Mini-14 reliability with dirt

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I'd have loved to have the resources to do a multi-rifle test: 10 Mini-14s each with each type of lube, 10ARs, and 10 AKs.

But, the video of doing one Mini three times, the AR once, and the AUG once already runs 20 minutes. Who in their right mind is gong to watch 200+ minutes of a guy shooting dirty rifles?

I didn't include a AK in this test because it was pretty much a moot point. If an AR worked at this level of dust loading than I totally expect a AK to shrug that much dust off.

I'd like to do another test of dusting to failure: Shoot, dust, shoot, dust, until the rifle quits working. I'd also like to try mud to failure too.

BSW
 
Brian, What else is on that gun?

With fine, dry dust like that, I'd expect it make a cloud after the first recoil impulse...but that dust stays right on there. You seem to leave finger marks on it, so i'm guessing there is some type of fine sticky film all over that rifle?
 
Quote;
Guns don't win wars, people win wars and they must have the resolve of their country and proper political fortitude to accomplish it.
__________________
You are correct, the statement I made was to illustrate exactly what you said.
That being said, this test is fruitless. I would rather have on my side, one guy with a
.22 LR597 remington and the intestnal fortitude to use it, than 10 guys with an AR 15 who will not!
If a man has the will to fight, he will find a way.
In the Iraq war, this was as simple as putting a pantyhose around air filters, to keep sand out of the intakes of their enternal combustion engines! Never under estimate Amercan ingenuity, no matter what tools, or environment he is forced to fight in.
Let us not forget how the Germans had superior weapons, and were still defeated,
and also how we had superior weapons in Vietnam and still lost!
As you said those wars were lost because as countrys the resolve of the country and proper political fortitude to accomplish it was void. (#1 Sun Tzu rule of war)
Even though we never lost a battle in Vietnam, at the end of the day, it did not matter.
Nor does it matter if you happen to have an open action rifle, in a dusty environment!
What does matter is that you don't put yourself in that situation with a tool which is unreliable to start with.
 
Art Eatman said:
If I ever let a semi-auto get so dirty it wouldn't shoot, I'd look in the mirror and say, "You're bleeping stoopid!"
Click to expand...
Agreed. Next test, dump dirt, rinse off with canteen of water, drain out excess water, and shoot.

Were I in a combat situation, that is what I would do were I to take a fall in fine sand/dirt.
 
I guess the purpose of ant test is to understand the limitations of the item being tested. We trust labs and agencys and their testing on a daily basis. You Tube has an infinite number of gun torture tests some have the gun thrown from an airplane, heck if I ever throw a gun from an airplane or plug the muzzle and fire it I'd do the same but knowing that an item can withstand such a high level of abuse does say something for what comparatively easy treatment I would give it.
One of the hallmarks of the mini fanboys is that it is so much more reliable than an AR and I've never believed that to be true having owned a handful of each and have found the mini to be hit and miss even while clean and lubed, much like shown in the video. ARs are vulnerable in extreme cold just like most semi autos and special consideration is warranted to assure function.
 
Quote;
One of the hallmarks of the mini fanboys is that it is so much more reliable than an AR.

Until the piston operated version of the AR, this was true due to the operating system providing it's own fouling, no dust needed.
Now with the advent of piston Ar's this problem has been corrected.
My own experience with Mini's is that they are reliable, as are the piston operated AR's.
Fact of the matter is I do like the piston operated Ar's better, one reason being, I cannot find a 80% Mini reciver.
 
Brian, What else is on that gun?

With fine, dry dust like that, I'd expect it make a cloud after the first recoil impulse...but that dust stays right on there. You seem to leave finger marks on it, so i'm guessing there is some type of fine sticky film all over that rifle?
Click to expand...

The rifle was lightly oiled with CLP all over for the first test. For the greasy rifle it was lightly coated with Boeshield T9 with the Brit Army rifle grease on the operating areas. For the dry test the rifle had no added lube after being cleaned.

In each case the rifle was cleaned by blowing it off with brake cleaner between tests. I live on the wet side of Oregon and normally I worry more about rust than dust.

How much you have to clean a Mini-14 to get it working again was really beyond the scope of this test, as was what solvent is more effective once a Mini gets really dirty.

As far as the dust itself goes, you'll notice that a lot of dust is sticking to the plastic stock and handguard of the Mini, the AR furniture, and the AUG stock. None of those stocks was oiled, that dust is just that tenacious.

BSW
 
I think you can stop ANY semi-auto and a lot of bolt guns if you dump dirt in the right location. But why do so.
 
Yes, I can anything stop working.

But, an AR and AUG, subjected to the same conditions, worked.

BSW
 
The test probably shows the same degree of reliability the M1, M1A and M1 Carbine do if subjected to that much dirt. This type of action is highly reliable but not when smothered in dirt like that.
I would still like to see the test on a freshened up Mini.
 
I'm convinced. If I ever decided to pour dirt in the action of my rifle then try to shoot it, I'll first sell my Mini and buy a second AR. :D
 
reloads and the ultimate price for being a cheapo.

I have never tested a mini 14 for dirt functioning but can relate some personal OE [operating experience]
Back in the 80s I had need to fire some rounds in a emergency situation.
Not the time to find shortcomings for sure.
Well I grabbed the mini and rack the slide. The mag was in place where it was stored.
It did not chamber all the way and I re racked it again and she did not close all the way.
After slamming the bolt home and firing once it needed help closing again. Like I said not a good time to find out there were problems.
Later after things calmed down I did some checking. The problem was the reloads which I picked up from the LGS. They had worked fine in my SP 1 Colt and would not function well in the Mini. I am sure the chamber was just a bit tighter. Well I was not happy all the way around and ended up selling the mini. Back then you had a really hard time getting magazines for the Ruger in anything but a stock 5 rounder. So this problem added to my displeasure. I still love the feel and handling of a MIni 14 but it has not been my safe for many years. I do love the M1 Carbine though. I am sure factory rounds would have solved my issues but the event could have gone bad and I want the best I can get even if it is my own fault for being cheap in the ammo selection.
 
that mini failed to go into battery AFTER it was cleaned. it was no good and a poor rifle to use in a test. return spring was weak and what king of mag was used. mag might have caused to much friction when bolt tried to close. why don't you take an AR that jams when clean then throw dirt on it
 
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