Moving the front sight on mini 14

[keithallenlaw]

My front sight needs to be adjusted. The TechSight I mounted has the windage all the way to one
side to make it shoot straight. The perfectionist in me wants to move the front sight, but does it
really matter?

Is it something I should send back to Ruger or tackle myself? OR live with it? Thnx. -keith

 

[DGW1949]

If the front sight is canted, I'd send it back to Ruger.
Reason is, the front sight and the centerline of the gas orfice should be 180 degrees from one another AND sit 90 degrees straight up 'n down from the centerline of the barelled action. Otherwise, premature wear of the gas piston and op rod will result...plus, as you have noted, a canted front sight will cause you to run out of windage adjustment, which will make it almost impossible to shoot your rifle well at distance and/or under windy conditions.

Been there, done that with with a NIB 582-series.
Ruger picked up the tab. Turn around took about 2 weeks.

DGW

 

[keithallenlaw]

Thanks for the insight. I wonder if Ruger will like the fact that I have an after market rear sight
AND the UliMAK picatinny rail? Maybe I did this when mounting the rail? -keith

 

[COSteve]

Deleted

 

[keithallenlaw]

I had to file a bit on one side of the inside of my Mini200 rear sight to get it to sit centered on the receiver. (I had the same issue the OP did.) Check to ensure that your rear sight is centered on your receiver before you do anything. BTW, if you send it back to Ruger, I'd strongly suggest that you return it to stock as they might not return your 'non Ruger' pieces to you.

Well, I installed an aftermarket sight called TechSight and it looks darn near center.
Not enough to be off that far. I have the windage set all the way to the right. If I
recall, the stock sight was set to the right somewhat too.

Yeah, good advice taking that off. You wouldn't think a company like Ruger
would hock your parts. I wonder if I should keep my trigger assembly???
I had it professionally jobbed. -keith

 

[COSteve]

Deleted

 

[keithallenlaw]

My Mini200 is made by Tech Sights and if you have a 58x series Mini you have the same rear sight I have.

I just realized that Mini200 is the model number, so okay, you do have the same sight.
I will pull it off to see if what you mentioned is my problem as well. Visually, my front
sight doesn't look canted. Thanks. -keith

 

[COSteve]

Deleted

 

[keithallenlaw]

I'm on it. Thnx. -keith

 

[keithallenlaw]

Follow up. I did remove the TechSight and there really isn't much play
that would warrant the windage being set all the way to one side.
I re-installed the sight but this time I tightened one of the side
screws first to favorite it back to the opposite direction of what
the windage needs to bring it back to center. I then tightened
the top and saving the opposite side screw for last.

I won't know my results until I take it to the range.
It's a great sight. It helps me shoot 3" groups at 50yd
targets, standing. It just bugs me that the windage is
all the way to one side to make it shoot straight.

I'll give a heads up when I shoot it again. -keith