 9 to rack.
I had a similar experience with BUDS when they advertised a lower price just 1 day after they sold me a gun for a higher price. They would not honor the lower price even though they advertise that they will.
I also need a lighter racking pistols and have found the 380 and Ez pistols by Ruger to be acceptable. But what I found lately is the Taurus pistols to be the easiest for me to use. They have the racking force down to an exact science.