Folding Stock, Pistol Grip Mini 14 @ the range today

[choprzrul]

So I stand up just before the "cease fire" is called out and look around at what is going on. I am on lane 1 and directly in front of the rifle rack. A guy comes walking in and puts his Mini 14 in the rack with no magazine in it and the action opened. I notice that it had a pistol grip and a folding stock. I could see the open mag well and no evidence of any altercation to the mag release.

What should I have done? I didn't know the guy and didn't feel comfortable in asking him about it, so I said nothing. I would really hate to see anyone get in a bind over their rifle, but I don't want to come off as the local range nut either.

Is there an accepted range protocol regarding just wanting to be helpful? How do I avoid a range faux pas?

[gn3hz3ku1*]

it could be registered...

[Brian_L]

Any idea if the folding stock was fixed in place?

[Dangerpin]

If I felt I *had* to say something I would probably couch it in terms of admiration. "Wow, a registered assault rifle! You don't see too many of these anymore. Too bad CA law makes us put a bullet button on if we want awesome features like folding stock and pistol grip these days. I would love to be able to legally have a setup like yours." etc.

Edit: Reread my post and spotted my folding stock error. You know what I mean.

[Ian]

i would have just asked to shoot it.

[choprzrul]

If I felt I *had* to say something I would probably couch it in terms of admiration. "Wow, a registered assault rifle! You don't see too many of these anymore. Too bad CA law makes us put a bullet button on if we want awesome features like folding stock and pistol grip these days. I would love to be able to legally have a setup like yours." etc.

Edit: Reread my post and spotted my folding stock error. You know what I mean.

Excellent idea Dangerpin. I really wish that would have came to mind at the time.

It did occur to me at the time that it might actually be a registered AW and I think that is the biggest reason that I didn't say anything.

[tomd1584]

I'd just mind my own business...

Maybe it was registered, maybe it wasnt....not your problem.

i know its only my opinion, but about a month ago i took a 1 day class and there was a 20 year old kid there with a mini 14 with pistol grip and collapsable stock.

He continued to tell me that since it was a "mini 14" it was legal and could do whatever he wanted to it.


If he wants to put himself in that situation then thats fine with me.

just my opinion.

Tom

[BRANDON7766]

I personally wouldnt have said anything. If he chooses to run an illegal config then it's his choosing and he is risking getting caught. If it's registered then good for him. Either way, neither effect you, and so you should allow him the freedom to make his own choices. Now if you have taken an oath to uphold the law (being an LE etc.) then that is another thing altogether. Just my 2cp.

[Rukus]

Taken from Dictionary.com
Altercation: –noun
a heated or angry dispute; noisy argument or controversy.

I know, I know. You meant alteration. I probably wouldnt have said anything either. You never know, it could have been a RAW. Dangerpin has a very ingenious way of addressing the issue. It's not very confrontational which is good.

[Jim_KT]

Like others have mentioned, the mini may be a RAW. I've had a few weird looks given by people that had OLL builds when I bust out my RAWs.

[sd1023x]

Proper range protocol would be to mind your own business.

[HKROB]

Proper range protocol would be to mind your own business.

+1

[Jpach]

I saw something similar at a local range this past summer. The guy had a mini-14 and I could tell it was likely new due to the new type front sight post. He had it in a *fixed* folder with pistol grip stock. Him and his buddy started chatting to me about my ARs and AKs and I asked if he got his mini within the past couple of years or so

He replies, "Yes" and I tell him in a nice way that in the minis current configuration, it is considered an AW due to the pistol grip. (And i already explained how my ARs and AKs legally had features due to the Bullet Button btw). He then tells me that its legal because he ordered it online and that its ok because the stock cant fold. I then refresh him on the whole SB23 features stuff and suggest to him that he switches out the stock.

They were really cool with it, the guys clearly didnt know the law 100% and they knew they didnt. We continued to chat about other stuff. Its all about how you go about it. Perhaps if you see a situation like that again, make small talk with the person about it and ask if their gun is new or not. Its also wise to have a flowchart on you.

[tenbrook]

I would mind my own bussiness and say nothing.

[choprzrul]

Excellent comments from one and all. There seems to be a divide between the natural human instinct to try and help camp and the mind your own business camp.

Perhaps a poll is in order?