Mini14 fails to pick up round from magazine

[derek45]

Recently Bought new version 584 5.56 Mini14

Factory 20 round mags.

Rifle and mags clean, and in excellent shape. Rifle is lightly greased, like a Garand.

About every other magazine, the gun fires, and ejects, but does not pick up the new round from the magazine.

CLICK instead of BANG

retract the bolt to find an EMPTY chamber, rack it and the gun fires again.


At first I thought I had a defective mag, I marked it with a piece of tape, but then noticed it happens with all mags.

Handload 55gr / 26.3gr.win748 / LC brass, nearly a max load per SIERRA V Book.

Then tried factory NORMA 55gr FMJ, same trouble.

BANG BANG

CLICK, rack

BANG BANG

It does not appear to be short cycling, slings brass to the next county, and the factory magazine springs are strong.

Any ideas ?

Sorry for the poor film quality, it was starting to rain, I got someone to shoot while I filmed it happening.

 

[General Geoff]

Could be a problem with bolt geometry/finishing where it sometimes skips over the cartridge instead of picking it up upon return to battery.
Could be the bolt is cycling too fast, maybe try some down-loaded rounds to see if the issue persists. If this helps, rifle might be overgassed.

 

[Riomouse911]

The only times I recall any of the Mini’s I was around having issues like that it was magazine related.

Looks like they were inserted properly, as the mag didn’t drop out. Does the follower press downward evenly and without a hitch? (Maybe a burr on the plastic follower or inside the mags slowing the cartridge rising into position for the bolt bottom to catch it.)

You said you swapped mags and still happened. Just for giggles, were the mags you used all newly made and bought with that rifle or do they have a history of working fine in other guns? (Just trying to narrow the possibilities a bit.)

Stay safe.

 

[film495]

have a similar mini-14. never seen that happen. if handloads, that would be my first guess, just some of them don't cycle the action as firmly as the rest. just to guess at it.

 

[derek45]

Mags are clean, new, followers not binding, no burrs.

handloads or factory ammo = same trouble

 

[BreechFace]

Can you take a picture of a couple of magazines that are loaded from the back showing the case head between the magazine feed lips. It would be good to try and identify a magazine that is a problem as well as one that runs well and have a comparison from back side by side to see any differences.

It could be the bottom of the bolt is a bit over machined that picks up the round. Or the magazines are not presenting the cartridges high enough in the feed lips.

If it’s only a few magazines that are the problem and can be visually seen as compared to known functioning mags then one can massage the failing mags feed lips to present the cartridges higher.

 

[JohnB-40]

l would call Ruger CS Monday. They will send a shipping label and have it back to you within 2 weeks after receiving it in New Hampshire,with no cost to you.

 

[BreechFace]

It’s hard to tell but there are some differences in factory magazine feedlip setting. These are new Ruger Mini mags. If you notice between #2 and #5; #2 presents the highest out of the 5 mags and #5 presents the lowest. The other 3 are about the same.

I’ll tweak #5’s feed lips a bit to present the cartridges a bit higher and more consistent with how the other 3 are presenting.

 

[BreechFace]

l would call Ruger CS Monday. They will send a shipping label and have it back to you within 2 weeks after receiving it in New Hampshire,with no cost to you.

I would suggest the same, let Ruger figure it out. My questions are more just curiosity.

 

[derek45]

which one is "6"
I only see 5 mags in the photo
???

 

[BreechFace]

which one is "6"
I only see 5 mags in the photo
???

Sorry I have my mags numbered at the bottom and #1 is currently in my Mini. I edited my post.

Really all of mine are not that bad but the right one in person is visibly a bit further down than the others but not enough to cause problems. I was curious if some of your mags are holding the cartridges down further causing pick up issues.

 

[entropy]

Replace the recoil (op rod) spring. Possibly the op rod also, same was as curing this on a Garand.

 

[derek45]

Bolt engagement, on right and left side rounds

 

[derek45]

Replace the recoil (op rod) spring. Possibly the op rod also, same was as curing this on a Garand.

Rifle was bought new, has less than 200 rounds through it. I doubt the spring is worn yet, and if the Op Rod is out of spec, Ruger can deal with it

Unlike Ruger, my Garand runs fine LOL

 

[Ignition Override]

Does the OP have an OEM mag, made by Ruger, or a “factory mag” produced by Promag etc?

“A factory mag” often can mean anything until people are specific about Which factory.

Perfectunion: the basic Mini-14/30 user website years ago had an entire forum dedicated to magazine issues because Ruger (in 2008) still refused to produce/sell OEM mags to the “little people”.

 

[derek45]

new RUGER BRAND magazines

 

[Beck]

Your Mini is short-stroking. It can be seen very clearly at the end of the video if you open the video in full screen and slow the speed down to .25.

A common cause of short-stroking is if you've had your Mini apart and didn't get the the Buffer Guide Rod positioned correctly in the Buffer Bushing. With the receiver upside down the Guide Rod should be positioned under the Buffer Cross Pin inside the Buffer Bushing as illustrated in the attached photo.

If that's not the problem, contacting Ruger CS is your best bet.

 

[luv2safari]

l would call Ruger CS Monday. They will send a shipping label and have it back to you within 2 weeks after receiving it in New Hampshire,with no cost to you.

This. Don't mess with anything.

Also, push upward on the magazine while firing and see if it works that way. If it feeds like that tell Ruger.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I like that stock on your Mini.

 

[derek45]

Your Mini is short-stroking. It can be seen very clearly at the end of the video if you open the video in full screen and slow the speed down to .25.

A common cause of short-stroking is if you've had your Mini apart and didn't get the the Buffer Guide Rod positioned correctly in the Buffer Bushing. With the receiver upside down the Guide Rod should be positioned under the Buffer Cross Pin inside the Buffer Bushing as illustrated in the attached photo.

If that's not the problem, contacting Ruger CS is your best bet.

View attachment 1198490

yes

it’s assembled correctly

 

[derek45]

I like that stock on your Mini.

KRYLON FUSION
SATIN EXPRESSO
spray paint
was factory black plastic
LOL

 

[conan32120]

Since you've had your stock off to paint it the possibility exists that something went amiss when you reinstalled it. Take it off again and look for wear marks. I don't have a mini so I'm just guessing

 

[4v50 Gary]

Action lubed? Could the bolt being going back to lock faster than the maagazine can push a fresh round to be chambered?

 

[derek45]

Action lubed? Could the bolt being going back to lock faster than the maagazine can push a fresh round to be chambered?

Yes, the action is properly lubed.

I also think it may be over gassed so much that the bolt is moving forward faster than the magazine can lift the next round,....but not sure.

 

[Beck]

If you bought it new in box and not from a private seller, then it's time to call Ruger, get it sent back and get the problem fixed.

If it wasn't brand new in box, the previous owner could have messed with it, for example, installing a gas bushing that's to small, or a Wolff extra power recoil spring (which is not needed), or a buffer to the rear that's too thick.

Best let Ruger take it from here.