Mini-14 locked up

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TimboKhan

TimboKhan

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My mini-14 has locked up, and I have no idea what to do to fix it.

Let me explain what I mean. Basically, the action is stuck. I am not sure when or how this happened, and now that its locked up, I am worried that there is a live round stuck in the thing. I am pretty sure there isn't, but pretty sure is what gets people killed, you know? Anyway, short of beating on the cocking lever, I don't know what to do. Help me, THR!!!
 
Hmm, can't recall having this problem even when mine broke and it's been
awhile since I stripped one apart. So, with that caveat and while pointing
the weapon in a safe direction, pulling the trigger/hammer unit out and then
pulling the action from the stock would be a start. You can then attempt
removal of the action arm/piston and the bolt. Again, all in a safe direction.

Or, wait for some other ideas which should be forthcoming soon. Be patient.
 
My mini-14 has locked up, and I have no idea what to do to fix it.

Let me explain what I mean. Basically, the action is stuck. I am not sure when or how this happened, and now that its locked up, I am worried that there is a live round stuck in the thing. I am pretty sure there isn't, but pretty sure is what gets people killed, you know? Anyway, short of beating on the cocking lever, I don't know what to do. Help me, THR!!!
Click to expand...

Like its stuck closed or stuck open? How do you not know if a round is stuck in it or not? Were you firing it when this happened or has it been sitting there?

I'm pretty sure taking the gun apart could solve your problem... it has disassembly instructions in the manual. If the action's jammed, by taking it apart you can easily clear anything that would cause a malfunction in the action.
 
Spencer,

Assuming there is not a round chambered in the rifle is not the way to go. Whether or not he knows there is a live round in the rifle, we ALWAYS assume there IS one in there...so there IS one in there. Of course he has a good idea of whether or not there is live ammunition in the rifle, but that is besides the point.

Maybe it's time to bring it to a gunsmith.

Matt
 
Spencer,

Assuming there is not a round chambered in the rifle is not the way to go. Whether or not he knows there is a live round in the rifle, we ALWAYS assume there IS one in there...so there IS one in there. Of course he has a good idea of whether or not there is live ammunition in the rifle, but that is besides the point.

Maybe it's time to bring it to a gunsmith
Click to expand...

When did I assume there wasn't a round chambered in the rifle?
I asked him if this happened when he was firing or if it had been sitting somewhere and he just discovered this.

I don't see how taking apart the rifle is violating that gun safety guideline...
 
If and ONLY IF the bolt is fully locked, as in rotated clockwise, I'd just shoot the round out.

Had a .30 Carbine lock up from a malformed bullet-stuck in the throat. Just re-loaded it in the chamber after doing the "pogo stick" action-opening trick, and shot the thing. The pressure rise from no freebore was unimportant.
 
How do you not know if a round is stuck in it or not?
Click to expand...

I understand your position, I just responded to the above statement. Like I mentioned before, I'm sure he has a good idea if there is a round "stuck in it or not", and like I said, that's besides the point. That's all. I didn't assume that you assumed there wasn't a round chambered (LOL tongue twister). Cheers?

Edit: Taking the gun apart might not be against the safety guideline, but maybe the action stuck results in the inability to strip the rifle.

Matt
 
I understand your position, I just responded to the above statement. Like I mentioned before, I'm sure he has a good idea if there is a round "stuck in it or not", and like I said, that's besides the point. That's all. I didn't assume that you assumed there wasn't a round chambered (LOL tongue twister). Cheers?

Edit: Taking the gun apart might not be against the safety guideline, but maybe the action stuck results in the inability to strip the rifle.

Matt
Click to expand...

I assumed that you assumed that I assumed there wasn't a round chambered. Haha, sorry for that.

Well, if all else failed (the gun is unable to be disassembled), I'd say take it to a gun smith.
 
My mini-14 has locked up, and I have no idea what to do to fix it.

Let me explain what I mean. Basically, the action is stuck. I am not sure when or how this happened, and now that its locked up, I am worried that there is a live round stuck in the thing. I am pretty sure there isn't, but pretty sure is what gets people killed, you know? Anyway, short of beating on the cocking lever, I don't know what to do. Help me, THR!!!
Click to expand...
OK. Let's start with some basic questions:
1. Is the hammer cocked? (Look through the opening in the side of the receiver behind the bolt, and see if it's down or up.) If it's cocked, apply the safety.
2. Is the op rod all the way forward, and the bolt fully in battery, or is it only partially locked?

If it's partially locked, here is what I would do to try and open the action:
1. apply safety
2. in a SAFE LOCATION (not the first floor apartment of a 3 story building!), point the muzzle up, grasp the op rod and pull downward, and simultaneously "bounce" the butt of the rifle against a solid surface (table, floor, etc.) This is usually enough to jar the action open and allow the bolt to travel rearward.
 
Is it a blued one that's been sitting for a while??? if that's the case----if its cocked---put the safety on----if not cocked--one could pretty much assume there's not a loaded round. Either way point in safe direction and beat the charging handle back with a rubber mallet----clean up the rust once you get it open.
 
corroded gas port/piston

if the action is completely closed and is frozen, the problem is most likely the front of the op-rod has corroded to the gas piston.

Several methods for dealing with this has been discussed before at:

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=86

If you are unsure if there is a round chambered, assume the rifle is loaded until you can determine for sure that it is not.
 
The front end of the op rod is corroded to the gas block.

Had this happen with my blued model after is sat for awhile. It cleans up, but it is something you have to watch for.

Get a rubber mallet or stomp on the op rod handle with your foot. (BE SURE THE MUZZLE IS POINTED AWAY FROM YOURSELF!!!) You may really have to pound it, but don't break it. It should break loose with a few good wacks.

Good luck.
 
Hello Timbo..

Check with cleaning rod to determine if round is in chamber.. Yes. there is an inherent risk here, enough said.

If its clear, then take a piece of 2x2 set it on charging handle and rap on the end of the 2x2 with a hammer. This should do the trick

Then strip detail the rifle and lubricate it.

Peace
Steel Talon:cool:
 
I agree, every one of the Mini-14s I used to own would usually freeze up due
to corrosion at the gas piston if left sitting for a long time after shooting. I used to just tap the operating rod with a soft hammer to open the action. Its not the only reason I stopped owning one as an extra 223 rifle but it was
a little irritating.
 
If he get the action out of the stock spray some Liquid Wrench inside the op rodthen get a 2x2 and a dead blow hammer a 4 lber should do the trick nicely
 
Knowing Timbokhan as I do, I'd wager that he took his rifle out of storage and discovered the action frozen up. Timbokhan doesn't store loaded rifles in his abode or vehicle but his cautious nature is evident in his post. The rifle in question is a blued example with a wood stock. It's used but not abused. That being said, Timbokhan isn't prone to complete dissassemblies which might make the point about corrosion somewhat more conclusive in his regard.
 
Huh, I guess I never thought about the fact that I wasn't prone to complete disassemblies, but I guess thats true. Rockstar.esq knows me well, because his guess was totally right. I took it out of storage and discovered it was locked up, by which I mean that the bolt is completely closed. The hammer is up, and the safety won't go on. Anyway, as far as what has happened thus far, the answer is nothing. I tried goofing with it for awhile tonight with no good result, and in the morning I plan to take it out and try the pogo technique. It hasn't had more than maybe 100 rounds through it total, and it hasn't been in storage all that long, like maybe on the order of a month or two. In any event, once I get it open, I think that it is time to take it apart and do some serious lubing...
 
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