Ruger mini 14 question

[miniman01]

I just bought, cleaned, and reassembled my mini 14. While I was checking the action, a piece of the gas system fell out and jammed the action halfway open. It's a small piston in the front of the system, and it looks like it is supposed to have some type of ring on it. Why is it falling out?

 

[briansmithwins]

I'd be talking to the seller. The piston should not be removed.

On the other hand, now you know why he sold it.

BSW

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Sounds like it was disassembled at one point, and the gas port bushing was not replaced. The gas port bushing holds the piston in place. The piston in the Mini-14 is fixed.

Check out this exploded diagram here. If part number 20 is what fell out, you're missing the gas port bushing or someone reassembled the rifle wrong after taking the gas blocks apart.

Brownells' part number for the gas port bushing is 780-000-552.

 

[kingjoey]

Yup, the port bushing is probably chewed up or MIA. It will fit under the gas block and directs gas from the barrel into that piston. It also pins that piston into place on the gas block.

 

[pbrktrt]

as long as you are in that deep order a reduced pressure bushing kit from great west gunsmithing. will allow your emptys to fall where you want & tame the harshness of the action. 3 different sizes & you can pick the performance you desire. if you're really into getting better shooting from it send him your trigger group for the best trigger job out there.