Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Mini 14 cracked barrel

[RBardwell]

Alright so I bought a ruger mini 14 for $100 with a cracked barrel. The crack is about a 1/2" long from the tip of the muzzle to the front edge of the front sight. What kind of easy fixes are there? I do understand I may need to replace the barrel. I am looking for any ideas for a fix. If you know of any gunsmiths in the Eastern WA area post em. If you know of any vendors with good parts post those too.



Thanks in advance...

 

[AMink]

There's a possibility they can bob the barrel, but it might come out too short or there is potential damage to the rest of the barrel. If you do have it shortened, assuming the rest of the barrel is ok, you can put an aftermarket muzzle brake/flash hider on it to make it look finished.

 

[MAleshire]

You'll be a lot happier if you just put on a new barrel. However, money wise, I don't know what a new barrel will cost. Your first move should be to run it past a couple different gunsmiths. If you bob and crown the barrel you'll likely have more tied up in labor than the labor to put on the barrel. If the barrel is bobbed you may impact both ballistics and accuracy. I have a hunch that if a gunsmith takes a close look at the barrel it will have a slight bulge or weak spot between the crack and the receiver.



Skip

 

[KIKER]

You might check this website out. They specialize in rebarreling Ruger Mini 14's and can upgrade your accuracy considerably.
Custom Ruger Mini 14 30 Rifles Accuracy Systems Gunsmith

 

[BarryG]

I have heard quite a few good things about the above location. I have a mini that I am considering sending to them for some work.



You might also try posting the question here, it is a site like this for mini's.

Ruger Mini-14 Talk - PerfectUnion BBS

 

[MickeyMiller]

I'd contact Ruger. I've returned a Blackhawk to them when it sheared the ejection rod housing screw. They repaired it, no charge. Can't hurt to ask them.

 

[AABEN]

Send it to Ruger and have them to replace it with a new one with a one and eight twist 1-8 This will let you shoot 70Gr bullets. Call then and talk to them to see if they can do it.

 

[RBardwell]

Thanks all for the replies. I am going to replace the barrel as I dont know what was being done with it when it cracked. The individual i purchased it from was none to bright obviously he did sell it for $100.

 

[RBardwell]

Another Question

Besides some of the vendors already in the post. Does anybody know of anyone else who builds barrels for these rifles?

 

[BarryG]

You might try Brownells

Here is one they have, they may have others as well not sure



SHILEN : MINI-14® HEAVY BARREL - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools

 

[Chief USA]

Depending upon the length of the crack, you may want to consider just having the barrel cut down and recrowned or installing a muzzle break. When done correctly, this actually improves accuracy of the factory barrel when combined with other modifications. 16. 25 inches seems to be the sweet spot for this. Cutting the barrel down apparently changes the barrel harmonics which increase the accuracy.



You can search here for more info. :



Mini-14 - Accurizing - PerfectUnion BBS



Just to give you an idea of various mods. that can be done to the Mini rifles:



Custom Ruger Mini 14 30 Rifles Accuracy Systems Gunsmith



Mini rifles are good for what they were originally built for but very expensive to accurize and modify.



I would still have concerns over just exactly how the barrel became cracked.

 

[RBardwell]

Thanks for the links.

 

[whamby]

I would try Ruger first. They may replace it for free. I have heard many stories of excellent warranty service from them.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Being a gunsmith, I'd recommend you find a competent one in your area. If you like to shoot, it's always good to have a good smithy you can rely on. Just like a mechanic if you like to drive... .

I remember, several years ago, shooting with a guy from Yakima, WA, but I can't find his card. I've moved several times since then. If worse comes to worse, I'd be happy to work on it for you, but I'm in Texas, and you'd have to mail it to me... . and the paperwork is a pain in the Politician... Ruger might be a good idea. They can work on it and send it directly back to you(depending on state law) as they are the manufacturer. I wouldn't guarantee it to shoot any better, but it will shoot... a friend on a chat room just suggested:

West Coast Armory

675 NW Gilman Boulevard,

Issaquah, WA 98027

(425) 391-4867



This is a third person referral, good luck... .

 

[slowneasy]

RBardwell,

I just came a cross this thread... I have an original Mini-14 barrel laying around if you're interested. Let me know.