Mini 14 / Mini 30

[hittman]

How or why did Ruger come up with the name Mini and the 14 and 30 numbers?

 

[9x19]

I wasn't at the meetings, but I believe I've read somewhere... after the .308 XGI proved un-workable, the smaller version was born.

Scaled down version of the military M-14 (without the select fire option, of course) = Mini 14

Mini 14 chambered for a .30 round (7.62x39mm) = Mini Thirty

Image from (http://www.huntershouse.dk/kat579-Mini-14/)

 

[bai78]

The XGI was an '85 or so project & the mini 14 has been around since '76.

 

[gunman42782]

The Mini 14 was an obvious play on the military M14, as it is a scaled down version of the said gun. The Mini 30 is a .30 cal rifle, hence Mini 30.
Andbai78 is correct, the ill fated XGI project came much later than the Mini 14.

 

[9x19]

Old memories are un-reliable...Thanks for the correction.

Perhaps it was the Mini Thirty which came after the XGI project?

 

[kwg020]

I saw lititure on the XGI as early as 1977. The 308 was cracking receivers. That's when they went to the 7.62x39. kwg