Recommended Mini-14 upgrades?

[pink_toaster]

I just got a Mini-14 (the stainless version, non-threaded barrel).

Are there any upgrades/changes that are "must have"?

And what would be some "nice to have" ones.

I've read that the Hogue stock is pretty awesome.

And a friend sent a link for a guy that does a LOT of stuff to the Mini... Just not sure what, if anything, I should consider doing to her?

[Bob Oso]

what series?

[pink_toaster]

what series?

this one: http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/sto...3#.Wk5hTqoUlfE

serial number starts with 583

[nickel plate]

Two things that I have done to my Mini 14 583 Rancher:
Added two Wilson "Shok Buff" 1911 recoil buffers. Cuts down on the action's metal to metal contact and smooths the recoil a bit. Some folks report that the front buffer will get chewed up in a short period of time but the fix is to CAREFULLY radius off the sharp edges on the face of the slide assembly. Did this to mine and the buffer is showing no sign of destruction.
Changed out the factory gas block for an ASI adjustable gas block. It still uses the factory .080 gas bushing but you can dial it to full open and toss your spent brass into the next county or close it down to a single shot manual eject rifle-or anywhere in between. My brass now hits the ground within six feet of me and still cycles perfectly.

[Creampuff]

I agree with the ASI gas block. I’m left handed so setting up a screen isnt an option for me to stop slinging brass into my neighboring bays to
right. The ASI gas block ensures when I say the rifle is 2 moa I am not referring to the brass

[3GunFunShooter]

Go to www.perfectunion.com
Over 180,000 postings on the Ruger Mini. It is the source for all
the information you will need about what to do with your mini.
I have put an Accu Strut on mine, had the barrel and receiver cryoed, put a break on it, changed the gas ports. Trigger job, Ameranges forend top rail.
Extended mag release. With Federal Gold Match 69 gr. ammo was able to get 1" at 100 yards.
Finally just bought a ASI custom Mini 14! (before we could get OLL AR's)

[russ69]

I just leave them as they are. Zero the iron sights and have fun.

[Sicarius]

What series do you have and is it a ranch model? The mini is a wonderful rifle but largely better left alone if you are seeking accuracy upgrades. You can easily double the cost of the rifle to get it shooting decently accurat depending on the series. If it is a non ranch, do not bother with any scope mount. They are all junk and will never hold zero. hogue stock is nice but not necessary. Just buy ammo and shoot the heck out of it. Enjoy it for what it is. For reference, the non 580 series suffer from poor accuracy. The newer generation is far more accurate than the older 180 generation.
Kevin

[pink_toaster]

Two things that I have done to my Mini 14 583 Rancher:
Added two Wilson "Shok Buff" 1911 recoil buffers. Cuts down on the action's metal to metal contact and smooths the recoil a bit. Some folks report that the front buffer will get chewed up in a short period of time but the fix is to CAREFULLY radius off the sharp edges on the face of the slide assembly. Did this to mine and the buffer is showing no sign of destruction.
Changed out the factory gas block for an ASI adjustable gas block. It still uses the factory .080 gas bushing but you can dial it to full open and toss your spent brass into the next county or close it down to a single shot manual eject rifle-or anywhere in between. My brass now hits the ground within six feet of me and still cycles perfectly.

We saw the modification to keep the brass from going flying so far. Definitely want to do that! (Does that also stop it from getting that little ding in each and every round?)

[pink_toaster]

What series do you have and is it a ranch model? The mini is a wonderful rifle but largely better left alone if you are seeking accuracy upgrades. You can easily double the cost of the rifle to get it shooting decently accurat depending on the series. If it is a non ranch, do not bother with any scope mount. They are all junk and will never hold zero. hogue stock is nice but not necessary. Just buy ammo and shoot the heck out of it. Enjoy it for what it is. For reference, the non 580 series suffer from poor accuracy. The newer generation is far more accurate than the older 180 generation.
Kevin

I don't plan to put a scope or any other optic on it. Want this to be my iron sights rifle.

[pink_toaster]

Go to www.perfectunion.com
Over 180,000 postings on the Ruger Mini. It is the source for all
the information you will need about what to do with your mini.
I have put an Accu Strut on mine, had the barrel and receiver cryoed, put a break on it, changed the gas ports. Trigger job, Ameranges forend top rail.
Extended mag release. With Federal Gold Match 69 gr. ammo was able to get 1" at 100 yards.
Finally just bought a ASI custom Mini 14! (before we could get OLL AR's)

I just joined there. Lots of threads to catch on reading.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Well you got the message on Perfect Union and they are the best place to find out about these guns.

The gun is best served with a Bushnell TRS 25 or Burris Fast Fire Red Dot Sight. I know you said no optics but the gun really comes alive with a dot sight. It speeds target acquisition dramatically. You can always add that later if you choose.

The main things that separate the Mini 14 from AR's is the Handling Qualities.

Not hanging a 1.5 lb scope off it is the best idea.

There are aftermarket gas bushings available on PU that will choke down the gas flow and make the gun not beat itself as much. They are like $5-10 ea.

That or an Adjustable Gas Block like from ASI is the single most important change to the gun you can make.

The Mini14 has a fixed gas piston. There is a large chunk of steel that is attached to the Op Rod that acts as the gas cylinder and moves with the op rod. When it moves it hits the front of the receiver with a significant amount of force and this serves to reposition the action in the stock with every shot..

This is not conducive of accuracy.

It also slings the brass 50ft to the right. (yes mine did that!!!) adding the smaller bushing or the new Gas Block makes it so you can tune the gun to poop the spent rounds out right next to you and also stop the hammering of the receiver. The gun will go "Kerplink, plunk," with every shot and you will get used to the sound the action makes.

A couple of 1911 Buffers in front of the receiver completes that mod and the accuracy will be improved., and the way the gun cycles will be much smoother and nicer.

The only other thing these guns need is a decent side mounted sling.

Also don't buy anything but Ruger Brand Magazines. The others are a waste of time and money,,, and have been for 40 years!!! Please take my and anyone else's word on this. It is not up for speculation, it is fact!

Good luck and I hope you have a great time with your gun. They are excellent weapons and if push came to shove you'd be well armed. Also taking a Practical Rifle Class rom a place like Front Sight Or Gunsite will help you learn how to run that gun efficiently.

Money well spent, believe me.

Randy

[DrewN]

Really, smaller gas bushing and buffers will set you back like $20. Everything after that is gravy. Use the Warne rings if you need an optic. I have a Target worked over by GunDoc and an ASI -30 in 6.5 Grendel and neither shoots that much better than a stocker with buffers/bushings, despite costing a pretty penny.

[jimmykan]

1. Trigger job - I sent my trigger group to Brimstone Gunsmithing. https://www.brimstonegunsmithing.com...i-trigger-work For $55, they tuned the trigger pull down to 3.5 lbs (2-lb first stage, 1.5-lb second stage), removed most of the second stage creep and added a set screw to adjust over-travel.

2. Handguard - The current production factory handguard has that "cowl" that covers the op rod and it makes it look ugly, like a car battery terminal cover. I prefer the Choate ventilated handguard or if you like scout rails then the Ultimak M4-S. The M4-S is the most low-profile of the various rail options, and allows you to still use the iron sights when there are no optics attached. It still is not low enough to co-witness a red dot with the irons sights though, maybe a low profile red dot like a Trijicon RMR or Vortex Viper or Venom might co-witness, but I have not tried.

3. Tech Sights - This rear sight is a little bit nicer and more easily adjusted than the standard rear sight.

[CessnaDriver]

Very easy to send off the trigger group and get some basic work done for a reasonable prices, quite a few services out there if you want to tailor the trigger to your tastes.