RedlegM109A1
Single-Sixer
I finally got my new Mini 14 Ranch Rifle (blued; wood stock) configured and to the range. Thought I would share my comments and observations.
First, I shot the rifle using the supplied sights. The groups were very very good at 25 meters (the furthest our local range could accommodate.) While it may be true that the AR-style rifles are more accurate, my groups with the Mini 14 were very comparable to my groups with the SR556. This no doubt indicates that both guns are more accurate than I am as a shooter. No surprise there. But I was getting 4 and 5 inch groups firing from the shoulder at 25 meters which is about as well as I can shoot. (I am still rusty with rifles after a long layoff.) Several bullseyes though.
Then I attached and zeroed a red dot sight (Ultradot Matchdot II). Here are a couple of pics:
The rifle was very fun to shoot using the Ultradot Matchdot. I am partial to red dot sights. Have to say that I was pretty happy with my accuracy just using the iron sights though. I ran out of rounds and time before I really got a chance to compare groups as between the iron and red dot.
Observations.
1. At first the magazines were not seating easily. Then they were. Don't know if I got the hang of it or if the gun was maybe breaking in a little bit. By the end of the shoot I was inserting and firing magazines rapidly and easily. Not sure if the hassle at first was me or the rifle.
2. Had a failure to fire on the second magazine. Not sure what that was all about.
3. Fit and finish are good in a rugged, brawny sort of way. Nice looking rifle. The bluing is a sort of heavy "duty style" bluing.
4. The rifle breaks down and cleans up very easily. This is a very easy rifle to clean.
Another comment about the Mini 14 is that it is about 1 3/4 lbs. lighter than my SR556E and this is noticeable when firing the weapon from the shoulder.
Anyway, these are my comments on the Mini 14 thus far. Planning to hit the range again tomorrow to continue the break-in of the rifle.
First, I shot the rifle using the supplied sights. The groups were very very good at 25 meters (the furthest our local range could accommodate.) While it may be true that the AR-style rifles are more accurate, my groups with the Mini 14 were very comparable to my groups with the SR556. This no doubt indicates that both guns are more accurate than I am as a shooter. No surprise there. But I was getting 4 and 5 inch groups firing from the shoulder at 25 meters which is about as well as I can shoot. (I am still rusty with rifles after a long layoff.) Several bullseyes though.
Then I attached and zeroed a red dot sight (Ultradot Matchdot II). Here are a couple of pics:
The rifle was very fun to shoot using the Ultradot Matchdot. I am partial to red dot sights. Have to say that I was pretty happy with my accuracy just using the iron sights though. I ran out of rounds and time before I really got a chance to compare groups as between the iron and red dot.
Observations.
1. At first the magazines were not seating easily. Then they were. Don't know if I got the hang of it or if the gun was maybe breaking in a little bit. By the end of the shoot I was inserting and firing magazines rapidly and easily. Not sure if the hassle at first was me or the rifle.
2. Had a failure to fire on the second magazine. Not sure what that was all about.
3. Fit and finish are good in a rugged, brawny sort of way. Nice looking rifle. The bluing is a sort of heavy "duty style" bluing.
4. The rifle breaks down and cleans up very easily. This is a very easy rifle to clean.
Another comment about the Mini 14 is that it is about 1 3/4 lbs. lighter than my SR556E and this is noticeable when firing the weapon from the shoulder.
Anyway, these are my comments on the Mini 14 thus far. Planning to hit the range again tomorrow to continue the break-in of the rifle.
