May want to sign up for rugerforum.com and ask about it, there are some real Ruger experts over there.
I've always been a Mini fan, love the M14 look in a cheap and easy to shoot cartridge. Problem is, an AR or even a bolt action just works much better for me in real life. Reasons I never got a Mini, even though I love the concept:
1. The only place you can get most spare parts is Ruger.
2. Accuracy is always a problem, at least after the first couple of shots. The newer ones are alot better, but still lag behind even most cheap AR's.
3. They fling brass into the next zip code, and often dent it as well. You can spend $$ on an adjustable gas block, but that adds to an already rather high price and of course is not something Ruger wants to see if you ever send it in for service.
4. Aftermarket mags are very hit and miss in terms of function, however I understand they are alot better than they used to be. While WBR was in the picture, the company would only sell five rounders to us poor serfs. By contrast, an AR mag would have to be total junk not to at least feed rounds. The $9.95 Mission First Tactical mags at my side job shop work great, I use them for practice.
The Mini equipped with a fun switch, the AC-556, is a screaming bargain among transferable machine guns. I may ened up with a Mini someday if I stumble onto a good deal. If nothing else, as a tribute to the televised screeching tires and rapid fire (which never hit anyone) that soaked my elementary school brain!