[Aneon77]

I bought a brand new ruger mini 14 a while back and wanted to take it out in the next couple days to sight it in and have some fun... I'm new to owning a rifle so I have no idea what happened but for some reason the extractor spring slipped and shoved the extractor closed... hence the bolt opening is now to small for the back end of the round and the firing pin can't reach the primer nor does the round extract right when I pull back the bolt. Adding to that, the bolt sounds funny and is harder to move when I pull it back or lock it in place.

Can anyone tell me how or if I can fix it by myself?!?! I would send it in to ruger but it seems like they take ages to return the rifle and I just wanted to know if I can fix it myself....
Maybe I'm just stupid and I messed something up while cleaning it... please help!

 

[cpttango30]

I don't know much about the mini-14 other than they are very inaccurate. It sounds to me like there is more wrong in that bolt than just the extractor. I would head to the nearest gunsmith.

 

[dunerunner]

How new is your Ruger mini 14? Still under warranty?

 

[Aneon77]

Well I just bought it about a week ago so there must still be warranty on it... I also noticed today that the bolt is extremely hard to take out, possibly because of the faulty extractor.
It worked fine though until I cleaned it, so I guessed that it might have been something I did; I never dropped it or banged it somewhere, that's why I'm so confused

 

[JiroZero713]

I don't know much about the mini-14 other than they are very inaccurate. It sounds to me like there is more wrong in that bolt than just the extractor. I would head to the nearest gunsmith.

That's under speculation.

It's a pretty cheap form of .223 and it's a good little rifle in it's own right.

I'm tempted to get this 186 model for 430 and just pay the money to accurize it and it would be cheaper on my end.

 

[Dillinger]

That's under speculation.

No it's not- it's been proven time and again by a lot of people who know the difference. The Mini-14 will NOT give you the performance of an AR or of a true M-14. It's honestly a case closed situation from an accuracy standpoint.

If you want something cheaper, then be prepared to accept less than top shelf performance. There is nothing wrong with that, but just don't kid yourself into thinking you are getting a Ferrari on a Pinto Payment Plan.

JD

 

[JiroZero713]

Ok 25-50 Yards. How does it perform?

 

[Dillinger]

Ok 25-50 Yards. How does it perform?

"Minute of Bad Guy" all day long and you will never have to worry about the weapon being the problem you missed a shot.

200 yards, which is more than capable for a .223 - you may as well be launching the bullet out of a blow gun or a sling shot.

They can be made to be accurate, but the problem is three fold. 1) a pencil thin barrel. 2) A gas system mount that is light years behind the times. 3) It's op-rod driven, which affects accuracy in many ways, but is more pronounced on a weapon like this that is so light in the front end and not designed around the op-rod principle....

You want a Mini-14? Great. Get one. But don't expect to be posting 2 MOA groups with it, which is a shame since 2 MOA is pretty shoddy for a stock hunting rifle to be honest.

The thing will run all the time for you though, and it will perform hot, cold, raining, snowing, windy or even wet & dirty.... It just won't group extremely well at distance...

 

[JiroZero713]

But that's the thing. The Mini-14 was not designed to be an accurate rifle. It's the US AK in terms.

A Mini-14 being cheaper and effective at the main bad guy range makes it a winner of a weapon and a cheap solution also and more reliable, not as reliable as an AK though I will say.

I'm thinking about getting that one. I mean 430 compared to 800 bucks for a DPMS that shoots the same round? Hell yes. And I mean I could get a I found a nice little Mini-14 Ruger 186 model I think.

Since an AR is out of my price range for right now, I'd like to have some kind of .223 if 7.62 x 39 mm rounds dry up for my sks.


Is it worthwhile to accurize it? I mean It's only going to be a SHTF weapon. I could give a **** less if it could get a target at 100 Yards since on average confrontations occur from the 25-50 yard way.

I'm thinking about buying a Tapco Stock for it if I buy it an the accustrut thing building it up as I go.

I'm also looking for an AK but the thing is, if I do it from my gun store locally where they have this thing I can put 1/3rd down on layaway and pay payments on it every week or so....like 50 bucks each pay check.

So you figure probably in about 2 months I'll have the gun out the door.

Thing is....I'm trying to think.....I might want to wait and just save all my money and just buy an AK in 2 months if they aren't gone by then I mean.


I might go the AK route and just buy a stripped lower for an AR just so I have a .223 'gun' before a supposed ban if there is one.


I don't know...tough decision.

I don't doubt the AR is the better weapon, but an AR you have to keep good upkeep on the thing ALOT more than other rifles, of course putting an O ring on decreases that severely.

Now the Mini-30 I hear does pretty much better than the 14 though.

 

[Dillinger]

^ Ah, some of that is just hype about the black rifle and all it's "flaws". I have been that same sh!t for years, and even believed it for awhile, until I started working in a gun shop. I wouldn't read too much into it unless you personally own one and have had problems.

No question, if price is a concern, the Mini is a cheaper and better alternative for you. But personally, I would steer you towards an SKS instead. The price is comparable, the round is heavier and the weapon will run in worse conditions just because of the way it was built. It's a hell of a lot easier to clean and take care of, but it's not US made, which is a big deal to someone.

As for SHTF - if you want to let someone pose a problem to you at 25-50 yards, that is your choice. I think that most members here would agree that 50 yards is TOO CLOSE in those types of situations.

If the Space Zombies start walking the Earth, my new 7 Mike-Mike is going to be sitting them down 300 & 400 yards from the property.

As long as you know what you are getting, I say go for it. Just don't expect the Mini-14 to shoot the same as your buddies AR or your other buddies M14. They just aren't the same rifle.

 

[JiroZero713]

^ Ah, some of that is just hype about the black rifle and all it's "flaws". I have been that same sh!t for years, and even believed it for awhile, until I started working in a gun shop. I wouldn't read too much into it unless you personally own one and have had problems.

Well it's still a great rifle hands down....I would chose an AR over a Mini any day...but it being cheap makes it much more well cheaper and less damaging on the wallet....hell right now because of the gun scare...they won't let me put an AR on Layaway....the mini they will.

Anyway....I like the AR but I really REALLY want this....trouble is that it could be banned soon....BAH

No question, if price is a concern, the Mini is a cheaper and better alternative for you. But personally, I would steer you towards an SKS instead.

As for SHTF - if you want to let someone pose a problem to you at 25-50 yards, that is your choice. I think that most members here would agree that 50 yards is TOO CLOSE in those types of situations.

Most SHTF situations will be that close in my eviroment since it's a southern city/suburb....not any big open space areas that often because of development...for cities same concept.

As long as you know what you are getting, I say go for it. Just don't expect the Mini-14 to shoot the same as your buddies AR or your other buddies M14. They just aren't the same rifle.

Never said they were but the mini is still a good rifle, after all the mods though I'd be spending the same as the AK I would probably want.....but in 2 months...will they be overpriced? Is the mind set I am thinking right now.

 

[Aneon77]

Guys I've shot the mini 14, the AR and the AK; If you want max accuracy and your money is burning a hole in your pocket get an AR, they are by far the most accurate of the three but cost sh!tloads; the mini won't compare at the same distances. If you're deciding between the AK and the mini and the factor is, again, accuracy; get the mini... from my experience the AK holds sh*t towards the mini in terms of acc.
Oh and thanks for all your posts, I resolved the problem now though; I suppose the extractor plunger was stuck, because once I let the bolt fly the extractor slipped over the cartrige again.

Can anyone tell me though if it is normal for the extractor plunger to have an amount of brown residue on it?, I can't tell if its really rust or a special lubricant.

SKS's are sweet; the yugos are pretty much the ugliest rifle ever created , but they are definitly reliable. <--- this is all based on knowledge I've recieved from friends and other forums so please don't hold me accountable if its a load of crap
Another plus is that they're cheap... definitly alot of bang for your buck.

 

[M14sRock]

Guys I've shot the mini 14, the AR and the AK; If you want max accuracy and your money is burning a hole in your pocket get an AR, they are by far the most accurate of the three but cost sh!tloads; the mini won't compare at the same distances. If you're deciding between the AK and the mini and the factor is, again, accuracy; get the mini... from my experience the AK holds sh*t towards the mini in terms of acc.
Oh and thanks for all your posts, I resolved the problem now though; I suppose the extractor plunger was stuck, because once I let the bolt fly the extractor slipped over the cartrige again.

Can anyone tell me though if it is normal for the extractor plunger to have an amount of brown residue on it?, I can't tell if its really rust or a special lubricant.

SKS's are sweet; the yugos are pretty much the ugliest rifle ever created , but they are definitly reliable. <--- this is all based on knowledge I've recieved from friends and other forums so please don't hold me accountable if its a load of crap
Another plus is that they're cheap... definitly alot of bang for your buck.

OK, I'm gonna step in it again here.

First off, the brown crud is dried grease/preservative. Use some Kroil (let it soak on), followed by some gunscrubber and you will free it up, most likely.

Secondly, the older Mini14's were famous for crappy accuracy, even though I have a 181 series that came to me well used and still prints 3" at 100. Good enough.

Third, the new Mini14's were completely retooled and have heavier, better barrels. They are great shooters. I have one that shoots under 2" at 100, but a friend has one that will do an inch. He recently showed up at a 3 gun police match, and broke out his Mini14. Got some pretty harsh comments about his "crappy carbine", until he showed everyone what a good shooter with a Mini14 can do. Then they all wanted one. Not bad for a 5.5lb carbine.

Fourth, back in the late 80's I had the good fortune to be allowed to go through 53 boxes and hand pick a Steyr AUG. I picked out the three that had the best test targets, and chose the one with the best trigger. It was awesome. From the bench it shot sub MOA all day. But I got a deal on a bunch of old Belgian 5.56 ammo (crates were marked SS92). It looked great, but I had many, many failures to chamber in the AUG. The ammo was in spec, but the tight, match chamber of the AUG would not take it reliably. But my beat to snot Mini14 gobbled it up with aplomb. So I sold the AUG to Dave's Guns in Denver, kept the Mini14, and never looked back.

If a Mini14 will let me hit a paper plate at 300yds, it is a keeper. Most will do that.

My new stainless Mini14 has an Aimpoint Comp ML3 (2MOA) mounted in a single Ruger 30mm ring. It weighs about 6lbs, and it rocks.

But the SKS is still probably the best "bang for the buck" in a semi auto carbine. And I know one guy who can run his SKS using 10rd stripper clips better than just about anyone with any other carbine and a stack of 30rd mags. But I've seen a few of the Yugos with out of spec bolts (hogged out firing pin holes) that were not reliable. look at the FP holes closely when buying one.

 

[Txhillbilly]

It is true a Mini 14 isn't as accurate as a AR 15 or an SKS but they are still a fun little gun to shoot. As long as you don't rapid fire the Mini 14, it has decent accuracy and I have shot several coyotes on the run at 75-100 yrds over the years. Once that little barrel heats up,you can forget about hitting small targets at any range,but larger animals/targets can still be hit and killed with it at decent ranges. I have a 180 series from 1976 and it has always been a good weapon to use out on the ranch to kill coyotes,and I still shoot it regularly along with my AR's and Saiga.

 

[JiroZero713]

See ya they do get heated up but I'm thinking about doing what the guy did in his video.

All of this.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7rPn-a9QAY[/ame]

His showing off of it.

Him shooting 20 Round at a 75 yard target

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83DyodEg2OM[/ame]

The Target

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CANoHgBx3Xg[/ame]

 

[Laufer]

For Mini questions, you might also register at THE Mini website:
"Perfectunion.com". They also have a few misc. forums for the SKS etc.

They have a full page filled with comments on the eternal (often quite elusive) search for reliable Mini 30 aftermarket mags (i.e. Promag blued 10-rounders), and those for the 14.

Some of those folks are so familiar that maybe they 'sleep with' their Minis, the way many on SKSboards seem to 'schlafen mit' their SKS rifles.
And I see nothing wrong with that, or with a MN 44 (if the bayonet is folded). A buddy (Mario) from East Germany said that his father wanted to sleep with his Mauser K 98 after his first introduction to it.

 

[sgtdeath66]

Ok 25-50 Yards. How does it perform?

the way it sounds, it doesnt perform

 

[sgtdeath66]

Guys I've shot the mini 14, the AR and the AK; If you want max accuracy and your money is burning a hole in your pocket get an AR, they are by far the most accurate of the three but cost sh!tloads; the mini won't compare at the same distances. If you're deciding between the AK and the mini and the factor is, again, accuracy; get the mini... from my experience the AK holds sh*t towards the mini in terms of acc.
Oh and thanks for all your posts, I resolved the problem now though; I suppose the extractor plunger was stuck, because once I let the bolt fly the extractor slipped over the cartrige again.

Can anyone tell me though if it is normal for the extractor plunger to have an amount of brown residue on it?, I can't tell if its really rust or a special lubricant.

SKS's are sweet; the yugos are pretty much the ugliest rifle ever created , but they are definitly reliable. <--- this is all based on knowledge I've recieved from friends and other forums so please don't hold me accountable if its a load of crap
Another plus is that they're cheap... definitly alot of bang for your buck.

glock uses a dry lube which is a rust color, so they might of put to much on.
however u should always clean your gun before firing. store bought or not

 

[sgtdeath66]

Guys I've shot the mini 14, the AR and the AK; If you want max accuracy and your money is burning a hole in your pocket get an AR, they are by far the most accurate of the three but cost sh!tloads; the mini won't compare at the same distances. If you're deciding between the AK and the mini and the factor is, again, accuracy; get the mini... from my experience the AK holds sh*t towards the mini in terms of acc.
Oh and thanks for all your posts, I resolved the problem now though; I suppose the extractor plunger was stuck, because once I let the bolt fly the extractor slipped over the cartrige again.

Can anyone tell me though if it is normal for the extractor plunger to have an amount of brown residue on it?, I can't tell if its really rust or a special lubricant.

SKS's are sweet; the yugos are pretty much the ugliest rifle ever created , but they are definitly reliable. <--- this is all based on knowledge I've recieved from friends and other forums so please don't hold me accountable if its a load of crap
Another plus is that they're cheap... definitly alot of bang for your buck.

if yopur going for most bang for your buck go with the ak. you can put them through the worst and still perform, maybe that is why most of our enemies use them

 

[JiroZero713]

It performs good enough for me to own one at least some day at least, unless I'm so happy with my hopefully mine in the future Bushmaster ACR.