Unable to remove bolt on Mini 14

[Starslinger]

I have a used but new to me Ruger Mini 14. I thought that I'd field stripped it for cleaning once before, but I might be confusing it with my PC Carbine. This might be the first time I've cleaned it. Anyway, it has a scope now on the rail over the receiver and ejection port, and I cannot get the bolt assembly out. I watched three different YouTube videos and spent almost an hour before I gave up. I cleaned the bolt assembly as best I could while it was still in the receiver and ran a bore snake through the barrel. It seems like maybe I would have to remove the scope to remove the bolt assembly - does that sound right? Anyone else have this problem with their Mini?

Read More

 

[lucusloc]

Can you get the charging handle off? If you can then you may be able to wiggle the bolt free, but that will entirely depend on how much space the rail leave you out the top of the receiver.

The bolt comes out upward and to the side and there are indeed many scope mounting methods that can interfere with disassembly. Fortunately you don't actually need to get the bolt all the way out just for cleaning, once you have things stripped down to just the bolt in the receiver you should be able to reach everything you need to with lube (and really you don't even need to go that far, you only need to take things down far enough to expose all the main parts, which really means just taking the action and the stock off). You would only need to remove the bolt if you were trying to inspect for parts wear or other functionality issues. Yes it is nice to do that somewhat regularly, but you don't need to unless you are having problems. I would leave the rail on and the bolt in place, lube as necessary and put everything back together.

 

[Stomper]

It may depend on whether the bolt is for shooting around left or right handed corners, because they don't make a Mini-14 bolt for shooting very straight... at least for more than one shot anyway.