581 Mini 14 Bolt Problem-- Please Help

[Aix sponsa]

I have a 581 mini and something is keeping my bolt from coming back quite far enough. I've disassembled it and reassembled it, but I haven't found the problem yet.

When I have it disassembled, the bolt works fine until I put the trigger group back in. At that point, the bolt stops just short of where it should to be able to pick up another round.


Any ideas?


Thank you!

 

[LKLive13]

Check that the bolt catch is working properly hand has spring tension. That may be what is interfering.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Hanging up on the trigger group? Let me think more about it.

 

[Aix sponsa]

Let me be more specific.... I can get it working as it should with the bolt coming all the way back, without the trigger group in, but when I put the trigger group in, it won't go past the same point that it's been stopping at.

I THINK the problem is in the bolt though, because with the trigger group OUT I can pull it back all the way sometimes, but sometimes it stops. With the trigger group in, it ALWAYS stops.

I've taken it apart 15 times, and it's done the same thing everytime.

I've looked closely, but I've not seen any pieces of patches or anything else stuck in there. It's a solid feeling too, it's metal hitting metal when it stops.

The point at which it stops is when it's still holding the brass, if that matters. When I shoot it as a single shot I have to manually remove the brass

 

[4v50 Gary]

Are you the original owner and did you buy it new?

I know Ruger changed the receiver (made it longer) at some point and it's possible that the trigger group may be for a later series.

 

[Aix sponsa]

Yes. I bought it new in 2010. I don't know how many rounds through it, but it has to be in the thousands. It's a great rifle.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'm thinking it's the hammer that is somehow catching the bottom of the bolt.

Smoke the hammer and then reassemble it. See where the rubbing is.

 

[Aix sponsa]

Ok I have an update!

With the gun assembled, I can make the bolt go all the way back by gently pushing down on the end of the bolt by the extractors(?) right before it gets the the point at which it had been hanging up.

Could a part of the bolt be worn or otherwise keeping it from rotating the way it should?

 

[4v50 Gary]

Sounds like you should put some grease on the bolt lugs and helix cut on the slide assembly (operating rod) as well as oil the track the slide lug rides in.

When you let it go forward, let it go on its own under the force of the slide spring (recoil spring). You may need to get a newer spring as the old one could be worn/suspect.

 

[Aix sponsa]

Thank you very much. I will try it tomorrow.

I hate to say this, but it serves as a testament to the durability of the mini, I have fired thousands of rounds through it without ever taking it apart and greasing it.


This is the first time that I've taken it apart and cleaned it.


If it makes me a bad gun owner in some people's eyes, so be it, but the gun has been better to me than I've been to it!

 

[4v50 Gary]

It would have helped had you told us that you've never cleaned it. 90% of firearms malfunctions are because the firearm is neglected (dirty).

 

[Aix sponsa]

Sorry about that. I'm turning over a new leaf, and I'm going to be keeping all of my guns cleaned on the inside too, not just my handguns.

I'll let you know if the grease does the trick.

 

[Jim K]

Check the trigger group out of the gun to see if the hammer goes back all the way (past the cocking point). If the hammer can't go back all the way, the bolt will hang up. Also check the hammer to see if there are any marks that might indicate the hammer is hanging up on something in the bolt.

Jim

 

[Aix sponsa]

I did all that you recommended, but it is still doing the same thing.

When the bolt stops, if I gently touch the tip of the extractor/bolt then it will let the bolt slide all the way back to the bolt-stop. Something is keeping it from aligning as it is supposed to. I've cleaned the gun inside and out, I put a little grease on the lugs, the tracks, and all of that. I put a little bit of oil on the bolt's moving parts.

When the stock is off, I put one hand on the front slide when I pull back the bolt, it tends to work. Not always, but usually. If I turn it all upside down and pull back, the bolt hangs up. If the rifle is assembled, the only way it works is if I touch the bolt/extractor tip when it gets to the Hangup point.

The extractor seems to stay snug, it seems like it's positioned to be holding brass, even if there's no brass to hold. When I manually load a Round, I have to pull the brass out b hand, because it will still be gripping it. Does that explanation make sense?

The extractor spring seems strong.


I'm going to continue searching and I'm going to take a closer look at it tonight. Maybe something is bent just a little that it's getting in the way of some part in the bolt or maybe keeping the bolt from rotating just a hair?

I don't know.....


I like fixing my own problems, but this is stumping me. J need to find a reputable gun smith in my area.

 

[BBBBill]

Given the number of rounds through it and the previous lack of cleaning, probably some adverse wear. Sounds like it might need to go home to Ruger. They are the most qualified to fix it.

 

[Aix sponsa]

Found the problem

Found the problem. My extractor has a bur that hits whenever the bolt comes back. Would it be ok to file off the bur, or should I get a new extractor?

Here's a picture....

 

[Aix sponsa]

I'm trying to post a picture, but when I click on the picture icon the browser crashes. I'll have to post it whenever I can do it from a computer instead of my phone...I'm calling it the extractor, but it may be called the ejector? Will post picture as soon as I can

 

[Kp321]

The extractor is mounted on the bolt. The ejector is mounted on the receiver and runs in a groove in the bolt. I'll bet your problem is with the ejector, right?
Brownells has them in stock for $10.00. Although you could probably file the burr off, I would vote for replacement