Norinco M305A versus Ruger Mini 30 which is the better modernized Garand-pattern gun

[steelgray]

Let’s leave the SKS, Rashid, Vz. 52/57, etc. out of the equation and focus on modernized Garand/ M14 pattern guns, in 7.62x39.

Which is a better gun - the Norinco M305A or Ruger Mini 30? The quick answer is the Ruger Mini 30 ‘cause it takes a scope without hassles, has a bolt open, has a .309 bore” (so you can reload .308 or .311 bullets) and can be acquired in stainless steel – which is great if you want to shoot cheap corrosive surplus ammo.

Yes, I know that the Norinco M305A has a chrome lined bore, but the gas system is still unprotected against the effects of shooting corrosive ammo – and the gun isn’t very easy to fully clean. Also, the Mini -14 can be accessorized like crazy and the Mini 30 is also WAY lighter and handier.

On paper, the Mini 30 seems to come-out on top – only losing out to the Norinco M305A on price; where you can get almost two M305A for one Mini 30.

There are two videos that make me rethink the equation a bit. First there’s one by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons fame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxLrz1vTloI (CLICK ON LINK, then close it to return)

He compares the Mini-14 to the M1A (which are really just a stand-ins for the Mini 30 and the M305A, in this context). He basically says that the Mini 14 (and so also the Mini 30) is a cleverly-built gun which gets away with a lot of cost cutting measures, relative to the somewhat over-engineered M14/ M1A pattern guns. He doesn’t say this, but what comes across is that, if you care of about the design and engineering of your gun, the M1A (and really the M305) comes out on top. NOTE THAT I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT QUALITY, but rather design and engineering.

Then there is Hickok 45’s review of the Mini 30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkN3lK4T1xM (CLICK ON LINK, then close it to return)

He makes a point of trying to say nice things about the Mini 30, but one thing that comes through – loud and clear – is that, at least in his testing, the Mini 30 is a bust when it comes to handling surplus steel case ammo reliably. He also brings-up accuracy issues with the Mini 30; referring to the fact that these are generally 6-8 MOA guns.

You won't see Hickok 45 testing an M305A because Americans can't have them. Boo hoo

What's your experience? Have people found that the M305A handles steel case surplus ammo more reliably than the Mini 30? How about accuracy comparisons between these 2 guns? Which is the better gun without considering cost? Which is the better gun to buy when you take cost into account?

 

[Rob 22]

MIM bolts in the 305a ...... anything else is safer and therefore better imho. If your thinking of buying the Norc check the thread on them as none seem safe from what I can see

 

[GUB]

HMMM??? I trying to think of what 7.62x51 surplus ammo is corrosive??
Chinese I use Nope
Hurtinberger Nope
What am I missing??

 

[biologic]

HMMM??? I trying to think of what 7.62x51 surplus ammo is corrosive??
Chinese I use Nope
Hurtinberger Nope
What am I missing??

its 7.62x39 the subject here (m305a) not x51

 

[Rob 22]

305a is the 7.62x39 chambering not 7.62x51

Biologic beat me to it !!!

 

[philhut]

SKS any day of the week, heck I would trust my $139 Chinese SKS with my life. its lighter than the other SKS's and its my most accurate, strippers clips can be fed pretty fast and you can carry more ammo than with magazines. SKS is darn near 100% reliable and for the cost of 1 M305A I could have ~2-4 SKS's or 1 Mini-30 ~4-6 SKS's.....

Both the M305a and Mini30 can and will jam with comblock ammo, Mini30 being the pickier eater. Only other firearm in 7.62x39 I own is a bolt action, nothing has ever impressed me more than the SKS in the calibre.


The M305a always looked poorly finished for the cost when I looked at them in store, and the M305 in .308win has a first round wander like a SVT40 so I have stayed away from the M305a. The mini-30 looks fun kind of like a big 10/22. But they need brass ammo and well I just can't justify paying more for more of the same thing. If I was going to get anything else in the perfect world without the RCMP ruining my fun. I'd want the CZ Bren2

 

[wayupnorth]

well i cant give you 100% what your asking for but i can compare these 2 for you.
the normal M305 (in 7.62x51) and mini30 as i have both of those (and SKS i have, so i can throw that in for you too)
first off let me get this out of the way.
SKS is the amc gremlin of the gun world, i have one that i purchased 30 years ago, i shot it for a bit and its been parked in my safe since, they are junk.
every time a co worker brings one over for me to 'fix' i cant help but shake my head.
im not a fan.

but, to the 2 you want compared.
the M305 is solid and ruffly built - as most all norinco's are.
tool marks everywhere.

the Ruger mini 30, in my experience is solid built and reliable but as most will say accuracy isn't 0.5moa.
then again neither is a M305 unless you do a bunch of work to it.

for my money id go Ruger mini30 for a couple reasons.
1) if you ever need parts you can get them from the Ruger warranty place here in Canada within days.
2) you will probably never get parts from Norinco..... can you even? so youd have to hope and pray that whatever breaks can be replaced by aftermarket parts from US manufactures. but will those parts run on the M305a?????
3) the Mini30 is a lot better fit and finish (a LOT better)
4) magazines can be gotten for the mini30 for norinco its either feast of famine and 99% of the time it seems like famine.

now, lets talk accuracy.
my mini 30 i decided to leave stock, and it hits what im shooting at.
i dont shoot to far out with it as my eyes are getting older and i like to be sure i kill what im shooting at (even paper)
but i do have a mini14 that i have cranked up and i must say that getting them nice and accurate is not that hard.
nice big scope of your choice, an accustrut will shrink your groups by a guaranteed 27% even on the new barrels.
you can get an adjustable gas block as well if you want and you can tune your gas.
you can even send your trigger out to a gunsmith to be made sweet (like Brimstone)

if you asked me to choose between the 2 i would not hesitate, Ruger 10 times out of 10.

now, 1 caveat to all the above - im not a fan of the drastic price increased in Ruger mini14/30 over the last 5 years.
going from $700 to $1200 is just plain silliness.
personally for 7-800 the rugers are perfect.
for 1200...... i would pass - but im cheap.
what has ruger done to them over the last 5 years to warrant a $500 increase?
nothing.

mini 30

if you like the wood look better

you could go tactical if your into that

mags can be found - irunguns always seems to bring in batches of them almost monthly.

mini14 on a Hogue stock, vortex glass, accustrut on barrel (use the same parts as the mini30)

compare to the M305 (with my winter camo pain done by my wife!)

 

[Murray 3-D]

LOL GUB has left the chat XD its amazing how many CGNers miss that "a" at the end of M305a.

My choice would be the M305a, the MIM bolt wouldnt intimidate me considering its only a x39 gun. Plus Ruger firearms also use many cast parts... so it honestly wouldnt surprise me if it too had a cast bolt. The Mini 30 has known problems like light primer strikes, and i believe more expensive and harder to find mags...

My real suggestion would be forget both and go buy a CSA VZ 58 if u want a 7.62x39 semi auto.

 

[supernova]

M305A isn't even a consideration with proprietary MIM bolts. They are junk based on that alone. Then factor in the full detail strip required after each range trip with corrosive ammo and the stainless mini30 with a heavier hammer spring is the only choice on your list not likely to shear a bolt lug. I prefer the mini 14 in 223 for all around reliability in that style of rifle and the SKS for X39 reliability.

 

[GUB]

No one has mentioned that the M305A doesn't have last round bolt hold open and is mag picky..some hard to insert and some of the plastic ones just don't fit
Mini 30 works with a heavier spring but pricey and you don't want to be dumping money into a accustrut
SKS works every time optic mounts are doable
VZ 58 or CZ858 work really well but pricey now

 

[notsorichguy]

No question.

Mini.

I’m a bit of a SME on the m14 platform.... so take that for what it’s worth.

 

[KotKotofeich]

Everybody here talking about the MIM bolts on the 305a... have you actually looked? Guess what - they are not MIM in the 305a - the 7.62x39 version. People have reported the MIM bolts in the 308 version but I haven't seen any reports for the 7.62x39.

I find the 305a has more potential for accuracy - it is heavier with a heavier barrel. It also does not have issues with reliability with surplus ammunition, but the cleaning trouble balance that out.

(the mini is not mine, don't want to be associated with all that bubbarific plastic )

Picturized comparison of the 305a with M1a here for those wondering https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1878125-M305a-vs-M1a-comparison

 

[GUB]

My M305A doesn't have a MIM
I just try and shoot non corrosive out of my M305A and mini 30
Just easier.. SKS gets the corrosive

 

[steelgray]

I think you overlooked the fact that your 305A actually has a chrome lined bore - see LINK


Once we dump the Libs - for good - maybe their illegal 2020 OIC nonsense will be rescinded and those who still have one of these interesting guns will legally be able to shoot it again. AMEN.

My M305A doesn't have a MIM
I just try and shoot non corrosive out of my M305A and mini 30
Just easier.. SKS gets the corrosive

 

[KotKotofeich]

The gas system is not though. When I received mine, the gas piston had a bunch of rust... ugh.

 

[steelgray]

The gas system is not though. When I received mine, the gas piston had a bunch of rust... ugh.

Makes sense. Thanks.

However, I wonder if powder coating the gas system could have been the answer?

 

[KotKotofeich]

Makes sense. Thanks.

However, I wonder if powder coating the gas system could have been the answer?

I think easier to get stainless gas block and piston if it ever becomes a problem.