Cleaning (properly) Ruger Mini-14

270 · October 20, 2011, 12:08 AM

What can some of you tell me about going beyond the Ruger instructions for cleaning the Mini-14?

I'm especially interested in proper cleaning of the gas port area. Ruger instructions warn not to disassemble this unit because it requires special tools. I'm wondering how much build-up of crud is inside this 'gas block assembly'?

I had this gun jam a few times and thought it was due to cheap, 5.56 ammo so bought some Remington .223 ammo and had one jam with it a couple of days ago. Empty was lodged between bolt and receiver with mouth of case to the front.

Another question would be: What's the most common cause of jams with this gun? I would guess, faulty magazine. I have a 20 round Ruger magazine.

270

tobnpr · October 20, 2011, 02:30 AM

The gas block never needs disassembly or cleaning inside.

Re the misfeeds...very rare with factory mags. Try another...

checkmyswag · October 20, 2011, 07:31 AM

Is it properly oiled?

rickyrick · October 20, 2011, 07:51 AM

How new is the rifle and how often does this occur.

Mini14's seldom require removal of the stock.

chewie146 · October 20, 2011, 08:51 AM

Magazine would be my first suspect.

wingman · October 20, 2011, 12:00 PM

If fired rounds are hanging up sounds like a dirty ejector,perhaps you were using coated steel cased ammo before,I believe a good cleaning will solve the problem. I've owned 3 and never had one fail.

270 · October 20, 2011, 01:48 PM

Thanks for your responses.

The gun was made in 1996. This last jam--empty lodged between bolt and receiver and facing forward--using Remington .223 ammo. Not 5.56.

Gun was not very dirty at all except for usual burnt powder residue in gas piston area. Have it cleaned and back together.

This gun has some kind of adjustment screw at front of gas piston area. It's out in the open requiring no disassembly to adjust it. What's the reason for this screw? I would guess to increase or decrease the amount of gas that works the action. Maybe this needs adjusting. How do you adjust this properly? This is located right above hole for sling swivel.

270

rickyrick · October 20, 2011, 03:05 PM

Sounds like an adjustable gas system ...heard of them on a mini but have never seen one.
Give it a try it may be short stroking or something.

tobnpr · October 20, 2011, 07:16 PM

It must have an Accuracy Systems adjustable gas block:

http://www.mini14gasblock.com/

If that's the case, then crank open the gas block a bit to improve cycling.
You're correct, you can adjust the pressure to the gas block depending on the ammo you're using. A great addition to the Mini-14.

270 · October 20, 2011, 10:07 PM

tobnpr,

You hit the nail on the head. Even instructions at their website on how to adjust the thing. You can adjust it from--won't cycle to throwing brass 25-30 feet--which it NOW does!

I see on mine the screw is backed-out a lot and I'll bet as I tighten it down the brass will land closer to me.

The setting I'm really after is the one that will make my Mini-14 as reliable as possible. May give them a call.

Thank you.

270

Crosshair · October 25, 2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

The setting I'm really after is the one that will make my Mini-14 as reliable as possible. May give them a call.

Well wide open is actually not the most reliable setting. It hurts accuracy, stresses the extractor, and increases the cyclic rate.

The best thing to do for reliability is get a bunch of Wolf ammo. Wolf is the most underpowered stuff you can buy that I know of. Adjust the block so that the Wolf reliably cycles and kicks the brass at least 10'. Once you have this setting your Mini will then reliably cycle any 5.56 ammo you shoot in it.

October 20, 2011, 12:08 AM	#1
270 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Posts: 126	Cleaning (properly) Ruger Mini-14 What can some of you tell me about going beyond the Ruger instructions for cleaning the Mini-14? I'm especially interested in proper cleaning of the gas port area. Ruger instructions warn not to disassemble this unit because it requires special tools. I'm wondering how much build-up of crud is inside this 'gas block assembly'? I had this gun jam a few times and thought it was due to cheap, 5.56 ammo so bought some Remington .223 ammo and had one jam with it a couple of days ago. Empty was lodged between bolt and receiver with mouth of case to the front. Another question would be: What's the most common cause of jams with this gun? I would guess, faulty magazine. I have a 20 round Ruger magazine. 270

October 20, 2011, 07:51 AM	#4
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Location: Mesquite Jungle Desert, West Texas, USA Posts: 2,278	How new is the rifle and how often does this occur. Mini14's seldom require removal of the stock. __________________ *Navin R. Johnson*: "He hates these cans!!!! Stay away from the cans!!!!"

October 20, 2011, 01:48 PM	#7
270 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Posts: 126	Thanks for your responses. The gun was made in 1996. This last jam--empty lodged between bolt and receiver and facing forward--using Remington .223 ammo. Not 5.56. Gun was not very dirty at all except for usual burnt powder residue in gas piston area. Have it cleaned and back together. This gun has some kind of adjustment screw at front of gas piston area. It's out in the open requiring no disassembly to adjust it. What's the reason for this screw? I would guess to increase or decrease the amount of gas that works the action. Maybe this needs adjusting. How do you adjust this properly? This is located right above hole for sling swivel. 270 Last edited by 270; October 20, 2011 at 01:53 PM.

October 20, 2011, 03:05 PM	#8
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Location: Mesquite Jungle Desert, West Texas, USA Posts: 2,278	Sounds like an adjustable gas system ...heard of them on a mini but have never seen one. Give it a try it may be short stroking or something. __________________ *Navin R. Johnson*: "He hates these cans!!!! Stay away from the cans!!!!"

October 20, 2011, 02:30 AM	#2
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 2,206	The gas block never needs disassembly or cleaning inside. Re the misfeeds...very rare with factory mags. Try another...

October 20, 2011, 07:31 AM	#3
checkmyswag Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,328	Is it properly oiled?

October 20, 2011, 08:51 AM	#5
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 736	Magazine would be my first suspect.

October 20, 2011, 12:00 PM	#6
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,070	If fired rounds are hanging up sounds like a dirty ejector,perhaps you were using coated steel cased ammo before,I believe a good cleaning will solve the problem. I've owned 3 and never had one fail.

October 20, 2011, 07:16 PM	#9
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 2,206	It must have an Accuracy Systems adjustable gas block: http://www.mini14gasblock.com/ If that's the case, then crank open the gas block a bit to improve cycling. You're correct, you can adjust the pressure to the gas block depending on the ammo you're using. A great addition to the Mini-14.

October 20, 2011, 10:07 PM	#10
270 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Posts: 126	tobnpr, You hit the nail on the head. Even instructions at their website on how to adjust the thing. You can adjust it from--won't cycle to throwing brass 25-30 feet--which it NOW does! I see on mine the screw is backed-out a lot and I'll bet as I tighten it down the brass will land closer to me. The setting I'm really after is the one that will make my Mini-14 as reliable as possible. May give them a call. Thank you. 270