Mini 14 Maintenance Secrets 

When I lived in Alaska , with way below zero. 40 to 60 f below. We always used synthetic automatic transmission fluid. AR’s and semi autos never failed in the cold.

Sorry bud. I've owned and maintained a Ruger Mini-14 since 1981. You made the field stripping job look at least ten times harder than it actually is, and scattered extra parts everywhere all over the bench. The side plate cover and bolt lock parts DO NOT need to be scattered in order to remove the bolt!!! With the operating rod removed, move the bolt 2/3 rds of the way to the back of the receiver then, simply pull it forward, up & out with a slight wiggle. (just like the military guide books describe for the M-1 rifle, M-1 Cal. 30. Carbine, & M-14 rife)....That's it, that's all. Good luck.

Great video. Good info, for sure. I have an M1a, for nostalgia, since I was issued an M14 as a Marine in 1969-73. Anyway, in the manual it states that, for accuracy maintenance, you shouldn’t disassemble the rifle. Just clean it intact. In the USMC, we broke it down completely every day, and I still managed 10 in the 18 inch target at 500 yards with iron sights. Having older eyes, I can no longer do that, alas.

This video is just what I needed! Picked up my mini 14 two days ago. Did a basic clean and going to the range tomorrow. I will definitely be using this video to disassemble the mini 14, and to clean and reassemble ! Thanks

Probably the most difficult part of reassembly is getting the bolt back in. A little patience and several times doing it, it becomes easier. Dont be afraid it is a simple rifle to work on.

Well done Sir! Can't wait for the Mini to get here! Nice tip on the difference between dry-oil on the mini as opposed to grease on the M-14/M1A. -Thanks!!!!

Good video. Exactly the same core as mine. Because of lots of dust where I shoot, I dry lube everything with a good Silicone/Teflon Spray. It sure makes cleaning easy.

Just an FYI the gas port and hole should be fairly clean. Anywhere hot gas flows will be self cleaning. Just like the gas tube and block on an AR. I think cleaning the piston is all that’s really needed.

Nice Job! Thanks for taking the time to do this vid...much appreciated.

If you noticed when removing bolt if you hold barrel downward it will pretty much fall right out. That's because in that position the firing pin is loose and all the way in outward position. So when reinstalling the bolt use a finger nail to hold firing pin back to rear of bolt (open), and bolt will slide back in easily. Hold barrel upward.

Thanks so much for a good, basic and informative video. I just picked up my stainless/synthetic 5817 and will be sighting it in this weekend. Appreciate the advice on grease and will do it. Also enjoyed your other vids on the Mini.

Thanks for taking the time to share this info.

Very very outstanding video. Great job. Keep up the good work. Clean language too. Thanks a lot friend. SC Navy vet 😊you should not use lithium grease on guns. It’s bad on synthetics and rubber parts.

Graphite, after cleaning parts you need dry lubed, wipe em up with zippo fluid, wipe that away and then graphite. Makes triggers slicker then moly, slide slots, anywhere you dont want gunk collecting in grease. It sticks in steel for a long time, and other debris just falls off a graphite impregnated part.

Was waiting to see what to do with the Bacardi.....

Thank you for the video, it is very helpful, I am a brand new Mini-14 owner. I too was waiting to see if you were going to have a Bacardi and Coke!!

Most especially with the stainless, after you have fired it enough to kind of get the parts to all made up really nice with very light oil. You could put some slick Lube or some type of Dielectric grease with Teflon on it, very little of it, you can touch the contact points of the trigger mechanism and such if you wish. If you feel the firearm. You can easily use dry Teflon spray and spray the bore the chamber and the operating mechanism and leave it the hell alone. There is no oil or grease to draw dirt and cause any issues. Dry Teflon Lube is great especially for a firearm that you carry. Even your pistol. My Close Quarters rifle is actually a Mini-14 with a shortened barrel and a muzzle brake permanently attached. And it is very handy, and I spray Teflon Lube on it and leave it the hell alone. I almost never have to play with it more than that. I do a quick cleaning it comes very clean very quickly because nothing actually sticks to it because of the Teflon on it. Works great, more than accurate enough inside of Close Quarters range, and will still be running when any AR I might use nearly as much needs attendant repair in order to make it operate! That dry lube is a type of Teflon dry lube that you showed. And yes you will get a little of sludge, but it is not going to be wearing the rifle out. Carbon fouling is not abrasive enough, all it's going to do to that stainless is Polish the hell out of it. The Molly Lube is near perfect. The CRC break Lube that you can buy at AutoZone is exceedingly slick.

Not a big rum guy but that Reserva Limitada is fantastic. Neat is the way to go with it. Helpful video, thanks.

I use graphite instead of grease. It doesnt collect debris like grease does, and isn't affected by operating temps, storage, etc.

I have the same model #5802 stainless/wood .......beautiful!

Nice detailed breakdown...

Thanks for the tip on grease vs oil...

Also, polish that guide rod and put a thin film of grease on that guide rod and it will not be so abrasive on that spring as it operates back and forth.

You saved my life, thanks!

Thanks, very informative.

Excellent video. Thank you!

Just stumbled on your channel. I don't have a mini, but enjoyed the show. I'll sub & see what else ya got.

Good video. Have same model, stainless/wood from 1989

Excellent video. Thank you very much for your time.

you do know the only reason why grease was recommended was because the gun had to survive a rain immersion test and oil would get displaced by soldiers standing out in the rain but grease would stay put during heavy rain storms right?

A suggestion for future informational videos: you use the words "kind of" excessively. You don't kind of do something. You either do or you don't. If it's a specific action or technique then say so. It sounds more professional and a lot less vague. Close ups would be more helpful particularly on intricate assembly items. Otherwise it was a very good informative presentation. Nice job!

Just got a stainless mini thirty. The only reasonably smooth surface I could find on the gun was the stock. This is a poorly cast and finished gun. I just paid $1K for it. The fishing sinkers I cast in my garage come out more refined than the receiver on this gun. I am already thinking about sawing the receiver in half and cutting my loss.

I was interested in the mini-14 after learning about them. At first I was attracted to the gun, however after looking at the construction, accuracy, and now the disassembly, I'm not convinced that obtaining one would be a great call in comparison to the AR-15. That being said, mini-14 conversion therapy isn't the point of the video.

Why if the manual says oil would you not use oil? Ruger spent millions of dollars on R&D on what works and doesn't on their products so what is the data used that says grease is the way to go?

You are lucky to be able to watch this every day over and over. Back in the day there was maybe one film you watched but mainly a sit down with 80 others looking on, then about 3 hours of takedown and assembly but after that you did it daily even if not used. And like your .45 you did it in the dark also for you may have to one day while in the fight. A note not till recently did the Marine Corps use scopes or redots but every year any and all Marines including Navy Corpsmen had to get on target at 600 yards with iron sites only, says something about the ammo and rifles and the men and women of the Marine Corps.

normal all good thanks i have a old 1982 reworked and it is a 2 inch at 150

Lightweight motor oil is a great lubricant. Make sure to apply the oil in a substantial amounts on all actions of the WEAPON. Plenty of lube is needed to prevent wear and increase the longevity of the WEAPON. Rubbing alcohol 91% for removing lubricants. IF you are in cold weather.....grease is reccomended. When I perform maintenance to a WEAPON.....I place a towel or maybe a piece of carpet to protect the finish of a weapon

Is it normal for mini 14 to have some sparks come out of it ejection port?

I have the 1976 model with "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty" on the side of the gun. I clean the gas port using a pipe cleaner and then use the rest of the barrel using the brush with cleaner on it then the brush run down the barrel with lubricant on it and then using the Remington cleaner through the barrel on the rod. The cleaning of the rest of the gun is like cleaning any other gun. The gun is now only being used for home defense and the modified AK-47 used the same way since I don't hunt any longer.

I had a Mini 14 for over 15 years and shot it very little.This was an earlier model with a wooden upper forearm. One day I took it to the range, chambered a round, pulled the trigger and it failed to fire. Thinking that I had chambered a bad round, i re chambered another one only to have the same result. I looked at the primer and noticed that it had not been struck by the firing pin. After getting home I called Ruger and told them of my problem. They said that it was likely a broken firing pin which seemed odd. I asked them to send me a replacement firing pin and I was told that the rifle would have to be returned for a new firing pin to be installed. I asked again for them to ship me a new one and again they told me that the gun had to be returned. I decided that I would not own a rifle if I could not simply replace the firing pin as a routine course of maintenance. At a future gun show I sold the rifle and a few magazines. Other magazines I gave to a friend. I replaced the Mini 14 that I had sold with an AR 15 and have never looked back. I will never buy another Mini 14. I have owned other Ruger products and still do but never another Mini 14

I use grease on all my weapons. I tell people about using grease and they think i am crazy

Never heard anyone having issues with the mini 14

Mine didn't have the spring in the side plate and it just came out the box

@8:29 I'm still looking for the "notch in the receiver for the firing pin." I just cannot seem to find it anywhere. Dang!

This is my gun this is my rifle, lol.

Nice video Chris. Having trouble w my triqqer mech upon reasembly. Will try your tips. Gratias Amigo

Use carb and choke cleaner, not WD-40. Works great.

I am just now getting acquainted with Ruger's Mini-14 and after watching you with the ease of disassemble and reassemble, I am very impressed. I am old school and really like the (furniture) stainless format. More of a sportsman range rifle without the Assault hype of an AR or AK which I don't care for. Ruger's Mini-14 looks as good as my Ruger M77 30-06. Also, these ignorant anti-gun liberals wont even flinch seeing one, not realizing this hunting rifle functions similar and just as effective. One note: dry lubricants are micro graphite or silicon particle base which does not impress me at all. Those do better polishing or honing than lubricating. When I can scrounge up the money, I'll be looking for 58xxxxxx series or higher. Thank you for a great video.

Just got a 14. The gas port is loose and slides out. What is a suggested fix

I had something interesting happen while firing trigger housing popped open twice.

Had me all confused for a moment..I have an older one WITHOUT the buffer cup and pin...The pin I seen in mine is actually part of the mag release pin...lol

..." Just pop that off and then spend an hour looking for that spring-loaded bolt catch because I didn't mention that...."

Sometimes its not really good to use lots of grease on a MINI ,you need to have the parts seat and wear properly. I dont put any grease in the action only on the OP rod rail

Comes apart just like and M-1.

I just subscribed, Great Channel !!!!!

Would you say that what is good for the 14 is also good for the 30?

Wish you had the camera closer as we don't need 75% background and 25% point of interest. Just a suggestion for future. Glad to see you recommended lithium-based grease.

learned a lot---------I have not shot mine much(Im really more into my pistols)but I would like to start using it more. Any idea for attaching a bi-pod?

Nice!

Excelente!

my rugar mags are bad about rusting?

IT'S HOP-EZ, NOT HOPS. Hoppe's has a video on RU-vid, check it out and QUIT SAYING HOPS, IT'S HOP-EZ!!!

what is the Bacardi used to clean LOL

Older ones are a lot easier. Fewer small parts falling out all over the place.

The older mini is easier, no cross pin and bushing

How often do you clean this intensely?

easy

i put a 30 rd pro mag in my mini 14 now it doesn't want to come out like the mag lock is stuck can someone help me out please!

my mini likes johnny black

Grease wow.

Just get an AR15.

You're moving waaay too fast! When I see the parts fall out without proper explanation as to why they are falling out, it makes it impossible to figure out from your video what just happened, much less put things back together again.

Is the last maintenance step placing the mini in a trash can?

Use Either for gas port

mine likes frog lube

Very good vid, however it is a rifle not a gun, just saying.

Lousy camera work on the close ups.

Good ... But you talk too much ... :-)

It would have been nice if you showed instead of told. I learned not alot.

My friend has an older mini which his slide is stuck in the close (forward) position. Can the trigger still be removed if the rifle is NOT cocked? Or does anyone know a way to unjam it? Mine did this years ago and it eventually unstuck on it's own...

This is one of the better Mini14 video's I've seen. I love mine so I'm going to try this tactic next time.

Just bought a Mini-14 and was kind of intimidated to clean it. Your video is so good on the disassembly and reassembly I was able to do it the first time thank you . good job!

If the gun will be sitting a long time, always put anti sieze or at least grease on that gas port, sometimes it can seize to the slide and you might have to kick the charging handle to unfreeze it.

Try the marine grease. It has moly in it but it handles moisture better and keeps your stainless clean.

Man oh man, your a pro & it shows. It all looks so easy when you know how it goes. Excellent video sir, many thanks for sharing!

Anyone should be able to pop out the trigger without tools,not that hard,scratch it all up doing that shit.I love all my many Rugers,they are built like a tank.I have the first Mini,no bolt open lever,don't care,it will still be running in another 50 years

wd 40 makes short work of the powder residue . super fast and cheap !!

You should buy an older model that way u have 1 of each and educate people on the different that and you can't I repeat can't have 2 many m14 s just saying

Popping off the cover to get the bolt out isn't necessary. I can easily remove the bolt and replace without that extra step.

You make reassembling the spring look so easy. I have a extra power spring on mine in an attempt to keep the empties from launching into the next county. Snaking that sucker back into that hole can be very frustrating!

I inherited a beautiful mini identical to yours,Thank you so much for vid you really explained everything great.

You didn't illustrate what roll the Barcardi played in this cleaning session 🥴

Very nice, detailed explanation. Thank you.I've been looking for a winged front sight, like the one you have. . . Can you tell me where I can purchase one?

Thanks Chris, what's your opinion on aftermarket mags? I bought one at one of the mega sporting goods stores but gets stuck after 14 to 17 shots.

I just use a pipe cleaner for the gas piston. I bought a bag of ar-15 gas tube cleaners about 15 years ago, still have 3/4ths of that same bag lol. and a baby bottle brush works well for cleaning out the mags.

I have a Mini 14 and I love shooting it. I have had it since 2001 and wanted to find a video on cleaning it stem to stern, tag, your video is it.

I'd bought my Mini 14 Ranch Rifle off the gun store used gun rack w/o a manual. When I broke it down per the M14, it took a while to learn to disassemble the bolt lock mechanism in order to reinsert the bolt during reassembly.

I have a ruger mini 14 stainless and have had a mini 30 loved em both still have the 14 but it came with the cheap pot metal rear peep sight, hate it so I put a Choat folder synthetic stock and a Leopoldo x vlll 3.5 x 10 50 mm objective, so far so good, anyone else have a cheap rear peep or was that a short run?

Nice job, professional and helpful with no loud music, no shouting, no fringe politics. A first rate channel. But put your name or “handle”/nickname out there so we can remember and recommend you!!

This video is old and I don’t expect a comment but if you see it I would appreciate it! So i inherited some guns from my grandfather who passed, one of them being a mini-14. I disassembled it today and didn’t really have any problems except the stock had a really hard time getting in the right place and I had to use some force. Think it’ll still be good to shoot?