In 1989, my soon to be FIL was on a commercial fishing boat in the North Pacific out of Kodiak. They hit a reef and the boat started sinking. Eveybody hopped in the skiff in time, and they were able to get to shore. The owners decided to raise the boat the next year and thats when my FIL was able to find his mini-14 that he forgot in his haste.



As soon as they got it to shore, it sat in a drum of diesel for a few months. It has fired since coming back up, but has since been taken apart and put in a trash bag, with the stock thrown away. It was covered in mud on the deck of the boat, so that saved it from a lot of corrosion. All the major components are sound, but the barrel bore is the only questionable item, because pitting can be seen at the muzzle. It has sentimental value, and cost doesnt matter much, but he wants it nickel coated now too.

Starting with springs, pins and firing pin to be replaced. Also lots of TLC with a buffing wheel and sandblaster.


I'll update with pics as I go.

**Corrections, it was a boat leaving Kodiak, not Dutch Harbor. Rifle was blued.**

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Zacsquatch,

Now there's a firearm with a story...

Some minor pitting in the bore isn't necessarily a problem. I have some old milsurps with rough bores that still shoot just fine.

Major pitting that compromises the barrel's integrity is a problem, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Some minor pitting in the bore isn't necessarily a problem. I have some old milsurps with rough bores that still shoot just fine.

Major pitting that compromises the barrel's integrity is a problem, of course.

As long as the thing can hit a pie plate at 50 yards, we will keep the barrel.

I would submit this story to Ruger. It sounds like the gun held up well. They might want it for advertising and give you a new one.

Can't wait to see some pics. Sounds like a fun and interesting project. What a story!

quote:

Originally posted by Rinehart:
Now there's a firearm with a story...

Agreed...cool story!

I also think it would be fun to share that story with Ruger.

Airplanes, cars, boats, motorcycles, and guns...restoration projects have a more meaningful impact when you can demonstrate how much work went into them. Be sure to get lots of BEFORE pics.

Looking forward to seeing pics of the project!

quote:

Originally posted by ruger357:
I would submit this story to Ruger. It sounds like the gun held up well. They might want it for advertising and give you a new one.

I plan on calling them for a spring kit and rear sight.

A little pitting in a Mini barrel ?? May have actually improved the accuracy of my Mini !!

With that kind of history I would be very circumspect about what changes I make to it.

Very neat piece of family history !

would like to see a before (stock on) and after

wondering how much the Salt Water affects Stainless.......

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
would like to see a before (stock on) and after

wondering how much the Salt Water affects Stainless.......

There's no pics of it before from the 80's, but I'll get a pic of it tonight in its current state.

That's a great story, made even better by the fact that it's a mini. Looking forward to photos of the rebuild!

quote:

Originally posted by Zacsquatch:

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
would like to see a before (stock on) and after

wondering how much the Salt Water affects Stainless.......

There's no pics of it before from the 80's, but I'll get a pic of it tonight in its current state.

sorry,
that is what I meant,
before (pulled from the sea) and after restoration,

Wow, a real "I lost my guns in a boating accident" story.
Looking forward to seeing the restored rifle

Well I made an electrolysis tub and also set the ultrasonic up with some Evapo-Rust and then wire brushed the parts I'm having coated.

CCR is having a spring sale, so I just sent the receiver and a few other parts to get coated in CPII.






I also ordered a like new stainless barrel and gas block for Accuracy Systems and have had a half dozen orders through Brownells, Midway, Numrich and Ebay even. All new stainless pins, springs, extractor, ejector, side plate, HK style front sight, Tech rear sight and other goodies. He will be very pleased I think!

Wow. I am amazed that the bluing protected the metal that well in salt water. Very cool!

I guess you forgot to mention this story when you emailed me for a price?

quote:

Originally posted by CCR:
I guess you forgot to mention this story when you emailed me for a price?

I needed a rough estimate, and wasn't sure who was active on here. You have my CC card info, it cost what it costs. I can't wait to see how it comes out!

Id consider replacing the corroded trigger pack components.