Unhappy with my new 584 series Ruger mini 14
- Thread starter spyderchop
- Start date
I had a 583 series that ran flawless.. expected same here but not the case
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Had a stainless mini 14 with factory folding stock back in the 80s. Super reliable but accuracy was dismal compared to my M16A1.
Had a stainless mini 30 early this century that didn't like norinco non corrosive at all. Extraction and failure to go into battery were big issues as well as accuracy. My Chinese SKS-D was decidedly more accurate as well as my Russian SKSs. It was a no brainer to trade it off.
Mini 14 and 30 were cool looking, but I prefer more reliable and accurate guns.
Had a stainless mini 30 early this century that didn't like norinco non corrosive at all. Extraction and failure to go into battery were big issues as well as accuracy. My Chinese SKS-D was decidedly more accurate as well as my Russian SKSs. It was a no brainer to trade it off.
Mini 14 and 30 were cool looking, but I prefer more reliable and accurate guns.
I had a BNIB that was so horrible, i refused to fire it. Store took it back and refunded my money, only because i had put a deposit on it, then came to pick it up, but the one i had inspected in store had accidentally been sold by another employee, and 5 mins to close, they gave me another, and i didn't get a chance to open it before leaving.
That was back in the heyday of the Obama administration and the panic buying in the US, Ruger's QC went to hell around then. Thankfully it has greatly improved.
That was back in the heyday of the Obama administration and the panic buying in the US, Ruger's QC went to hell around then. Thankfully it has greatly improved.
If you had so many malfunctions - you should look first at the ammo you use.. the mini 14 is a VERY reliable gun..it’s a semi auto - ammo choice is the main factor to make it run well. Did you clean it and lube it before using it ?
I used PMC and Remington target. Both brass case
Years ago I had bought several Stainless 581 series Minis from Frontier firearms. They went for the rather low price of $650++. All the guns I received were extremely overgassed and would often cycle so fast that the bolt would come back while the casing was still obturated and would either pull the extractor over the rim or tear the rim right off. I would suggest inspecting your cases to see if something similar is happening.
I believe Brownells still sells an adjustable gas block for Mini-14s — it’s a worthy upgrade for any rifle. If you reload, it pretty much pays for itself with improved brass condition post-firing. The longer lock-up time during firing can only help accuracy IMHO.
I have tried the adjustable blocks twice over the years. I have found the useful range of settings to be pretty narrow despite all the choices and the retention system for the adjustment screw is not so great. I would have it changing on its own. Maybe they have gotten better...
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.
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.
