Cleaning the gas chamber on a Mini-14. Help.

[stchman]

Hello all.

I recently purchased a Mini-14 (love it).

Cleanup is pretty easy except the gas chamber is a PITA.

My biggest thing is that I can clean around the nozzle with a good stiff brush. How does one clean inside the gas chamber? I was thinking of a thin nylon flexible brush to stick up in there. I squirt some Hoppe's 9 and flow some brake cleaner. I can then see the cleaner coming out of the barrel. is this good enough?


Ruger does not recommend that the end user take the gas chamber apart.

Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

Don't worry about it.

I have one made in 1970 that has never been apart.

Could be, Ruger knows what it is talking about?

BTW: Any oil you leave in there will just burn off & turn to hard carbon fouling.

rc

 

[stchman]

Also I clean the barrel the same way as I clean my .22 rifle.

I use the same brush as well. Some folks have said to go into the barrel from the breach side instead of the muzzle side. Ruger does not specify either in their manual.

 

[1KPerDay]

How does one clean inside the gas chamber?

One doesn't.

Wipe off the residue in the stock trough if you like, or don't. The gun won't care.

Some folks have said to go into the barrel from the breach side instead of the muzzle side

cleaning from the muzzle can eventually wear the rifling around the crown, particularly if you use a sectioned cleaning rod or don't use a bore guide.

However, cleaning from the breech end means using a 'pull through' patch or brush holder. Either way is fine, IMO. Using the 22 sized brush is correct; however you may want to get a chamber brush at some point. I don't have one but if you shoot a lot of crappy/dirty ammo you may want to get one.

 

[stchman]

Where does one get a chamber brush?

 

[1KPerDay]

here are a couple...
http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/Default.aspx#.223 chamber brush____-_1-2-4_8-16-32
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/ar2chbr.html


don't think you'll be able to fit the dewey handle in your mini, though.


Ideally you want the M14/garand style that you can turn with a wrench or cleaning rod section. dunno if anyone makes one. I'm sure the AR-15 guys will be along shortly to help.

or you might search AR15.com or something.

I don't worry about it myself.

 

[AgentAdam]

I think 9mm/.380/.38/.357 brushes work pretty well on .223 chambers.

 

[rcmodel]

Chambermaid.
Getsum!

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduc...ce=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=10612

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=397733

rc

 

[stchman]

The little tiny hole in the gas chamber leading from the barrel?

 

[dfariswheel]

The little tiny hole in the gas chamber leading from the barrel?

Is self cleaning.
The extreme heat and high pressure of the super-heated gas burns out/blows out any fouling.

 

[1KPerDay]

Ah... chamber brush meaning the chamber at the rear of the barrel. Not the gas port.

Also not to be confused with chamber maid or chamberpot.

 

[stchman]

So the gas port is self cleaning?

 

[FROGO207]

I shot one barrel out of one of my mini 14s (1975 mfg) and don't recall ever cleaning the gas port as a special operation. Just cleaned it as you would any other long gun. BTW I use carb cleaner not brake cleaner it removes more carbon and degreases better also. Just make sure there are no plastic parts or varnish as they will be etched or melted!

 

[stchman]

I only use brake cleaner on my Mini-14 after it is all taken apart and only on the metal parts.

So carb cleaner does a better job than brake cleaner? Thanks.

 

[1KPerDay]

So the gas port is self cleaning?

Is this thing on? tap tap

The little tiny hole in the gas chamber leading from the barrel?

Is self cleaning.
The extreme heat and high pressure of the super-heated gas burns out/blows out any fouling.

 

[A-FIXER]

Just use a bore snake for most range shooting , do get a good amonina bore cleaner or windex glass cleaner with amonia (copper cleaner) soaked bore snake then use a different snake to finish it off saving any wear to the crown

 

[Badger Arms]

Points I think the OP is in need of understanding:

1) the Gas System of a Mini-14 is fairly maintenance free
2) the gas piston (the part attached to the gas block or the Male End) is self-cleaning
3) If you clean it with BRAKE CLEANER, you are doing more damage than good.
4) Just wipe down the outside of the bolt carrier/slide, the barrel, the metal shield on the stock. Don't mess with that other stuff at all. Leave it black, let it do it's job.

Could be, Ruger knows what it is talking about?

Bill Ruger is dead and he didn't design the Mini-14. It was designed by Jim Sullivan, the same guy that designed the AR-15. Yeah, look it up. Same guy also designed the M77, the Ultimax 100, the Beta C-Mag, and Sliced bread. Jim's still Alive and Kicking!

 

[Maverick223]

It was designed by Jim Sullivan, the same guy that designed the AR-15

Am I missing something? Me thinks he HELPED Eugene Stoner design the AR-15...you can't credit him with the design.

 

[Badger Arms]

Gene Stoner designed the AR-10 with the help of GEORGE Sullivan and using a combinations of patentented features by Stoner (Gas system and Magazine -- the two most-criticized aspects of the gun), GEORGE Sullivan (Receiver, barrel extension, Composite barrel, and Stock), and Mel Johnson (Bolt, in-Line design, Buffer in Stock, and Sights). JIM Sullivan (Leroy James Sullivan to be exact) came along and designed the AR-15 by scaling down the AR-10. Stoner headed the design team, but was focused on selling the AR-10 while his engineers did the actual redesign work.

So, yeah, you might have missed something but it's okay. History missed it too. See my previous two rants about Stoner and Kalashnikov that quickly deteriorated into, "STONER IS GOD" and "B.A. is a HERETIC!" virtual lynchings.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=452098

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=42636

 

[Maverick223]

So, yeah, you might have missed something but it's okay. History missed it too.

I see, didn't realize that...he still has to be blamed for the overall design though. Although he did redeem himself with the AR-18.

 

[Badger Arms]

I see, didn't realize that...he still has to be blamed for the overall design though. Although he did redeem himself with the AR-18.

Credit where credit is due, he's also responsible for the Stoner 62/63. In my opinion, the best WESTERN designed assault rifles right up until the G36. Give me some time on the SCAR. Would still like to see a sub $1500 version with a fixed barrel.

 

[Maverick223]

the Stoner 62/63. In my opinion, the best WESTERN designed assault rifles right up until the G36.

I haven't any experience with the '63...but from all accounts it was the Cadillac of LMGs.

 

[FlyinBryan]

So, yeah, you might have missed something but it's okay. History missed it too. See my previous two rants about Stoner and Kalashnikov that quickly deteriorated into, "STONER IS GOD" and "B.A. is a HERETIC!" virtual lynchings.

this is not the case for everyone who participated in that stoner thread.

i started to throw a kuh-nip-shun-fit like everyone else, but became very interested in the facts after the first 5 minutes of research i did. it was very educational for me, seeing the johnson, which was basically an ar15 IN 1943!!!!!!

i hated that it got closed.

seriously, it was one of the more interesting threads ive seen.

 

[FlyinBryan]

back on topic.

i dont have a mini anymore, but i did for about ten years and i never cleaned it.

i have garands now and i clean them with a soft 45cal cotton mop.

i scrape the little gas port in the barrel with a plastic dental pick but its only about an inch from the muzzle unlike the mini.

i doubt mine needs cleaning but sometimes i do it anyway.