NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger Mini Thirty Rifle

by
posted on March 31, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

In a world full of AKs and ARs, Ruger’s Mini Thirty stands out as just a little different, harking to two of the most familiar, and respected, U.S. service rifle designs of all time: the Garand and the M14. Chambered for the ubiquitous 7.62x39 mm cartridge, the Mini Thirty takes full advantage of Ruger’s renowned investment-casting expertise with stout construction of either blued or stainless steels and features integral optics mounts. More durability comes in the form of a hammer-forged 18.5” barrel, and near-flawless operation is by way of a fixed-piston and long-stroke gas operation. With sturdy, fully adjustable iron sights and detachable, five- or 20-round steel box magazines, the Mini, like its smaller-caliber cousins, is a great all-around carbine for target shooting, hunting, predator control and personal defense. To learn more, check out this week's NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by Brian Sheetz.

Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Chambering: 7.62x39 mm
Action Type: gas-piston-operated, semi-automatic center-fire rifle
Receiver: stainless steel
Barrel: 18.5” stainless steel; cold hammer-forged
Rifling: six-groove, 1:10” RH twist
Magazine: five- or 20-round detachable box
Sights: fully-adjustable rear; protected, post front
Stock: hardwood
Weight: 7 lbs.
MSRP: $1,069 (current production)

Additional Reading:
Keefe Report: The Ruger Ranch Thirty

Five Reasons to Reconsider the Mini 14
Ruger Reinvents the Mini 14
NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger Mini 14 

M1A: The M14's Successful Sibling 












  







  





 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest

Concealedcarry 1
Concealedcarry 1

Surprising Concealed Carry Statistics

A survey conducted by the Crime Prevention Research Center studied how many likely voters regularly carry concealed handguns, and the results defy expectations.

I Have This Old Gun: Universal Model 1000 Carbine

To meet the domestic demand for M1 carbines while the original guns were still in government service, several manufacturers emerged, and one of them was Universal Firearms of Florida.

FN Browning Group to Acquire Accuracy International

Accuracy International will join a roster of companies that includes FN America, FN Herstal, Browning firearms and Winchester firearms—among others—in FN Browning Group’s Defense & Security and Hunting & Sports Shooting divisions.

The CZ 75 Legend: Rebirth of an Icon

If you make a short list of the most influential handgun designs of the 20th century, the CZ 75 would make the cut. A half century since its introduction, CZ is honoring that legendary status with the CZ 75 Legend.

39 New Rifles for 2026

Today's new rifles run the gamut from the latest and greatest packed with the most up-to-date features money can buy to retro-inspired models that give us a glimpse of the way things used to be if you wanted to send a bullet "over there somewhere."

The Armed Citizen® June 1, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.