Man, I couldn't wait to get this rifle. I got it a little while back and finally got a chance to take it out about a week ago. I am so disappointed That it makes me sick...

I LOVE Rugers and thought this would be a fun little rifle. Well, it probably would be, except for the shit-show engineering behind making the Mini-30 mags work with it.

The mags don't positively lock in. There is NOTHING to support the front of the mag when it is "locked" into the magwell. It wobbles front-to-back when inserted, significantly changing the feed alignment for the rounds. If I don't apply forward pressure on the bottom of the mag, the nose of the bullets will not feed, the just smash into the bottom of the action. It's a bitch to cycle the bolt AND apply forward pressure to the mag AND hold the rifle.

I've been looking all over Google and there are lots of people bitching about the mini-30 mag springs, but I don't think this is the magazine's fault. This is a shitty magwell design. There just isn't any forward support to maintain proper feeding alignment. There isn't a stud or lug or anything for the cutout in the front of the mini-30 magazine to fit onto for support.

Had same result with both of the 20rd factory Ruger mags I tried.

I was so excited to go shoot it, but ultimately left the range disgusted with it.

I'm not sure now if I want to call Ruger to hear what their possible fix could be or pony up the money and try the Aftermarket AKM magazine well available online that accepts Magpul AKM Pmags...



Anybody else have similar issues?

Well, that's disappointing.

It seems that generally the Ruger American rifles are good performers for the price; I have a couple of them (.223 and 300BLK) and I have no complaints.

You have the versions that take AR mags? I have been considering one, but now am not 100% sure, lol.

My .223 takes AR mags, yes. My 300BLK is older and uses the small Ruger mag.

Well, unfortunately, Ruger support seems to think it's just fine, because they test the rifles with the 5rd mags and it will function with the one that shipped. I think this is absolute bullshit. They claim that it works with all factory Ruger Mini-30 mags and it doesn't, unless you finesse it a bit. grr. They told me to return my 20 rounders for replacement, even though I can't in this commie state! I tried to explain that I could agree that it's a bad magazine if it were only 1 or 2 of my mags exhibiting this behavior, but all of my mags do it!

I did get them to send me a new magazine well. Will see how that works. So far, not super enthusiastic about Ruger's "support".

I ordered the Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39 when they were just released and also (at the time) Pre-ordered the Magpul Hunter American stock that uses AICS mags. I converted the AICS mags with the Primal Rights 6BR conversion kits to accommodate the 7.62x39. Since then, Magpul came out with the Magwell kit for the Hunter American stock that uses standard AR mags.....so that's what I use now. AR style ACS mags in 7.62x39
When the rifle was first introduced, and as you discovered, there were quite a few complaints about factory mag issues, but I already had my mind set that I wasn't going to use the factory stock & factory mags anyway. There are folks actually looking for the original stock so that they can convert them to use AK mags so I sold the factory stock and mags to offset the cost of the Magpul stock...so it all worked out

AK Mag conversion:
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/202 ... magazines/

Yeah, I have chatted with the guy doing the AK mag conversion. I have plenty of AK mags, so that is something that I am seriously considering. Just sucks to have to shell out another $150 just to get advertised equivalent reliability to what is advertised with factory mags.
I may just have to stick to Ruger handguns and 10/22's from now on.

I was about to jump neck deep into a Ruger American last year I decided against it. Now I guess I’m glad I did, there’s no need for a brand new gun to act like that when the manufacturer says it will be good to go with those magazines.
Sorry for your pain’s brother. I’ve got a 90’s model 10/22 Deluxe and that’s about the only Ruger I think I am going to own.

Oh, I have always liked Ruger wheel guns and 10/22 and Mark series pistols, but this rifle is another story. Hoping the new mag well gets here soon...