Mini14 factory mag won't seat?

jeffrey1121 · July 24, 2012, 07:36 PM

I just bought a new Mini-14 ranch a couple weeks ago and though i'm mostly happy with it, i'm having a magazine issue with it.

The 5 round factory magazine that came with it has stopped seating properly. Initially (as in the first couple times i took it to the range) the mag worked just fine....except for on a couple occasions when i would reload it with the bolt closed i noticed it wouldn't seat. The magazine would partially rock in, but during the second stage of the rocking in it would "gum up" and not catch on the magazine latch. I'm a big dude too--6'1 280lbs, so it's not for lack of strength.

so at the range whenever this would happen i would simply put the bolt in the hold open position and load it this way, which works fine.

over time the problem has gotten progressively worse to the point where the magazine will only seat properly from the hold-open position.

does this sound like a problem that could be blamed on a bad magazine? or something more serious? my understanding is that ruger factory mags are the most reliable for the Mini-14.

Creeper · July 24, 2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

I just bought a new Mini-14 ranch a couple weeks ago

I guess the obvious answer here is, call Ruger... they'll fix it.

Cheers,
C

Apple a Day · July 24, 2012, 08:47 PM

First thing I'd do is check the front of the magazine and see if there's any strange wear or damage to the area where the front hole is located. I'd make double sure I was getting the front of the magazine all the way into position before rocking it back.
Then I'd clean the magazine and the mag well thoroughly.
Then I'd make sure I'm seating all of the rounds all the way to the rear of the magazine.
I wouldn't force it ever.

What about other magazines? Have you tried any others and have you had the same problem with them?

I have some polymer Thermold magazines that I had that problem with. I smoothed them down with a Dremmel because the feed lips were dragging on the bottom of the bolt. I wouldn't try that with a metal mag, though.

jeffrey1121 · July 24, 2012, 08:52 PM

i did call ruger and they are sending me a replacement mag, i'm just waiting on it. i'm hoping it's only the mag but i wanted some opinions here...

and no, i don't have any other mags to try with it.

Edward429451 · July 25, 2012, 11:46 AM

Mine did that too. Its a new mag, new gun and stiff. Download two rounds in the Mag and I bet it works then. After you get more rounds downrange and things loosen up a little it should clear up.

rickyrick · July 26, 2012, 04:35 AM

I always load mags with the bolt open, otherwise it will dent the top round. Anyways, it still sounds like to much effort is required. My factory 5 rd can be installed with a finger.

rugerfreak · July 28, 2012, 12:29 PM

What about with an empty mag?

Rogervzv · July 29, 2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

I always load mags with the bolt open, otherwise it will dent the top round. Anyways, it still sounds like to much effort is required. My factory 5 rd can be installed with a finger.

The Mini 14 is designed for the magazine to be inserted with the bolt open. I wonder if the OP was trying to load it with the bolt closed.

July 24, 2012, 07:36 PM	#1
jeffrey1121 Junior Member Join Date: July 4, 2012 Posts: 5	Mini14 factory mag won't seat? I just bought a new Mini-14 ranch a couple weeks ago and though i'm mostly happy with it, i'm having a magazine issue with it. The 5 round factory magazine that came with it has stopped seating properly. Initially (as in the first couple times i took it to the range) the mag worked just fine....except for on a couple occasions when i would reload it with the bolt closed i noticed it wouldn't seat. The magazine would partially rock in, but during the second stage of the rocking in it would "gum up" and not catch on the magazine latch. I'm a big dude too--6'1 280lbs, so it's not for lack of strength. so at the range whenever this would happen i would simply put the bolt in the hold open position and load it this way, which works fine. over time the problem has gotten progressively worse to the point where the magazine will only seat properly from the hold-open position. does this sound like a problem that could be blamed on a bad magazine? or something more serious? my understanding is that ruger factory mags are the most reliable for the Mini-14.

July 24, 2012, 08:47 PM	#3
Apple a Day Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2000 Location: Poquoson,Virginia Posts: 1,524	First thing I'd do is check the front of the magazine and see if there's any strange wear or damage to the area where the front hole is located. I'd make double sure I was getting the front of the magazine all the way into position before rocking it back. Then I'd clean the magazine and the mag well thoroughly. Then I'd make sure I'm seating all of the rounds all the way to the rear of the magazine. I wouldn't force it ever. What about other magazines? Have you tried any others and have you had the same problem with them? I have some polymer Thermold magazines that I had that problem with. I smoothed them down with a Dremmel because the feed lips were dragging on the bottom of the bolt. I wouldn't try that with a metal mag, though. __________________ THose who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules. Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

July 26, 2012, 04:35 AM	#6
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	I always load mags with the bolt open, otherwise it will dent the top round. Anyways, it still sounds like to much effort is required. My factory 5 rd can be installed with a finger. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

July 24, 2012, 08:52 PM	#4
jeffrey1121 Junior Member Join Date: July 4, 2012 Posts: 5	i did call ruger and they are sending me a replacement mag, i'm just waiting on it. i'm hoping it's only the mag but i wanted some opinions here... and no, i don't have any other mags to try with it.

July 25, 2012, 11:46 AM	#5
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Mine did that too. Its a new mag, new gun and stiff. Download two rounds in the Mag and I bet it works then. After you get more rounds downrange and things loosen up a little it should clear up.

July 28, 2012, 12:29 PM	#7
rugerfreak Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2001 Posts: 819	What about with an empty mag?