She likes the ‘standard’ configuration of the Mini 14, especially the stock. She would like the all weather stainless verison and a handful of Ruger 20 rnd mags. Any thoughts on reliabiliy and durability? Any thoughts at all?
My only thought is magazines. Good, reliable, inexpensive magazines are hard to find, IMO.
M_P
PS - some smart ass will be along shortly to point out that 10-rounders aren’t
For the use it will be put to, go for it.
If she wants it, buy it. 
Stick with the original Ruger 20 rd. mags, they can be found for about $40.00 or so each.
I’m going to have to drag my Mini out one of these days and fire it.
I just wish it were a sub 10 MOA rifle.
If you find some OEM 20’s let me know where. I guess it would be wise for me to have more than ONE mag for the damned thing.
The new version of the rifle are supposed to have much improved accuracy.
OEM mags are much easier to get now. Try CDNN Investments.
OUCH! 44.99 for a mag. Maybe I’ll just get one for now. I can’t spend 90 bucks on a gun I never shoot. 
Are non-OEM mags all complete junk or just hit-or-miss on functionality? My dad has a Mini-14 that I traded to him back when I wanted my first AR, and since it was during the ban, basically I had whatever mags I could get ahold of…we never had any problems with them, where we just lucky?
I have 1 30 round mag for mine. I has no markings on it. I bought it back in the 80’s at Smitty’s. This was our grocery store. They had a gun counter, and when I was in grade school I used to look at all the 45s in the case with drool coming out of my mouth.
Those were the good old days, Sonny!
my dad had one with the folding stock when i was young. it was the first semi-auto that i got to use. i can’t remember it ever jamming, though. i think we were using 20 rounders 
at the time.
OEM/Ruger 20 rounders are currently very easy to get. A little pricey but easy to get.
Do anything and everything to stay out of the doghouse. Then later you will have a trump card; “…but I bought you exactly what you wanted”.
The Mini-14’s are good solid rifles. They are not as accurate as an AR chassis, but they are decent. Some report 6"@100yds while others, like me, have gotten 2.25"@100yds or better. Guess I got lucky? I have about 5k rounds through mine with zero malfunctions of any sort and I bought it used (mfg’d in 1984) so I have no idea how many went through it before that, it was most certainly “used.” I have three mags, two Ruger factory 20rd mags and one no-name that came with it, all work. Good luck with the purchase.
I am in the minority, but my Mini-14 is still my favorite rifle to plink with. It is a joy to carry, always reliable and very low maintenance. Inaccurate on paper? Maybe. It always seems to turn small ground critters to vapor every time I aquire them in my open sights. I goes bang everytime I pull the trigger. Just be sure to clean it once every 5-6,000 rounds. 
If you can, try to find an older used Mini. Mine is a 181 series that I’ve had since I was 18. I don’t care for the Ranch versions (flip up peep sight) and the older models seem more refined.
To the OP. Reliable- yes. Durable- absolutely. Tactical- No. The only problems my Mini has had was when shooting the older laquered Wolf steel cased crap paired with 30 round mags.
Also- the thin barrel does get ridiculously hot after ANY rapid fire.
The 20 rounders (Ruger factory) are durable and my gun loves them. I’ve been using the same 3 20 rounders, which are always loaded, for the past 15 years.
Think of it as a big 10/22. Go for it!
i say get her one, hell they are cheap, get her two.
i have two, one stainless, and one blue, never had any problems,
i had one back in 84, i was getting 100rnd bags of reloads for ten bucks, no telling how many rounds ive shot with it,
you can get mags through cabelas,
What’s a mini go for these days? $500? Add 20 mags at $45 per, and you’re at $1400.
An AR can be done for $900. Add 20 DSG mags at $10 per and you’re at $1100 total.
You knew that picture was coming, didn’t you…
As far as other mags vs. Ruger mags…the old PMI mags were considered about as good as the original Ruger mags, but with the availability of the OEM mags, I wouldn’t mess around with anything other than Ruger.
I think you’d both be better off with a surplus M1 Carbine.
Suitable for light recreational/sporting use only.
Reliable, but not durable.
Accuracy is marginal, but sufficient for most users. There are several simple methods to improve it.
The most frequently required repairs require a return to the factory.
The newest series is the best it’s ever been, but still fails to correct some of the more longstanding issues.
Stock fit will likely be an issue, but is correctable.
In several ways.
I used to own one way back in the day and it was fairly accurate. I wish they would MOD the design to take USGI Mags. Why don’t you have her get up to speed on the M4/AR platform. Have her shoot it when ever you go to the range until she gets used to it and gets convinced that she prefers that to the Mini14.
I’ve owned 4 of them in the past starting with a 181 series, all of them had serious issues, would not buy another Mini-14.