As most members know by now, the moonbat Massachusetts AG lady has unilaterally outlawed post-ban AR's and AK's whether MA-compliant (neutered) or not... but even she can't outlaw Mini-14's because they are specifically called out in our AWB law as being non-assault weapons, and therefore still legal. Hence, the Mini-14 has become the official centerfire semi-auto rifle of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

But there is still a problem. We can only possess post-ban magazines in 10-rounds or under. We can only buy the guns with 5-round magazines because that's the way Ruger markets them in MA-compliant. Even 10-round magazines (Ruger OEM) are near impossible to find around here. 20 and 30 round magazines in our moonbat state must be pre-bans.

So my question for today is this: Other than Ruger OEM magazines, which third-party Mini-14 magazines, either pre-ban or post-ban, run reliably in a Mini-14?

Cabela's, in particular, doesn't carry 10-round Ruger OEM magazines but they do carry 10-round ProMags. Some say they work, some say not so much. Can anyone here comment on them?

Also, any experience with third-party pre-ban magazines in the Mini-14 would be greatly appreciated. Pre-bans can be very costly (if you can find them at all) and I can't afford to make too many mistakes.

Thank you!

TTSH........ with an earlier (80s) Mini-14 I had some John T Mason Co. 10/20 round magazines...............they worked OK; but to be honest I never put a lot of rounds through them........ the old Mini's weren't target rifles and could not be used to hunt in Pa. ........so maybe put 100 rounds a year through mine.

They had a "good rep" back then and look to still be in business 30 years later........ mags in the $20-30 range.


I've avoided ProMag for the past 35 years.......


I like the Ruger 10 round mags....... low profile........ backed up with 1 or 2 20s you'd be GTG in a SHTF !!!

I feel your pain. Here in California we are limited to 10 round mags too. I tried several aftermarket mags in my mini-30 and had mixed luck, but none worked as well as the factory mags. I finally ordered several from Ruger and have had no problems with them. I got them directly from the Ruger web site. They are expensive but work. Buy once, cry once.

Thanks Bam. Bottom line is that we take what we can get around here with many vendors now unwilling to sell anything into Massachusetts for fear that our loony AG lady will cause them trouble. She really is totally out of control.

We certainly know that ProMags aren't the magazine of choice for our beloved 3rd Gens. Not much doubt about that. If I could get all Ruger 10-rounders locally, I'd be in good shape... but the shortage is nasty right now with loads of folks buying them on sight when some appear. On the other hand, I think I can put my hands on those 10-round ProMags, so I had to ask about them. Some reports I've read are not so bad... specifically with respect to their Mini-14 magazines. Other reports are less encouraging.

I'd also like to ask about those old Ramline dual purpose magazines... for AR's AND Mini-14's. They come up for sale at shows occasionally... and we've got a show this coming weekend (although God only knows what that show will be like under current tyrannical circumstances).

Yeah, I hear you loud and clear. Lord knows they aren't cheap. Guess I've been spoiled by somewhat reasonably priced AR and AK 30-round pre-bans. Take a look at the cost of genuine Mini-14 hi-cap pre-bans on that big gun auction site and you may gag just like I did.

I have one 10 round pro-mag mini-14 magazine that has been trouble free. I have another one that occasionally stovepipes the last round so the bolt comes forward and jams with the last live round sticking up vertically. This only happens occasionally, and only after firing the first 9 rounds with no problems. I have had the same problem with some other aftermarket magazines, so it could be something about my rifle.

Still, I have one pro-mag 10 rounder that has been trouble free. And I would certainly consider buying another one.

On the other hand, I have never had a single problem with my OEM Ruger 5 round magazines. And the 5 round magazines use noticeably thicker steel than any aftermarket magazines I have seen. I will probably try a Ruger 10 round magazine if I get the chance.

To stay legal within the idiocy of NY "safe" Act I recently bought a few Ruger made 10 shotters. They all worked fine in my very old Mini.

How old is the Mini it was the first Stainless one that hit the largest dealer in my area way back when! Heck it had not even been talked about in the magazines of the area when by chance I walked into the LGS just as the truck arrived! As a very good customer took it home as the dealer wanted to hand it on his wall as display for a while.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

don't they sell bus tickets there? i would be leaving.

Thanks very much for the feedback. And yes, in an ideal world I'd own all Ruger OEM magazines... 10-round post-bans and 20-round pre-bans!

So why didn't you sell me all your pre-ban hi-caps?

I know. And I wouldn't blame you one bit. Truth is that anyone who can leave this awful state without negative repercussions pretty much has already done so or is planning on leaving soon.

None of them. I've had a Mini since the mid 80's. Believe me, I've played this game for many years. Save yourself time, grief, and money. Buy Ruger mags. That's what you'll wind up doing anyway.

Yep, I get it. If only they weren't so damned expensive and near impossible to find around here, even in post-ban 10-round. Pre-ban Ruger OEM 20's and 30's? Good luck with that! I paid a king's ransom for the two pre-ban 20's I was able to obtain... but that source is now out for good.

I'm going to see what happens at Saturday's show. I see three possibilities:

1) No one will have anything in a Ruger Mini-14 magazine at any price other than maybe some new post-ban 5-rounders.

2) There will be a few random pre-bans with incredible "sky-high" prices on them just like on that certain gun auction website. Someone will jump on them (but not me!).

3) It's always possible (unlikely, but possible) that some dealer has managed to come up with a batch of pre-bans and is willing to sell them at something slightly less than a King's ransom. If so, I'll be interested.

Chances are that I will come home from the show empty-handed... in which case I will turn to the Interwebs. Can't afford enough in genuine Ruger 10-rounders... so I may still be tempted to try a Pro-Mag or two and see how they run.

Sorry about that. rest assured they went to a good home and are doing fine!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Agreed. Sums up my experiences as well.

And that's all that really matters!

Oh man, not encouraging.

I think I should start a program wherein folks in free states in possession of pre-ban hi-cap Ruger OEM Mini-14 magazines can exchange them for brand new post-ban hi-cap Ruger OEM magazines of their choice plus a $10 bill. Since Massachusetts is one of the very few states left (possibly the only one) where pre-bans (pre-1994) still matter and can still be bought, sold and owned with the proper license... I could make a fortune!

Does MA penalize its residents for leaving the state?

NY if you have a pistol permit gives you a short time when you move out of state to notify them by registered mail you and the guns are gone. At that point your permit is considered surrender unless you still have a address your living at in the state (like a summer camp)

You do not notify them and they find out they then cancel your permit and that puts you in a position that you have to put down on a form that you had a permit suspended for cause.

Depending on where you are that could cause a major problem in acquiring and possibly owning firearms.Of course if you do not know this then you are lying on a form that asked "have you ever had a license to own or carry a gun revoked''

Not many people know this and serious problems have occurred.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I was talking principally financial repercussions and family-related issues. Many can't leave because of their jobs or family obligations or being upside-down on a house or health insurance problems or myriad other issues.

I admire those who can leave and do leave. Most of those who wish or need to remain in New England often choose New Hampshire... but the property tax situation there would absolutely kill us old folks in retirement.

It's a similar situation, more or less, here in moonbat Massachusetts.

PMI and FedOrd mags were the magazines of choice back before '94. Factory Ruger mags were not sold to 'normal' people back then so all you had for >5rd magazines were aftermarket. Other than PMI and FedOrd, all aftermarket Mini mags were junk.

There has always been a consistent rumor that factory Ruger magazines were PMI magazines. Another common rumor was that FedOrd magazines became PMI magazines. FedOrd died well before the 1994 ban and about the same time that PMIs became available and FedOrd certainly didn't make the magazines,.....they just branded and sold them. Like the real Rugers, they both are well constructed and have welded plates for the rear lockup.

I once owned a couple of AC556s and other than (maybe) a couple of Ruger magazines that came with the guns, all my magazines were PMI(FedOrd had been gone for awhile by then and were never real common). ALL the machinegunners swore by FedOrd and PMI and as far as I know the AWB killed off PMI so all are pre-ban. All FedOrd are definitely pre-ban because they were long gone before '94.

Frankly, I think the same company made all three.

My AC556s are also long gone, but I think I kept the magazines. My only Mini currently is an old 180 series and I'm pretty sure I have WAY more magazines than I'll ever need for that. I don't know if I've got more than one or two 20's, but there should be a box or two of 30's and most if not all will still be in the wrap. I'll go have a dig,.......

What do you have,....what do you want,....blue or stainless?

I bought a Mini during the Ban. I purchased several Thermold 30 rounders that were sold to me as "pre-ban" magazines. They worked great and still do to this day. The only problem I encountered was tight fit at the mag catch. A few strokes with a file cleared that up no sweat.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Excellent explanation Kaveman, thank you!

I'm not really up on the history/versions/generations of the Mini-14 at this point. I should be, but I'm not. I just bought a brand spanking new one last month and that's where I stand as of today.

Whatever you want to get rid of in terms of pre-ban hi-caps that will work on my new Mini-14, I'm all ears! PM me with the details and let's work something out!

I have a few Thermold 30's myself... for my AR-15s. Didn't even know that they made them for the Mini-14. I'll keep an eye out for them at Saturday's show.

I've got 8 30 rounders for my Mini-14, half factory and half unmarked. All work fine.

I feel for you, man. Couldn't you travel to a less restrictive state and stock up on pre-ban, unmarked mags? I wouldn't encourage anyone to break even a stupid law, but short of being stopped at the border and searched how would anyone know?

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Oh, I can travel anywhere and buy anything... pre-ban or post-ban. But if I bring a post-ban back into this crazy state, I am facing a serious felony, loss of license and collection, likely bankruptcy... and a big prison sentence.

The thing is that adjacent free states like NH and RI and VT don't care a hoot about the pre-ban magazines that we here in MA cherish as the only hi-caps we are allowed to own. Same with nearby ME. So availability of pre-bans for sale in those adjacent and nearby free states is pretty much nil.

CT and NY and NJ are already just as screwed up as MA so no hope there either.

This weekend's show will be interesting for a lot of reasons. It is the first show since the tyrant AG lady's unilateral decree banning even neutered/compliant AR's and AK's (thus promoting the Ruger Mini-14 and Mini-30 to the very top of the MA-legal semi-auto food chain). No one knows what to expect... but we all want to see what our new oppressive reality is going to be like.

I understand your frustration and your perfectly sensible explanation above about remaining in MA. Not easy to pull up stakes when one's life, family, and obligations are in one place. Happily, I left NYS before that situation fell off the cliff and relocated to Vegas. What could be better for this emphysema sufferer than the combo of dry desert climate and the smoky air of casinos?

One question: I'm not familiar with the Mini-14 or it's accessories. How does one tell the difference between a pre-ban and a post-ban magazine? Are they dated or marked in some manner? Thanks in advance.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Oh, I'll be the first to admit that I am damn close to clueless when it comes to pre-ban vs. post ban Mini-14 magazines. I hope to become much more educated on the topic so I can stay out of jail, but information on the Interwebs is both sketchy and often even contradictory. I've already spent at least 40 hours researching the topic and not just on-line. I've visited shops and talked with a gaggle of people who know (or should know) much more on the subject than I do. This is a very serious topic for me given what is going on right now in my loony moonbat tyrannical state.

At this point, I probably know enough to be dangerous but certainly not enough to give other people any advice. I trust the two that I've purchased so far mainly because I trust the source (a person I've known and trusted practically forever) and the fact that they came in the old cardboard packaging (which I must keep to prove they are pre-ban). In fact, a lot of this is likely to be about packaging since so many of the Mini-14 pre-ban magazines lack clear identifying characteristics.

It's going to be a challenge for sure given the very high demand (after the MA AG's decree) against very limited provable stock and crazy high prices. We had it relatively good with AR & AK pre-ban magazines. The Mini-14 pre-ban magazine thing will be quite the challenge in comparison.

Very confusing and in many cases who really knows. It used to be here in the peoples republic if the magazine was from a older company and did not have "law enforcement only" on it it was OK. (That was in pre Safe Act times) Today the answer of what is the square root of PI is easier to come up with than the magazine question. Rest assured in this state the burden of proof is on you. I took the easy way out and all my biggies are gone but I do have a bunch of 10s and fast hands and can change em very quickly if needed!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Since several companies went out of business because of the original (Federal) AWB, that is a great way to prove pre-ban... provided you can prove that your magazine came from one of those companies. Unfortunately, with no names or dates on them, you must rely on original packaging (if still available) or telltale manufacturing markings which, apparently, very few people know.

Each moonbat state has its own special moonbat laws and they are all a little different. In our moonbat state (MA), the burden of proof is supposedly (ultimately) on the state... but you could still be in a world of hurt long before it ever got to trial. Because of that, some folks in MA have chosen not to take any cop or DA risk whatsoever and simply learn to live with 10-round magazines. I get that. Others (like yours truly), choose to use what little rights we've got left to the max. It's a costly pain in the butt at times like this, but if we don't use our last dwindling rights they'll likely disappear even faster.

Well, I made it to the gun show and found at least some Mini-14 and Mini-30 pre-ban magazines. Quite an interesting eclectic and diverse collection! I don't think that any two of them came from the same manufacturer. Some were fairly priced... many were over-priced... some were crazy though the roof!

I ended up coming home with two pre-bans:

1) A 20-round Ruger original, old & rusty as heck (I'll sand and repaint it) and with a spring so weak that I'm sure will have to be replaced... maybe with an AR mag spring? - Price: $30.00

2) A 40-round "mystery magazine" with no markings, very used looking but no rust. Spring seems okay. - Price: $35.00

Those were the only two Mini-14 pre-bans that made any sense at all. The rest were pretty nasty, poorly made and/or wildly over-priced.

Mini-30 magazines were more plentiful, generally in better condition and not so over-priced. I guess I should have bought myself a Mini-30 first.

Right after the show, I bought a new (post-ban) Pro-Mag 10-rounder at Cabela's... mainly for test purposes. If I can live with the Pro-Mags, I'll save some money. Genuine Ruger 10-rounders at the show were sky high in price.

I finally lucked out and scored four 30-round pre-ban Mini-14 magazines at something less than a king's ransom. One of them was one of those old plastic Ram-Line Mini-14/AR-15 combo magazines while the other three were what I call generic Mini-14 "mystery mags"... old for sure and a bit rusty, but with no discerning markings whatsoever.

While not as good (or legally safe) as the genuine NOS Ruger 20-round pre-bans that I bought complete with the original pre-ban boxes, the price was right for the bunch and I feel pretty good about where I stand as of today.

But the springs in the Ram-Line and in all of the "mystery mags" are pitifully weak and the followers in some are worn and questionable. Replacing the original followers may be a bridge too far (legally speaking), but I think that changing out the springs is essential and, hopefully, something I won't go to prison over.

I should probably just leave the rust so as to help convince any cop that they are not post-bans. The older and more used they appear, the better.

Attached Images

Ramline.jpg (64.3 KB, 32 views)

If I found those I would buy them all up and re-sell them at their current market value.

Well, it looks like Ol' Bills's mag ban scheme is slowly coming to fruition:

In his letter to members of the House and Senate on 30 March 1989, Bill Ruger stated in that which has come to be known as "The Ruger Letter":

"The best way to address the firepower concern is therefore not to try to outlaw or license many millions of older and perfectly legitimate firearms (which would be a licensing effort of staggering proportions) but to prohibit the possession of high capacity magazines. By a simple, complete, and unequivocal ban on large capacity magazines, all the difficulty of defining "assault rifles" and "semi-automatic rifles" is eliminated. The large capacity magazine itself, separate or attached to the firearm, becomes the prohibited item. A single amendment to Federal firearms laws could
prohibit their possession or sale and would effectively implement these objectives."

In addition to the furor amongst hunters, sportsmen and shooters caused by "The Ruger Letter", Mr. Ruger made additional comments during an interview with NBCs Tom Brokaw that angered 2nd Amendment proponents even further, by saying that "no honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun…" and, "I never meant for simple civilians to have my 20 and 30 round magazines…"

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Ol' Billuh has passed to his heavenly reward. He is gone, but never forgotten. His legacy of banning magazines continues.

The ones at the show were kind of expensive for what they were IMHO. I believe I bought the best ones there, but they sure weren't any great bargain. In other words, I think the premium mark-up had already been applied.

Well, post-ban hi-caps have been illegal here in MA since 1994... hence, my search for pre-bans (even in nasty used condition).

The big question is: What can we expect in the future? Will there be another Federal AWB? Will they eventually ban all hi-caps regardless of vintage?

The only thing worse than paying the big bucks for ****** old pre-ban magazines would be losing those costly pre-bans to the next threat that comes along.

If you have any more of those mags left you want to get rid of. I should would be interested in getting some off of you. Please let me know. Thanks for your time

Long time mini owner here. PMI and Federal Ordnance mags were the only mags to own in the 80's besides over priced Ruger mags. Saw a glowing review on Tapco gen 2 mags last year on youtube and decided to try them. I bought 2 at $15 each and couldn't be happier. I've ran hundreds of rounds through them with zero issues! They have a steel insert in front where they interface with the locking pin. I have since bought more but will continue to torture test the first 2. DDDave

The mags by John Masen are first class, but painted. On the other hand, the price isn't bad at all.

Believe it or not, the Pro Mag mags I have for my Mini-14 are the best I've used. I know a lot of people don't like the Pro Mags in general, but the ones I have for my Mini are great.

The ones I have are first class garbage. I have 4 of them and none will feed properly in my Mini.

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Freedom isn't free.

I had a Mini-14 for a long time and suffered during the AWB.

National magazines = suck.
USA = suck.
Pro Mag = suck.
Thermold = suck.

When the AWB expired I bought Ruger factory 30s. The 30s were mostly unreliable so 44mag.com took them back and traded for 20s. The factory 20s were completely reliable. There's a reason why new Mini-14 ship from the factory with the 20. People also report reliability with Tapco 2nd generation 30s but I have no experience.

CDNN has 5 round ruger mags for $23. They also have the 10 listed on sale, but are out of stock.

NEVER ProMags, just don't.

I do have an old PMI 30 (I think, will have to dig it out). Supposedly they went out of business with the ban.

LGS had one of the plastic mags, $5 to try to get rid of it, but no one will bite.

I always use 5 or 10 because of the way I was trained to hold a rifle.

I did find the 30 rounder.

Marked Precision Mag Industries (all caps, three different text sizes)with a pistol outline.
.223
-----
5.56mm

All on the baseplate, no date or other text anywhere on the mag