On one mini 14 I had the following happen: 1) blown extractor (within the
first few 100 rds with fact ammo), 2) gas tap (the little rod that is held under
the barrel and directs the gas inside the stock) "fell out" inside the stock
channel --the factory later said I tried to "disassemble it" (which I did NOT),
3) rear site retaining ear broke --at which point I said
it and got
rid of it.
I've known other ppl who had zero problems with theirs. I've had only one
parts breakage problem with my AR15s and zero with all of my AKs and SKSs.
Had one pin break on the recoil sping end plug on an HK91 which jammed it
to a halt when the pin wedged inside the bolt carrier and against the
rod/spring while shooting --did not return forward. Easily fixed at home.
Keep in mind I'm talking thousands of rds out of each of these weapons.
Since I had three different problems with one mini14, I will never buy another.