Which third-party Mini-14 magazines are reliable?

[TTSH]

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!

 

[BAM-BAM]

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 !!!

 

[Jingles]

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.

 

[TTSH]

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 !!!

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).

 

[TTSH]

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.

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.

 

[lefty_jake]

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.

 

[NYlakesider]

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.

 

[ronnie gore]

mags

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

 

[TTSH]

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.

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!

 

[TTSH]

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.

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

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

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.

 

[Donn]

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.

 

[TTSH]

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.

 

[NYlakesider]

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.

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

 

[loc n load]

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.

Agreed. Sums up my experiences as well.

 

[TTSH]

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

And that's all that really matters!

Agreed. Sums up my experiences as well.

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!

 

[CATI1835]

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.

Does MA penalize its residents for leaving the state?

 

[NYlakesider]

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.

 

[TTSH]

Does MA penalize its residents for leaving the state?

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.

 

[TTSH]

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.

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

 

[kaveman]

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?