Mini-14 Project Update

[Tripplet918]

I started this Mini-14 project about 3 years ago. I couldnt get the thought out of my mind that having compliance features on my HD rifle handicapped me, and that not being fully compliant exposed me to more issues than the cost of a purposely compliant rifle. I also feel better having the mini in the car than any AR type of rifle.

That said, here is the latest iteration of my Mini CA compliant HD rifle.

I installed the Samson Hannibal rail that let me put on a front QD point and later, a light with switch. I also am pretty stoked I was able to upgrade from the plastic heat shield.



Close up of the Hannibal rail



I am not sure if I am keeping my old 1-4 LVPO on the rifle. I want a light on it for HD, but the scope is already puts it on the heavier side of what I want. I may swap it for a red dot, which the rail and the rilfe provides options for.

These are the enhanced safety and the extended mag release



Quite pleased. I'm going to add a flush mount QD point to the butt stock, and simple light. Maybe a 300ish lumen Steamlight.

There she is, my Mini-14 project.

[k1dude]

Instead of a red dot or LPVO, you might consider the 1X Primary Arms SLx MicroPrism Gen II with ACSS.

[zoner]

Looks like it's working out for you. I'm personally pretty sick and tired of the whole CA/assault rifle nonsense as it pertains to the M4/AR15. First it was the bullet button, then the collapsable stock, pistol grip, registration,fixed magazine etc. I mean they make changes so often that it's fairly difficult to know whether you're legal or not. So I'm done with it. I'm gonna sell all my AR stuff and transition to the Mini 14. I know people have expessed disappointment with the Mini 14 accuracy the bottom line is it's not and was never meant to be a target rifle. It;s a reliable semi automatic utility rifle with plenty good enough accuracy to kill game, dispatch varmints,and is plenty capable of hitting a adversary sized target out to 200-250 yards should the need arise. The Mini 14 doesn't seem to have attracted too much attention from the CA polititions. The one question I have is the Mini 14 is good to go legally just the way it comes,right? No need to register as a AW and no need to convert to a fixed mag etc, right? Don't mean to hijack the OP's thread....figured my post is appropriate given you guys are talking about the Mini 14.

[Rickrock1]

Very nice set up, I like it. My Mini’s are my go to long rifles.


LetsGoBrandon!

[hylander]

Nice setup.
Mine are very similar

[Tripplet918]

I still have my ARs. Theyre hobby guns and in the event of societal breakdown, they will be pulled into service.

[golfish]

Well done sir

Yeah man, I really don't see any thing that your scope brings to the party for Hone Defense.

A flashlight for sure, maybe even a Lazer. I use a Mossberg model 590 with a light and a Glock 20 with a light and Lazer for HD.

Obviously I'm a huge fan of the mini's and ARs and I have one ready to go at a moments notice. They're just not the FIRST gun I reach for.

That's just me...if it works for you then God bless

[W.R.Buchanan]

These guns benefit from having less stuff on them.

For HD I'd look at a Bushnell TRS 25 ($60-90) You can spend more but for what you are doing with the gun you won't get much more for a lot more. I have 7 of them mounted to various guns and none have ever died, Occasionally I leave one on and that kills the $1 battery.

A light is a must have on an HD gun, and a Streamlight TLR1 or a TLR 4 with a Laser fills that bill to a T.

You have just added a total of 8 oz. to the gun.

The rail you've got is cool and I'm sure you can find a place on the right side to attach a 3" piece of Pic Rail to mount you light.

The Streamlight's all have a "Treadle Switch" on the back that you can run with a finger or thumb. They are momentary contact in one direction and full on the other. You will want to use the momentary on mostly as you want to light the target, shoot and then turn the light back off as you lower to the ready position. If you leave the light on it traces a line right back to you for incoming fire to follow. Hence the "Momentary" function.

My Mini is one of my favorite Carbines, in fact I shoot it the most of all of my Carbines. It is not set up for HD (no light) I use a shotgun for that! But it does have a TRS 25 on it and I can hit a man sized target every single time at 200 yards off a rest, and about 8/10 at 300 with a 12" hold over. 200 yard zero!

When you set up your sling get the rear socket as high on the buttstock as you can. You also need one on both sides . You will use the one on the Right Side for Cross Body Carry, and the one on the Left for Conventional Carry or across the back carry. You want the gun to hang flat with a loaded mag in the gun. This induces the least amount of Fatigue when carrying.



When carrying Cross Body you put the sling on the right side of the butt. This prevents the gun from falling away from you and having to tend to it constantly. You can buy "Grov-Tec" Limited Rotation Sockets from Midway for $10.99 for two. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1004655786?pid=972000

Good luck with your gun and you really need to go to a class to learn how to run it. Also Mini's take about 2-3000 rounds to fully break in! They are a completely different gun after they are broke in. You'll like the end result.

Randy hope this helps