Brand new Mini 30 bolt stuck closed...help please

[Sbeduckman]

New guy here...first post.

Been pining for a tactical Mini-30, and picked one up today. I cleaned it up first and put the mag in it. The action had been cycled several times and felt fine. I decided to see how the trigger was and dry fired the weapon. Now the bolt is stuck closed, hammer down, safety off. This gun has never been shot, brand new out of the box. What's happened here? I can't get the trigger assembly out because the safety is off. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Leucoandro]

Might have put the guide rod in upside down?

I don't have my mini right here, so I can't be sure, but I think you can remove the trigger assembly with the safety off. Not sure about it not being cocked though.

Tried putting a block of wood on the action, then using a mallet to open the action?

I have not had that exact problem before. The closest that I have had was after the bolt stuck half way open after firing because I had installed an aftermarket recoil buffer that locked up the action when cycling.


Charlie

 

[Sbeduckman]

I didn't take it all down...just degreased and relubed. If there's anything in wrong, it came from Ruger that way. Can't take it down with the safety off. I can cock the hammer with a screwdriver, then get the safety back on, just haven't done it yet.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I could be wrong but I think the bolt is just stuck. Get out the rubber mallet or the heel of your boot and put some force to the cocking lever to open it. :D :D

 

[Sbeduckman]

I forced the hammer back with a screwdriver...everything is in order now. It is the hammer giving resistence, not the bolt. Still takes quite a bit of force to cycle after a dry fire. Maybe this rifle is just super tight, nothing a couple thousand rounds won't fix. Thanks guys. We will see when it gets fired.

 

[blume357]

Here's a suggestion for next time you buy a new gun, and I know it goes against how many feel here.... besides running a cleaning patch through the barrel to remove any excess grease... and possibly spraying some lube in the bolt, don't take the gun apart until after you shoot it..... this way you know how it works direct from the factory and if there is a problem.... it is for sure not yours.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Hammer??? :shock: :shock:

 

[parabellum]

Hammer??? :shock: :shock:

I'm not sure if you're joking, but it's part number 23:

http://www.midwayusa.com/General.mvc/Index/Schematics~ruger_mini_14

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Hammer??? :shock: :shock:

I'm not sure if you're joking, but it's part number 23:

http://www.midwayusa.com/General.mvc/Index/Schematics~ruger_mini_14

Once again, and I've done it often, I show my ignorance about something. I didn't know there was an internal hammer that could be cocked with a screwdriver. :roll: :oops: :oops:

 

[Bob G]

That action should be butter smooth. I would box it up and send it back to Ruger. I'm sure you'll get it back in tip top shape. Ruger has the best customer service that I have ever encountered. They can't just churn them out; they gotta make them good. A brand new firearm shouldn't need to be screw-drivered.

 

[Architorture23]

Mine would stick closed after being cleaned, lubed, and put up for a long time. Rubber mallet did the trick and then I could cycle the action a bunch and it would loosen right up. I was most likely over-lubing or might have been using a lube that had a tendency to gum up over time.

 

[TnTnTn]

The mini 14 and 30 stick closed after setting for awhile because the operating rod sticks on the male gas port-fouling and corrosion happens it seems even with a decent cleaning. A bump on the op rod frees it up and then it will run fine until the next time it sets in the safe for awhile. At least that has been my experience with a couple of them. TTT

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The mini 14 and 30 stick closed after setting for awhile because the operating rod sticks on the male gas port-fouling and corrosion happens it seems even with a decent cleaning. A bump on the op rod frees it up and then it will run fine until the next time it sets in the safe for awhile. At least that has been my experience with a couple of them. TTT

Ding, Ding, Ding!!! I think we have a winner here. That makes more sense than the bolt sticking. :D :D

 

[blume357]

The Original Post:

New guy here...first post.

Been pining for a tactical Mini-30, and picked one up today. I cleaned it up first and put the mag in it. The action had been cycled several times and felt fine. I decided to see how the trigger was and dry fired the weapon. Now the bolt is stuck closed, hammer down, safety off. This gun has never been shot, brand new out of the box. What's happened here? I can't get the trigger assembly out because the safety is off. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

The stuck op rod problem is after the gun is fired, usually a lot and with cheap commie ammo..and yes, the way you correct it is to give it the 'AK Kick' but that does not sound like the problem here.... As I understand it, this is a new from the factory mini-30 that some how the hammer is jamming the works.... don't sound right to me.

 

[tookalisten]

The mini 14 and 30 stick closed after setting for awhile because the operating rod sticks on the male gas port-fouling and corrosion happens it seems even with a decent cleaning. A bump on the op rod frees it up and then it will run fine until the next time it sets in the safe for awhile. At least that has been my experience with a couple of them. TTT

I have had my MIni-14 do same after sitting in safe for a while. A bump will free it up.

 

[blume357]

Did any of you folks who keep suggesting a stuck op rod actually read the original post or followups from the guy?