I have a new mini 14 Target model with the molded stock. I've shot about 400 rds of winchester 62Gr FMJ and PMC 55 gr FMJ BT through it. I try to keep it immaculate but must be missing something. I need to keep my Jack knife handy to pry out the brass about twice every 5 rounds. . It misses ejecting about every 2nd casing. I have 3 factory Ruger 5 rd mags and it doesn't matter which one I use. The guys at the range say to just keep shooting it and it'll loosen up eventually, but I am to the point I am wondering if it will loosen up. I'd appreciate any thoughts.
Mini 14 Ejection Problem
- Thread starter Bryan99
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desidog
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How do the casings insert into the chamber? easy in, or some forward assist on the charging handle?
How do the casings look after you've pried them out?
If they're intact, it might be the extractor, if they're cracked or blown out.....well, lets hope not.
How do the casings look after you've pried them out?
If they're intact, it might be the extractor, if they're cracked or blown out.....well, lets hope not.
The casings look good. I have looked at the jammed ones with a magnifying glass and can't tell the difference between ones that eject and ones that don't.
Once in a blue moon the first round in a mag will need some forward pressure to seat it, but I am attributing that to the strong spring in the new mags. Those springs seem almost too tough to me.
No blowouts as of yet
Once in a blue moon the first round in a mag will need some forward pressure to seat it, but I am attributing that to the strong spring in the new mags. Those springs seem almost too tough to me.
No blowouts as of yet
desidog
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Yeah, some folks load one less round than the mag. capacity for that very reason.
I'd try putting in a couple full mags, and just cycling through rounds a bunch of times, without firing them, and see if that loosens things up. Might want to do it over a carpet; live rounds, etc.; and see if any problems occur with ejecting there.
Also, when it does run right, how far is the brass getting thrown?
I'd try putting in a couple full mags, and just cycling through rounds a bunch of times, without firing them, and see if that loosens things up. Might want to do it over a carpet; live rounds, etc.; and see if any problems occur with ejecting there.
Also, when it does run right, how far is the brass getting thrown?
I have tried ejecting mags manually and they seem to work fine, but I haven't done a bunch of them. I'll definitely try that again.
When it runs right it ejects the casings hard enough to bounce off the walls in the range and make a bruise when they hit you on the cheek.
When it runs right it ejects the casings hard enough to bounce off the walls in the range and make a bruise when they hit you on the cheek.
Art Eatman
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Just for drill, I'd at least try working over the chamber with a copper brush and maybe something like a brake-cleaner. A general-prinicples "make sure" that there's no grunge from some unknown source.
Might check the chamber with a light and a mirror to see if poor machining left a rough surface.
Might check the chamber with a light and a mirror to see if poor machining left a rough surface.
1KPerDay
Member
Take a really close look at your extractor.
I have looked at it but apart from not seeing any cracks or chips, I don't really know what to look for. If it comes to a problem with the extractor, I'll have to find the nearest medic trained on Mini 14's. (Maybe a Dentist would know more about extraction!)
MachIVshooter
Member
I would think there's an extractor problem. Mini's usually have VERY positive extraction and ejection.
geigersd
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Definitely worth a call to Ruger. They're pretty good at customer service.
navyretired 1
Member
I have to agree it's a gas system problem. I also think some of the advice given is unsafe, shouldn't this be in gunsmithing?
MachIVshooter
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Mini's are notorious for launching brass into low orbit. 30-40 feet and anywhere in 180* radius on your right. When shooting the mini, I consider most of the brass good as gone.
1KPerDay
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MachIVshooter said:
Those days are long gone for me. Before I installed a tuneable gas block from Accuracy Systems my brass would end up in the next zip code. Now however, my brass falls just a few feet away.
Bryan99 said:
Are there two issues occurring here? First, cases are stuck in the chamber (twice every 5 rounds) and cases don't always get ejected (every other case). Based on the description and replies, I doubt it's the gas system. If my Mini extracts and ejects cases with 100% reliability with the gas block tuned to allow a minimum of gas to act on the piston, I'm more inclined to think it's the extractor, ejector or a tight chamber. The extractor and ejector could be fine but if the chamber is tight the extractor is going to have to work harder to pull the case out which is going to affect the cycling of the bolt by affecting acceleration/momentum. The extraction/ejection process requires consistency in acceleration/momentum to work properly and with a normal chamber, a reduction in gas pressure on the piston is not a problem.
tango2echo
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Not a gas system problem if the brass is thrown that far. Most likely the extractor. Call Ruger. They'll fix it. If the gas system gets clogged up, it will usually not throw the brass very far.
BTW, you can buy an adjustable gas block and drop the brass at your feet if you want for about $100
t2e
BTW, you can buy an adjustable gas block and drop the brass at your feet if you want for about $100
t2e
chevyforlife21
Member
sounds like a weak ejector spring to me
Thanks for all of this. After all this great advice I decided that I may not be getting the chamber clean enough so ordered a Chamber Maid from Brownell. I just got it and have really gone over that chamber with brake cleaner and solvent. I'll be out to the range this weekend. If I don't see an improvement, I'll be in touch with Ruger.
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