My First Mini I have some questions

kris_loehr · 11-06-2009, 15:36

I just received my used 580 stainless today and have a few questions. I won a wood stock and forearm on ebay and it hasn’t arrive yet. From the photo the forearm clip that holds it on the barrel is blued. I didn't know there is a stainless and blued one.

Is there a way to change it to stainless and does anyone sell one.

Is there a bolt release like a semi auto pistol?

Is it possible to polish the stainless parts to a satin and what would you use?

Drifter · 11-06-2009, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris_loehr

Is there a way to change it to stainless and does anyone sell one.

Is there a bolt release like a semi auto pistol?

Is it possible to polish the stainless parts to a satin and what would you use?

Handguard clip- Use the blued one or trade for a stainless one. I wouldn't attempt changing the clip. I would be more concerned with trying to match the wood than the blued or stainless clip.

Bolt release- Pull the bolt back slightly and let go to release.

Stainless- Bead blasting would likely be the best way to obtain a satin finish. Polishing it will likely make it shine more.

45K20E4 · 11-06-2009, 16:17

I'm not sure if there is a stainless forearm or not.

There is no S/A bolt release that I am aware of. I just reach up with my trigger finger and give the charging handle a tug. That is plenty to release it.

It is possible to polish the stainless surfaces, but I would advise against it. Remember that you need to have your eyes down on those surfaces to use the sights. If you polish them, you will hate yourself as the sun glares off them. That is why stainless pistols usually have a matte finish on the top of the slide.

If you WANT to polish some surfaces, I would use a good polishing compound. Flitz works great for my stuff, but I am usually only doing triggers and inside frame surfaces.

kris_loehr · 11-06-2009, 17:15

I should be good on the forearm matching the stock as it suppose be a takeoff from a 181 that was never used and comes with the box from the gun. I haven’t owned a semi auto rifle in decades and when there was no way to get the bolt to close on the empty mag I didn’t know if this was normal. I haven’t tried to find ammo yet for it. I was asking about polishing the stainless to remove some of the casting marks.

45K20E4 · 11-06-2009, 20:04

You can close the bolt on an empty mag, you just need a strong finger to push the bolt stop pin down (top left side of receiver).

kris_loehr · 11-06-2009, 21:03

I have been wondering what that pin is.

Drifter · 11-07-2009, 04:15

You can download a manual from Ruger's website.

red caddy · 11-07-2009, 19:22

Both of my S/S "working" mini's have been detail stripped, worked over with a Dremel tool, files, mounted stones and assorted grit sheet abrasives until all the corner's, edges and flat surfaces were smooth, slick and well radiused.
A trip through my glass bead blast cabinet, yielded a nice, smooth, soft looking, (yet scratch and fingerprint resistant) matte finish.

A THOROUGH cleaning (I ran mine through the dishwaswer, LOL) is required to get all the glass residue off and out of all the nooks and crannies. A little polishing (after bead blast) will be needed on the boltways and in the FCG

Each detail strip and clean (once every 6 mo. or so) is followed by a hand rubbed coat of paste wax, to help the powder residue and gunk wipe right off, and they are good to go... (this darkens the stainless slightly and get's lots of "second looks" at the range, but blends in nicely in the swamp) Paul

11-06-2009, 15:36	#1
kris_loehr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 22	My First Mini I have some questions I just received my used 580 stainless today and have a few questions. I won a wood stock and forearm on ebay and it hasn’t arrive yet. From the photo the forearm clip that holds it on the barrel is blued. I didn't know there is a stainless and blued one. Is there a way to change it to stainless and does anyone sell one. Is there a bolt release like a semi auto pistol? Is it possible to polish the stainless parts to a satin and what would you use?

11-06-2009, 16:17	#3
45K20E4 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 180	I'm not sure if there is a stainless forearm or not. There is no S/A bolt release that I am aware of. I just reach up with my trigger finger and give the charging handle a tug. That is plenty to release it. It is possible to polish the stainless surfaces, but I would advise against it. Remember that you need to have your eyes down on those surfaces to use the sights. If you polish them, you will hate yourself as the sun glares off them. That is why stainless pistols usually have a matte finish on the top of the slide. If you WANT to polish some surfaces, I would use a good polishing compound. Flitz works great for my stuff, but I am usually only doing triggers and inside frame surfaces. __________________ There are no problems in life which can not be solved through a suitable application of high explosives.

11-06-2009, 20:04	#5
45K20E4 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 180	You can close the bolt on an empty mag, you just need a strong finger to push the bolt stop pin down (top left side of receiver). __________________ There are no problems in life which can not be solved through a suitable application of high explosives.

11-07-2009, 04:15	#7
Drifter Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NC Posts: 934	You can download a manual from Ruger's website. __________________ Drifter Mini-14 mags (steel ProMag & PMI) in the PU classifieds

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11-06-2009, 17:15	#4
kris_loehr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 22	I should be good on the forearm matching the stock as it suppose be a takeoff from a 181 that was never used and comes with the box from the gun. I haven’t owned a semi auto rifle in decades and when there was no way to get the bolt to close on the empty mag I didn’t know if this was normal. I haven’t tried to find ammo yet for it. I was asking about polishing the stainless to remove some of the casting marks.

11-06-2009, 21:03	#6
kris_loehr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 22	I have been wondering what that pin is.

11-07-2009, 19:22	#8
red caddy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SW Florida Posts: 7	Both of my S/S "working" mini's have been detail stripped, worked over with a Dremel tool, files, mounted stones and assorted grit sheet abrasives until all the corner's, edges and flat surfaces were smooth, slick and well radiused. A trip through my glass bead blast cabinet, yielded a nice, smooth, soft looking, (yet scratch and fingerprint resistant) matte finish. A THOROUGH cleaning (I ran mine through the dishwaswer, LOL) is required to get all the glass residue off and out of all the nooks and crannies. A little polishing (after bead blast) will be needed on the boltways and in the FCG Each detail strip and clean (once every 6 mo. or so) is followed by a hand rubbed coat of paste wax, to help the powder residue and gunk wipe right off, and they are good to go... (this darkens the stainless slightly and get's lots of "second looks" at the range, but blends in nicely in the swamp) Paul