Loading Full Mag into Mini 14

[kbm6893]

The manual says to lock the bolt to the rear first. Why can't you put a full mag into a mini with the bolt forward?

 

[tookalisten]

I don't have your answer; but I sure am glad you asked because I have often wondered the same.

 

[kwg020]

Because you are pushing the bullets up against the bottom of the bolt. If the magazine is full, there is no room for the bullets to push down into the magazine. Even if the magazine is not full, you will be pushing against the magazine spring. I like my bolt open when I push in a magazine and I let the bolt slam forward to lock in the new round. Just make sure your finger is out of the trigger guard or the saftey is engaged. Preferably both. kwg

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Because you are pushing the bullets up against the bottom of the bolt. kwg

Isn't the next one pushing up against the bolt? And isn't there a little play even when the mag is full? I don't have a Mini-14 but on my Deerfield I like to load the mag on a closed bolt and "rack" it when I am ready to shoot.

...Jimbo

 

[kwg020]

I have virtually no "play" in the magazines I own when full to the top. Even when I was carrying an M4 I only loaded 28 in a 30 round mag as it was too tight a fit, so Ruger is not the only weapons system with this issue. I understand the reaon why you want to insert a magazine and not put one in the chamber. The reality is it may not work unless you take a round or two out. kwg

 

[kbm6893]

It can be done, because I did it, but you do you to slap the mag in forcefully. I will probably not do it anymore. And it does the same thing when I load my AR's with full mags. Not my pistols, though.

 

[blume357]

Probably because loading a new mag in the mini is a little bit of a pain in that you have to get the front of the mag to go over that little pin on the front and in the hole... by tipping the base of the mag forward and then backwards... a lot easier when you can look down into the mag well from the top.

I've never been able to just 'slap' a mag in like on an AR.

 

[Plinker MKII]

Mags were never designed to be slapped in, it will damage the feed lips. Use just enough presure to seat the mag in place, so you can either hear it click or feel it lock in place.

 

[mattsbox99]

I shoot my Mini in 3 gun stuff, which tends to require speedy reloads. Its easier for me to get mags into the mini than an AR. Its a bit forceful but it can be done.

 

[Pinecone]

Plinker MKII has the right "technique"! I recommend this method completely. I have been loading full magazines, 5, 10, & 20's in Mini's for a long time without problems. Isn't it "great" how things work out well when "we" follow the proper instructions. Don't expect guns that were engineered differently to have the "same" operating instructions!......................Dick :wink:

 

[blume357]

Well, I stand corrected. Seems I've been trying to baby my mags into the mini-14. Or maybe I'm just remembering my after market mags. I put 20 rounds in a factory mag and tried it both ways, with the bolt open and closed. If you jam the mag in with meaning at the right angle (not that difficult) and then pull slightly back the mag latches in perfectly.

there is still a slight play in the spring even with the mag fully loaded.

I still think installing a mag and especially dropping one is slightly easier in an AR. I spent the weekend loading and shooting 2 then dropping the mag and loading and shooting 8.