Prematurely Opening

[dusty_dragon]

i run 2 blue WC 1911 buffers (not sanded, full thickness, in my mini 14 ranch rifle. everything works fine, no cycling probs, eeding issues etc.
but one thought came to my mind, hoe you can help me with that:

the rearward movement of the slide assembly (due to the added thickness of the WC buffer on the gas pipe) is a little less than without the buffer, so will the bolt unlock prematurely and is this dangerous?

the bolt locks completly into place and the slide assy has play, before rotating the bolt. but less play than before (due to the buffer).

i read that hundreds of users have 2 WC 1911 buffers installed in their minis, so i guess prematurely unlocking / opening of the bolt is no problem, but what would you say?

 

[pisgah]

My opinion -- neither the 1911 nor the Mini 14 was designed to have a recoil buffer. Adding one (or two) is more likely to create a problem than to solve one. I won't do it.

 

[gfw1985]

Always willing to learn. What is the purpose of this modification?

 

[dusty_dragon]

just my thoughts:
I'll try to minimize momentum/force and doing so add some extra month/years of rifle-servicetime

don't know if i'm right, just read a lot in the forums and tried it myself.

 

[hammie]

@Mr. Dragon: Like you, I have considered buffers. Since my brass gets ejected about 30 feet away, I do wonder if there is battering from the robust operating rod velocity. However, if I were using buffers, I would put one in the back and not around the gas tube in front. A buffer in front holds the operating rod slightly out of battery, and I would have the same worries that you have.

The best solution, (but pricey), would be to install an adjustable gas block. Brownells sells them for 150 $. A cheaper solution would be to install a gas tube with a smaller port, but I've never been able to find a source for those. Maybe some one here will know.

On the other hand, as others suggest, this may be a solution in search of a problem. I've been shooting mine, "as is", for quite a few years now, and it seems to be holding up fine. As for dented brass being thrown into the next township, .223 brass is cheap and easy to get. I have two 5 gallon buckets of once fired military, in my garage. I won't live long enough to use it all up.

 

[gfw1985]

I may be wrong or just lucky, but I have never worn out a gun due to use. On a rare occasion, "maybe" a broken part. With proper maintenace I can't see wearing one out in a persons lifetime. Modifying for accuracy etc, I can understand. Born in 1949, I have two rifles that are a good bit older than I am that still work perfectly. But as I said, not too old to learn. Have learned to live with my Mini-14 chunking brass like crazy.

 

[mattsbox99]

I agree with Pisgah.

There are a few options available. You can get a gas bushing from Accuracy Systems ($15) or either of their adjustable gas blocks. I recommend the bushings if you're not shooting suppressed.

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php

 

[dusty_dragon]

the bolt is locked, that's right, but the time to unlock it is a little bit shorter, 'cause the slide assembly has a little bit less way to move backwards to unlock/open the bolt, that's my worry, not the locking in general, but the time period of locking after firing.

thanks hammie, seems we have wondered 'bout the same questions.

@gfw1985.
you are right, for sure, just wanted to do something good for my mini-baby :wink:

 

[hammie]

@mattsbox: I really appreciate the link to accuracy systems. I've been looking for a source like that, but so far no one had the answer until your post. A lot of custom parts and accessories and the prices were reasonable.

 

[mattsbox99]

I've had them do some work and they are the best Mini Mechanics out there.

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

Pretty much guarantee that there will not be a moment in your life at which you say "Man, I really wish I had installed buffers in my Mini."

 

[Leucoandro]

Several years ago I delt with ASI. They assured me that the mini 14 gas tube kit that they sell would be a drop in fit for my mini 30 and that it would function perfectly. What they left out is that although the part would drop in, it would take a drill to remove if I ever wanted it out. This is because their part is a perfect for the old mini 14 but too long for anything else. This includes the tapered barreled mini 14. They also forgot to mention that the hole sizes in their gas tubes were unfavorable for reliable operation of the lower pressure mini 30. I still have the kit that I bought from ASI, never installed. I ended up going with Gun Doc at great west gunsmithing. The fellow is extremely knowledgeable of the mini platform. I would deal with him for any gas tube needs. I got my mini 30 gas tube kit from him, and I plan to send my mini 14 to him after I break it in for a fas tube and trigger job.

I am not over confident in ASI anymore.


Charlie