Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

I'm going to a gun show tomorrow, and I'm taking along my Ruger Mini-30 for trade. I bought it used back in '91 or '92, and I've only put about a box of ammo through it since then. It's got a wooden stock, but it doesn't come with any original mags - just aftermarket USA mags which don't feed worth a piss.

Anyway, I've seen them priced NIB for upwards of $500 on Gunbroker.com, and more at other dealers. Just curious if anyone can recall any prices they may have seen for a used one recently. As it stands, I'd be happy getting about $300 or a WASR straight up for it. Should I hold out for more, or do I need to up my meds dosage? Any input is appreciated.

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Where I'm at you can get a new mini 14 for $459 + tax...so I think you should get between $400 to $450. $375 is the least I'd go.

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

what show not in VA. by any chance ??

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Thanks!

Nah, I'm a little further south. Pensacola, FL....

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Where is a show in VA tomorrow? I am north from there, but might drive down if it's in Northern VA. No shows in my area until April.

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Retail for a clean, used Mini in excellent condition with some extras is around $400-450 out here in the west...Unfortunately they are as common as dirt and usually don't sell that well...probably because of accuracy issues.

Have you considered calling Ruger and ask them if they would do an upgrade to your rifle? Not sure if they would do it or what it might cost you. The newest ones shoot quite well I have heard...and factory 20 rounders are now being sold to the general public.

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Lars,
You can essentially deduct about 50% from ANY retail price you might see.

You will have a difficult time trading it in without suffering a LARGE loss.

So, unless you just HAVE to get rid of it, hang onto it. Get some GOOD factory mags and about a case of ammo. THEN it's worth it's weight in gold in the coming crisis.

That is the sad reality.

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Lt. Dan - appreciate the info... it all helps!

Haven't thought of that - something to look into. Thanks, SC!

Wallew: As always, thanks for the input. Of course your answer prompts other questions, but before I present those, here's some more info:

No, I don't have to get rid of it. But, aside from the mag problem, which is fixable, the other thing I don't like about the mini-30 is that the firing pin does not strike Berdan-primed rounds hard enough - I've got about a 50% misfire rate with the Wolf ammo. So the first two questions: 1) Any recommendations on reasonably priced Boxer-primed 7.62 x 39?, and; 2) is the firing pin issue an easy enough fix for a competent gunsmith?

Also, here's what I'm thinking. In addition to the Mini-30, my 7.62 x 39 holdings include a Saiga Izhmash AK-47, a WASR-10, and a Yugo SKS. I've got about 15 hi-cap mags for the AK, and I was looking at trading the Mini-30 toward getting a better AK to complement the WASR, perhaps the Vector Arms or Lancaster Consulting with the 1.6 mm receiver.

So, would you keep the Mini-30 and address the mag/firing pin issues, or trade it. Any other 7.62 x 39 recommendations (seeing as how I've got a boatload of ammo)? Thanks again!

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

OOPS...sorry Lars, I thought I read Mini-14 in your post...please disregard previous advice.

Another option though if you like the rifle...there is a Colorado outfit does accurizing jobs on the Mini-30:

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php

If I read their ad right they GUARANTEE sub-MOA for the Mini-30. Not too shabby! Ask them about heavier firing pin and/or springs. You may have to be selective on your 7.62x39 (ie: Winchester, Remington UMC, PMC, etc. American primed ammo). Wolf/Russian primed ammo has harder military primers to prevent slam-fires in SKS (inertia firing pin) and AK rifles...

Not sure about mags...Accuracy Systems might steer you in the right direction.

Still another option if none of the above "floats your boat"...trade it for a good Yugo SKS or two.

Sorry about the confusion.

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

No sweat, SC. Thanks for the link!

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Lars,
I concur with SC. If you just want to dump it you could probably pick up another SKS. That way, you have a back up to a weapon you already own and know how to use and you don't have to add mags, just buy a large bag of stripper clips and you are good to go.

Your Mini-30 may need to have it's hammer spring replaced. Generally it's not the firing pin itself being the problem. Although I have seen a few that were broken inside the bolt and still functioned the way you are describing, but that's a really rare occurance. Unless you can get a firing pin that's longer than the normal one, there's not much you can do. As has been said above, the surplus ammo has hard primers, for a reason.

I have Hungarian AMD65's that I love as well as a Chinese NHM91. I'm currently looking at a Romanian Draco. IF I can find a pair, I'm purchasing those soon. I'll probably also pick up about another dozen 20 round mags and about ten more 10 round mags. Then I've been mulling over doubling my rifle ammo yet again. I did so about five months ago, but I fear that THESE are the 'good old days' with what's coming down the pike.

Regardless of WHAT you do, do it soon. If you have a dealer you like doing business with, take the Mini-30 in and just ask. Go on an off day when traffic in the store is slow. Ask for HIS opinion. And then make your decision. There are all sorts of possible solutions.

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Thanks Wallew. Yeah, the Hungarian AMD-65 is on my short list, probably based on your recommendation in any number of these gun threads. I want something that goes "BANG!" when I pull the trigger, and I don't have that warm, fuzzy feeling with the Mini-30. Besides, I bought it used on the recommendation of a friend who said it was a good price, so I don't think I paid much over $400 for it. So if I can knock $200 - $300 off the price of something I want, I'm okay with that.

And you're right about the ammo. That's my main reason for going to the gun show - one of the ammo vendors I've found online is supposed to be there. I want to see what kind of price I can get without worrying about shipping costs. I was in Wally-World today to get my usual 100 rd box. It was 9mm today - six months ago, it was $15 a box; three months ago it was $18 a box. Last week it was $20/box. Today it was $23 a box. I think the good old days are already gone!

Re: Mini-30: What's it Worth?
 

Lars,
Here's the Draco I'm talking about. It's a real 'barker' of an AK. It will sound a lot like this one, though this one does NOT appear to be a Draco, but it's about what the Draco will function and sound like: http://www.goldismoney.info/forums/s...d.php?t=224374

It's imported by Century Arms International.

Unless you are an FFL holder you can't purchase through Century, as they are the only importer I'm aware of and will ONLY sell to an FFL holder.

But you can go to either Centerfire Systems or J&G Sales as they are distributors. You would have to go through a local shop and probably take a beating on the Mini-30, but as your in it for a low enough figure, it won't hurt for long.

DO NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING BUT A ROMANIAN MADE DRACO. IT MUST SAY 'Made in Romania - Cugir', which is the plant where these are being manufactured. They accept the standard double stack AK47 mags, which you probably already own.

Century also sells this same pistol, made from a parts kit with a USA receiver and barrel. THEY ARE TERRIBLE. But the Romanian ones, MADE IN THE CUGIR FACTORY ARE EXCELLENT. If you look at the front of the weapon it has a 'gas block' that looks 'square' to the barrel. The others gas blocks have an angled piece where it attaches to the barrel. That's your first visual clue that it's NOT a Romanian factory made Draco. It's gas block is very similar to the Krinkov, which is also a great AK pistol but around twice the cost.

The up side is if you get a bad one, Century is good about honoring the warranty, as long as you have NOT modified the weapon in any way.

That's where I'm going. But I'm probably two to three years ahead of most folks in collecting what I consider to be my 'final collection' of firearms and ammo. Then I'm going to 'disappear into the woodwork' for all intents and purposes and hope this whole storm is a false flag that blows over.

If it's not, well, I've got my preps, I've got my BOV and four different locations to bug out to. All are fairly remote. None are anywhere near even a medium sized town. Outside a small hamlet, sure. But away from the maddening crowds.

Keep us informed as to what you ended up doing. Good luck.