Unhappy with my new 584 series Ruger mini 14

This might be the first thread I have ever seen in almost 10 years on this site of anyone havimg a single mechanical issue with a Mini14!
Say what you want about them but they are one reliable f**king gun.
Hopefully this is not a sign of things to come for the venerable mini 14
 
My girlfriend's 584 series Ranch Rifle had a few FTE's. My 583 series has never malfunctioned but the rear sight screw came loose and much to my dismay, the threads inside the screw hole are stripped and I no longer have a rear sight on that rifle. Frustrating.

I still love the Mini though.
 
Stripped screw..I understand it is frustrating but it is your job to keep everything tight. When that screw came loose..it will have been the time to use locktite on it. This is just maintenance in my book. Get it drilled and taped by a smith - an insert work great too..
 
Just received my 584. Noticed a couple blemishes when they casted the receiver. The top rear of the receiver says Mini 14 and stamped 5.56 NATO. Doesn’t say Ranch Rifle as I had expected. I stripped, cleaned, and lubed. Hopefully will give it a try tomorrow. I ordered OEM 30mm scope rings and a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24. Haven’t mounted yet. Intend to lap the rings and fit everything properly. Will update once I have it all done. So far QC looks meh.
 
I just got a Bnib mini 14 on trade and took it to the range Saturday. No issues whatsoever. Was able to group about 3” on avg with 40 gr vmax. Think I will load some 55’s and see if that tightens it up at all. Took it completely apart Sunday to clean and oiled the trigger mechanism which just by dry firing, I can tell has greatly improved the pull.
 
tiriaq said:
The Mini gas system has a little bushing in it. Clamped between the barrel and gas block, guarantees positive alignment, and its internal diameter is in effect the actual gas port. I wonder if it could be replaced with one with a smaller hole, if, in fact, too much gas was acting on the slide.
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B said:
That's exactly how I fixed my overgassed minis before they made their way out of my collection. The bushing kits were easy to find back then. The maker no longer mails them to Canadian addresses these day unfortunately.
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Lee Hadaway sent me some a couple years ago. Unfortunately the shipping is killer, but they work great. No more brass in the next county.
I also had one given to me when a fellow on the other gun owners forum I frequent made extras for himself.
I currently have one of the adjustable gas blocks on, maybe one of B's old ones? Hand adjustable. I think the bushings are the smarter way to go, but I'll see if I can get the adjustable one working just for kicks.
 
Ive only witnessed 3 mini 14s firing in my life first hand. 2 of which had frequent malfunctions. I consider 2/3 failure rate to be enough evidence that it will never buy one. Not to mention some if the dismal accuracy ive seen some produce.
 
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Out of curiosity, is the black plastic handguard supposed to have a meta heatshield under it? I have a much older Mini 14 that has the heat shield under the hand guard but the new 584 doesn’t. Wonder if Ruger dropped it in the newest series...0
 
First time with a 583 Mini-14 on the range yesterday, fed well with .223 Remington FMJ. Is it normal for spent brass to fly 30+ feet away?

edit: some online research later suggests the answer is yes! Looks like I'll be machining a new gas bushing.
 
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jackssmirkingrevenge said:
First time with a 583 Mini-14 on the range yesterday, fed well with .223 Remington FMJ. Is it normal for spent brass to fly 30+ feet away?

edit: some online research later suggests the answer is yes! Looks like I'll be machining a new gas bushing.
Click to expand...

Oh hell yes. If you can machine your own bushing you'll like the results.
 
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tiriaq said:
The Mini gas system has a little bushing in it. Clamped between the barrel and gas block, guarantees positive alignment, and its internal diameter is in effect the actual gas port. I wonder if it could be replaced with one with a smaller hole, if, in fact, too much gas was acting on the slide.
Click to expand...

Years ago I made one by annealing IIRC a 3/16 drill bit and cutting it to length before drilling it out with a number bit set. I can't remember the size I drilled it to but I went off the US made kits and what internet forums seemed to prefer size wise. Of course a machinist could make much quicker, easier work of this on a lathe.
 
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