[crowtalks]

I have a 186 series Mini-14 that from day one had issues running rounds with promag magazines, but shoots fine with factory mags.

I know of a few more folks that have this same issue.

I was wondering who has success with after-market mags in the earlier series rifles?

Has anyone had any luck tweaking the Promag steel mags to run reliably?

I love this gun, but it is one of the few mag-fed weapons I have, or have had, that sucks with aftermarket mags.

 

[40nascar]

Just use factory mags....Problem solved.

 

[Skeets4039]

I have a 186 series Mini-14 that from day one had issues running rounds with promag magazines, but shoots fine with factory mags.

I know of a few more folks that have this same issue.

I was wondering who has success with after-market mags in the earlier series rifles?

Has anyone had any luck tweaking the Promag steel mags to run reliably?

I love this gun, but it is one of the few mag-fed weapons I have, or have had, that sucks with aftermarket mags.

There are several things you could do. First as was suggested, buy some Ruger magazines, but they are hard to come by at this time. However, I recently bought some from this vendor.

RUGER MINI-14 223REM 30RD

This high quality Promag RUGER MINI-14 223REM magazine, designed with a 30-round capacity. Get it now at GunShowMags.com for as low as $32.99

www.gunshowmags.com

You can also try to improve the mags you have. I have found that there are three common problems with mags. Bad feed lips, a weak spring or a bad follower.

You can obtain a Ruger mini 14 follower from Midway USA.

Ruger Mag Follower Ruger Mini-14 Blue Stainless Models

This is an original factory replacement part. Factory replacement parts are manufactured to the exact same specifications and tolerances and use the...

www.midwayusa.com

You can purchase stronger springs from both Midway USA and Sunflower Outdoor Sports.

Wolff Mag Spring Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle 30-Round Extra Power

Wolff Extra Power Magazine Springs are used when magazine reliability is critical or when original factory springs have lost their tension. These extra...

www.midwayusa.com

https://sunfloweroutdoorsports.com/Wolff-Mini-14-XP-Magazine-Spring-20-Round-60910.htm

The mag lips can be repaired, but it is difficult to do without a good (Ruger) magazine to use as a template to see what is the problem.

I hope this helps. FWIW - I'm on my fifth Mini 14, a 580 model.

Take care and stay safe

 

[Skeets4039]

There are several things you could do. First as was suggested, buy some Ruger magazines, but they are hard to come by at this time. However, I recently bought some from this vendor.

RUGER MINI-14 223REM 30RD

This high quality Promag RUGER MINI-14 223REM magazine, designed with a 30-round capacity. Get it now at GunShowMags.com for as low as $32.99

www.gunshowmags.com

You can also try to improve the mags you have. I have found that there are three common problems with mags. Bad feed lips, a weak spring or a bad follower.

You can obtain a Ruger mini 14 follower from Midway USA.

Ruger Mag Follower Ruger Mini-14 Blue Stainless Models

This is an original factory replacement part. Factory replacement parts are manufactured to the exact same specifications and tolerances and use the...

www.midwayusa.com

You can purchase stronger springs from both Midway USA and Sunflower Outdoor Sports.

Wolff Mag Spring Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle 30-Round Extra Power

Wolff Extra Power Magazine Springs are used when magazine reliability is critical or when original factory springs have lost their tension. These extra...

www.midwayusa.com

https://sunfloweroutdoorsports.com/Wolff-Mini-14-XP-Magazine-Spring-20-Round-60910.htm

The mag lips can be repaired, but it is difficult to do without a good (Ruger) magazine to use as a template to see what is the problem.

I hope this helps. FWIW - I'm on my fifth Mini 14, a 580 model.

Take care and stay safe

Correction on the link for the factory Ruger Mini magazines that I purchased.

FACTORY RUGER MINI-14 223REM 20RD

This high quality FACTORY RUGER MINI-14 223REM magazine, designed with a 20-round capacity. Get it now at GunShowMags.com for as low as $25.99

www.gunshowmags.com

The link I posted shows a Ruger marked 30 rd magazine, but at the bottom of the ad show it to be a Pro Mag.

Sorry for the confusion.

Take care and stay safe

 

[crowtalks]

There are several things you could do. First as was suggested, buy some Ruger magazines, but they are hard to come by at this time. However, I recently bought some from this vendor.

RUGER MINI-14 223REM 30RD

This high quality Promag RUGER MINI-14 223REM magazine, designed with a 30-round capacity. Get it now at GunShowMags.com for as low as $32.99

www.gunshowmags.com

You can also try to improve the mags you have. I have found that there are three common problems with mags. Bad feed lips, a weak spring or a bad follower.

You can obtain a Ruger mini 14 follower from Midway USA.

Ruger Mag Follower Ruger Mini-14 Blue Stainless Models

This is an original factory replacement part. Factory replacement parts are manufactured to the exact same specifications and tolerances and use the...

www.midwayusa.com

You can purchase stronger springs from both Midway USA and Sunflower Outdoor Sports.

Wolff Mag Spring Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle 30-Round Extra Power

Wolff Extra Power Magazine Springs are used when magazine reliability is critical or when original factory springs have lost their tension. These extra...

www.midwayusa.com

https://sunfloweroutdoorsports.com/Wolff-Mini-14-XP-Magazine-Spring-20-Round-60910.htm

The mag lips can be repaired, but it is difficult to do without a good (Ruger) magazine to use as a template to see what is the problem.

I hope this helps. FWIW - I'm on my fifth Mini 14, a 580 model.

Take care and stay safe

Thanks for the good info and links.
I have new followers I got from Midway for my aftermarkets (via an earlier post) and I have a good Ruger mag to use as a template...thanks!

 

[mrmike7189]

Mags for the Mini 14 are hit or miss....I have gone through several brands including some Ruger 10 rounders that were so bad I sent them back for a refund. Even factory mags have issues. The Ruger 5 rounders that came with my 584 series work great. My Federal ordnance and PMI mags also work well. Good luck folks. Its been trial and error and when you find what works, keep them. The others just end up in the trash!

 

[cptmarvel33]

There are several things you could do. First as was suggested, buy some Ruger magazines, but they are hard to come by at this time. However, I recently bought some from this vendor.

RUGER MINI-14 223REM 30RD

This high quality Promag RUGER MINI-14 223REM magazine, designed with a 30-round capacity. Get it now at GunShowMags.com for as low as $32.99

www.gunshowmags.com

You can also try to improve the mags you have. I have found that there are three common problems with mags. Bad feed lips, a weak spring or a bad follower.

You can obtain a Ruger mini 14 follower from Midway USA.

Ruger Mag Follower Ruger Mini-14 Blue Stainless Models

This is an original factory replacement part. Factory replacement parts are manufactured to the exact same specifications and tolerances and use the...

www.midwayusa.com

You can purchase stronger springs from both Midway USA and Sunflower Outdoor Sports.

Wolff Mag Spring Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle 30-Round Extra Power

Wolff Extra Power Magazine Springs are used when magazine reliability is critical or when original factory springs have lost their tension. These extra...

www.midwayusa.com

https://sunfloweroutdoorsports.com/Wolff-Mini-14-XP-Magazine-Spring-20-Round-60910.htm

The mag lips can be repaired, but it is difficult to do without a good (Ruger) magazine to use as a template to see what is the problem.

I hope this helps. FWIW - I'm on my fifth Mini 14, a 580 model.

Take care and stay safe

I just bought 4 20 rd mags from Ruger.com

 

[cptmarvel33]

There are several things you could do. First as was suggested, buy some Ruger magazines, but they are hard to come by at this time. However, I recently bought some from this vendor.

RUGER MINI-14 223REM 30RD

This high quality Promag RUGER MINI-14 223REM magazine, designed with a 30-round capacity. Get it now at GunShowMags.com for as low as $32.99

www.gunshowmags.com

You can also try to improve the mags you have. I have found that there are three common problems with mags. Bad feed lips, a weak spring or a bad follower.

You can obtain a Ruger mini 14 follower from Midway USA.

Ruger Mag Follower Ruger Mini-14 Blue Stainless Models

This is an original factory replacement part. Factory replacement parts are manufactured to the exact same specifications and tolerances and use the...

www.midwayusa.com

You can purchase stronger springs from both Midway USA and Sunflower Outdoor Sports.

Wolff Mag Spring Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle 30-Round Extra Power

Wolff Extra Power Magazine Springs are used when magazine reliability is critical or when original factory springs have lost their tension. These extra...

www.midwayusa.com

https://sunfloweroutdoorsports.com/Wolff-Mini-14-XP-Magazine-Spring-20-Round-60910.htm

The mag lips can be repaired, but it is difficult to do without a good (Ruger) magazine to use as a template to see what is the problem.

I hope this helps. FWIW - I'm on my fifth Mini 14, a 580 model.

Take care and stay safe

Thanks for that info! I have 6 mickeymouseassmadeinchinawalmartbullshit magazines that I got on close out for $3 each. Figured it be no loss if they didn't work out. They didn't. They fed and the rifle cycled fine, but when I removed the mag for reload the bolt would slam forward. It's not exactly a "combat rifle", but could be used as such and that extra time could be critical. I ordered 4 20 rd mags from Ruger and they worked as designed. The follower is definitely different between the 2 brands, so I just ordered the 6 followers that you referenced. Only $3 and change each, so cheaper than chucking and replacing the mags.