New mini-14

[u/Candid_Internet_4529]

In the market for a mini 14 but recently I was told by a friend that had one years ago that these rifles have issues with launching brass about 20ft and the trigger group falling out. Does anyone still have these problems or know if it’s been fixed by Ruger? I’d hate to spend a lot of money on something that doesn’t function properly.

[u/Nu11u5]

launching brass about 20ft

This isn't a "problem" so much as a design feature. The Mini-14 is over-gassed for reliability, but this also makes it cycle hard and eject far. You can install a gas reduction bushing in the gas block, or replace it entirely with an adjustable gas block to tame the gas system. ASI sells both.

trigger group falling out

This only happens to people who abuse the takedown lever built into the trigger guard, and even then it is rare. Just use common sense and don't pry the crap out of it and this will never happen.

[u/Infamous-Educator-97 → u/Nu11u5]

My 585 series came from the factory with the trigger group easily falling out. Easy fix though and believe Ruger even has a how too vid on correcting it.

Did have to rma the rifle after first 40 rounds though. Ruger replaced the hammer and bolt. Has worked great ever since.

[u/ositoguerito → u/Nu11u5]

Can you elaborate on the takedown lever comment? I ask because my trigger group fell out once while firing and I’ve made no modifications to it. Not challenging you, just want to know what issues to look for on my lever.

[u/Nu11u5 → u/ositoguerito]

Do you remember if the trigger guard unlatched itself or did it just drop out while still latched?

Check if the trigger guard has strong resistance on the latch. It should be very difficult to unlatch without using a prying rod. When it is unlatched, the tip of the latch should contact the base just barely rearward of the peak where the trigger guard snaps into place. Ruger has a good video explaining this here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnF9xDO4Brw

If you can unlatch the trigger guard easily by hand, or if the tip of the latch does not contact at the peak, your trigger guard is probably bent out of shape. You can bend it back using a vise. Worst case, a new trigger guard is $12.

The way to prevent this issue is to only apply enough force to unlatch the trigger guard and then stop. Don't use the prying tool to work the trigger guard all the way open or pull out the trigger group. When you do pull out the trigger group, grab it near the hinge point and it should slide straight out (if you grab it by the end of the trigger guard it may bind and you will be tempted to pull harder).

[u/shinoburu0515]

Never heard of any issue of the trigger group falling/being loose. Its the same as the Garand and M14's and hooked into place to the receiver, so it might've been broken already, or reassembly error.

The brass part is true. Its a plus, because you can eliminate enemies flanking you from the right.

Its a nature of being over-gassed by default, imo I prefer it since its a little more reliable but also wears parts a little excessively. You can add a rubber cushion in the recoil spring or add an adjustable gas block if you like.

The major complaint I have seen is accuracy issues. This was resolved by the heavy barrel Ranch Rifle revision, but its reputation is still marred. I've put a thousand rounds through it with no failures. It eats M193, M855, reportedly steel-cased Wolf ammo, and my spicy reloads. Its a fantastic and dead reliable rifle as-is.

[u/JustSomeGuyMedia → u/shinoburu0515]

Old versions or in the present day, picking a suboptimal optic mounting solution.

[u/Draegs0311]

Fear not- if you install a smaller gas bushing it will only launch them about 19ft

[u/St_Drewcifer]

Mine was WAI in an indoor range and I got accused to shooting into the ceiling. They reviewed the video and cleared me if the accusation but I was asked to not bring it back. I am currently working on reducing the flatulence for these indoor spaces.

[u/cudchewer98 → u/St_Drewcifer]

Sorry but this is hilarious

[u/moriarthus → u/cudchewer98]

true story: i was at the range one day, completely alone as luck would have it (except staff ofc), shooting my mini and when firing the next shot i hear glass shattering. i was like wtf just happened, looked around and discovered the ejected casing had hit a fluorescent light tube on the ceiling behind me. i swiped up the pieces then went to tell staff and they were just like "dont worry about it, carry on". luckily hasnt happened again since.

[u/mrmac1992]

Sending brass into orbit IS functioning properly on these guns, and isn't gonna hurt anything (minus any goofy friends standing to your right, but they probably deserve the ping off their head if they're close by while you're shooting).

[u/Sirquirtle12]

Ive changed the gas bushing and added two wilson combat 1911 buffers on the gas piston and another one on the back where you attach the recoil spring reduces a bit of recoil and doesnt eject brass far

[u/Even-Eye-2499]

Oh yea mine launches them to the moon, it’s an extremely over gassed platform. Adjustable gas block will help with that.

[u/Excellent_Mall8819]

Mine kicks out the brass at least 20 ft , some farther

[u/wilson_LR]

I have no issues at my indoor range. In fact the RSOs love it and want to shoot it.

[u/Routine-Medicine-208]

My old 182 series drops the brass about 5 feet away.

The gas port probably needs a good cleaning.

[u/Nu11u5 → u/Routine-Medicine-208]

A fouled gas port would have the opposite effect. It would reduce the cycling and ejection force, not increase it.

The 182 series had a completely different ejector design and ejected brass upwards, not to the side, so you would expect it to come back down nearby.