Mini-14 action mods for longevity

[ArmedBear]

Is there any sort of a bumper or other mod to soften the slamming of the action, especially when using 5.56 NATO?

The ring that holds the guide rod in my Ranch Rifle broke in half. To the Mini's credit, the gun kept functioning without a hiccup, even with it broken, and with the gun REALLY dirty. But now that I stripped and cleaned the filthy gun, I'm going to replace the part, and I'd just as soon not stress it so much in the future.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The gas port in the mini is unnecessarily large, propogating their notoriously violent case ejection. I belive there are some companies offering new blocks with smaller ports. I am not aware of any shock buffs or similar apparatus.

 

[Deles136]

I have an adjustable gas block on my Mini 14 that I think I got from Brownells.
When I change ammo I can set the brass toss to suit me.

 

[jlmurphy]

In the the gas block, pinned between the barrel and the block is a hardened steel insert with a small hole, it is possible to replace it with one with a smaller hole, then test with your chosen ammo. You only need enough gas to reliably cycle the action. I purchased a shock buffer from Midway ( I think), it fits around the rod against the action. Go to the PERFECTUNION.COM, they have everything you could want to know about Mini 14's. I rebarreled mine with a heavy match barrel, did some bedding, it shoots sub MOA easily, it was a lot of work, but here in Ca. we don't have many options.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I would think the Mini would benefit greatly from an aluminium chassis stock like the Sage used on the M14. That would seem to solve the bedding and maybe a few other issues.

 

[Balddragn]

The adjustable gas block sounds like a great idea. I wish more mini owners would install them 'cause that hard flung brass can be near as dangerous as the lead coming out other end. Wifey almost had a heart attack once as I came off the fireing line during a shoot with blood dripping down my forehead from mini case that got me just right.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Rubber recoil buffers on the gas block and receiver ends go a long way toward mitigating the violence of the action. Instead of paying $15 each for two square rubber washers, I made my own using a piece of rubber belt material for a conveyor that runs through an oven (we got rid of one of the ovens at work and they were throwing away the unused belt material so I grabbed it). The material is ideal: it's heat resistant, fiber reinforced, and has one flat and one "bumpy" side so it is hard enough to last but still has enough "give" to buffer the shock.

They're simple to make, you simply cut a square to fit inside the lugs on the gas block, then drill a hole in the middle to fit around the gas port. Repeat for the receiver end. They make a big difference.

I have plenty of the material. Anybody that wants some, just PM me with your address and I'll send you enough to make 6 or 8 of them.