Mini 14 jams

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351 WINCHESTER

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I have a mini 14 ranch rifle that I bought decades ago. I sent it back to Ruger due to accuracy problems. It had something to do with the bedding according to Ruger.

After that the gun started jamming. The gun will strip and chamber a fresh ctg., but sometimes when I pull the trigger it does not fire, but the firing pin does not hit the primer at all, although it feels and sounds like the fp dropped. I'm just guessing that the gun is not going fully into battery, but I could be wrong. I have cleaned the chamber and trigger assembly. This has been a decades long problem that I would like to get resolved. It happens about evey 15 rounds.

Yes, I have tried different ammo, mags. with no difference.
 
I'm just guessing that the gun is not going fully into battery
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Sounds reasonable. Just a wild guess, but maybe a new recoil spring, or check that the guide rod for the recoil spring is setting correctly in the bushing. The curved notch in the guide rod goes under the cross pin that supports the bushing.

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On the rounds which misfire "about every 15 rounds" have you ever tried and successfully fired that same round later?
 
It's always been brass, mostly factory, some reloads. No primer indent. I have cleaned the chamber twice really good and oiled the trigger mechanism and bolt as well.

The gun acts like it's in battery, looks like it's in batters, and when I pull the trigger the hammer falls, but does not fire. I eject the loaded round, strip off another and resume firing. I have tried different magazines, but all do this. I have noticed on most of the ctgs. that I had to hand eject there is a dent crossways on the case which is pretty deep. Wish I could post pictures.
 
I would check to see if the firing pin/spring/bolt/spring is clean and free of floating debris. I had problems with one of mine and a good cleaning of the area that had to do with the firing pin in the bolt stopped the problem in mine.
 
Soak the bolt in solvent or kerosene for a day or two, then clean it with some brake cleaner and relube with some ATF or Marvel mystery oil. I would look at replacing the hammer spring or maybe a complete spring kit is in order.
 
Absent a working firing pin and good bolt lock up, I'm guessing the trigger group is not really locked in place.
 
When I sent it back to ruger for accuracy problems, they may have replaced the barrel, but I really don't know as they were not that specific as to what they did to the gun. I'm still leaning to it not going fully into battery as the hammer will still drop. Maybe a tight chamber. I have cleaned the gun and lubed it. The fp and channel were both fine. Getting good relaible ignition so the springs are in good order.
 
Did Ruger attempt to bed the action at all? Is it a synthetic or wood? Try another stock. Perhaps something is dragging on the bolt preventing it from going fully into battery.

As far as accuracy problems, try an Accustrut or similar.

Good luck

M
 
I'm pretty sure they bedded the action and maybe replaced the barrel - they don't always tell the customer what they did when they fix it on their dime. The action isn't draging. It runs fine for 10 or 15 rounds and just goes click and no bang. When I eject the chambered round there is a nasty dent on the case which is pretty deep.

I think I'll call ruger tomorrow & see if they will fix it. Like I said it ran fine until they fixed the accuracy problem.
 
I've heard much talk about broken firing pins on mini's. Just sayin'

Mine never failed me except when it started short-stroking. It needed the gas piston replaced according to Ruger. Apparently that fixed it because it never short-stroked again.

You can fully seat the bolt by striking the charging handle with the heel of your hand after every shot while testing. IE-shoot, hit charging handle, shoot, hit charging handle, etc and see if it eliminates the problem.
 
Actually I have tried hitting the charging handle with no effect whatsoever. When it malfunctions I have looked at the bolt and it was fully in battery. I remember why it's been in my closet for about 20 years. I should have sent it right back to ruger. I will still call them tomorrow and see what they offer.
 
honestly this sounds like an interesting problem....probably because im not the one having it. I wish i could look the gun over.

If the gun is in full battery I would check to see if the firing pin is hanging up in the bolt, or the saftey is contacting the hammer on it way forward some how. If never had a problem like this with my Mini, it does dent the crap out of cases tho.
 
I completely took it apart the other night for a good cleaning. Considering this was the first disassembly since I bought it 25 years or so years ago, it wasn't very dirty. I guess Ruger cleaned it when the fixed the accuracy problem and I didn't shoot it that much afterwards. Everything looked fine.

I'm wondering if Ruger replaced the barrel with a tight chamber, but I'm still baffled as to why it will shoot 10 or 15 times and jam. I thought it might be heat related, but repeated firing confirmed that it consistentely jams every 10 to 15 rounds.
 
Yes. When it jams I pull the trigger, the hammer falls and it fails to fire. I eject the loaded round and chamber another and resume shooting until it fails again. The next time I take it out I will take a 20 round mag and hand cycle it just to see if it hangs up.
 
Pictured are Mini mags, aftermarket (left) and factory 5 rnd (right). Is it possible your mags are periodically seating too deep or canting in the well? Look at the backs of your mags for mushrooming/rounding off at the top of the bulge/piece that determines seating depth of the mag. Also look for indications of the firing pin drop leg smacking the edge of the bolt cutout in the mag on the right side.

After playing with mine it looks like it's possible that the rear of the mag could could interfere with the firing pin if the mag gets shoved upward in the well too far.

BTW- I don't know who made my aftermarket mags, but they run flawlessly in both my Minis.
 

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I had a Problem with my Mini doing the same thing. Disassembled it and while fooling with it, a small shaving of Brass fell out of the Bolt where the Firing Pin is located. i didn't realize exactly where it came from. I put it back together and it hasn't failed to fire since. I think it has a floating Fring Pin, whatever that means. I think it has no spring. Not sure, since I've never had the Bolt apart. That tiny sliver of brass was holding up the firing Pin in some way. If I remember correctly, You could see where the Pin had very lightly, struck the Primer. I guess, it wasn't hard enough to detonate it. BTW, I was using CCI Primers. I still use them today. I'm not saying this is your Problem, but it could be something to look for.
 
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