Ruger MINI-14 - Manual (Page 21)

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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 magazines and 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 before retracting 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 33, of this
manual for packing and shipping information.
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