I had a duh moment with my mini 30.

Thought you were going to say it was the day you bought it.

Did you do a function check after putting it back together?

Good thing Baba Yaga wasn't at the door.

That's an all too common gotcha! You think Ruger would have done something about it by now, like stamp "THIS SIDE UP" on the buffer guide rod. Oh wait, or is it THIS SIDE DOWN? Gosh, it is confusing. Depends on if the receiver is upside down on the table, which it usually is when reassembling. Well anyway, glad you figured it out.

Lots of folks will put the recoil spring bushing and spring guide rod upside down when reassembling. Luckily the action won’t hand cycle properly when this happens because the guide rod gets pinched, so its an easy do-over.

I always taught newbies to the Mini to reassemble it upside down on the bench, and be sure “the hand is facing up” when putting the guide rod flat back into the bushing. ( I held my arm out with my hand facing up to show the proper orientation of the rod.)

Worked every time

Stay safe.

I hate that .....being human I mean .