mini14

[cwh1960]

I have a mini14 that when i shoot it will not pick up the next shell , and it does not remain open when the clip is empty.
can anyone help me?

 

[shoot_to_kill]

My dads mini 14 when brand new would stove pipe rounds, and not pick up rounds from the mag. Now it works very well. I think they have a slight break in period to loosen up. How new is your rifle?

 

[coyoteking]

Is the mag seating properly?

 

[cwh1960]

it`s had a lot of rounds through it , I bought it new in 1986
My dads mini 14 when brand new would stove pipe rounds, and not pick up rounds from the mag. Now it works very well. I think they have a slight break in period to loosen up. How new is your rifle?[/QUOTE]

 

[cwh1960]

I`ve tried the mag many times with the same result

 

[Turkinator]

Try cleaning the gas system including the bushing. Is this happening with .223 or 5.56mm? Also cycle the action to see if anything is impeding travel and if there is a buffer in there remove it.

 

[bps540]

agreed..give everything a good cleaning, get rid of of any 'buffer' & don't be afraid to strip & clean the magazine making sure the spring is installed correctly.
have you tried it with different mags?

 

[sunray]

You have two things going on. The mag issue and the bolt hold open.
Sounds like the magazine(it's not a clip) lips may be bent in a tick and not allowing the follower to work properly. Easily fixed with fine, needle, nosed pliers. Very gently tweak 'em open a tick over the whole length of the lip. Just a wee bit.
It could also be the way it was pinned, if it's one of those magazines.
The bolt hold open will likely be fixed by fixing the mag lips. Non-factory mags have a tendency to not work well no matter what you do.

 

[cwh1960]

yes i`ve tried different mags , same thing .

 

[cwh1960]

if i cycle it manually , it will pick up every shell and remain open when empty

 

[BrotherRockeye]

sounds like the bolt isn't going far enough back to reach the next round or engage the hold open.

I believe it's called short stroking...I'm dealing with the same issue right now with a 187 series.

With mine, it's not mag related and I've cleaned the gas port. Next will be the bolt etc.

 

[Turkinator]

Are you using light .223 loads or 5.56mm? May not be enough power to cycle the gas system with the factory bushing. I can see sluggish ejection from light rounds coupled with another problem may stop the cycle of the action. Clean and grease the mini just like an m14

 

[300Spartans]

The mags might be an issue if they are not factory Ruger mags. Not all aftermarket mags work with the Minis.

 

[notsorichguy]

I have seen similar issues with mini's running dirty and or dry......

By dirty I mean OMFG dirty, and by dry I mean cleaned it up with brake clean and not relubricated.....

Disassemble, clean, lube and give that a try.....

 

[cwh1960]

Mine is a 187 series as well

 

[BrotherRockeye]

Mine is a 187 series as well

I'll keep you posted once I sort it out. Sounds like the same issue.

 

[Turkinator]

Stupid question but you don't slap the mags in like an ar15 do you? Mini mags rock in front to back like a M14

 

[Brandon3]

I had the same problem with my 181 series Mini. In the end I took it to a gunsmith and he fixed the problem by replacing the short gas tube which is part of the gas block assembly.

 

[Scottstiles]

What I found with mine is that it took the good quality ammo
But short stroked on the crappy ammo. I fixed it by taking the
Gun apart and using a small round file to open up the gas
Hole in the barrel, not much maybe 10/1000 of a inch and
Now it cycles all the ammo just fine put over 10,000 rounds
Since I've done that.

 

[Power Pill]

Defiantly sounds like it's short stroking.

Have you disassembled the gas system lately? Perhaps the gas port isn't lined up 100%