Another Mini-14

[QB]

Picked up my second Mini-14 today, model 5820. Now I have one with a flash hider and one without a flash hider. Am considering having the barrel cut and a flash hider permanently attached so that the total length remains 16 1/8" (or whatever the legal length is). But I'm not sure who I'd have do that or if I want to spend the money. So for now it's staying stock and will not have an optic installed.

UPDATE: now have both my new Mini-14s. Didn't get to go to the range Tuesday as planned so will have to wait until next week. Also decided not to get a folder for one of the rifles because I shoot left handed and I'm not too sure if the folding mechanism will be in the way (some say the ATI will be in the way, not sure about Choate or Butler).

Here's a quick picture of all three rifles, a couple with factory 30 round mags that I also got recently.

 

[FotoTomas]

The more the merrier.

 

[mattsbox99]

Legal length is 16", but making 16 1/8" is good practice. I like the idea. I had a Bushmaster with an 11.5" barrel and 4.625" flash hider that was a very handy lightweight rifle.

 

[kwg020]

If you ever have a problem with a Mini and want to send it back to Ruger for repairs, you may be disappointed. Ruger does not like modifications and will either take the gun back to facotry spec's or refuse to do the work. Yea, I know, does not make sense to me either. kwg

 

[QB]

Well I have only returned two guns to manufacturers, a Colt and a Sig, both with great results. But neither had modifications.

I guess having one modified rifle would be a chance I would be willing to take but I doubt if I spend the money for the mod plus I am not sure who to trust to do it anyway.

It was just wishful thinking.

 

[DavidMc116]

I guess a Mini-30 has cooties?

 

[mattsbox99]

If you ever have a problem with a Mini and want to send it back to Ruger for repairs, you may be disappointed. Ruger does not like modifications and will either take the gun back to facotry spec's or refuse to do the work. Yea, I know, does not make sense to me either. kwg

Its no different with any other manufacturer. I own a bunch of Rugers, I've never returned one. I own a few S&Ws, 4 have had issues. Granted they were all repaired free and returned quickly, so I'm not complaining.

 

[QB]

Mini-30 has cooties? Are you asking why I didn't get something different, like a Mini-30, rather than purchasing yet another mini-14?

If so,
(1) Awhile back I cut down on the number of different caliber ammo I used for both handguns and rifles and then stocked up on it by the case. Let's just say that I have "a lot" of .223/5.56 ammo already. I don't reload and don't plan to.
(2) I wanted several rifles in different configurations that shot .223/5.56. I don't want to have to switch the stock and/or optics back and forth, I'd rather just buy some more rifles and outfit them the way I want them and leave them as is. The ARs I had each cost three times what a Mini cost (although mags are cheap and yes, I know, there are also cheaper ARs than the ones I had) and I no longer could justify keeping them since I only use them at the range. And I happen to like the look and feel of the Mini-14s so I sold all my ARs while the selling was good and decided to get a few Mini-14s.
(3) I wanted my duplicate rifles to use the same mags and have parts that were interchangeable.
(4) My other rifles are a PS90 (5.7x28mm) and PC9 (9mm) and I didn't want any more of them configured any different than I already have.

Is a mini-30 in my future........well, I was looking at the Gunsite Scout and a Mini-30 so who knows. I've never shot either one. But I change guns quite often (something I'm trying to not do) so who knows. Now see what you've done.......gotta go look at the Mini-30 (it's considerably cheaper than the Scout I guess).

 

[DavidMc116]

HEHEHE You go dude!

 

[QB]

Updated my original post to include my third (and final) Mini-14. Decided not to get a folder since I shoot left handed and am now looking into the ATI or Choate collapsible stocks for one of the Mini-14s. Can't decide which one looks better, have to do more research.

I want one that has a top rail so that I can mount my Aimpoint. Right now I use a Weigand rail which is great but I have to take it off in order to get the bolt out when I field strip/clean. There may be a way to get the bolt out without taking it off but I couldn't do it. It comes loose when I shoot but I can't locktite it on if I have to remove it to clean the rifle.

 

[FotoTomas]

Updated my original post to include my third (and final) Mini-14. Decided not to get a folder since I shoot left handed and am now looking into the ATI or Choate collapsible stocks for one of the Mini-14s. Can't decide which one looks better, have to do more research. ...snip...

I highly recommend you do NOT get the ATI. For lefties it is a real pain. The knuckle that the folding stock has is on the left side right above the trigger finger. You must use your left trigger finger at an odd angle to pull the trigger AND the hand grip is of a very weird configuration. In my case neither right nor left hand use puts the trigger finger in a good position. In addition their is a wide half inch section on both sides of the stock that abrades either finger when firing. I can not get a good right hand grip either as the knuckle and grip simply do not allow my hand to fit.

At the range today I let a friend shoot the carbine. He too thinks the ATI folder is a big disappointment. Mine is now off the carbine as of tonight and will NOT go back on.

 

[QB]

Agree that I don't want the ATI folder but I'm now looking at their collapsible stock (all pictures show it as folding and collapsible but they have one that is only a collapsible).

Is there a problem with the ATI collapsible stock as far as lefties go? I want to put my Aimpoint on the top rail with no other rails installed.

 

[FotoTomas]

Agree that I don't want the ATI folder but I'm now looking at their collapsible stock (all pictures show it as folding and collapsible but they have one that is only a collapsible).

Is there a problem with the ATI collapsible stock as far as lefties go? I want to put my Aimpoint on the top rail with no other rails installed.

I watched the ATI video to install the Mini14/30 in their non folding model stock. It appears to be simply the removal of the folding adapter but not the knuckle. The factory image and video can be found here...

http://atigunstocks.com/p-257-ruger-mini-14mini-30-fixed-buttstock-forend-package.aspx

 

[FotoTomas]

Then again they might simply be using generic footage and images across the board.

Even so it looks like the trigger area is still a fiasco for lefties and righties.

 

[QB]

Man what a bummer.....I watched the video and at the very end when he flips the gun over I can see the knob/knuckle you are talking about. That's awful. Gotta mark that one off my list. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

 

[craigcpa]

Those are fine looking Mini's!!!

 

[QB]

Those are fine looking Mini's!!!

Thanks, I guess one of them looks familiar :wink:

 

[SHOOTER]

Who's doing the barrel work?

 

[Leucoandro]

Well I have only returned two guns to manufacturers, a Colt and a Sig, both with great results. But neither had modifications.

I guess having one modified rifle would be a chance I would be willing to take but I doubt if I spend the money for the mod plus I am not sure who to trust to do it anyway.

It was just wishful thinking.

A really good guy that specializes in the Mini's is Gun Doc.

http://www.greatwestgunsmithing.com/


He knows a bunch about Mini's.

I made the mistake of first going to "Accuracy Systems Inc" for information on my Mini-30. They lied to me and told me that the gas bushing kit they sold was also made for the mini-30. I bought the kit and then found that I could not use it. Gun Doc sorted things out for me and sent me a Mini-30 specific kit that is very high quality.

Now I am happy that my Mini-30 only throws brass about 5 feet to my right and in front. The impulse is also smoother and the rifle is a joy to shoot (it was fun to shoot before, but now seems more refined).

Also the below forum is a very good source of information for the Mini's.

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/

When you get around to it (and I am sure you will), choose the accu-strut. Accu-stut is the original and others ripped off his design. Huge amounts of information about the strut on the above forum.

Basiclly the person known as KKina on the forum is an engineer that put a lot of though and a couple years research into developing the best product. The two others just copied his basic design without really knowing what they were doing.


Charlie