After having poor luck using recoil buffers that are marketed for use on the Mini-14, I took some advice from a friend and tried a buffer made for a 1911 pistol instead. Not only was it a cheaper way to go, they work great. The buffer goes on the guide rod where the “tongue” end of the guide rod & recoil spring meet the cross pin in the receiver. To install one, just pull back slightly on the spring & rod together until it is free of the cross pin. While doing so, be careful to observe which side of that cross pin the “tongue” was on (the top side). Inverting the guide rod will turn your Mini-14 into a single action shooter. The older Mini’s don’t have this tongue, but a centered insert into a recess instead. Anyway, just insert the 1911 buffer onto the guide rod with the ears toward the barrel, and release the rod & spring back into the receiver. Done! My friend took some good pics of his install...keep in mind the action is laying upside down...
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