It will probably be hard to find one, especially locally. Here's one on gunbroker that is blued. There's almost nine days left and it's already at $328.
FYI, if you find one for the AC556, it won't. The AC556 has more wood cut out of it. Also, try to find one with the correct gas block. On the factory folding stocks, the front sling swivel is on the left side of the gas block, not underneath the gas block like the full stocked rifles.
Most aren't but the older and more rare models are. The original folding stock models and/or those with Government barrels (GB) bring a premium. JR1572 is correct about the gas block too. If you see one with a Ruger folding stock but the sling swivel on the bottom then it's a retrofit.
I was looking at a few with wood furniture, and a gas block. You can't touch'em for under $500 +
If the front swivel is NOT offset, it's a retro? Is there a big price difference between the retro and the original mounted on the side?
Every factory side folding Mini-14 has the front sling swivel on the side. Most factory folding stock guns are GB models, however, Ruger did make a few guns with side folding stocks and the regular barrel without a flashider.
If anyone ever finds an OEM Ruger Mini-14 gas block with a side mounted sling swivel for sale, whether you need it or not, buy it. Ruger restricts the sale of certain spare parts. The gas block is one of those parts.
LPSO708,
I was looking for one of those a while back. I eventually bought a non-factory wood folder from EBAY. It was much cheaper, and not bad at all.