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.
Mini-14s were never known for accuracy, even after they put some decent sights on them. I finally ended up with a folder with the later sights, which is fun to shoot, but not very accurate. I read they have made some changes for accuracy, but haven’t shot a late one.