[nostraboys]

Just purchased my first. Is it normal for the charging handle on the reciever to have a fair amount of movement or is mine broken? I am able to move it back and forth with my finger. Thanks.

[SightNSqueeze]

My Mini-14 charging handle rattles a little, just like my M1 Garands. As long as the bolt stays locked up you should be fine. If you have any doubt, let a gunsmith take a look at it, or just compare your Mini-14 with someone else's.

[jrswanson1]

Both of mine do this, it's normal.

Jim

[Mountain man]

Since you just got this mini 14 if it is a 223 rem there are things you need to know if you plan on hitting anything and enjoying your rifle .Early model mini 14 used a 1-7 in barrel rifling later models use a 1-9 in barrel. Small grain ammo will NOT shoot with any type of satifaction due to the fact of the barrel twist rate.Use a minimum 55 grain to start out with with but you most likely wont get a great job out of it .The best to use is from 60 grain to 75 grain ammo but be carful not to exceed the case overall length(2.250) when reloading or otherwise buying ammo for the mini 14.Hornady sells a 75 grain 223 rem round that works outstanding in a bolt action but is 2.390 in length and that wont work thru your clip or eject correctly.But Hornady also sells a 75 grain BTHP 2.250 that work outstanding out to 400 yards out of my rifle.I been hunting with my mini 14 for years and my choice is a 68 grain Hornady BTHP available at Bass Pro Shops although I reload all my own ammo.This is the same problem the gov had when the switched to the 223. The short light weight bullets had the tendancy to break apart in flight or tumble due to the fast rotation on the 1-9 barrel .The longer more heavy bullet was the answer.I hope this helps you enjoy

[Mountain man]

Quote:       Originally Posted by nostraboys

Just purchased my first. Is it normal for the charging handle on the reciever to have a fair amount of movement or is mine broken? I am able to move it back and forth with my finger. Thanks.

Use it and if it fires fine dont worry about it they are built loose.

[Kcoyboy]

When did they switch to a 1 in 9. I have 2 minis one I bought recently and an older one bought around 1990. To reply to the charging handle my new one has a great deal more play than my older one. I wonder whats the deal are the new ones made to sloppy specs? Also wondering if the newer one will mess up down the line to the movement problem? Also like the mi carbine like front sights and the slightly bigger dia barrell. But to my displeasure the new one doesnt shoot much better than the old one! the best ive got is 2 in at 100 on a good day. and I reload

[jrswanson1]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Kcoyboy

When did they switch to a 1 in 9. I have 2 minis one I bought recently and an older one bought around 1990. To reply to the charging handle my new one has a great deal more play than my older one. I wonder whats the deal are the new ones made to sloppy specs? Also wondering if the newer one will mess up down the line to the movement problem? Also like the mi carbine like front sights and the slightly bigger dia barrell. But to my displeasure the new one doesnt shoot much better than the old one! the best ive got is 2 in at 100 on a good day. and I reload

What loads are you using? I have a newer one I bought used, made before the thicker barrels but with the M1 front sight. They made the 1 in 9 switch years ago, they made some in 1 in 7. My older Mini seems to prefer the lighter weight bullets in my handloads and commercial ammo. My newer one I'm still testing. Need to get back to the range soon.

FYI, my older Mini before some mods was shooting 5-6" groups at 100 yards, now I'm 2" and under.

Jim

[Kcoyboy]

Hey Jim forgot about this posting sorry. My favorite load is 24.3 Hod blc 2. Whats yours? anyone else have a sloppy fitting operating handle on a newer MINI?

[jrswanson1]

I have to go back and check, I was using Varget under a 53gr JHPBT and a 50gr ST from Winchester. How sloppy is the operating handle? Is it moving more than 1/4"? Is it moving vertically or horizontally? That makes a difference.

Jim

[Kcoyboy]

No but its moving an 8th vertically ( up and down) my older one doesnt have that much play. Also the gas block screws are staked which is a b. Was going to put an adjustable one on it. The 24.3 Blc 2 is for fmj or soft tip 50 or 55 grain. Its a reduced load but its the best I have found. Thanks for the reply! good shooting.

[jrswanson1]

There was a discussion about this on Perfect Union. I have a little play on both of mine, one made in 1996 and the other 2005. I think that's for reliability. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.

Jim