Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle Instruction Manual

							A cartridge can be “discharged” before it is
chambered if its primer receives a sharp blow. If a
cartridge hangs up, jams, or binds when being
chambered or when being fed from the magazine
into the chamber, do not attempt to force it into
the chamber by pushing or striking the bolt.Any
jam or feeding problem is a signal to immediately
stop  using the gun until it can be determined
what is wrong. Most failures of a cartridge to feed
or to chamber are caused by a damaged magazine,
improper gun handling, or defective ammunition.
Whatever the cause, cartridge jams can result in
the potentially dangerous situation of a cartridge
discharging before it is chambered. If this occurs,
the cartridge case will rupture and its fragments
will fly out of the gun with sufficient force to
cause injury. Always wear shooting glasses and
hearing protectors! Keep face away from chamber!
STRIKING RIM OR PRIMER
CAN BURST CARTRIDGE
22
!WARNING–MALFUNCTIONS
3. If the mechanism shows signs of not functioning correctly, or if a part is
damaged or broken --  don’t use the gun. Have it inspected, and repaired. (See
“Malfunction Warning” below)
4.Use only genuine Ruger
®Mini-14 magazinesand carefully load the magazine.
Do not exceed the stated magazine capacity. (See “Loading Magazine”, p. 13)
5. Do not ‘ride’ the slide handle when chambering a cartridge from the
magazine. The slide should be drawn fully to the rear and then be permitted to
snap forward under the full force of the recoil spring. If a cartridge does not
fully chamber, do not ‘pound’ on the slide handle to force the bolt closed.
Rather, retract the slide, eject the cartridge and determine the cause of the
problem. (See “Bore Obstructions Warning” p. 19)
6. To minimize the probability of an unfired cartridge being jammed should it
‘fall back’ onto the magazine, remove the magazine beforeretracting the slide.
When extracting an unfired cartridge, tip the right side of the rifle towards the
ground so that gravity will assist the cartridge to fall clear of the magazine
well. Always retract the slide briskly whenever extracting a live cartridge. Take
care to see that a cartridge is not forcibly ejected against a surface where the
primer might be set off.
Alterations to the rifle or use of non-Ruger magazines and accessories may cause
malfunctions. See “Alteration Warning” on page 8. If the above procedures do
not result in a smooth and reliable feeding firearm, don’t use the gun. The rifle
can be returned directly to our Newport, New Hampshire Product Service
Department for repair. See the Service and Parts Policy section, page 34, of this
manual for packing and shipping information.  
						

							Always unload a firearm
before cleaning, lubrication,
disassembly or assembly.
UNLOAD BEFORE
CLEANING
23
!WARNING–DISASSEMBLY
1
3a
2
Safety
 ON
3b
4
DISASSEMBLY
Be Sure Rifle Is Unloaded!
Although The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle can be disassembled, reassembled, and
cleaned in almost any surrounding, it is preferrable to carry out these
procedures on a workbench or table which has a covered top. A piece of shallow
nap rug or an old blanket is an ideal covering. Such a covering keeps the rifle
from slipping and being scratched.
1
2Figure 6
1.With the rifle pointing in a safe
direction, safety “ON”, r
emove
the magazineby pushing catch
forward to release magazine,
while drawing magazine down
and forward (See Fig. 6). 
1
2Figure 7
2. Pull the slide handle all the way
to the rear and release. Make
sure safety is “ON” (See Fig. 7).
NOTE: Hammer must be cocked
and safety must be “ON” to
accomplish disassembly and
reassembly. Again, be sure
chamber is empty! 
						

							Figure 8
Figure 9
3. Use a 1/4” diameter steel rod,
punch, screwdriver shank, or
other suitable instrument
inserted into the hole in the rear
of the trigger guard as a lever to
spring open the trigger guar
d
from its latched position
(See Fig. 8).
WARNING: Do not use a cartridge to unlatch the trigger guard because of the
danger of loosening the bullet in the cartridge case (See Warnings in “Ammunition”
section, p. 11).
4. Fold rear sight down. Invert rifle
and remove trigger housing
assemblyby carefully pulling it
upward (See Fig. 9). Be careful
not to damage stock when
removing or replacing the trigger
housing assembly.
12
Figure 10
11a
11b
Figure 11a
Figure 11b
5. Remove barrel/receiver
assemblyfrom stock by
swinging rear end away from
action slightly, then pull stock
out of engagement with gas
block (See Fig. 10).
6. Remove buffer guide rodand recoil
spring(See Figs. 11a and 11b). 
CAUTION: The spring is heavily
compressed -– use eye protection
and care when disassembling and
reassembling to prevent the rod
and spring from escaping forcibly
and possibly causing injury.
NOTE:When removing the buffer
guide rod, note positioning of the
projection on its end with relation
to the buffer cross pin. The long
tongue portion of the rod (“a”)
must go underthe cross pin (“b”)
in Figure 11a, at the time of
reassembly.
24 
						

							25
Figure 14
NOTE:The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle is like the M1 Garand and many other types
of autoloading rifles in that the hammer can fall if the trigger is pulled when
the bolt is partially retracted. It is important for the shooter to realize that
the firing pin cannot contact the cartridge until the bolt is safely locked,
regardless of the position of the slide.
1
2
Figure 12
7. Remove the buffer cross pin
and the buffer bushingif there
is any concern they will fall out
during remainder of
disassembly.
8. Pull slide handle
to the rear.
Align projection on slide with
disassembly notch on receiver.
Remove slide (See Fig. 12).
9. Remove bolt lock cover plateby
carefully tapping downward
(with a soft-metal punch) at
point “a”. (See Fig. 13). With
cover plate removed, depress
bolt lock plunger
, “b”, which
will allow ejector/bolt stop
, “c”,
to be lifted out. (See “Caution”
in step 6, p. 24.)
Figure 13
10. Pull the bolt forward until it
can be pivoted out of receiver.
Align firing pin projection with
slot in lower receiver bridge and
remove bolt from receiver (See
Fig. 14). NOTE:Bolt can be
removedfrom receiver with
ejector/bolt stop in place, but
bolt cannot be installed
with
ejector/bolt stop in place.
Removal of the bolt stop assemblyis not normally required for routine cleaning. 
						

							26
Removal of the gas block assembly is not necessary and is not advisable.The gas
block assembly is factory fitted using special fixtures and torque tools. Attempting
to fit the gas block assembly without the required special equipment can result in
damage to the components and malfunctioning of the rifle.
Further disassembly of the RUGER
®MINI-14®RANCH RIFLEis not
required for normal cleaning purposes and should only be performed by a trained
armorer who is experienced in firearms repair.
REASSEMBLY
Again, Be Sure Rifle and Magazine are Completely Unloaded!
1.Reassembly of bolt into receiver:
(BOLT CANNOT BE RE-INSTALLED WITH EJECTOR/BOLT STOP IN PLACE)
a. Bolt can be reinserted by holding it at approximately a 45o
angle to the
receiver, with the rear end of the bolt angling downward. Insert the tail of the
firing pin through the slot in the receiver bridge, and “wiggle” the bolt until
its rear end moves back into the receiver. Then, push it forward to its closed
and locked position. It should rotate and move freely into place.
b. If you have removed the bolt stop (step 9, p. 25) reinsert the bolt lock plunger
and spring into its hole in the top of the receiver. Depress the plunger until
the rectangular cut in its side lines up with the round hole seen inside the
receiver on the left side. CAUTION! Plunger will now be under spring tension
and could cause injury if suddenly released.While holding the plunger against
its spring in this position, insert the bolt stop until its rectangular “tab” goes
into the rectangular cut on the bolt lock plunger. Sliding the bolt lock cover
plate upward (prying it upward slightly with a screwdriver if necessary)
completes reassembly of the bolt lock.  Note that the large inverted triangular
protection on the cover plate goes on the outside
of the rifle.
2.Reinstalling remaining parts of barrel/receiver group:
a. Retract bolt. Replace operating slide by angling the handle portion upward
between the handguard and receiver ring; then lower the slide so that the cam
track on the inside of the rod fits over the roller on the right locking lug of
the bolt, and the tab adjacent to the slide handle goes into its track on the
right side of the receiver.
b. Push operating rod fully forward. Be sure that the gas piston fits into the hole
in the front of the slide.
c. Replace buffer bushing (open end goes toward front) and cross pin. The cross
pin must be below flush with both sides of its hole. Be sure pin stays in place
for next step.
d. Hold action upside down as show in Figure 11b, p. 24. Car
efullyinsert recoil
spring into hole in rear of slide, and compress the recoil spring until buffer
guide rod can be inserted into buffer bushing (the projection on the guide rod
should be between the buffer bushing cross pin and the barrel).
CAUTION! The recoil spring will be strongly compressed during this step and can
fly out with considerable force, possibly resulting in injury. Keep it under your
control and proceed with care. 
						

							3.Final reassembly of rifle:
a. Replace stock by inserting its front end into the gas block at a slight angle.
When the stock is correctly seated into the gas block, the stock can be
swung down into full contact with the receiver.
b. Insert the opened trigger housing assembly, safety “ON”, into the stock (the
hammer must be cocked prior to insertion). When fully seated, swing the
trigger guard fully into place until it locks shut. An audible “click” will be
heard when it is correctly locked. Cycle the slide handle and safety a few
times to be certain the components are correctly assembled. Put the safety
back “ON”.
c. Reinsert an empty
magazine and fully withdraw slide. The bolt should lock
open automatically.
GUNS SHOULD NOT BE STORED LOADED!
REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
OF FIBERGLASS HANDGUARD
1.MAKE CERTAIN THE RIFLE CONTAINS NO CARTRIDGES AND THAT IT IS
POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
2. Remove the magazine. Leave the slide in the forward position.
3. With the rifle flat on its side, apply substantial thumb pressure, with both
thumbs, to the projecting underside of the handguard in the area of the
retaining spring. (The spring is located underneath the circular projection on
the top of the handguard.) The pressure should be applied so as to raise the
rear portion of the handguard first.
4. To replace the handguard, put the forward end of the handguard under the top
portion of the gas block (as far forward as possible) and squeeze the handguard
down over the barrel.
MAGAZINE INSPECTION AND CARE
Check the magazine frequently. The follower must move freely and have
adequate spring tension so that each cartridge is quickly raised to the feeding
position.
To test the spring tension, load one cartridge into the magazine and then firmly
press against the cartridge case. Remove your finger quickly. The cartridge
should instantly and fully move in to the feeding position. If it does not, the
magazine should be cleaned. If cleaning does not restore proper spring tension,
do not use the magazine.(NOTE: After testing, remove the test cartridge).
When cleaning is necessary, use a solvent that will not rust the metal
components or adversely affect the plastic magazine bottom. The magazine may
be disassembled by placing a small screwdriver through the hole located in the
magazine bottom and depressing the magazine bottom retainer. Car
efullyuse the 
27 
						

							screwdriver to push the magazine bottom rearward as you push down on the
spring-loaded bottom retainer. After the magazine bottom has been slid rearward
off the magazine shell, car
efullyraise the rear end of the bottom retainer so that
its two small lugs can be slid out the rear of the magazine and car
efullyremove
the bottom retainer. CAUTION! It is under spring tension from the magazine
spring.The magazine spring and follower may now be removed from the bottom
of the magazine shell, completing its disassembly. After the magazine has been
soaked in solvent to loosen foreign matter, be certain to shake it vigorously (with
the loading opening away from you) to remove solvent or residue from within
the magazine.
Reassembly of the magazine can be accomplished by hooking the magazine
spring into the hole in the magazine bottom from the right side. Reinsert this
assembly upwards into the magazine shell. Carefully compress the spring and
slide the bottom retainer on from the rear. Finally, press the bottom retainer
downward and slide the magazine bottom on from the rear.
Figure 15.Exploded view of the
Mini-14 magazine components.
This illustration is included to
show the relationship and names
of the magazine components.
DAMAGED, NON-STANDARD, OR IMPROPERLY
ASSEMBLED MAGAZINES SHOULD NOT BE USED.
THEY CAN CAUSE THE RIFLE TO MALFUNCTION.
28
CARE AND CLEANING
BEFORE CLEANING, BE CERTAIN THE RIFLE AND ITS MAGAZINE
CONTAIN NO CARTRIDGES.
At regular intervals, or whenever the rifle has been exposed to sand, dust, extreme
humidity, condensation, immersion in water, or other adverse conditions,
disassemble, clean and oil it. Proper periodic maintenance is essential to the
reliable functioning of any firearm. 
						

							Firing a rifle with oil, grease, or any other
material even partially obstructing the bore
may result in damage to the rifle and serious
injury to the shooter and those nearby. Do not
spray or apply lubricants directly on
ammunition. If the powder of a cartridge is
affected by the lubricant, it may not be ignited,
but the primer firing may push the bullet into
the bore where it may be lodged. Firing a
subsequent bullet into the obstructed bore may
damage the rifle and cause serious injury or
death to the shooter and those nearby. Use
lubricants properly. You are responsible for the
proper care and maintenance of your firearms.
IMPROPER LUBRICATION
DESTROYS GUNS
29
To clean the rifle, proceed as follows:
1. Disassemble (field-strip) the rifle to the extent described on pages 23 - 25.
2. Using a cleaning rod, run a solvent-wetted patch through the bore several
times. Then attach a solvent-wetted bristle brush to the rod and run it back
and forth the full length of the bore as many times as necessary to remove
grease and dirt from the bore and chamber. Clean bore with dry patches and
examine. Bore fouling can contribute to reduced accuracy, and grease
accumulation in the chamber can interfere with proper feeding of cartridges
from the magazine.
3. Using powder solvent on a clean patch or bristle brush, remove powder residue
from all components of the mechanism. After cleaning, run a dry patch
through the bore, then follow with a patch that is very lightly oiled. Wipe all
surfaces clean with cloth, then wipe all surfaces with a patch or cloth that has
been very lightly oiled.
4. NOTE: Only a light application of oil is needed to provide adequate lubrication
of moving parts and to prevent rust. Excess accumulations of oil tend to
attract particles of dust and dirt and may congeal in cold weather which can
interfere with the safe and reliable function of the rifle.
!WARNING–LUBRICATION
OIL
STORAGE
GUNS SHOULD NOT BE STORED LOADED!
USE THE LOCKING DEVICE SUPPLIED WITH THE RIFLE FOR STORAGE.
(SEEPAGE6)
Do notstore the rifle in a leather case or scabbard. Leather attracts moisture,
even though it may appear to be dry.
TO RENDER THE RIFLE INOPERATIVE FOR SAFE STORAGE
With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, remove the magazine, retract the
slide handle, and retract the bolt fully to the rear. Lock the bolt open and check  
						

							30
the chamber to be sure the rifle is completely unloaded!With the muzzle pointed
in a safe direction, pull downward on the rear end of the trigger guard and
remove the trigger housing assembly from the bottom of the rifle.
Store the rifle and the trigger housing assembly in different locations. When
disassembled in this manner, the rifle is inoperable. It is impossible to fire the
rifle until the trigger housing assembly has been correctly replaced.
To reassemble the rifle for firing, reinsert the trigger housing assembly into the
receiver from the bottom. Swing the trigger guard upward and rearward until it
latches securely in place. Check to be sure that the bolt can be operated fully and
freely by operating the slide handle back and forth. The rifle is now reassembled
and can be loaded and fired normally.
While the rifle is less likely to be used by unauthorized persons when
disassembled in the above manner, it is always safest to store a firearm with
the supplied locking device correctly installed, or to store the firearm in a gun
safe or other secure location, away from children and unauthorized adults.
Guns should always be stored securely, unloaded
and separate from their
ammunition.
Never place or store any firearm in
such a manner that it may be
dislodged. Firearms should always be
stored securely and unloaded, away
from children and careless adults. Use
the locking device originally supplied
with this firearm for storage.
The use of a locking device or safety
lock is only one aspect of responsible
firearms storage. For increased safety,
firearms should be stored unloaded
and locked in a location that is both
separate from their ammunition and
inaccessible to children and any other
unauthorized person.
STORE SECURELY & UNLOADED
!WARNING–STORAGE 
						

							MAINTENANCE OF STAINLESS STEEL RIFLES
Firearms and components made of stainless steel are relatively more resistant to
corrosion than those of blued steel. However, in the interest of proper operation
and long life of a stainless steel firearm, inspect it frequently and clean, lubricate
and apply an appropriate rust preventative.
Sometimes discoloration occurs from perspiration or from contact with some
types of gun cases. Rusting may occur as a result of the firearm being exposed to
moisture, salt air or chemicals.
Minor discoloration can usually be removed by rubbing the stainless area with an
abrasive ink eraser, crocus cloth, or a “metal polishing” compound. When using
any of these abrasives, proceed with care and use light pressure to achieve a
blending of “color” with those areas that are not discolored.
External surfaces most subject to rusting from handling, or from exposure to the
elements should be cleaned and wiped dry after use or after exposure to adverse
conditions. If the rifle is to be stored, coat it with a light film of oil or
preservative. Where the rifle is in continuing use, and the presence of oil or
grease would be objectionable, then the external surfaces can be coated (after
cleaning and drying) with a paste wax formulated for use on metals. Apply the
wax sparingly, allow time for it to dry hard, then buff lightly with a soft cloth.
When applying the wax, take care that it does not get into the mechanism or on
the functioning parts or in the bore.
ATTACHING RUGER SCOPE RINGS
Each Ruger telescope ring is a mated assembly of a top and a base. Do not mix
the parts of the two ring assemblies as they are not interchangeable. On the
underside of each mounting ring assembly there is an integral lug located off
center with respect to the front and back sides of the mount. The lug is nearer to
the front surface. By reference to the lug, the mounting can be correctly
assembled with the front of the ring toward the muzzle of the rifle.
1. Fold rear sight down. Disassemble one ring and reassemble over the scope
body between the turret and the eyepiece. Remember - the lug on the base
should be on the front side of the scope.
2. Install the four top screws. Do not tighten.
3. Disassemble the other ring and install it on the forward section of the scope
tube with the lug forwardly also. Install the four top screws. Again, do not
tighten.
4. Assemble the rings to the scope mount bases in the top of the receiver with
the lugs engaging the recesses in the top surface of the bases. Tighten the
clamp nuts so that the rings are locked to the semicircular cuts on the sides of
the bases.
5. Rotate the scope until cross-hairs are aligned properly and slide scope to
desired eye relief. Then tighten the eight top screw each a bit at a time to grip
the scope body.
6. Sight in according to the directions with your scope.
31