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Posted: 5/31/2025 12:11:49 PM EDT
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I bought 6 Factory Mini 14 mags and everyone of them binded at about round 14 or 15 and would not accept any more rounds. Once they got to that point some of them had the follower get stuck and the rounds just poured out loosely. I had to bang them to get the follower to snap back to the top. I have older factory 30 round mags that load with ease and function great and the 20's always seem to work. Has anyone had bad luck with the newer 30 round factory mags? I was going to take them apart and decided against that so I could return them which I did. |
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Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: I bought 6 Factory Mini 14 mags and everyone of them binded at about round 14 or 15 and would not accept any more rounds. Once they got to that point some of them had the follower get stuck and the rounds just poured out loosely. I had to bang them to get the follower to snap back to the top. I have older factory 30 round mags that load with ease and function great and the 20's always seem to work. Has anyone had bad luck with the newer 30 round factory mags? I was going to take them apart and decided against that so I could return them which I did. Suggest that disassembling new mags and cleaning them is always a good idea. Check spring orientation and proper attachment to follower. Sand/file any rough edges on the plastic follower that might cause friction. Inspect inside of mag body with good light and remove any welding "spatter"/debris which might hang up the follower. Light film of oil on the spring prior to assembly. |
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Originally Posted By raf: Some folks report mis-attached springs in Ruger mags, as well as other brands. Since you have returned the mags, now it is impossible to say. Suggest that disassembling new mags and cleaning them is always a good idea. Check spring orientation and proper attachment to follower. Sand/file any rough edges on the plastic follower that might cause friction. Inspect inside of mag body with good light and remove any welding "spatter"/debris which might hang up the follower. Light film of oil on the spring prior to assembly. I was going to take it apart and exam it and clean the first one after it would not accept rounds. Then I decided to try and load the others and everyone was garbage. They reminded me of USA mags from the past not Ruger Factory. I am trying to figure out of Ruger has different makers of 30 round and 20 round mags. Just for grins I bought a 20 round factory mag to see what recent production in the 20 round model was like. The magazine loaded with ease and without issue and was nothing like the 30 round mags. |
| The 20 round and 30 round mags are made differently. The 20's are all formed sheetmetal including the lug on the back that engages with the mag release. The 30's have a heavier gauge lug that is spot welded to the magazine body. Have you tried to take a steel ruler from a combination square and push the follower down a few times to see if there's any binding? |
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Originally Posted By blfuller: The 20 round and 30 round mags are made differently. The 20's are all formed sheetmetal including the lug on the back that engages with the mag release. The 30's have a heavier gauge lug that is spot welded to the magazine body. Have you tried to take a steel ruler from a combination square and push the follower down a few times to see if there's any binding? I sent the mags back so I don't have them. I used some force to try and push the follower down and they would not budge once the started binding. Once they bound up the rounds would all fall out and the follower would be stuck and I had to bang them or in some cases uses a screw driver to push them down to get them to pop up. I didn't know they were made differently. Are the mags made by the same company or are they from different manufactures? The 30's are hard to find and once you get them they don't seem like they are made as well as the 20's. |
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Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: Bought another 30 rounder that my local gun store had in stock. 22 rounds in and bound up. The new Ruger factory 30 round mags are complete garbage. Don't waste $$$ on them. Have you tried calling Ruger? |
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Originally Posted By blfuller: The 20 round and 30 round mags are made differently. The 20's are all formed sheetmetal including the lug on the back that engages with the mag release. The 30's have a heavier gauge lug that is spot welded to the magazine body. Have you tried to take a steel ruler from a combination square and push the follower down a few times to see if there's any binding? The follower on the latest one I purchased binds with ammo. I am able to push it down but ammo binds it up. Something is not right at all with the newer mags. Older 30 round mags load with ease with the exact same ammo. |
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Originally Posted By StillGonnaSendIt: Where are you finding the 30 rounders??? I havent seen them for years and thought they were discontinued??? Bought 6 at Gt Distributors online (Returned those.) Local gun store in Idaho had one on display and I figured I would give it a try...........nope doesn't work. I have a feeling Ruger had a lot of problems with these new ones and stopped having whoever makes them from making more. Paying over $40 for a 30 round mag that doesn't work sucks when an $8.99 Magpul has no issues. |
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Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: Bought 6 at Gt Distributors online (Returned those.) Local gun store in Idaho had one on display and I figured I would give it a try...........nope doesn't work. I have a feeling Ruger had a lot of problems with these new ones and stopped having whoever makes them from making more. Paying over $40 for a 30 round mag that doesn't work sucks when an $8.99 Magpul has no issues. Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: Originally Posted By StillGonnaSendIt: Where are you finding the 30 rounders??? I havent seen them for years and thought they were discontinued??? Bought 6 at Gt Distributors online (Returned those.) Local gun store in Idaho had one on display and I figured I would give it a try...........nope doesn't work. I have a feeling Ruger had a lot of problems with these new ones and stopped having whoever makes them from making more. Paying over $40 for a 30 round mag that doesn't work sucks when an $8.99 Magpul has no issues. I mean, at those mag prices, you're more than halfway to a cheap AR. Double that and you can get a Ruger AR. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: I have AR's and 1 mini. The mini is a 16 inch 5820, fun gun, just want some more 30 round mags. Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: Originally Posted By backbencher: I mean, at those mag prices, you're more than halfway to a cheap AR. Double that and you can get a Ruger AR. I have AR's and 1 mini. The mini is a 16 inch 5820, fun gun, just want some more 30 round mags. Ah. Am going the opposite direction. Shopping for a wood stock, will add the stripper clip guide, already have the 10 round mag, will be one of my ban state travel guns. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: 10 round mag running okay? Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: Originally Posted By backbencher: Ah. Am going the opposite direction. Shopping for a wood stock, will add the stripper clip guide, already have the 10 round mag, will be one of my ban state travel guns. 10 round mag running okay? So far. Managed to put all of 5 rounds through it yesterday, just to make sure the 182 worked. Now am put out that Brownell's has the Samson rail in stock after already installing the Ultimak. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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that's a drag to hear about new production 30's, was lucky to find some much older NOS ones at a funshow a few years back, though I have not loaded them, just got them to have them. when I get back home next month will take a look and see how they are, just shot my Mini for the first time a few weeks back with my son and it's a hoot :)Attached File |
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After all these years & millions of Minis out there I'm suprised no one has made an AR15 mag adapter. Cannot someone make a trigger guard assembly incorporating an AR15 Magwell? + How about nice mil spec Chrome Lined or Nitrided barrel? |
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Originally Posted By raf: Long ago some mags were made (by Eagle?) that would work in both ARs and Mini-14s. Plastic bodied mags did not hold up well, and unsure how well the follower worked in either platform. RamLine. They were one of the 1st translucent mags available. Function well in both Mini-14s & ARs. Not all AR-180 magwells will accept a RamLine., nor have I been able to test feeding in an AR-180. If someone has several AR-180s from different manufacturers, I would happily send a RamLine to try if you'll take pics & post the results on ARFCOM before returning the magazine. MagPul mag springs are an exact drop in replacement - I have wondered if there is some link between RamLine & MagPul, given both are from Colorado. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By raf: Long ago some mags were made (by Eagle?) that would work in both ARs and Mini-14s. Plastic bodied mags did not hold up well, and unsure how well the follower worked in either platform. As already posted above, they were Ramline. I had one and the magazine spring felt weak, and the translucent plastic body felt really thin. However it did fit in both an AR and a Mini14, so evidently the geometry will allow it. If Ramline was able to do that 20+ years ago, it would seem with the advancements in polymer mags, some other company like Lancer or ETS, should be able to do it now. Or even if it was made from steel or aluminum there would seem to be a market for a reasonably priced mag that fits both. |
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Originally Posted By 9mmstephen: The follower on the latest one I purchased binds with ammo. I am able to push it down but ammo binds it up. Something is not right at all with the newer mags. Older 30 round mags load with ease with the exact same ammo. Hmmm, just thinking out loud here-have you checked the ammo in question? It could be a COAL problem, and your particular mags may be more sensitive to length than some others. It only takes a .001 or two to bind up rounds in a magazine. |
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Originally Posted By 1P29: As already posted above, they were Ramline. I had one and the magazine spring felt weak, and the translucent plastic body felt really thin. However it did fit in both an AR and a Mini14, so evidently the geometry will allow it. If Ramline was able to do that 20+ years ago, it would seem with the advancements in polymer mags, some other company like Lancer or ETS, should be able to do it now. Or even if it was made from steel or aluminum there would seem to be a market for a reasonably priced mag that fits both. Originally Posted By 1P29: Originally Posted By raf: Long ago some mags were made (by Eagle?) that would work in both ARs and Mini-14s. Plastic bodied mags did not hold up well, and unsure how well the follower worked in either platform. As already posted above, they were Ramline. I had one and the magazine spring felt weak, and the translucent plastic body felt really thin. However it did fit in both an AR and a Mini14, so evidently the geometry will allow it. If Ramline was able to do that 20+ years ago, it would seem with the advancements in polymer mags, some other company like Lancer or ETS, should be able to do it now. Or even if it was made from steel or aluminum there would seem to be a market for a reasonably priced mag that fits both. I think the issue is the geometry demands the exposed open spine on the upper back of the mag to fit the Ruger magwell. I suppose you could do a steel mag w/ AR feed lips & magwell geometry on one end & Ruger feed lips & magwell geometry on the other end, and just have a mag cap that locks securely on either end. Throw an AR-180 cut on there for good measure. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By mace2364: Hmmm, just thinking out loud here-have you checked the ammo in question? It could be a COAL problem, and your particular mags may be more sensitive to length than some others. It only takes a .001 or two to bind up rounds in a magazine. It was all 55 grain ammo. PMC, Winchester and Federal. It runs fine in older 30 round mags. I have 2 coming inbound from Ruger and when they arrive I will test them out. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: RamLine. They were one of the 1st translucent mags available. Function well in both Mini-14s & ARs. Not all AR-180 magwells will accept a RamLine., nor have I been able to test feeding in an AR-180. If someone has several AR-180s from different manufacturers, I would happily send a RamLine to try if you'll take pics & post the results on ARFCOM before returning the magazine. MagPul mag springs are an exact drop in replacement - I have wondered if there is some link between RamLine & MagPul, given both are from Colorado. still got a few of those ramlines from the 90's, work great in both AR's and minis. the original springs are a bit weak but they run fine. |
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I had one of the Ramlines in the 80s---it worked fine at first but in short order the rounds would spill out of the top under spring pressure---threw it away in a trash can at the range. I don't even mess with the 30 rounders anymore---the factory 20s are much more compact and functional and priced right. |
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Originally Posted By Omaha-BeenGlockin: I had one of the Ramlines in the 80s---it worked fine at first but in short order the rounds would spill out of the top under spring pressure---threw it away in a trash can at the range. I don't even mess with the 30 rounders anymore---the factory 20s are much more compact and functional and priced right. This. My experience with 30 rounders in the Mini 14 has been spotty. Factory 20s are all I use anymore. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: I think the issue is the geometry demands the exposed open spine on the upper back of the mag to fit the Ruger magwell. I suppose you could do a steel mag w/ AR feed lips & magwell geometry on one end & Ruger feed lips & magwell geometry on the other end, and just have a mag cap that locks securely on either end. Throw an AR-180 cut on there for good measure. Now that you mention it, there was a short segment of open spine at the back to engage the Mini-14 mag release lever. Ironically, before some ARFcom users can remember (late 1980's), Bill Ruger said civilian shooters didn't need magazines more than 10rds or folding stocks. For years Ruger wouldn't sell Mini-14 20rd/30rd magazines to the public. |
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Originally Posted By 1P29: Now that you mention it, there was a short segment of open spine at the back to engage the Mini-14 mag release lever. Ironically, before some ARFcom users can remember (late 1980's), Bill Ruger said civilian shooters didn't need magazines more than 10rds or folding stocks. For years Ruger wouldn't sell Mini-14 20rd/30rd magazines to the public. Originally Posted By 1P29: Originally Posted By backbencher: I think the issue is the geometry demands the exposed open spine on the upper back of the mag to fit the Ruger magwell. I suppose you could do a steel mag w/ AR feed lips & magwell geometry on one end & Ruger feed lips & magwell geometry on the other end, and just have a mag cap that locks securely on either end. Throw an AR-180 cut on there for good measure. Now that you mention it, there was a short segment of open spine at the back to engage the Mini-14 mag release lever. Ironically, before some ARFcom users can remember (late 1980's), Bill Ruger said civilian shooters didn't need magazines more than 10rds or folding stocks. For years Ruger wouldn't sell Mini-14 20rd/30rd magazines to the public. Ruger didn't sell 30 round mags to the public. They sold 20 rounders up until the ban, as well as folding stocks. Bill Ruger was a dangerous fudd, but don't ascribe things to him that didn't happen. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By backbencher: Ruger didn't sell 30 round mags to the public. They sold 20 rounders up until the ban, as well as folding stocks. Bill Ruger was a dangerous fudd, but don't ascribe things to him that didn't happen. You are right, but Ruger 30rd mags were out there, probably LEO purchased then resold. I purchased a bunch of them back in the 80's in white Ruger boxes & Ruger marking on the mags, worked flawlessly, but IMO hung down too low on the gun, I preferred the 20Rd mags. Gun parts corp from time to time used to sell PRI 20 & 30 rd mags for the Mini 14 that many felt were Identical to factory Ruger mags, they seemed Identical to me also. EDITED to change PMI to PRI magazine's. |
| The 30 rounders I bought during the 90's were made by either ProMag or USA Magazines and were reliable. A few years ago I bought some John Masen mags and their construction was not as good as my previous mags. The paint on them bubbled up on them, exposing rust spots. I suspect it was from contamination on the surface before they were painted. |
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Ha!! I remember paying top dollar for a John Masen 20rd mag in the mid 1990s during the ban and it was nothing but junk, after being told these were just as good as the factory originals. I ended up buying some 20rd and 30rds Federal Ordnance magazines in the late 1990s and they worked… They felt good and not flimsy at all when pinching the sides in. I still have them and beyond happy with them… After over 25 years. If anybody should see ANY John Masen magazines, don’t even waste your time and money on them. I bought several new Ruger 20rd and 30rd magazine BEFORE the ban hit us in Washington State in the Summer of 2023. I haven’t tried any for them yet since I also have several pre-ban, 1980s, Ruger factory 20rds magazines back around 2010 that I use as much as my Federal Ordnance magazines. I know that many of us wish that MagPul would release a 10rd, 20rd, and 30rd magazine, but that’s not likely to happen, IMHO. Ruger factory magazines are not cheap, especially their 30rds Mini-14 magazines and if I had any issue with them, at any point, I’d reach out to Ruger Customer Service for replacement. |
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Ramline produced a "combo' mag which worked in a Mini and an AR. I picked up a few in the packaging at an estate sale however I haven't tried them yet. They are smoke colored polymer mags with followers made of the same material. Edit: added a video on it  Magazine Test of the Special Ramline 30-round magazine for the Mini-14, AR-180, AND AR-15! |
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Originally Posted By Moondog: Ramline produced a "combo' mag which worked in a Mini and an AR. I picked up a few in the packaging at an estate sale however I haven't tried them yet. They are smoke colored polymer mags with followers made of the same material. They work fine if the feedlips aren't cracked. Magpul springs are a drop in replacement. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By Moondog: Would a Magpul anti-tilt follower fit in it? Feels flimsy compared to a P-mag Originally Posted By Moondog: Originally Posted By backbencher: They work fine if the feedlips aren't cracked. Magpul springs are a drop in replacement. Would a Magpul anti-tilt follower fit in it? Feels flimsy compared to a P-mag Maybe. You'd lose the Mini-14 LRBHO. It's 30 year old translucent plastic, it's not nearly as sturdy as a PMag. Wish someone would scan it & publish so we could 3-D print em & make 10 & 20 rnd versions. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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