Ruger wanted to ban his competition so everybody would have to buy Mini-14s. He did not win a lot of friends with this attitude.
Correct. At the time I bought a stainless Mini-14 and a stainless Mini-30. Paid just under $300 each plus tax. At the the gun shows during Reagan years I had picked up some Norinco paratrooper SKS carbines NIB for $98.00. They shot every bit as good the Minis.
Plus Ruger never sold the factory folding stock models and hi-cap mags to us peons.