Odd Mini-30 Five Round Mag

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1srelluc

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Messages
6
I came across a used five round mag that is obviously a Mini-30 mag but the floor-plate reads Mini-14. Of course it won't fit in my Mini-14.

Was it some sort of early Mini-30 mag?

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DSCN9733-2.jpg
 

Kanook

Buckeye
Joined
Aug 7, 2009
Messages
1,123
Location
FL
Yes, the mags are from early 30's.

Most times when you see them for sale they are mismarked as a factory mistake or claimed to be rare.

I have 5 of them and use to see them often, now not so much but I don't look anymore either.
 

1srelluc

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Messages
6
Kanook said:
Yes, the mags are from early 30's.

Most times when you see them for sale they are mismarked as a factory mistake or claimed to be rare.

I have 5 of them and use to see them often, now not so much but I don't look anymore either.

Thank you, I've no need of it and bought it cheap for re-sale but I did not want to misrepresent it. That and I learned something too. :)
 

mac66

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
342
Interesting. I have a Mini 30 I bought when they first came out. I bought a couple extra 5 round mags for it and then another awhile later. 3 of my mags say Mini 14 the other 7.62x39. Never noticed it before.

I'm assuming the Mini 30 was intended to be a Mini 14 but in .30 caliber. At some point they just decided to call it the Mini 30.
 

chet15

Hawkeye
Joined
Jan 22, 2001
Messages
5,993
Location
Dawson, Iowa
The earliest Mini's in 7.62x39 had a 186- prefix serial number, from 186-00501 to 186-03118. I presume most if not all of these had magazines with Mini-14 marked base plates.
If somebody has a 186- prefix 7.62x39, does it say "MINI-14" on the receiver or "MINI-THIRTY"?
Chet15
 

mac66

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
342
chet15 said:
The earliest Mini's in 7.62x39 had a 186- prefix serial number, from 186-00501 to 186-03118. I presume most if not all of these had magazines with Mini-14 marked base plates.
If somebody has a 186- prefix 7.62x39, does it say "MINI-14" on the receiver or "MINI-THIRTY"?
Chet15


I thought I had a fairly early Mini 30 but it has a 189 prefix (1987). The mag that came with it is marked Mini 14 as are 2 other mags I bought shortly after getting it.
 

chet15

Hawkeye
Joined
Jan 22, 2001
Messages
5,993
Location
Dawson, Iowa
mac66 said:
chet15 said:
The earliest Mini's in 7.62x39 had a 186- prefix serial number, from 186-00501 to 186-03118. I presume most if not all of these had magazines with Mini-14 marked base plates.
If somebody has a 186- prefix 7.62x39, does it say "MINI-14" on the receiver or "MINI-THIRTY"?
Chet15


I thought I had a fairly early Mini 30 but it has a 189 prefix (1987). The mag that came with it is marked Mini 14 as are 2 other mags I bought shortly after getting it.

How early is your sn in the 189 prefix? After that short run of 7.62x39's, Ruger began again at 189-00001. You can let me know by email if you want to [email protected], that way the info will be documented in my reference for when the question comes up again down the road.
Chet15
 

mac66

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
342
chet15 said:
mac66 said:
chet15 said:
The earliest Mini's in 7.62x39 had a 186- prefix serial number, from 186-00501 to 186-03118. I presume most if not all of these had magazines with Mini-14 marked base plates.
If somebody has a 186- prefix 7.62x39, does it say "MINI-14" on the receiver or "MINI-THIRTY"?
Chet15


I thought I had a fairly early Mini 30 but it has a 189 prefix (1987). The mag that came with it is marked Mini 14 as are 2 other mags I bought shortly after getting it.

How early is your sn in the 189 prefix? After that short run of 7.62x39's, Ruger began again at 189-00001. You can let me know by email if you want to [email protected], that way the info will be documented in my reference for when the question comes up again down the road.
Chet15

I sent you the actual serial number but for here it is 189-070XX
 
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