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Old October 1, 2005, 11:49 AM   #1
SF MEDIC
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Anyone with mini 14 total lockup? Piece of crap!

I should have learned my lesson with that Ruuuu..., Ruuuu..., .44 carbine but nooo, I had to get a mini 14. The bolt is locked up so hard I can't cycle it with the handle. HELP!!! :barf:
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Old October 1, 2005, 05:46 PM   #2
DnPRK
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Is it locked up on an empty cartridge case? or a live round?
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Old October 1, 2005, 05:59 PM   #3
Zekewolf
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Do the right thing; beg, borrow, or steal a cutting torch!
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Old October 1, 2005, 11:17 PM   #4
SF MEDIC
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Hey, dnPRK.

I can use considerable force (a bad thing) to get the bolt back but when I release it the bolt won't even close all the way. No round chambered, not even a magazine in the thing. It's like some gremlin got in the rifle half way through a 30 rnd mag and bent something. Strange indeed.

Anybody else seen this?

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Old October 2, 2005, 01:26 AM   #5
T. O'Heir
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Aftermarket mag? New rifle? What ammo? They're usually reliable, but with poor accuracy. Contact Ruger. http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/SE-Newport.html
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Old October 2, 2005, 02:24 AM   #6
Pointer
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Is it mechanical failure or is it a manufacturing defect?

Is it a new piece or previously owned?

How many rounds did you put through it before it was "locked up"?

It would be really rare that the action is twisted or bent.
But, that's just about the only thing that could jam it the way you've described.

Is it clean?

More info please.
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Old October 2, 2005, 02:53 AM   #7
DnPRK
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Your best bet is to FedEx it to Ruger for repair.
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Old October 2, 2005, 12:21 PM   #8
James K
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If you decide to give it a go yourself, take the rifle down and remove the op rod (slide)* if you can. With the slide out, you can determine if the stoppage is due to the bolt. If it is, check the bolt carefully for any problems. If the bolt works OK, then check the slide for any binding or damage. By a process of elimination, it is usually possible to determine the exact problem.

Jim

*see http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/PDF/24.pdf for the manual if you don't have one
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Old October 3, 2005, 01:01 PM   #9
lee n. field
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Quite possibly the gas valve is dirty and crusty. I've had this happen.

Get a mallet an beat on the op rod handle until it comes loose. Then clean that part real good, and keep it clean in the future.
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Old October 3, 2005, 03:08 PM   #10
newerguy
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I remember having a similar problem after reassembling a Mini 14 with the operating rod off the the bolt. The notch on the operating rod that the bolt was supposed to fit into was either behind, in front of, or otherwise not over the part of the bolt that attaches the two parts. It took a lot of pulling to get the rifle apart.

Unless the operating rod is bent, or the guide rod is bent or somehow fouled by the spring, I can't see why you'd be having this problem. Can you hear anything when you force the action open? The rifle may be covered by the warranty, but if it was mine, I'd break it down to see whats wrong.
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Old December 19, 2005, 07:28 PM   #11
Daniel BOON
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overheated

when I had a mini 14, I shot several mags thru it; it got hotter than hell. I let the bolt close while hot, and went home. when i went to clean it, it seemed to be frozen shut. so I called ruger. they told me to wack the bolt (gently) with a piece of wood. I did, and it became un siezed in the blink of an eye. don't close the bolt on a hot carbine. The End.
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Old December 19, 2005, 10:20 PM   #12
22-rimfire
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Mine does that ocasionally. I use a piece of wood (actually a surveyors hub-oak) wacked by a hammer to free it up. It irritates me, but not enough to get rid of the dang thing. Who ever said Ruger's are made like a tank? Then again, I wouldn't want to wack on a more expensive gun. I have had that hub for a lot of years as I used to use it with my Lee Loader.
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