Mini 14 problem.

[azsawdust]

I have owned Mini 14 for 2 years and reload my ammo. I have fired approx. 600 factory loads both 223 and 5.56 M855. I have fired approx. 2000 reloads. 55 to 77 grn FMJ, HP, BT, SP,and V-Max. Use CCI400 primers. Using 23 grn8208/AA2520, 24 grn ARCOMP powders for all 55 grn bullits. Recently took Son and 2 Grandaughters to the range and they got into competition, spend most money shooting :? , with young boys in next bench. Girls won, boys using 20 round clip girls using 30 round. We fired 367 shells with 1 target reset in between.When i went to shoot after 2nd target reset it would not fire. Firing pin barely dented the primer. Tried other reloads and factory loads, same problem. Prior rounds indicate good deep round in the center dent. Anyone else have this problem.

 

[Backlighting]

I dumped my mini 14 for other problems. Now I shoot the real deal....Springfield M1A.

 

[Jim Puke]

Not saying that this is the problem, but the mini's are known for breaking firing pins, although I think the mini 30 is the bigger culprit.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I'm no expert but I would try spraying some cleaner and then light oil in the firing pin channel. Might be gunk build-up.

 

[DGW1949]

All the nay sayers aside, if Ruger's Mini is anything, it is reliable.
That said though.....If you've fired close to 2,500 rds through that thing and haven't disassembled the bolt group to clean everything yet, you need to. Letting crud build up in there can/will lead to FTF problems. I've also heard more than one gunsmith say that a cruddy firing pin channel can also be a factor in broken firing pins.
Once you get the bolt group cleaned properly, and assuming that you didn't find anything wrong with it's mechanics, you might try flushing out the trigger group real good and dropping a bit of oil onto all of it's pivit points.

Somewhere in amoungst all of that, you'll have either fixed your problem, or been able to positively identify it.

DGW

 

[Voyager28]

I agree with DGW1949, what you most like have is a crud build up in the firing pin channel of the bolt assembly. Remove the bolt, take it apart and give it a good cleaning and lube and you "should" be good to go.

If, by chance, you do have a broken firing pin, getting and installing a new one is very easy. My recommendation would be, while you're at it, get a reduced size Gas Port Bushing and install that as well. My firm opinion is that most of the broken firing pins are caused by the excessive force with which the bolt is slammed to the rear when ejecting and reloading. Mini-14's are notoriously over gassed. (Ever notice how far the spent brass is sent flying) Also, a recoil buffer is not a bad idea. This will keep the bolt from coming into contact with the rear of the receiver. (Both of these changes can be done for less than $40)

I made both of these changes to my Mini Rancher (.045 bushing) and the difference is incredible. Lots less banging, slamming, vibration and harmonics as well as MUCH better accuracy.

Bob

 

[Crossroads Shooter]

The earlier poster about the firing pins.... IF you used wolf or tula or other AK type manufacturer ammo (I know it shoots 223) then you may have bent or broken the FP. The primers in the ammo made by these companies is MUCH harder to prevent slam fire in SKS's and AK's. Same primer different round. pull the FP and compare to a new one. STOP using crappy ammo!!!!

 

[Rabon]

The earlier poster about the firing pins.... IF you used wolf or tula or other AK type manufacturer ammo (I know it shoots 223) then you may have bent or broken the FP. The primers in the ammo made by these companies is MUCH harder to prevent slam fire in SKS's and AK's. Same primer different round. pull the FP and compare to a new one. STOP using crappy ammo!!!!

If your gun won't fire com bloc ammo you don't have crappy ammo, you have a crappy gun. Fix the gun.

 

[DGW1949]

......

..........If your gun won't fire com bloc ammo you don't have crappy ammo, you have a crappy gun. Fix the gun.

That is a matter of opinion.
Personaly, I've never understood why someone would pay-out what it cost to buy a Mini these days, and in spite of what the manual which came with it say's, load it with the cheapest, foreign-made, steel cased ammo that they can find......and then blame the rifle when it don't perform like they think it shoud. :lol: .

Just sayin'.

DGW

 

[blume357]

......

..........If your gun won't fire com bloc ammo you don't have crappy ammo, you have a crappy gun. Fix the gun.

That is a matter of opinion.
Personaly, I've never understood why someone would pay-out what it cost to buy a Mini these days, and in spite of what the manual which came with it say's, load it with the cheapest, foreign-made, steel cased ammo that they can find......and then blame the rifle when it don't perform like they think it shoud. :lol: .

Just sayin'.

DGW

Absolutely, I agree 100%