can't get the bolt back in mini 14

[jayp]

I'm gonna go shoot it tomorrow if can get it back together.

How do you get the bolt back in? I guess I got it out by luck. According to the instructions, you hold it at a 45 degree angle (from the top of the receiver, I assume) and "wiggle" it in place. It appears that the projection from the end of the firing pin fits in the notch in the receiver "bridge" but I can't rotate the bold far enough to get it in the notch. Any tricks? Ive been trying for literally an hour.

thanks

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Mine used to get in a bind there too...but I don't remember how I got it in, its been 7 years since I sold it...sorry.

 

[ARGarrison]

I've learned to pull the firing pin backwards in the bolt then it's just a matter of holding it right. Aim for the firing pin end, now pulled back, to go through the notch after that it all falls into place.

 

[Rshooter]

It is late and I have the Flu. You need to rock the bolt, it takes a little finesse. Yes it can be frustrating. Let me know if you are still having problems and I will break mine out tomorrow when I am feeling better. A quick note for new Mini owners, the mini is based on the Garand action. It works best when greased instead of oiled, I use shooters red grease.

 

[RNB65]

Don't worry, everyone who's ever owned a Mini-14 has had at least one experience of "how the hell do I get this damn thing back in!"

Keep trying, but don't force it. Angle it to the right, tilt it up, and rotate it just slightly. Once you discover the correct angle it will slide right it and you'll never have a problem with it again. Piece of cake. But the first time or two can be a challenge.

 

[jayp]

got it back together

Thanks to everyone who replied to my query. I appreciate your help.

My significant other, who likes guns as much as...Sarah Brady... got the bolt back in the gun after I showed her what I was trying to do. Now I know it is possible to get the bolt back in the gun!!!

Had a little futher difficulty in that the guide rod for the recoil spring kept slipping out of place when I re assembled the rifle- I had forgotten to put the "bucket" back which holds it in place.

I hope the Mini lives up to it's legendary ability to run when dirty, cuz I am really reluctant to take it apart again!!! (yes, I'll clean it, you gotta do what you gotta do.)

When it comes to ease of disassembly, my Bushmaster M4 wins hands down.

 

[1KPerDay]

Now take apart a Ruger Mark II and put it back together 10 times as penance.

 

[jayp]

Now take apart a Ruger Mark II and put it back together 10 times as penance.

Never had to do that. Why design a gun that is an absolute horror to disassemble? I guess we have the M1 (or M14) to blame for the Mini 14 design.

 

[dstark]

Don't worry, everyone who's ever owned a Mini-14 has had at least one experience of "how the hell do I get this damn thing back in!"

Now that's the truth, first time I did it I got so frustrated, the gun sat there in pieces for about a day before I was patient enough to try again. Once you do it a few times it's not too bad. Unfortunately it's a little hard to explain, maybe look around for someone who has one to show you.

 

[NC-Mike]

I sold my mini.

It was a Happy Day.

 

[Sans Authoritas]

When reinstalling the bolt, it helps to disassemble and remove the bolt stop assembly. Carefully. If that spring and plunger go flying, you will never find them again. They will disappear into the Shadowy Nethervoid of Lost Gunsprings. (That's bad.)

You'll get the knack of it soon enough: a way to tell you're on the right track is force: if you're trying to jam it in, you're trying to reinsert the bolt incorrectly.

-Sans Authoritas

 

[kcmarine]

Now take apart a Ruger Mark II and put it back together 10 times as penance.

NO. I HATED that. In fact, the monitor I'm looking at this website with has an 1/8 inch nick in it's screen because the bolt carrier of the pistol flew into it when I had to pry it out. That, and I had to send it to the gun shop so that it could be put back together.

Don't EVER... EVER... EVERRRRRRRRR disassemble one of those extensively. It SUCKS.

 

[Glock Holiday]

Quote:
Now take apart a Ruger Mark II and put it back together 10 times as penance.

I've been there. Got to hold it right to let the thing freefall in place.