[Jay_S]

I have a slight case of jamming plaguing my Mini-14. I think most of my hi-caps are USA mags, which could be part of the problem. At one point, I thought it might need a good cleaning, but even after I did so it still jammed (though admittedly not as bad). Any suggestions what I can do to alieviate this problem? Would replacing the magazine followers with Ruger factory mag followers (as I've seen suggested elsewhere on this board) help matters much?

 

[mgsoar]

It sure sounds like a mag problem to me. When I bought my first Mini, out of ignorance, I shot it DRY for the first 500-600 rounds without cleaning it and had not even one malfunction! A good mag option would be to use Thermold mags. I use them almost exclusively to save my factory mags and they work great. At first I had to fill them with only 25 rounds but soon they get "broken in". Good luck.

 

[4v50]

Most likely than not your problem is magazine related. Compare the feed lips of your 5 round Ruger factory mag to the USA hi-caps. Measure the opening from front to back and the height. Also compare the symmetry of the lips. You may have to tweak the USA mags to get them to work and so you'll need the Ruger as the "factory" model with which to compare with.

 

[Signal 07]

Get rid of those USA Mags... Buy some PMI's

 

[R6721]

Jay_S, there could be a couple of problems with your Mini-14. First, I would try firing your rifle with different mags. If it still jams, then I would disassemble the rifle completely. I would inspect the recoil spring (putting these in backwards will cause the rifle to jam), next I would check the gas port assembly(I would look for any carbon burns around the "Gap" between the upper and lower half. Next, I would check the piston (there should be some movement). After inspecting the gas
port assembly, I would check the bolt. My experience with this rifle is the after the mag, this part causes the rifle to jam most of the time. (I am a state certified armorer for the Mini-14). The main culprit is the extractor plunger. If the extractor has any movement at all, you must replace the extractor plunger and maybe the plunger spring. Good Luck, R6721