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

Mossberg 590R Chisel GOTW 1
Mossberg 590R Chisel GOTW 1

Gun of the Week: Mossberg 590R Chisel

For those who are seeking a shotgun that's a bit more heavy-duty, Mossberg's 590 line offers plenty of options, and one of the latest is the striking 590R Chisel.

A Cathartic Journey Back to Midway Arms & the MidwayUSA Foundation

NRA CEO & EVP Doug Hamlin returned to MidwayUSA, a place he first visited decades ago in the early 1990s as publisher of Guns & Ammo magazine alongside the late, great Robert E. Petersen.

Review: Steiner MPS-C

The new Steiner MPS-C is the compact but rugged, closed-emitter optic we’ve all been waiting for.

The Truth About Bans on Glocks

Gun-control groups are again trying to ban one of the best-selling and most iconic semi-automatic pistols ever—yes, most Glocks.

WOOX Expands Operations in America’s Woodworking Heartland

WOOX, manufacturer of Italian-American made gunstocks, axes and knives, is breaking ground to expand its operations in Hickory, N.C.—where woodworking expertise has been passed on for generations.

Beyond the 1911: Wilson Combat's New Bulwark

The Bulwark is designed as a “hard-use service pistol” that combines the best features of a 1911 with those of a daily-carry duty gun, and Wilson Combat delivers it all at a price point below Wilson’s traditional handgun offerings.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.