Mini 14 won't cycle...

[Jeff F]

@Jeff F

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Hey Jeff - could you please post a link re: Ruger's QC problems? I'm planning to get a Mini 14 in the next few months but if I should wait for the next production run I suppose I can.

I just read a bit over at perfect union and the other Ruger forum.

 

[Jeff F]

change your ammo man. PMC is probably the most inconsistently loaded ammo out there. PMC contracts the manufacture of their ammo to the lowest bidder so besides being made cheaply its almost never made by the same makers. Wolf would probably be a more consistent round than PMC.

That's a first, I have shot a lot of PMC, 5.56. .223 and a few different handgun calibers and I have never had any issues with it.

Thinking more about it, a new Mini 14 should work right out of the box with any factory ammo. Just call Ruger and let them take care of it

 

[M1key]

BP,

Yes, the Mini-14 should run with most any ammo. Mine shot well with Win Q3131 and Fed XM193, also Prvi 55 soft point (for HD) and that is about all the farther I went...with the Win and Fed, it would toss cases halfway down the firing line...

I replaced the gas port with a smaller one from GunDoc, and now get more reasonable ejection.

Anyway, I would try different ammo to see what happens. Personally I ain't that impressed with PMC stuff...

Hope something works for you.

M

 

[rbernie]

With the recoil spring and trigger group removed, try tilting the rifle up and down. The op rod and bolt should move freely without binding

This.

I'm guessing that the op rod is not down on the track properly. Run the op rod/bolt all the way to the rear and then push down while riding it forward, and see if that makes things run mo' freely.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

this was back in the 80s had 2 made by Ruger 20 rounders.
1 aftermkt 30 rounder that never worked, only thing it did well was skip down
river, 4 or 5 times.

 

[BP Hunter]

I just wanted to give y'all an update on my Mini 14 that didn't cycle. Anyway, after cleaning the gas port with balst of air and a pipe cleaner (I don't know if that really helped), I took it out to the ranger. I am glad to say that it it now cycling 3 different ammos 100% of the time, even with the 55gr PMC. I now officially love this rifle. Hitting a 9"x9" metal gong at 100 yards with open sighsts is so satisfying.

 

[M1key]

Thanks for the update. Glad things are working right. Now go over to the PerfectUnion and 'splain what you did to fix it. Seems there are some over there who could benefit...



M

 

[mopar92]

My stainless mini 14 runs on anything, but it's as accurate as a musket with no rifled barrel.. Horrible accuracy.

 

[M1key]

My stainless mini 14 runs on anything, but it's as accurate as a musket with no rifled barrel.. Horrible accuracy.

Tried an Accustrut? Most claim much improved accuracy...

http://www.accu-strut.com/index.htm

M

 

[Sunray]

"...as accurate as a musket..." Real muskets weren't rifled, but Mini-14's are just like that. Over priced and inaccurate.
"...after cleaning the gas port..." You have to clean the whole thing when you buy a new rifle. snicker.

 

[[email protected]]

The key to the whole problem it seems was in our original post.....

my new, thoroughly cleaned Mini 14.

I know a lot of folks say you need to clean a new rifle before trying it out... but I think this is an example of why you should not..... I bet you got carried away and gunked up the gas port ....

glad it's fixed.... as many have mentioned, the mini-14 is pretty much designed to shoot any ammo....

the newer rifles have better barrels.... MOH, Minute of head, at 100 yards with iron sights sounds good to me