Mini 14 Trouble

lilsurfer

lilsurfer

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Just picked up a Ruger Mini 14 .223 used from a local guy and took it to the range today and I had a few problems. I loaded the clip with five shots and it cycled and shot the first four fine but then the fifth shell did not fire. The firing pin hit the primer (as there was a small indent). The shell cycled and ejected fine, it just didn't fire. Then it happened on the second shot. Then it happened on the second and fourth shots. I shot just over a box through it (from two different boxes of ammo from two different brands) and probably 6 or 7 shots failed to fire. It also jammed once. This gun was owned by a farmer and I am guessing he never cleaned it but I can't know for sure. It's a 2002 manufacture, wood stock, completely original except for buttplate.

I am trying to establish whether this gun is a) broken and needs gunsmithing or b) needs a good cleaning. I have never disassembled or cleaned an automatic before. Do you think I should send it straight to a gunsmith or give it a thorough cleaning? Like I said, I have never cleaned an automatic before and if I attempt it I will be relying on YouTube videos. I suppose if I am going to own a Mini 14 I might as well learn thorough cleaning but I'd like to know if I am wasting my time cleaning it before fixing it. Any insight would be appreciated. What do you guys think is wrong with it? Thanks!
 
Best bet is to strip it and clean it. I've had fail to feed issues with a customized Mini-14 but not a fail to fire. The trigger group may need a de-greasing, hammer not hitting with enough force? Lube rear of bolt and hammer with grease to reduce cycling and feed issues.
If after cleaning the problem recurrs, probably time for a smith.
 
Sounds like dirt and gummed up oil ---> needs a good cleaning to start its new life

gas system need a good cleaning too

What type of jams

and what type of ammo are you feeding it

Garbage in = Garbage out
 
Would recommend (with any used firearm) that you strip it and clean it (how else know if something is gummed up, broken, obstructed, missing...).

The youtube videos are a great idea and though the bolt may be a bit fiddly to put back in the overall process of cleaning your semi-automatic is straight forward.

You may want to try some brake cleaner for the bolt, oil springs, grease sliding surfaces and keep gas areas dry (or oil will create carbon).

Armourall said:
Clip......are you sure.....? ;)
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Was thinking the same about
lilsurfer said:
an automatic
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lilsurfer said:
You guys lost me...what's the deal with the clip?
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The Mini-14 does not take clips nor was it designed to take clips nor can it be modified to take clips.

You should not own a gun if you can't tell a clip from a magazine. Someone like that is likely unable to tell the safety from the trigger :eek:

BTW a shell does not fire...the primer embedded in the shell ignites the powder inside the shell which forces the bullet out of the shell. The whole thing is called a "round". ;)

Clean the rifle well and try again, the original owner may not have kept it clean enough. Then check the firing pin and strength of the spring.

And how the heck did you get an "automatic"? They are illegal for the avg Joe but semi-automatics are ok.

It's never a waste to clean anything before you fix it, the exception is if you happen to clean a part that is going to get thrown out anyway.
 
OhCanada said:
The Mini-14 does not take clips nor was it designed to take clips nor can it be modified to take clips.

You should not own a gun if you can't tell a clip from a magazine. Someone like that is likely unable to tell the safety from the trigger :eek:
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hey that's a bit harsh, be nice to to the guy. he came asking an honest question and we've answered that.

I agree it's not a clip and it's not an automatic, but we all knew what he meant.
 
lilsurfer said:
Haha everybody is a genious on the internet. Terminology doesn't transfer to safety. You don't know me, how I handle firearms, or how safe I am. I can guarantee you there are plenty of idiots who call it a "magazine" who you wouldn't want to share a range with. I appreciate the correction and in the future I will refer to it as "a magazine" and a "semi-automatic." On a more relevant note, I think I will give it a good cleaning tomorrow. Hopefully I won't have to put any money into it. Thanks to all who responded.
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Don't mind the nomenclature nazis. I'm a bit of one, but not a douche about it.

here is a vid for ya....

[youtube]bpI1a9BUhA0[/youtube]
(he calls it a clip too)
 
I'm fairly new to hunting. I appreciate any corrections as I am trying to learn as much as I can but there is a right and a wrong way to go about it. Anyway...thanks alot for the video. The other one I was looking at was posted by Ruger on Youtube and the guy was moving a little quickly for me. I'll have a go at it tomorrow morning. Thanks again.


ndb86 said:
Don't mind the nomenclature nazis. I'm a bit of one, but not a douche about it.

here is a vid for ya....

[youtube]bpI1a9BUhA0[/youtube]
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One of the site dealers (can't rememer which one), sells replacement hammer spring kits for the Mini-14. If cleaning and checking that the firing pin isn't damaged doesn't net results, you may want to try a hammer spring replacement. Good luck
 
Savage rifles with detach mags designate "C" for clip in model #. So i won't fault anyone for calling a mag a clip. Some anal NCOs get pissy when you call your rifle a gun, dumfux says me.
 
a warning... DO NOT CALL YOUR FIREARM A WEAPON!. People around here get reall pissy about that. call it a firearm or gun or tool.... also be careful calling shotguns a shotty... people get pissy about that too
 
The first thing my instructor said on the first night of the Hunter Education Course was "there are no weapons here...only firearms." I've always remembered that. Apparently he failed me on the clip/magazine thing though;)

ndb86 said:
a warning... DO NOT CALL YOUR FIREARM A WEAPON!. People around here get reall pissy about that. call it a firearm or gun or tool.... also be careful calling shotguns a shotty... people get pissy about that too
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OhCanada said:
You should not own a gun if you can't tell a clip from a magazine. Someone like that is likely unable to tell the safety from the trigger :eek:

BTW a shell does not fire...the primer embedded in the shell ignites the powder inside the shell which forces the bullet out of the shell. The whole thing is called a "round". ;)
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Should you own a gun if you think a shell does not fire? Shotgun shells, artillery shells... Perhaps you're thinking of the case.
 
lineofsight said:
Should you own a gun if you think a shell does not fire? Shotgun shells, artillery shells... Perhaps you're thinking of the case.
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would be the primer not the case.... the case just holds everything it doen't fire..... the primer doesn't fire either though... primer ignites the powder, which causes the bullet to travel down the barrell and make holes in things.... the case just holds it all in a neat little package....


lol wow aren't we getting picky now :p
 
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