Changed gas bushings on mini14

[tapper3]

I'm not a gunsmith but if you go to the Perfect Union website, there is a Mini 14/30 forum that addresses some of the idiosyncrasies of the Minis. Some folks are using 1911 buffers to cushion the slam of the bolt. These guys are die hard Mini guys with a lot of expertise. You may do well to visit . . .

I read about and tried the Shok Buff route and all it seemed to do was shorten the travel of the operating rod / bolt and didn't allow for consistent lock back on an empty mag. Still had the failure to eject problem and the buffs didn't last long.

Honestly, I never realized the gas port was the size of the Holland Tunnel. Corgi's photo was shocking. But that is typical Ruger. They seem to tend to over build to make everything indestructible so it would make sense that they would want to give it enough gas that even the crappiest lacquered up cartridge case would get yanked out of the chamber. And by over gassing it they, maybe, created a different problem.

I carried the M-14 back in the day. Heavy at 9 pounds dry. You knew it when you put 50 or 100 rounds through it on the rifle range. But it ran. And was accurate. And the Mini was marketed as a light cartridge version of that gun.

During 1988 during the Vice Presidential debate Senator Dan Quayle made a reference to President Kennedy. Senator Lloyd Bentson said to him, " Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

The Ruger is no M-14.

I have no passion for the gun (in general) and no faith in mine (in particular). The only thing it had going for it when it first came out (we had them then in a department I worked for so I knew the old ones) was their price point for a high capacity semi-auto rifle when compared to an AR at that time. Now they are more expensive than an AR and the only thing going for them today in NY is they are not on the bad gun list (for now). I bought it for that very reason, hoping the new models had been improved. I was disappointed but not particularly surprised. Still a Ruger.

But Corgi has given me a glimmer of hope that maybe it can be made somewhat useful. We shall see.

 

[Acer-m14]

I have one .. yep it launches brass 6 lanes down when i took it to a CMP shoot .. LOL ..
i have thought of fixing the gas system .. still thinking on that ..

i did mod the mag release from a YT vid i seen i think , could have been from a mini forum .. just a push with thumb drops the mag ..

 

[FLA45fan]

How do you like the Mini30?
I’ve been on that 308 fence and want to look at all options. What was it’s problem with the firing pin?

When did you get a mini30?

I got the 30 last year and it runs great. The problem is the firing pin doesn't always ignite some of the Russian stuff because of their primers. Brass stuff is ok. Have to get a new aftermarket firing pin andfile down to size, so that it ignites the Russian ammo but doesn't puncture the American brass primers. Ruger doesn't advise using surplus steel case ammo.
Now I have a M1A stainless match that has been modified to be a toploader that I still haven't shot . . . Similar platform . . .

 

[ArmedCorgi]

The only issue I've had with mine regarding ammo, is with the russian steel cased. Every mag of steel cased I have at least one instance where the bolt fails to strip the next round.
I'm figuring that is a combination of magazine spring and the bolt being over gassed and moving too quickly for the mag to push the steel cased ammo high enough to grab. I only use Ruger factory mags and this issue doesn't happen with brass cased ammo.
I'm hoping the smaller gas bushing will eleminate this issue also.

 

[GTN]

The only issue I've had with mine regarding ammo, is with the russian steel cased. Every mag of steel cased I have at least one instance where the bolt fails to strip the next round.
I'm figuring that is a combination of magazine spring and the bolt being over gassed and moving too quickly for the mag to push the steel cased ammo high enough to grab. I only use Ruger factory mags and this issue doesn't happen with brass cased ammo.
I'm hoping the smaller gas bushing will eleminate this issue also.

Keep us posted on this please.
I love shooting my mini14. Lot more fun than my AR. But the constant problem of fte drive me nuts so it’s in the back of the safe

 

[tapper3]

You gotta get out to the range, Corgi. A lotta guys counting on ya now.

No pressure, man, no worries.

 

[eochief66]

I have a mini 14 Ranch and agree with the op. Bought it for the same reason.
I had a trigger job done on it and changed the gas bushing from the 80 to a 50. Now I can at least find my fired brass!
I put a Vortex red dot on it, but doing so I had to add a cheek riser.
It works well for what I purchased it for. It would be more accurate with a scope though!

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Keep us posted on this please.
I love shooting my mini14. Lot more fun than my AR. But the constant problem of fte drive me nuts so it’s in the back of the safe

You gotta get out to the range, Corgi. A lotta guys counting on ya now.

No pressure, man, no worries.

I'm hoping to get to the range this weekend. I'm anxious to find out too. I also need to re-sight in with it. I messed around with my rear sight some, so I hope I'm still on paper, lol.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I have a mini 14 Ranch and agree with the op. Bought it for the same reason.
I had a trigger job done on it and changed the gas bushing from the 80 to a 50. Now I can at least find my fired brass!
I put a Vortex red dot on it, but doing so I had to add a cheek riser.
It works well for what I purchased it for. It would be more accurate with a scope though!

So you would say the new bushing made a big difference? Any difference in cycling?

 

[eochief66]

I do not notice any difference in the cycling and now I can at least find my spent brass.
Before the gun ejected them so far and in a wider span it was difficult to recover them.
Now they only go about 3-4 yds.

 

[GTN]

Anyone that bought the 4 bushing pack want to sell 1 of the unused bushings?

 

[eochief66]

Anyone that bought the 4 bushing pack want to sell 1 of the unused bushings?

I purchased the pack and have the 50 in my gun. What size do you need?

 

[GTN]

I purchased the pack and have the 50 in my gun. What size do you need?

How about the 45

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Here is the stripper clip guide from Cogburn Arsenal. I opted for an off color. So far it seems like quality. The fit and finish is good. It is not in the way of the sights (I have the tech sights though, not sure how it is with the stock rear sight). It looks pretty cool and adds another way to load the gun, should the dems make everything fixed magazine.

 

[eris]

Just ordered this for my mini14. Mini-14 Clip Guide 582+
Why? Because fuck you that's why. It's just one more option for loading the gun and it doesn't sacrifice or interfere with anything, so why not have this option?

Interesting. I wonder: if you soldered the magazine in place so that it could only me loaded with clips, would the rifle no longer qualify as one that can accept detachable magazine? The Internet lawyer in me wants to know!

 

[eris]

I'm curious to know how the new bushing works out. I have a brass catcher net that I take with me to the range and set up right next to my gun so that I don't annoy the guys in the lanes to my right. If I could change the bushing and alleviate the need for that I'd probably go for it.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Interesting. I wonder: if you soldered the magazine in place so that it could only me loaded with clips, would the rifle no longer qualify as one that can accept detachable magazine? The Internet lawyer in me wants to know!

I wish I could tell you. So far the mini has escaped banning even in NY, but that could all change come January. One thing I can tell you is that they will either purposely or through their plain ignorance of guns make whatever law vague to the point you cannot confidently be in compliance.

I'm curious to know how the new bushing works out. I have a brass catcher net that I take with me to the range and set up right next to my gun so that I don't annoy the guys in the lanes to my right. If I could change the bushing and alleviate the need for that I'd probably go for it.

I'm anxious to try it out. I'll have to wait until after hunting season since my club only allows for quick sight in during the season. I know my rear sight is way off so it'll take more time and shooting than is allowed right now.
I'll definitely post up once I do get out there.

 

[FLA45fan]

Interesting. I wonder: if you soldered the magazine in place so that it could only me loaded with clips, would the rifle no longer qualify as one that can accept detachable magazine? The Internet lawyer in me wants to know!

Or maybe cut the mag release off and pop in a mag. That's the fix for an M1A. The only way to remove the mag is to take out the trigger group. And it would be reversible for free state use.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Or maybe cut the mag release off and pop in a mag. That's the fix for an M1A. The only way to remove the mag is to take out the trigger group. And it would be reversible for free state use.

I hate that I'm even considering it but I wonder if that would work for the mini? I can see them trying to ban detachable mags for semis.

 

[FLA45fan]

I would think it's a very viable option, and seeing that there are at least a couple of "tactical" mag releases starting at $25, buy them now just in case you chop off the original.