Mini-14 Series 180 Bolt Install

SAJohn · Oct 18, 2016

Having just cleaned and once again struggled to reinstalled the bolt in my old 180 prefix mini-14, I wondered if the newer Mini's are that difficult to reassemble.

I also noticed how simple it would be to modify the gun for fully automatic fire. I wonder if that had anything to do with the demise of 180 series and the total lack of support from Ruger.

DGW1949 · Oct 19, 2016

Simply put, the reason Ruger doesn't service your rifle is because almost nothing from the 180-series interchanges with the post-180 versions, and even less from the even-newer "Ranch Rifles" interchanges. In other words, they simply do not have the parts to fix your gun.
None of that has anything to do with "how simple it would be to modify the gun for fully automatic fire", which BTW, is not nearly as simple as it may first appear.
As for all of the changes which we've seen to the Mini's design goes, most of 'em have been done to reduce production cost.

As far as R&R-ing the bolt goes...I find it quite easy to do on the Ranch Models, provided that you remove the ejector Ass'y before beginning. That, and pay attention to where the tail of the firing pin has to fit though it's slot in the receiver bridge.
On the older guns, it's more of a "holding your mouth right" kind of thing. :lol: .

And just in passing;
Unlike the Stoner (AR) design, the Mini-14 does not "crap where it eats", so there's no real reason to make "removing the bolt" a part of your regular cleaning regimen. Yeah, it's good to brush off the bolt face and/or put a small drop of oil on the extractor-pivot ever so often, but hey, you can do both by working from the top of the "fully assembled" gun.

Hope this helped.

DGW

SAJohn · Oct 19, 2016

Thanks DGW, You are so right about that holding your mouth just right. I fiddle and fiddle with the bolt and all the sudden it just seems to drop into place on its' own accord.

John

Chuckfish · Oct 24, 2016

Yeah...I learned long time ago, if the bolt is in the rifle and working as it should...Leave it where it belongs! 1 or 2 shots of Ballistol and a quick brush followed by a another shot of oil and yer good to go.

As to modifying your rifle to full auto. IT'S ILLEGLE! DON'T DO IT unless you want to get into VERY DEEP YOGURT.

mohavesam · Oct 26, 2016

The 180-series bolts are impossible to find, so a bit of grease on the moving parts may ensure longevity. The flat bolt is robust, but more fragile than later design revs and one of the reasons the 181 revisions happened. I shoot mine with my own loads and have never had a problem, but have seen a few with broken bolts. I agree there is no point in going further than field-stripping per the manual for cleaning/lube.

The AC556 was based on the 180 design so yes, there is similarity .

SAJohn · Oct 27, 2016

Give me a break, I am not about to do a full auto modification nor say how it could be done.

I have also heard that the 180 series extractors can break and cannot be replaced.