My Carbines, Old and New - with a twist

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Wow! I feel like such a traitor to the one true path of the venerable M1 carbine! "Bless me Father, for I have sinned!"
Then it happened. This new 582 Series Mini-14 snuck into my life, and is now top dog! I suppose I can ultimately blame it on "Carbine Williams" because of his design influence on the Winchester SCHV .224 Light Rifle, who I am sure Bill Ruger then stole the idea for the Mini-14 from. While the Mini-14 is a bit over a pound heavier than the M1 Carbine, it is just as handy to tote, and has the same ergonomics as my beloved M1 carbine. The sight picture is virtually identical, and the weapon's handling is identical, capitalizing on 50 years of M1 Carbine "muscle Memory".

I await your assignment of penance and absolution for my blasphemy!

I had a friend who had a 582 series. He said it shot great groups but he had some issues. Cases staying in the bolt, a round partially stripped from the magazine, things like that.
This didn't happen when meticulously cleaned. But knowing this can be a trunk rifle, not always the case. It was pretty finicky and a bit ammo sensitive. Maybe just his example. He never sent it back to be looked at.

[imarangemaster]

I had a friend who had a 582 series. He said it shot great groups but he had some issues. Cases staying in the bolt, a round partially stripped from the magazine, things like that.

Rugers do not like non-ruger magazines. I suspect he was using other than factory magazines. I have had several old style minis before this one (hated the sights and whippy thin barrels),and never had a malfunction with Ruger factory mags. Promags, USA, Eagle, Ramline, etc, weren't worth snot, as far as I was concerned.Mine functions 100% with Ruger 20s and 30s. My old Thermolds gave me issue, though, but I found a way to modify them. On the Perfect Union Ruger mini forum (the largest Mini forum), 582s are being shown to be running 100% reliable with factory mags.

While $32 to $35 for a Ruger factory 30 rounder is high compared to surplus AR mags, think of how much quality mags for other rifles cost: US Palm AK mags, Galil mags, FN SCAR17 mags, AR10 mags, real USGI 30 round mags, Valmet .308 mags, etc.

I fired about 400 rounds of various reloads ( 55 grain reloads with 4198 and 4064) and factory (M193, M855, MK262) and had zero malfunctions with the Ruger factory mags. I did an addition, I fired another 60 rounds in mag dumps from my Thermolds after I modified them. Zero malfunctions. I have absolute confidence in my Mini's reliability.

Here's a link for how I modified the Thermolds:

Modifying Thermold mags closer to Ruger factory spec. - Shooting Sports Forum

I think Bill Hollinger's old outfit used Mini-14 GB models. Bill, and opinions here?

[imarangemaster]

Just got my repro American Black Walnut upper handguard for my 582 Mini-14 from Mark at Gunville. WOW! I love it. It needed no fitting and was a perfect snap in fit. Beautifully sanded, and ready to stain. At $65 +$10 priority mail shipping, it is an excellent deal. I used some Minwax "red chestnut" stain to match my tiger stripe stock, then finished it with some spray semi-gloss clear wood finish I had. Now my Mini really does look like a M1 Carbine that "grew up!" I'll post a pick of them side by side.

[browningautorifle]

Rugers do not like non-ruger magazines.

Found that very thing out myself. It was better to have the little 5 rd mags and no failures than a great huge mag made by someone else that wouldn't work well. The steel Ruger mags of all sizes call for a premium though and seldom appear here now.

[imarangemaster]

I see 30 round Ruger factory for $32-25 USD here. It is expensive, but so are Galil mags, AR10 mags, SCAR17 .308 mags, etc. Even 30 round USGI carbine mags run $30-$40 here in the lower 48 We get so spoiled by cheap AR and AK surplus mags, we forget that mags can be expensive...

[browningautorifle]

We just can't get them here. Not at all.

[imarangemaster]

We have that problem in California, also. I am fortunate that I had several different MIn-14s that I occasionally carried as LEO trunk weapons in the 80s and 90s before the ban. I sold them but kept the magazines. I have about 10 Ruger factory magazines (20s and 30s) and another 10 or 12 of the Thermold "Zytel" polymer 30 round magazines. If I didn't, I \d be stuck with 10 rounders.

[browningautorifle]

Moot point anyways here. We can only have fives, even a 40 has to be blocked, so I had a pocket full of the little guys.

[imarangemaster]

Jim, How about G43s, SKSs, Hakims, M1 Garands, and M1 Carbines, etc? Still limited to 5s?

Bernie

[browningautorifle]

The only one not limited is the M1 rifle, mercifully. That's another reason I have one. The ones that can fit a mag marked for pistol, Storm, M4, JR carbine and so on, can use a ten rd but only if it's as factory issued. Yes, you must butcher your G41/43 mag...there's a rule about pre 1945 mags not being blocked but it's somewhat cloudy and I sure wouldn't test it. I think you'd find yourself fighting in court.