Use of corrosively primed imported
ammunition can damage or ruin this
rifle. Use only U.S. commercially
manufactured ammunition.
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
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
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:
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
“A los niños los atraen las armas
de fuego y las pueden hacer funcionar. 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 cargada en un lugar en que un niño
tiene acceso a ella y la usa indebidamente, 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 IMPRISONMENT 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 OTHERWISE 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
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!”
ime to store or leave a loaded
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 thousand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers
who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain serious 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 innocent 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 TAMPER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED OR
KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”
4
w Jersey:
Ne
“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 STORAGE. 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 PERSONS.”
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 ABANDON 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 additional warnings which may be required by local law or regulation. Such regulations change constantly, and local authorities
are in the best position to advise you on such legal matters.
5
WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
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 trigger 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 circumstances. Guns should be securely
stored unloaded, in a secure
location, separate from their
ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 30.
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
6
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
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.
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
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER®MINI THIRTY RIFLE is 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 identical, 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 forearm are separated from the barrel by an air space to promote cooling.
8
The Mini Thirty Rifle incorporates a unique patented buffer system which re-
Safety in "ON" Position
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
SCOPE MOUNT BASES
REAR SIGHT
RECEIVER
TRIGGER
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.
BOLT LOCK
PLUNGER
MAGAZINE LATCH
SAFETY SHOWN “ON”
EXTRACTOR
HANDGUARD
SLIDE HANDLE
WARNING – MANUAL SAFETY
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 permitting 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
9
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 trigger guard. (See Fig. 2) The safety can be moved to “ON” (extreme rearward position) 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 firing.
SAFETY “ON”
Figure 2.
SAFETY “OFF”
(Ready to Fire)
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 not a 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 purpose 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 rearward).
2
Figure 3
1
3
10
To release the slide (which allows the
bolt to go forward) keep safety “ON
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
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.
emove the thumb
” and
, and
Closing The Bolt
2
Figure 4
3
Safety
"ON"
1
AMMUNITION
The RUGER®MINI THIRTY RIFLES are 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.
WARNING – AMMUNITION
Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect cartridge 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
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.
11
USE ONLY FACTORY AMMUNITION LOADED
TO U.S. INDUSTRY STANDARDS
WARNING – LEAD EXPOSURE
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated
areas, cleaning firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in exposure to
lead and other substances known to the
state of California to cause birth defects,
reproductive harm, and other serious
physical injury. Have adequate ventilation
at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after
exposure.
SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS
MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD
MAGAZINES
RUGER®MINI THIRTY magazines are identified by having only one vertical crease in the side of the magazine versus three vertical creases in the Ruger
Mini-14 magazine. The bottom of the Mini Thirty magazine is more tapered than
the generally rectangular bottom of the Mini-14 magazine, and the follower, visible from the top of the magazine, is distinctly more pointed on the Mini Thirty
(see illustrations below). DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE MINI-14 MAGAZINES IN
RUGER MINI THIRTY RIFLES.
Ruger Mini Thirty Magazine
(Correct)
For Caliber 7.62 x 39mm
Ammunition Only
Bottom Top Side Bottom Top Side
Never attempt to use caliber .223 ammunition in Ruger Mini Thirty rifles, as it
will not chamber correctly and will “jam” the action.These smaller cases will
split upon firing in the larger Mini Thirty chamber, resulting in the release of
hot powder gases into the action and possible personal injury or damage to the
rifle. As with any firearm, always wear safety shooting glasses and adequate hearing protection.
Ruger Mini-14 Magazine
(Incorrect)
For Caliber .223
Ammunition Only
Do not use in Mini Thirty
12
LOADING THE MAGAZINE
Use only clean ammunition of the proper caliber manufactured to U. S. Industry
specifications, in good condition. (See Notice and Warnings in other sections of
this manual pertaining to Ammunition).
To load the magazine, align each cartridge with the bullet forward (pointing
toward the hole in the front of the magazine body) and push downward until the
cartridge snaps into place. Do not attempt to load more than the designated
number of cartridges for which the magazine has been designed. RUGER
MINI THIRTY RIFLES are sold with 5 round Ruger magazines.
®
The RUGER
Ruger Mini-14 magazines. Do not use non-Ruger magazines -- they may cause
malfunctions.
MINI THIRTY magazine is not interchangeable with the
®
DAMAGED, NON-STANDARD, OR IMPROPERLY
ASSEMBLED MAGAZINES SHOULD NOT BE USED.
THEY CAN CAUSE THE RIFLE TO MALFUNCTION.
INSERTING THE MAGAZINE
See Figure 5. The magazine may be inserted with the bolt either in the closed or
open position (See “Bolt Lock” section p. 10).
1. Hold the magazine at an angle as
shown and insert all the way up
into the magazine well. NOTE:
There is a hole in the top-front
portion of the magazine that
mates with a stud on the inside of
the receiver.
2. Pull the bottom of the magazine
toward the trigger guard until the
magazine latch at the rear of the
magazine well engages. Check to
be sure that the magazine is
securely latched into place.
1
2
Figure 5
REMOVING THE MAGAZINE
To remove the magazine, simply push the magazine latch forward until the rear
end of the magazine drops out of the magazine well. The magazine can then be
withdrawn from the rifle. To minimize the possibility of damage and malfunctions, do not let the magazine drop to the ground (See Figure 6, p. 23).
13
TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITH MAGAZINE)
Practice this important aspect of gun handling (with an unloaded rifle) until you
can perform each of the steps - described below - with skill and confidence. But
before you do anything with the rifle, please first read completely through this
manual. This procedure begins with an empty
1. Be certain the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction. (See Rule 2, p. 42).
2. Before inserting loaded magazine, engage the bolt lock so the bolt is held
open. Check the chamber to be certain it is empty. MOVE THE SAFETY TO
THE “ON” POSITION. (See Figure 3, p. 10).
3. Load a magazine with the desired number of cartridges.
4. Insert the loaded magazine into the magazine well, and immediately...
5. Draw the slide handle all the way to the rear and release it, allowing the slide
to snap forward under full spring force. A cartridge will be stripped from the
magazine and chambered by the motion of the bolt.
WARNING: If cartridges do not feed smoothly from the magazine into the
chamber then do not use the rifle until the problem is corrected. (See
“Malfunction Warning” p. 22)
6. The rifle is now cocked and a loaded cartridge is chambered. Visually check to
be certain the safety is in the “ON” position.
7. When you are ready to fire the rifle, move the safety to the “OFF” position.
WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE ACTUALLY
READY TO FIRE. KEEP THE SAFETY “ON” UNLESS ACTUALLY FIRING.
8. The rifle will fire one shot each time the trigger is pulled until the magazine is
empty. Some of the gas produced by the combustion of the powder is used to
push the slide and bolt to the rear, which extracts and ejects the fired cartridge
case, recocks the gun, and reloads a new cartridge from the magazine into the
firing chamber.
rifle with its magazine out.
WARNING – FIRING
The bolt automatically opens
and shuts quickly while firing.
Keep face and hands away from
it. Hot brass and powder gas is
ejected quickly and can burn
you. The rifle should be fired
from the right shoulder.
Always wear shooting glasses
and hearing protectors.
BOLT OPENS FAST–
HOT BRASS EJECTED
14
9. Immediately following the firing of a shot, and if a subsequent shot is not to
be fired at once, put the safety “ON” while the rifle is still pointing in a safe
direction down range. The safety should be moved to the “ON” position as
soon as firing is completed, and it should be “ON” at all times except when
the rifle is on target and being fired.
10. When the last cartridge in the magazine has been fired, the bolt lock will
automatically engage and hold the bolt and slide in the rearward, open position. CAUTION: Autoloading firearms have reciprocating bolts and slides. Do
not position your fingers or face so these components can strike you when
the gun is fired.