Ruger Mini 30 Rifle Instruction Manual

							INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
RUGER®
MINI THIRTY RIFLE
AUTOLOADING RIFLE
NOT FOR USE WITH MINI-14 RIFLES (cal. .223)
For Product Service on This Model Please Call:
(603) 865-2442 (See p. 34)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06490 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE TRANS-
FERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR PRE-
SENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
MS3/12-01 R9
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
BLUED &
STAINLESS
STEELCALIBER
7.62 x 39mm
Use of corrosively primed imported
ammunition can damage or ruin this
rifle. Use only U.S. commercially
manufactured ammunition.   
						

							WARNING
“Children are attracted to and
can operate firearms that can
cause severe injuries or death.
Prevent child access by always
keeping guns locked away and
unloaded when not in use. If you
keep a loaded firearm where a
child obtains and improperly uses
it, you can be fined or sent to
prison.”
ADVERTENCIA
State-By-State Warnings
Certain states require by law that their own specified warning
notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by
the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms sold
in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in compliance with
applicable laws and regulations. Because our products may be
sold in these states, we include the following:
California:
“A los niños los atraen las armas
de fuego y las pueden hacer fun-
cionar. Ellos pueden causarses
lesions graves y la muerte. Evite
que los niños tengan accesso a las
armas de fuego guardándolas
siempre con llave y descargadas
cuando no las esté utilizando. Si
usted tiene un arma de fuego car-
gada en un lugar en que un niño
tiene acceso a ella y la usa inde-
bidamente, le pueden dar una
multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”
Connecticut:
“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY
RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”
Florida:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISON-
MENT AND  FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO  STORE  OR
LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18
YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHER-
WISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF A
FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND
MIND.”
3 
						

							Maine:
“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A
CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION
WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE
SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION  SEPARATE.  KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION  LOCKED  UP.  USE
TRIGGER LOCKS.”
Maryland:
“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause
death or serious injury. It is a cr
imeto store or leave a loaded
firearm in any location where an individual knew or should
have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to
the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”
Massachusetts:
“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY
GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that
fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000
firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year
in the United States. In addition, there are more than a thou-
sand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers
who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from acciden-
tal discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain seri-
ous wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on others. In
order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is imperative that
you keep this weapon locked in a secure place and take other
steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft or accident.
Failure to take reasonable preventive steps may result in inno-
cent lives being lost, and in some circumstances may result in
your liability for these deaths.”
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM,
RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE
UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A TAM-
PER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED OR
KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”
4 
						

							5
New Jersey:
“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED
FIREARM WITHIN  EASY ACCESS  OF A  MINOR.”
New York City:
“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS
ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE WEAPONS STOR-
AGE. ALL WEAPONS SHOULD BE STORED UNLOADED
AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE
FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND  INACCESSIBLE TO
CHILDREN AND ANY  OTHER  UNAUTHORIZED  PER-
SONS.”
North Carolina:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM
THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A
REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE
TO A MINOR.”
Texas:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABAN-
DON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE
CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN
ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”
Wisconsin:
“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE
FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD
IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS
THE FIREARM.”
*****************  *****
Please check with your licensed retailer or state police for addi-
tional warnings which may be required by local law or regula-
tion. Such regulations change constantly, and local authorities
are in the best position to advise you on such legal matters. 
						

							6
This firearm was originally sold
with a key-operated locking
device. While it can help provide
secure storage for your unloaded
firearm, any locking device can
fail. All guns are designed to fire
if they are loaded and the trigger
is pulled. Therefore, never install
the locking device inside the trig-
ger guard or in any way that it
can possibly pull the trigger!Do
not leave the keys in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for
secure storage of any firearm
must depend upon its owner and
his or her individual circum-
stances. Guns should be securely
stored unloaded, in a secure
location, separate from their
ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 30.
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE 
						

							7
FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care
for your RUGER®MINI THIRTY RIFLEproperly. Please contact us if
you have any questions about it.
Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly
carry out its instructions should you practice loading, etc. with live ammunition.
If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use a particular type of
gun safely, then you should seek supervised instruction. Such personalized
instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs or police departments.
If none of these sources can help you, write to the National Rifle Association,
11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7400. They will assist you.
The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot
forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely.Do not use any firearm
without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and
safe use. 
Remember: There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTSPage
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 
Operation of Safety  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
The Bolt Lock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Magazines  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
To Load and Fire (With Magazine)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
To Load and Fire (Without Magazine)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
To  Unload  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
To Reload the Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
To Extract and Eject a Chambered Cartridge  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
To Remove a Bore Obstruction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
To Minimize Malfunctions (“Jams”)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Disassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Reassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Removal and Replacement of Fiberglass Handguard  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Magazine Inspection and Care  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Care and Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Maintenance of Stainless Steel Rifles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Attaching Ruger Scope Rings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Sight Adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Service and Parts Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Parts Drawing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Warranty Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
“RUGER” is a registered U.S. trademark. 
						

							WARNING–ALTERATIONS
This product was designed to function
properly in its original condition.
Alterations can make it unsafe. Do not
alter any part or add or substitute
parts or accessories not made by
Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
8
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND
CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER®MINI THIRTY RIFLEis a gas operated, box magazine fed,
autoloading rifle. It is simple, reliable, and consists of a relatively few rugged
components. The mechanism employs the Ruger fixed piston/moving cylinder
gas system in conjunction with a simplified Garand-type rotating bolt. The
Mini Thirty Rifle can be field stripped for cleaning to its basic subassemblies in
seconds without the use of tools. The Ruger Mini Thirty is similar, but not identi-
cal, to the Ruger Mini-14 series of rifles, and is adapted to an excellent deer
hunting cartridge, the 7.62 x 39mm.
Music wire coil springs are used throughout the mechanism. The safety, located
in front of the trigger guard, blocks both the hammer and sear and permits the
slide to be cycled with the safety “ON”. A bolt lock mechanism is provided for
convenience in holding the bolt open for loading and inspection. The firing pin is
retracted mechanically as the bolt starts to unlock and the rifle will fire only
when the bolt is locked. The one-piece American hardwood stock is reinforced
with steel liners in stressed and high temperature areas. The handguard and fore-
arm are separated from the barrel by an air space to promote cooling.
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
Locking Devices 6 Unloading 16
Alterations 8 Bore Obstructions 19
Manual Safety 9 Malfunctions 22
Ammunition 11 Disassembly 23
Lead Exposure 12 Lubrication 29
Firing 14 Storage 30
Handling 15 Parts Purchasers 35
Sustained Firing 16
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL. 
						

							9
Figure 1. In this illustration the frequently used operating components are identified. Note
that the safety is rearward in the trigger guard and is therefore in its “ON” (safe) position.
The Mini Thirty Rifle incorporates a unique patented buffer system which re-
directs and effectively absorbs the shock of the slide block striking the receiver
in recoil. The bolt stop fits in a slot in the side of the bolt, and it also serves as
the ejector so that the empty cartridges are ejected from the receiver straight out
to the side in order to clear the lowest mounted scope.
The patented Ruger integral scope mounts take all standard Ruger scope rings of
various heights. A blade front sight is used, with a tip-up type folding rear peep
sight, adjustable for windage and elevation.
NOMENCLATURE
BOLT LOCK
PLUNGER
HANDGUARD
SLIDE HANDLE
MAGAZINE LATCH
REAR SIGHT
SAFETY SHOWN “ON”
RECEIVER
EXTRACTOR
SCOPE MOUNT BASES
Keep the safety on unless actually firing.
Always move the safety fully to its intended
position and check
it. The safety  is not “ON”
unless it is completely “ON”. Never depend on
a safety mechanism or any other mechanical
device to justify careless handling or permit-
ting the rifle to point in an unsafe direction.
The only “safe” rifle is one in which the bolt is
open, the chamber is empty, and there is no
magazine in the gun.
KNOW HOW TO USE THE SAFETY
WARNING – MANUAL SAFETY
Safety in ON Position
TRIGGER 
						

							10
THE BOLT LOCK
The Mini Thirty Rifle is designed so that the bolt remains open after the last shot
has been fired, provided there is a magazine in the rifle. When the magazine is
empty, the magazine follower actuates the bolt lock which is designed to retain
the bolt and slide in their rearward position.
WARNING: The bolt lock is nota safety device. It should not be used to hold the
bolt back when there are cartridges in the magazine. A slight jar to the butt end
of the rifle will cause the bolt lock to disengage and to feed a cartridge into the
chamber.
The bolt lock should be relied on only to hold the bolt in its rearward position
when the chamber is empty and an empty magazine is in place. The only purpose
of the bolt lock is for convenience in the rapid changing of magazines and for
holding the bolt in its rearward position when the rifle is unloaded for the pur-
pose of cleaning or inspection.
OPERATION OF BOLT LOCK
To manually engage the bolt lock to keep
the bolt open:(See Figure 3)
1. Pull the slide handle all the way to
the rear.
2. Depress the bolt lock plunger  and
allow the slide to move forward
until it stops.
3. Put safety “ON” (push fully rear-
ward).
1
3
2
Figure 3
OPERATION OF SAFETY
The manual safety mechanism is located forward of the trigger for convenient
operation and is “ON” when in its fully rearward position intruding into the trig-
ger guard. (See Fig. 2) The safety can be moved to “ON” (extreme rearward posi-
tion) only when the hammer is cocked. When the safety is “ON”, it blocks both
the hammer and sear. The safety should always be placed “ON” before loading or
unloading the rifle and should be kept “ON” at all times except when actually fir-
ing.
Figure 2. 
SAFETY “ON”SAFETY “OFF”(Ready to Fire) 
						

							Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect car-
tridge components. Even the
strongest gun can be “blown up” as
a result of excess pressure.Always
wear shooting glasses and hearing
protectors.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
11
WARNING – AMMUNITION
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR
INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS THE
RESULT OF, THE USE IN RUGER FIREARMS OF FAULTY, OR NON-STAN-
DARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HAND LOADED (RELOADED) AMMU-
NITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE FOR WHICH THE
FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
AMMUNITION
The RUGER®MINI THIRTY RIFLESare chambered for the 7.62 x 39mm
cartridge, and can use either standard U.S. military or factory loaded sporting
7.62 x 39mm cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice.
Do not attempt to use any other cartridges in this rifle, even though “7.62mm”
may appear in their names (i.e., 7.62 x 51mm NATO [.308 Winchester]; 7.62
Tokarev; 7.62 x 54 Rimmed Russian, etc.). The only correct ammunition for the
Ruger Mini Thirty is the 7.62 x 39mm. The use of corrosively primed ammunition
is not recommended, See “Ammunition Notice” & “Ammunition Warning”, below.
To release the slide (which allows the
bolt to go forward) keep safety “ON
” and
either: 
1. Remove the magazine, draw the
slide handle to the rear and
release, or;
2. With an empty magazine in place,
draw the slide handle fully to the
rear and hold it there. Then, while
holding the slide handle, depress
the magazine follower slightly with
the thumb, r
emove the thumb, and
then allow the slide to go forward. (See Figure 4) 
CAUTION: Slide is under heavy spring tension and can injure fingers when it
slams shut.
13
2
Safety
 ON
Figure 4
Closing The Bolt