[USSF06]

Does this apply to ALL mini-14s?

I am referring to inserting a loaded magazine with the bolt already closed. I don't store my Mini14 with bolt to the rear (as you shouldn't), so should I need to quickly load it I would first have to lock the bolt back. I don't like this. Can any of the Mini14 variants be loaded with a closed bolt?

On a side note... looks like most of my magazines are faulty :angry: Hopefully this new Firearms Ban doesn't happen, and I can buy some quality magazines.

 

[Pet-Rock]

My 581 Mini 14 doesnt have an issue loading with a closed bolt

 

[greyeyezz]

Just pull back the charging handle back and release. What happens?

 

[whofarted]

Does this apply to ALL mini-14s?

I am referring to inserting a loaded magazine with the bolt already closed. I don't store my Mini14 with bolt to the rear (as you shouldn't), so should I need to quickly load it I would first have to lock the bolt back. I don't like this. Can any of the Mini14 variants be loaded with a closed bolt?

On a side note... looks like most of my magazines are faulty :angry: Hopefully this new Firearms Ban doesn't happen, and I can buy some quality magazines.

How many round magazine? My 10 round mags dont like to lock in with a closed bolt if the mag is full. if i put 9 in its good to go. Ive also heard it doesnt like to lock in to the mag well if its an even number.

and outta curiosity why shouldnt you lock the barrel back? Isnt that the only way Rugers factory storage lock would work?

 

[glenwatkins]

Load the mag with one less round.

 

[whofarted]

Load the mag with one less round.

didnt i just say that?

 

[Pacific_division]

Sometimes I may have to put a little more pressure on it but I can get a 5, 20, 30 (factory and Tapco) mag to insert in mine with the bolt closed.

 

[bwraven]

I would also recommend glenwatkins suggestion of loading one less round.

 

[USSF06]

Just pull back the charging handle back and release. What happens?

If you pull a charging handle back and release, then you end up where you started. How does your post have any relevancy to the topic? Sorry, but it seems you are trying to smart off... apologies if I received it the wrong way.

How many round magazine? My 10 round mags dont like to lock in with a closed bolt if the mag is full. if i put 9 in its good to go. Ive also heard it doesnt like to lock in to the mag well if its an even number.

and outta curiosity why shouldnt you lock the barrel back? Isnt that the only way Rugers factory storage lock would work?

I've tried my 20 round mag and a 15 round mag. Maybe it loads with one less bullet because it gives some space to be pushed down when loading. I'll have to try it.

Leaving the bolt closed serves the same purpose you shouldn't leave your magazines loaded for extended periods of time. The spring will lose its "spring", and will no longer expand with its original force. We have to make sure to empty our mags every now and then at the armory because we don't want to be caught in a firefight with a magazine that won't feed rounds.

Now, I'm not sure exactly how long it takes for this to happen, but I've found plenty of magazines on the job that are no good.

Looks like I'll trying loading one less round.

Also: safety may be different on the civilian side. I remember plenty of occassions where firearms had to be on SAFE with the bolt to the rear so that everyone knew those rifles were empty. Since I've been in the military, we clear the weapon and then send the bolt forward and load a magazine. That way, should we need to, we can quickly charge the rifle and fire.

 

[whofarted]

I've tried my 20 round mag and a 15 round mag. Maybe it loads with one less bullet because it gives some space to be pushed down when loading. I'll have to try it.

Leaving the bolt closed serves the same purpose you shouldn't leave your magazines loaded for extended periods of time. The spring will lose its "spring", and will no longer expand with its original force. We have to make sure to empty our mags every now and then at the armory because we don't want to be caught in a firefight with a magazine that won't feed rounds.

Now, I'm not sure exactly how long it takes for this to happen, but I've found plenty of magazines on the job that are no good.

Looks like I'll trying loading one less round.

Also: safety may be different on the civilian side. I remember plenty of occassions where firearms had to be on SAFE with the bolt to the rear so that everyone knew those rifles were empty. Since I've been in the military, we clear the weapon and then send the bolt forward and load a magazine. That way, should we need to, we can quickly charge the rifle and fire.

from what ive learned here spring memory is destroyed by the back and forth motion of being used not just being compressed. As for the on less round for room to compress. I agree

 

[SUBlime]

I agree with the above posters. If I've got a full mag, especially the 30 rounders (mine are Tapco Gen II), they can be especially hard to seat on a full mag. I've found my mags, if I don't count, can actually hold 32 and then there is not just a hard spring to compress further but a spring that CAN'T be compressed further and the mag won't seat. 28-29 rounds seems to be the sweet spot for mine for ease of mag seating. Haven't messed around with my 20 round mags much to get a firm count, but the principle is the same.

 

[COBrien]

None of my mags -- even the factory 5-rounders -- will lock in place under a closed bolt. I don't store my Mini with the bolt locked open, I just lock it open before inserting a mag.

But this is my coyote/varmint gun... I don't use it for home defense or have any reason to "need it right now." That's what my Colt Defender (nightstand) and 870 (under bed) are for.

 

[robtheman]

I have this problem with pro mag ten round magazines in my mini 30. I just load one less round and it is no problem. The second mag will be topped off and then loaded with the slide back. I don't seem to have the problem with factory 20 round mags.

 

[greyeyezz]

If you pull a charging handle back and release, then you end up where you started. How does your post have any relevancy to the topic? Sorry, but it seems you are trying to smart off... apologies if I received it the wrong way.

I've tried my 20 round mag and a 15 round mag. Maybe it loads with one less bullet because it gives some space to be pushed down when loading. I'll have to try it.

Leaving the bolt closed serves the same purpose you shouldn't leave your magazines loaded for extended periods of time. The spring will lose its "spring", and will no longer expand with its original force. We have to make sure to empty our mags every now and then at the armory because we don't want to be caught in a firefight with a magazine that won't feed rounds.

Now, I'm not sure exactly how long it takes for this to happen, but I've found plenty of magazines on the job that are no good.

Looks like I'll trying loading one less round.

Also: safety may be different on the civilian side. I remember plenty of occassions where firearms had to be on SAFE with the bolt to the rear so that everyone knew those rifles were empty. Since I've been in the military, we clear the weapon and then send the bolt forward and load a magazine. That way, should we need to, we can quickly charge the rifle and fire.

so should I need to quickly load it I would first have to lock the bolt back. I don't like this. Can any of the Mini14 variants be loaded with a closed bolt?

Your question is confusing. You ask if a Mini can be loaded with a closed bolt. Inserting a loaded magazine is not loaded IMO. Chambering a round is what I consider loaded. If you can't insert a loaded mag on a closed bolt download one round like others have said.

 

[subscriber]

Your question is confusing. You ask if a Mini can be loaded with a closed bolt. Inserting a loaded magazine is not loaded IMO. Chambering a round is what I consider loaded. If you can't insert a loaded mag on a closed bolt download one round like others have said.

He means seat a mag. He should load the mag with one less round than capacity and try again, as others have suggested.

 

[mini14rookie]

No problem for me. 581 series ranch rifle, I keep a full 20 rd mag inserted in the well with the bolt closed. I honestly havent noticed any difficulty seating the mag but the bolt will put a small dent in the top round in the mag. If I could not seat a magazine with the bolt closed I would not be happy.

 

[glenwatkins]

Probably why Ruger builds their mags to accept one extra shell. Just load to 5-10-20-30.

 

[kwg020]

I carried an AR that if I loaded the magazines to 30 it would not lock in and there was so much friction on the bolt I couldn't be pulled back with the charging handle. I put 28 in the magazine and the problem was fixed. kwg

 

[jgodwin2]

Had to go try my mini-tac just to see if it would.
Using full Ruger 20 rd. mags it did not seem to care bolt open OR closed.

 

[gunblade]

Leaving the bolt closed serves the same purpose you shouldn't leave your magazines loaded for extended periods of time. The spring will lose its "spring", and will no longer expand with its original force. "We have to make sure to empty our mags every now and then at the armory because we don't want to be caught in a firefight with a magazine that won't feed rounds.

Now, I'm not sure exactly how long it takes for this to happen, but I've found plenty of magazines on the job that are no good.

Looks like I'll trying loading one less round.

Also: safety may be different on the civilian side. I remember plenty of occassions where firearms had to be on SAFE with the bolt to the rear so that everyone knew those rifles were empty. Since I've been in the military, we clear the weapon and then send the bolt forward and load a magazine. That way, should we need to, we can quickly charge the rifle and fire.

I was a CATM instructor in the USAF for 20 + years. If you're a Security Forces troop, then you know what CATM is...Combat Arms Training and Maintenance.

The reason we had you strip all your rounds out of your magazines was for a couple of different reasons. One was to make sure all the rounds are there. AF cops are notorious for losing ammo, and since we had to account for all the ammo it was important to keep an accurate inventory. Having you dump your mags and reload them was a good way to accomplish that, and had nothing to do with spring fatigue. Second, AF cops are notorious for putting things in their magazines when they lose a round, like a broken pencil or even a dummy round, so they don't have to explain to anyone what happened to their ammo they lost on duty. They would put the broken pencil about a third of the way down in the magazine, then load a few live rounds on top so the armorer couldn't see it when they turned their mags in with their weapon. I always had the flights dump their mags every quarter so I could verify the lot numbers, get an accurate count, and see if any broken pencils turned up.

On the range, with the M16, all firing begins with the bolt locked to the rear and the safety on. We typically would have you release the bolt, load the mag, then on the "FIRE" command you would charge your weapon and start shooting. When you are done firing you would clear the weapon and leave the bolt locked to the rear. This was so the CATM instructors on the range can determine if the weapons are safe as they walk down the line before allowing the students to check their targets.