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Ruger Mini 14 hanging up

jbw1776
I purchaced a mini 14 a couple of years ago, and it has been hanging up the spent shell casing ever since. Should have sent it back, but didn't. I have tried every round in it from the cheapest mil. surplus round to the most expensive off the shelf. (rem. etc.) It actually chambers the next round, but the spent shell gets hung up in the action. Does it almost every shot, sometimes will go 2-5 shots before doing it again. If I pull the bolt back slowly and watch, it doesn't eject it properly or at all. Does anyone know the problem or what I could do to figure it out short of sending it back to Ruger or an expensive gunsmith? Thanks Ben

James Willis
0

Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • Laredo Lefty
    Ben..... You mention it not ejecting. Does the extractor pull the empty from the chamber but not eject it from the gun, or is it not "extracting" from the chamber?

    I would contact Ruger. It sounds like you need a new extractor and spring.

    You could send them just the bolt and have those parts replaced. They will probably do the work for free.

    One of my mini's broke a few years ago. I sent them the gun and they not only fixed the problem, but replaced several other parts they felt were worn, all this at no cost.

    Joe
    "Never let school interfere with your education"
    0
  • jbw1776
    Lefty, it pulls it from the chamber but won't eject it from the gun. Thanks Benquote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
    Ben..... You mention it not ejecting. Does the extractor pull the empty from the chamber but not eject it from the gun, or is it not "extracting" from the chamber?

    I would contact Ruger. It sounds like you need a new extractor and spring.

    You could send them just the bolt and have those parts replaced. They will probably do the work for free.

    One of my mini's broke a few years ago. I sent them the gun and they not only fixed the problem, but replaced several other parts they felt were worn, all this at no cost.

    Joe
    "Never let school interfere with your education"


    James Willis
    0
  • bperdue21
    are you using ruger factory magazines or aftermarket ones? i had trouble with aftermarket mags in mine, but the factory mags worked fine.

    When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.
    0
  • jbw1776
    Thanks bperdue, I have tried both factory 5 shot and aftermarket 10 shot, doesn't make a difference.quote:Originally posted by bperdue21
    are you using ruger factory magazines or aftermarket ones? i had trouble with aftermarket mags in mine, but the factory mags worked fine.

    When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.


    James Willis
    0
  • Ronald J. Snow
    Without putting a magazine in the rifle, put a loaded cartridge into the chamber (with the safety on), close the chamber completely and then open the chamber and see if the cartridge extracts from the chamber. If it does not then replace the extractor, extractor plunger and extractor spring. From what you have said in your post these parts might not even be in your firearm. (You state that it does not eject properly or at all.) Also check to be sure that your ejector and ejector spring are in the bolt.

    If all the parts are there, then send it back to Ruger for repairs. This is one company that makes a very reliable firearm and and is known for its good customer relations.
    0
  • 65gto389
    I do not know if this makes a difference at all but if you are using 5.56mm ammo in a gun chambered for a .223 you will have problems. The military (5.56mm is just slightly longer case, and will need a deaper throat to allow it to seat properly) but that does not sound like it at all. The mini 14 I have says .223 and I will only buy .223 ammo for it. You need to take a tech manual/schetmatic and look closely at the gun and see if any parts are missing, If they are missing I would not try to monkey around with it. You can either have a good gunsmith, or Ruger co. try and fix it. If the parts are actually there and fuctioning properly, the spent shells should be kicked out under full recoil about 20ft to the right.









    " Those who give up a little freedom for temporary security, deserve neither freedom nor security "
    - Benjamin Franklin
    0
  • Cyclonus
    quote:Originally posted by 65gto389
    I do not know if this makes a difference at all but if you are using 5.56mm ammo in a gun chambered for a .223 you will have problems. The military (5.56mm is just slightly longer case, and will need a deaper throat to allow it to seat properly) but that does not sound like it at all. The mini 14 I have says .223 and I will only buy .223 ammo for it. You need to take a tech manual/schetmatic and look closely at the gun and see if any parts are missing, If they are missing I would not try to monkey around with it. You can either have a good gunsmith, or Ruger co. try and fix it. If the parts are actually there and fuctioning properly, the spent shells should be kicked out under full recoil about 20ft to the right.









    " Those who give up a little freedom for temporary security, deserve neither freedom nor security "
    - Benjamin Franklin


    Im thinking the extractor is either cracked full of dirt or missing entirely If you know how to remove the bolt yourself Id do that and througholy examine it clean it as well and try it one more time for good measure then Id definately put in a call to customer service. I had a bad experiance with them But in this case I demand that you put in a call to them I can even give you the number if you need it the headquarters of the company is just a few miles up the road from me.

    Revenge is a double edged sword that only kills its wielder

    "Private Joker Do you believe in the virgin mary?"

    "Sir no sir"
    "Private Joker I dont believe I heard you correctly"
    "Sir the Private Said Sir no sir Sir"
    "Why mary or im gonna stomp your guts out"
    0
  • jbw1776
    Thanks Ron, It extracts from the chamber. What I meant to say is when I do what you said do the extractor won't let go of the shell,(turns it sideways but wont release) quote:Originally posted by Ronald J. Snow
    Without putting a magazine in the rifle, put a loaded cartridge into the chamber (with the safety on), close the chamber completely and then open the chamber and see if the cartridge extracts from the chamber. If it does not then replace the extractor, extractor plunger and extractor spring. From what you have said in your post these parts might not even be in your firearm. (You state that it does not eject properly or at all.) Also check to be sure that your ejector and ejector spring are in the bolt.

    If all the parts are there, then send it back to Ruger for repairs. This is one company that makes a very reliable firearm and and is known for its good customer relations.


    James Willis
    0
  • jbw1776
    Thanks GTO, I'm using .223 cartridges, and all the parts are there.quote:Originally posted by 65gto389
    I do not know if this makes a difference at all but if you are using 5.56mm ammo in a gun chambered for a .223 you will have problems. The military (5.56mm is just slightly longer case, and will need a deaper throat to allow it to seat properly) but that does not sound like it at all. The mini 14 I have says .223 and I will only buy .223 ammo for it. You need to take a tech manual/schetmatic and look closely at the gun and see if any parts are missing, If they are missing I would not try to monkey around with it. You can either have a good gunsmith, or Ruger co. try and fix it. If the parts are actually there and fuctioning properly, the spent shells should be kicked out under full recoil about 20ft to the right.









    " Those who give up a little freedom for temporary security, deserve neither freedom nor security "
    - Benjamin Franklin


    James Willis
    0
  • jbw1776
    Thanks cyclonus, I will remove it and check it. Its only been shot 30 times or so since new so I doubt it dirt. Ejector is there. Would gladly take the customer service number if its not to much trouble. Thanks Benquote:Originally posted by Cyclonus
    Originally posted by 65gto389
    I do not know if this makes a difference at all but if you are using 5.56mm ammo in a gun chambered for a .223 you will have problems. The military (5.56mm is just slightly longer case, and will need a deaper throat to allow it to seat properly) but that does not sound like it at all. The mini 14 I have says .223 and I will only buy .223 ammo for it. You need to take a tech manual/schetmatic and look closely at the gun and see if any parts are missing, If they are missing I would not try to monkey around with it. You can either have a good gunsmith, or Ruger co. try and fix it. If the parts are actually there and fuctioning properly, the spent shells should be kicked out under full recoil about 20ft to the right.









    " Those who give up a little freedom for temporary security, deserve neither freedom nor security "
    - Benjamin Franklin


    Im thinking the extractor is either cracked full of dirt or missing entirely If you know how to remove the bolt yourself Id do that and througholy examine it clean it as well and try it one more time for good measure then Id definately put in a call to customer service. I had a bad experiance with them But in this case I demand that you put in a call to them I can even give you the number if you need it the headquarters of the company is just a few miles up the road from me.

    Revenge is a double edged sword that only kills its wielder

    "Private Joker Do you believe in the virgin mary?"

    "Sir no sir"
    "Private Joker I dont believe I heard you correctly"
    "Sir the Private Said Sir no sir Sir"
    "WhyJames Willis
    0
  • Cyclonus
    call this number 928-778-6555 the nice lady at the desk will connect you to where you need to go. another question did you buy this used or new?

    Revenge is a double edged sword that only kills its wielder

    "Private Joker Do you believe in the virgin mary?"

    "Sir no sir"
    "mary or im gonna stomp your guts out"
    0
  • jbw1776
    Thanks cyclonus, I bought it new from a gun dealer, not a regular store.
    Originally posted by Cyclonus
    call this number 928-778-6555 the nice lady at the desk will connect you to where you need to go. another question did you buy this used or new?

    Revenge is a double edged sword that only kills its wielder

    "Private Joker Do you believe in the virgin mary?"

    "Sir no sir"
    "Private Joker I dont believe I heard you correctly"
    "Sir the Private Said Sir no sir Sir"
    "Why you little maggot you make me wanna vomit"
    "You
    James Willis
    0

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