The Mini-14 rifle employs a gas operating system. This mechanism uses expanding gas from fired cartridges to cycle the action, automatically ejecting the spent casing and loading a fresh round. A small portion of propellant gas is diverted through a port in the barrel, pushing a piston that drives the operating rod, which in turn unlocks and cycles the bolt. This self-loading action allows for a higher rate of fire compared to manually operated rifles.
This operating system offers several advantages. Gas operation generally results in less felt recoil compared to other operating systems like direct impingement, contributing to improved controllability and faster follow-up shots. The system is also relatively simple, aiding in reliability and ease of maintenance. Historically, gas-operated rifles have proven their effectiveness and durability in a variety of applications, from military service to civilian sport shooting. The Mini-14’s adoption of this established system contributed to its widespread popularity.