Mini-14 extractor issue

[Galaxiedan]

Just picked this 183- vintage Mini-14 up from a local pawn shop for a decent price. Tore it down for a thorough cleaning/inspection and noticed this. Thoughts? Havent fired it yet. Tried to turn "plunger" to get it to set right but it doesnt want to turn. Extractor still moves.

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

Get a hold of John at Great West Gunsmithing and see what his take is on it..........
http://greatwestgunsmithing.com/

He's the only gentleman I trust with Mini 14's.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

I would put a small screwdriver into the space and attempt to move it back and forth to seat it into the correct slot.

Mini bolts are fun to get into once you understand how they work.

A narrow screwdriver should fit into that slot.

The spring loaded extractor spring pin should seat flush into the extractor slot.

Looks like it has been turned slightly counter clock wise.

 

[Galaxiedan]

My concern is that it looks like the spring pin wore into the extractor. I'm waiting for some free time to take it to the range to see if its a real problem. If not i'll probably just send it to Ruger. Maybe i'll get lucky and they will throw on the buttpad and rear sight i'm missing lol.

 

[Galaxiedan]

Due to the wear in the extractor the pin won't swivel enough to sit right.

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

It certainly looked to me as though your extractor plunger clocked somehow. You can definitely see that it has shaved steel and created a groove in the extractor, not allowing it to be in the position it's supposed to be.

One option would be to simply remove the extractor and dress that area. Get things nice and clean, especially in the plunger hole. Make sure there isn't a burr causing your plunger to clock like that.

You can get factory extractors at Midway...........
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/743047/ruger-extractor-ruger-mini-14-blue

Ruger might send you one if you tell them what's going on (extractor plunger is clocking and has shaved material from your extractor). I don't believe it is a factory fitted part.

If it were me, I'd simply dress things up and order a new plunger and extractor anyway. I'm certainly not a gunsmith and don't pretend to be. I like working on my own gear and it seems like a fairly easy fix to me.

 

[Galaxiedan]

so how does the extractor come out? Thanks

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Galaxiedan,

I have completed the Ruger LE Armor course twice but I can not talk you through it. It is not hard but in is a little intricate. To learn how to do it you will need someone right next to you walking you through it the first few times.

The current Ruger Bolt design has been modified from yours. The current Ruger bolts do not use ejector pin and spring and instead they modified the bolt lock plunger assembly.

When I send a Rifle back to Ruger for a repair beyond my ability that is of older design, they modify it to the never design.

May I suggest that you give them a call and see what they have to say. I expect that they will want the complete rifle, not just the bolt.

The ranges rifles that I work on are real rugged and can take a lot of rounds without issues.

You might want to mention the worn section of the bolt that is seen in your picture. That divot on the bolt that is seen in the picture. You might be able to get the repair completed based on that. I believe that those are caused by the bolt lock plunger for receiver web.

Anyway, give them a call or contact a local smith for extractor replacement if you think it is required.

Keep us posted on status.

Bill

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

I apologize. I assumed it disassembled like an M14 bolt (guess we know what that makes me ;) ).

 

[wxl]

Here's a link to Gundoc. He is great with Mini's and has great videos. He has a very good one on taking your bolt apart. Pretty simple once you see his video. He shows how to do the old and the new bolts.

http://greatwestgunsmithing.com/videos.htm

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Great video! Makes it look easy but he has done it a few times.

 

[Galaxiedan]

Wow, thanks for the video and all the comments. Mine is the older style and it definitely is stuck. I pried and pried with the same jewelers screwdriver shown in the video but the plunger wont go back far enough. I have it boxed and have a RMA number from Ruger. Looks like they will replace it with the newer style anyways that kicks the casing out the side instead of into the scope mount.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Very cool.

You will get a new Bolt Lock plunger assembly. It will be longer and it is what the case of the round hits to get it flying off to the right instead of up. This means brass will really fly and you might start to notice a ding in the body of the brass.

Will most likely be the same bolt but without the extractor pin. Might get a new bolt handle as well but not sure.

Will they provide you a detailed cost break down prior to the work?

Did you ask about the divot on the side of the bolt?

I hope the cost is low or better yet, FREE! 8)

Please keep us posted.

Bill