Author Topic: ruger mini 14 -a real project (Read 3107 times)

rvtrav · « **on:** December 12, 2009, 07:11:17 AM »

Hello to All,

I have been bestowed with a Ruger mini 14 that is really rough, and incomplete. I think that it may have been someone's "SHTF times" gun that wasn't properly protected from the elements. or a put under the pickup truck/ boat seat and leave it there gun.

It is missing a stock, rear sight assembly, it is the older (1979 vintage) type, and handguard, and is brutally rusted. The barrel is the worst of the rust, so badly pitted and corroded inside that even the caliber size is indecernable.

On the good side though, the action seems complete, and after a good soaking in solvent I have got it operable, the gas system, trigger and bolt/slide assembly all seem to be functional. Only a few areas of outside rust spots are on the action.

Now on to my reason for posting, is it worth rebuilding? I know a lot of places do aftermarket work on accurizing the mini 14s but they usually start with the ranch or newer scopeable models. I'm in no hurry to rebuild this thing so a casual search for parts is what I have planned, but will it all be worth it? after all is said and done I'll likley have more invested in it than if I just bought another mini 14 used, what is you'all's opinions on undergoing such a project?

Also does Ruger still make the parts to complete the rear sight assembly? and where would be the best place to look for a replacement barrel?

Thanks in advance, Rvtrav

ctrout · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2009, 09:31:56 AM »

I would say that it is in no way worth rebuilding. Although the minis are utterly reliable in function, they are also utterly reliable in miserable accuracy as well. My mini-30 gets an average of about 4moa with all ammo tried, factory or handloads. I have probably tried at least 30 different combinations of components too. Something to the tune of probably 500-600 rounds fired from the bench during load development to finally conclude that the gun makes a better club than a deer rifle. Your barrel will definately require replacement based on your description and by the time you,ve paid the price to do that, you still need a stock and have a rusted action. You could probably buy a brand new mini for less than a restoration would cost and the new gun will still be in better condition.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2009, 10:17:59 AM »

find a $10 dollar used stock stock

fix it so it will go bang

hide it out for a ''shtf times'' gun

buy another 223 so the ammo you will have for it wont be wasted

billy_56081 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2009, 01:23:59 AM »

If the action is in good enough shape send it to Accuracy systems and have you a nice accurate rifle built.

http://www.accuracysystemsinc.com/index.php

gstewart44 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2009, 10:24:31 AM »

Get a stock.....try it out at 100yds......if accuracy is typical of 4+ inches then stiffen the barrel by either shortening to 16" or bracing with an underbarrel strut.......

If you are going to rebarrel get a 16" barrel - they are stiffer and more accurate than the original 18 1/2 " barrel.

rvtrav · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2009, 04:38:59 PM »

Thanks for your comments and opinions guys,

I've been shopping around the gunstores/pawnshops while doing Christmas shopping hunting for a stock and parts for the action.

There is a gunshow coming up in January, and usually there are a few dealers there that specialize in gun parts, hopefully I can get the gun completed on the cheap.

I am still toying with the idea of sending it off to one of the accurizing places, but with it being the older style action without the intregal mounts, and with the cost involved, I'm leaning towards a more original configuration.

Thanks again, Rvtrav

billy_56081 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2009, 12:21:10 AM »

How about some pics? Would be a great project to share a rebuild story on.

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2009, 03:51:18 AM »

If, when you get that thing resurrected it shoots minute of pie-plate at 100 yds, the cheapest and easiest fix for accuracy is to go to PerfectUnion.com and purchase a Tri-Rail Mount or two, as they stiffen the longer barrels better than anything else I have found. Good luck and hth.

Silvertp · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2009, 07:48:58 AM »

Don't even think about "canning" this rifle. You can always build a dependable home defense / plinking weapon.

The advice to find a used stock and rebarrel is good, based on what you are saying about the condition of the bbl. Odds are that just a new bbl (especially if you select for short quality bbl) will allow you to shoot better than the new mini's.

If your in no hurry spend some time and find what you need for a rear sight or find an aftermarket replacement.

Use one of brownells spray refinishing products to refinish the metal and you can build a fine rifle.

If you have a little "gunsmith / tinker'er" in your veins follow billy's advice and do a project so we can all follow along.

If you want a real shooter and are not willing to take on the project, try one of the aftermarket "accurizing" services.

The best to you on your decision.

Silvertp

rvtrav · « **Reply #9 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:54:02 PM »

Hello again to all,

Billie 56081, I'll post some pics. The other day my next door neighbor and I got talking about the gun, he took an interest, and since he is stuck home for the winter and getting bored he asked if I'd drop it off and he'd give it a working over.

When I get it back I'll update you'all on the progress, and I'll take a a few pics of it, I should have took a few for "before and after" comparisons.

Thanks, Rvtrav

bilmac · « **Reply #10 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:55:05 PM »

I would think that with all the tricking out done on these rifles there must be some original stocks lying around, advertising in the right places should turn one up.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #11 on:** December 26, 2009, 06:02:57 PM »

Take off stocks show up on Ebay quite a bit for a reasonable price.

As to the barrel----I'd give Ruger a call first---a replacement might be available---hopefully for not too much----never hurts to call and find out.

Here ya go for the rear sight:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=28946/sku/Sight_Assembly__Rear__Complete

A bit pricey----but an option:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=29109/sku/223_Rem__Mini_14_Barrel

rvtrav · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2010, 05:30:16 AM »

Thanks for the links Omaha!

I'm ordering the rear sight now.

rvtrav · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2010, 06:18:29 PM »

Hello again to all,

I should have posted a new string entitled "a testament to the durability of Sturm Rugers mini 14."

It has been a cold blustery day, so I didn't take any pictures, too cold outside and too dark inside to show the finish of the gun. I'll have to get some and post when I can get some good lighting from outside.

however, the important facts are; after a thorough over all cleaning, and a serious barrel scrubbing with the wire brush, the gun does shoot and function 100%, I have put a couple hundred rounds through the gun with no jams. Accuracy...well it was cold, blustery and windy, my plan of putting it on paper quickly degenerated into a "minute of soda can" sight in and function test, mostly from the truck window, and so far it has worked excellent, and as crude as my sight in procedure was the gun does shoot reasonably well.

Many thanks Omaha, for the Brownell's link. the rear sight, and stock were the main purchases I had to do for completion. I'll post pics and a more detailed step by step of the rebuild this week.
Thanks again Rvtrav

Silvertp · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2010, 06:19:22 AM »

Alrightythen....lets see some pics' and a rundown on what was done. Did you keep the original bbl??? Sounds like you might have. Did you refinish the bbl? How about the stock?

Pictures ....

Silvertp

DANNY-L · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2010, 05:44:29 AM »

my wood stock was good and in good shape, but I bought a houge overmolded , to me it feels and looks better cost was about $55 from cabelas and it don't slip in your hands.

rvtrav · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2010, 05:05:57 AM »

okay I've taken some pics of the mini 14. Again it was a nice foggy dark cold day so I took them in the kitchen, the lighting made shading, but I think the gun's condition can be seen okay.

rvtrav · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2010, 05:23:18 AM »

This last photo is the trigger group area, I really haven't started the steel wool workout on this part yet. It's the worst of the shadowed photos to see the details on, but this is what the rifle looked like all over when I first got it.

As you can see, the barrel, and front sight of the rifle had the worst pitting and rusting. I've been using a wire brush and steel wool to clean off the rust. the pitting is too deep to remove.

I really couldn't get decent pics of the barrel condition. the rifling is there with rough spots in the grooves, as I've shot the rifle and cleaned it, the barrel's conditon has made considerable improvement.

The receiver/action has had the wire brush and steel wool treatment, the rust is gone, but light pitting has remained.

I am loading up some more FMJ's, if it clears up a little today I plan to go shoot it again. from what I did last weekend it does help the barrel, and accuracy seems to be okay. obviously it isn't ever gonna be a match grade weapon, but as far as a peep-sighted mini 14 goes I think it'll be good enough for a truck/ rabbit plinking gun. I really want to do a better evaluation though.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2010, 08:09:15 PM »

Plenty of life left in that gun----seems perfect for a truck/plinker gun.

j two dogs · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2010, 07:40:57 AM »

Get a can of ceramacoat from midway about 20 bucks, follow the directions. Requires bake on.
and she will look next to new. Waterproofed, and tough as nails finish.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2010, 07:57:48 AM »

the problem with a gun like that is

you have so much work in it

then it becomes more valuable TO YOU than a brand new gun

i currently have a POS bolt shot gun to be a truck gun
by the time i am done refinishing it......i won't leave it out there

rvtrav · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2010, 05:14:15 AM »

Hello again to all,

I know what you mean .45-70 gov, I've had a few "beaters", I've ended up cleaning them and babying them more than my high dollar stuff.

I took the rifle out yesterday, first good day for weather in quite a while. I set up for 70 yards because of the open sights, it grouped right in the black and held 2" groups (10 rnds each). I shot a 20 round group and had four flyers (most likley me) that opened the groups up to 4". I think that would be pretty typical of any mini 14.

shooting that gun is irrisitable, I stopped where someone had set out some orange clay pidgens on the backstop hill. I could hit them easily at 100 yards or so. I burned through another 200 rounds or more altogether, never had a single jam or hiccup.

J two dogs, I'll look up the ceramacoat, I'd like to see what it looks like when applied, the more that I shoot the 14 the cleaner it seems to become. I think the heat causes the rust to expand at different rates than the steel and it peels off. after getting it home and giving it a thorough cleaning it seems to always look better.
Rvtrav

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2010, 07:04:17 PM »

WOW, sure looks rough! But, nothing some sandpaper and one of the firearms coatings cant help

I would recommend Sand blasting it if you have access. Would be best to take barrel out of action for that, though...or at least plug chamber and muzzle of barrel, and careful how hard ya hit anything with the sand blaster. I would surely take the flash hider off, sandblast, and paint up good.

Heck, sounds like its accuracy is still OK, clay pigeons at 100 yards aint bad, since they are 4" in diameter

I would be happy with that, personally.

Looks like a good project, I should order some Duracoat and re-do a few of my guns, but not sure thats even the route I want to go yet...

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2010, 11:47:28 AM »

Looks like a tough old soldier to me, A can of dura cote and a trip to the oven will have it looking good. That would make a fine truck gun.

Alvin · « **Reply #24 on:** February 06, 2010, 05:55:51 PM »

New flash suppressors aren't that expensive and would make a big improvement on the gun.

j two dogs · « **Reply #25 on:** February 27, 2010, 04:35:53 AM »

Sorry it took me so long to reply to your question.
J two dogs, I'll look up the ceramacoat, I'd like to see what it looks like when applied, the more that I shoot the 14 the cleaner it seems to become. I think the heat causes the rust to expand at different rates than the steel and it peels off. after getting it home and giving it a thorough cleaning it seems to always look better.
Rvtrav

Here is a pic of a full sized 30/06 I cut down to make a brush gun, and recoated with cerama-coat, very durable.