Help with Ruger Mini 14 bolt problem.

[wallnerfe]

This is my first post on the RugerForums, and hopefully someone can give me some suggestions as to what the problem might be.

I have a new Mini 14 stainless steel model with maybe 250 rounds shot through it. Up to this point is has shot flawlessly. The other day, without any other signs, the bolt stopped feeding a cartridge. The bolt lock also stopped functioning so I could not lock the bolt open. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the the bolt would not go all the way back when I pulled the slide assembly back to feed a cartridge from the magazine. Since the bolt does not go back to its rearward position, it presses on the cartridge in the magazine, not allowing it to be stripped forward into the breech.

I looked behind the bolt the best I could for any obstructions that might be blocking the bolt from traveling back all the way, but could not see anything.

At this point I am at a loss other than taking it in to a gunsmith.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[cagedodger]

Are you able to disassemble the rifle? Consult the manual before tearing it apart.

Could be the hammer is being blocked or the recoil buffer came out of position somehow.

If it's new, I'd send it back to Ruger.

Cage 8)

 

[mattsbox99]

Its probably a lot easier to do a quick disassembly before resorting to send it back to the factory.

Clear the rifle and pop the trigger guard open and it pretty much self disassembles.

 

[blume357]

as mentioned, the first thing to do is break it down and check everything out....(clean and oil at the same time) there is a chance, actually a pretty good chance, that there is a piece of brass or steel from a bad / ruptured case jammed in there somewhere.

 

[wallnerfe]

Thanks for your replies. I took the rifle into Denny's Maps and Guns in Cody, Wyoming. Denny, the gunsmith, took 5 minutes to discover the problem.

The other night, right before the problem started, I was attaching a Ruger sling to my Mini 14. The sling came with Chicago screws. Rather than using screwdrivers to tighten the screws, I used two pennies. During the process I dropped one of the pennies. I thought it dropped on the carpet. Rather than looking for it, I just grabbed another one and finished tightening the screws. That missing penny somehow found its way into the slide mechanism of the rifle, causing my problem.

Geez, did I feel like an idiot. A good lesson learned. Despite your experience, and no matter how simple the operation, account for all tools, parts, and pennies!

Thanks again for all your suggestions.

 

[gatling]

Ah, a penny for your thoughts....that's certainly an unusual failure cause. Bet your gunsmith will be telling that story for awhile.

 

[Silent Sam]

A penny saved... Oh never mind. Good story though.

 

[BrentN]

Good one. I had a spent primer pop out and jam the bolt on an 03a3. I think the cartidge may have been older than the rifle.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Thank's for sharing that with us. I will be sure to watch my spare change when cleaning or working on my guns. :lol: :lol: :lol: :mrgreen:

...Jimbo

 

[blume357]

I hope you learned something from this.... Simply, that you might want to learn how to field strip your mini14.

 

[wunbe]

Ruger has excellent vieos on line for field stripping mini-14s and #1s. There may be more but I have those tucked away in favoirtes.

wunbe

 

[wallnerfe]

Yes blume.357, I did learn a valuable lesson. I'm already watching the videos and reading the manual on field stripping. It seems daunting looking over the rifle and watching the moving parts. However, once you begin the operation, it is much easier than you think. Thanks again.

 

[blume357]

Oh, and one Other suggestion...

A good set of screw drivers works better than things like penneys and such.

Just had to poke One more time

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Oh, and one Other suggestion...

A good set of screw drivers works better than things like penneys and such.

Just had to poke One more time

I don't know Blume357, it is hard to beat a Quarter for tightening those Ruger Rings onto a reciever. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[Hugh]

Hi wallnerfe,

Welcome to the Ruger Forum. Thanks for the reminder to keep track of all tools; including loose change. :wink: Confession is good for the soul, and sometimes entertaining for others.

Many of us have experience with the Mini-14/30 action and field stripping; going back through the M14 and M1 Garand. Once you've done it a time or two I believe you'll agree that it's pretty basic, and accomplished quickly.

 

[cagedodger]

Next time, use a screwdriver.

I'll bet nobody has dropped a screwdriver into their rifle's innards without noticing it.

Cage 8)