Ruger Mini-14 Armorer's Course DVD by AGI

Ruger Mini-14/Mini-30

Master Gunsmith and Certified Gunsmithing Instructor Robert "Bob" Dunlap is a renowned expert on most of todays and yesterdays important AND obscure firearms. He has been a warranty station for most manufacturers, both large and small. He understands the design, function, and repair of firearms in general, and certainly the gun that has been a major success for Ruger with Law Enforcement, foreign militaries, and the American public, the Ruger Mini-14 and all of its derivatives.

If you want the quick course on how to get this super popular semi-auto centerfire rifle apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you.

Among the items covered are: 

History

• Founded by Bill Ruger and Alexander Sturm in a small rented machine shop in 1949, Sturm, Ruger & Co. brought out the Mini-14 in 1971. It was their first really successful centerfire semi-auto
• The gun owes a great deal to the Garand/M-14, M-1 Carbine design, and looks somewhat like the M-14 (Duh! Hence the Mini-14)
• The trigger group is practically identical to those earlier guns
• There was a great buzz of anticipation when the gun was announced and a big rush to buy it when it finally hit the market
• The gun is inexpensive, reliable, and like most Rugers, a great value for the money

Design & Function

• Magazine is a great deal like the AR-15 magazine and with some work, those can be made to function in the Mini-14
• Bolt lock-up and gas system demonstrated and explained
• How the secondary sear functions as a disconnector and also provides a two stage trigger system
• Out of battery safety feature
• Bolt assembly parts function described
• What holds in the extractor, which holds in the firing pin, which.
• Gas nozzle and action bar system bears a resemblance to that of the Remington 742 and is very trouble free
• Demonstration and explanation of how the magazine retaining system operates, from the magazine catch to the recoil spring powered plunger that holds the front
• Demonstration and explanation of how the bolt stop is actuated and operates, both by the magazine follower and the manual over ride button
• How the cam slot design in the operating rod actuates the bolt
• How the windage and elevation knobs of the rear sight operate with a bullet nose
• Fire control system and safety operation are demonstrated and explained
• How the safety moves the hammer off of the sear and blocks the trigger
• How the hammer actually rotates the bolt to complete lock up if the cycle is slightly out of time
• Cartridge feeding cycle demonstrated and explained
• Ejector operation

Disassembly

• Extensive disassembly, and instructions on how to take apart those parts/assemblies not disassembled, and explanation of why some assemblies are NOT to be disassembled
• Field stripping
• Bolt stop removal
• Gas block removal
• Magazine plunger removal
• Rear sight information
• Bolt disassembly
• Trigger group disassembly
• Pay particular attention to the magazine catch disassembly
• You get a good look at how the various parts fit together and interact (particularly the springs) after they are removed from the gun and Bob splains things

Cleaning & Lubrication

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use
• After cleaning, dry with air gun, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)
• Lubing the "Bob" way, and what kind he likes

Reassembly

• Pins, slave and tapered, hook, punches, etc. Helpful tools to help you get this gun back together easier
• Gas block reassembly
• Bolt reassembly and troubleshooting
• How to correct the poorly fitted extractor, putting the squeeze on
• Extractor configuration and rules shown and explained
• Trigger group reassembly and troubleshooting
• How to do a simple, yet effective, trigger job, but why Bob thinks you should not do so
• Positive and negative sear/hammer engagement is VERY important
• Make sure that the safety is SAFE and properly fitted

Accessories

• Rear sight adjustment tool
• Replacement apertures
• Butt pad/extender
• Scope mount
• Stocks
• Handguards
• Magazines
• Muzzle brakes
• Flash suppressor/sight combo

If you noticed how often the terms "explanation" and "demonstration" are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a must have for any Ruger Mini-14 owner, or someone who intends to be.