Just picked up a used Mini 14, with a Butler Creek folding stock.

It is an older series, 184.

We took it out to shoot.

I was using both stock Ruger Mags and Pro Mag magazines.

I was using cheap Tul Ammo, 55 gr. FMJ steel cased ammo.

The gun fired.

Ejected the fired cartridge, but did not cycle/feed the next round into the chamber.

It did this with both mags.

Thank you for you help, David.

First thing is to give it a dam good clean, then have another go
Assuming you haven't cleaned it already of course.

Is the bolt locking back or is the next round jamming against the feed ramp?

The bolt is just not picking up the next round. So then I manually camber the next round.

Check to see if there are after market recoil buffers installed in the front or back. Sometimes this affects the stroke. Also the Butler Creek does not come with the op rod metal liner in the stock. If the original owner didn't take the liner out of the old stock and install it in the new stock, this could affect the cycling. If that deosn't work try some brass ammo.

One other thing you may want to try is take the gas block apart to see if it's dirty or plugged up with crud. This can restrict the amount of gas that operates the piston.

Are you saying that the bolt went back into battery but just skipped over the round in the magazine? If that is the case, first, make sure you are rocking the magazine fully locked into place when you insert it into the mag well. It's possible to have it up far enough to pick up the first round but, have the magazine shoved down after the first round. Try to yank the magazine out after you insert it to be sure. If you are sure that is not the issue then, I would disassemble the magazine (remove the floorplate...restrain the spring!), thoroughly clean the magazine interior and lightly oil the spring and the walls of the magazine box. If that fails, remove the rifle from the stock, remove the recoil spring and, then set the receiver back into the stock WITHOUT the trigger group (just hold it firmly with your hand) then, rock the rifle muzzle up then muzzle down...the op rod/bolt group should freely slide all the way back and all the way into battery without any binding. If it locks up anywhere, try to determine where it is binding by using your super secret detective skills (yes, we all have those skills!) I believe the BC folder stock uses the same stock liner, retained by the two screws in the side of the stock, and the fore end liner (op rod guide) just as you would find on a Ruger wooden stock, ensure you aren't missing any of those pieces.

Good Luck,
Ed

+1 to what these gents have said... with the addition of swapping out the recoil spring, and trying better ammo. My 181 mini sometimes FTF's with steel cased herter's, but it has *never* so much as hiccuped with m193

It's possible that someone installed an extra power recoil spring. Couple that with weak ammo and you could have just the problem you described. As previously mentioned, make sure the rifle is cleaned and lubed then try some known full power ammo.

Make sure you have grease (not thin lub) in your operating rod cam surface. I use a "Q" tip and dab it in. Before firing/plinking/practicing I lub it with a good spray lub--rails and moving parts. Always give it a good cleaning afterwards and relube.
ETA: a buds was having the same problems last weekend. Cleaned the gas port/chamber well and lubed as above. Fired like a new shooter. Don't think he had ever lubed/cleaned it.

Ok, thanks for all incite and advice.

Gave the gun a good cleaning and oiling.

Everything looks and feels ok except that with the mag in, there is some downward play.

I am going to replace the magazine release spring and see if this addresses the feeding issue I have.

Any thoughts?

Thanks once again.

It may be short stroking because the ammo is sometimes underpowered. I corrected this problem before after I cut and threaded my barrel. There was a thread about this before. If you want I can post a link to that thread.

Have you tried some factory brass/boxer ammo? That might be your one and only problem.

Beleave it or not, it was the magazine release spring. I replaced it and now I am spitting brass again.

Thanks for all you infomation, the King of Spain.

This could be a simple fix. Check to see if the "tang" on the rear of your guide rod is inverted where the rod engages the cross pin. This tang should be toward the barrel, as shown in the photo below. If it is not, your rifle will perform as you describe in the OP.

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