The Mini

[Paradiddle]

Can you be remotely compeitive in "tactical" class 3 gun? I'm a newbee to 3 gun, I shoot IPSC and IPDA and some 2 gun and am comfortable with my pistol and shotgun skills.

I have a Mini - and plenty of standard capacity mags. I do not own an OLL and frankly not sure I want to invest in one now with the market being insane.

Other then shortening the barrel and a trigger job any other mods? A low power scope perhaps (or does that bump me into a different class?)

Thanks for the tolerance.

[grywlfbg]

In most 3-gun matches I know of there's no such thing as "production" class.

Typical classes are:

Open (anything goes)
Tactical (one optic on the rifle, irons on pistol and shotgun)
Heavy Metal (.308 or larger rifle, .45 or larger pistol, pump shotgun, all irons)

Some matches have a "Standard" class which is like Heavy Metal but minor calibers are allowed.

Here are the rules for SMM3G:

http://www.smm3gun.com/Rules/IMA_Rules_April-24-2008.pdf

But as for being competitive w/ your Mini. If you can shoot it well then you can be competitive. Though I'll qualify that by saying for the first couple years of competing your equipment won't make much of a difference. As you get better you'll start to find limitations in your equipment. So I would just go shoot what you have and worry about high-dollar gear later.

Check w/ sargenv here on Calguns - he shoots a Mini quite well in matches and would know what it takes to make one work well.

[Paradiddle]

In most 3-gun matches I know of there's no such thing as "production" class.

Typical classes are:

Open (anything goes)
Tactical (one optic on the rifle, irons on pistol and shotgun)
Heavy Metal (.308 or larger rifle, .45 or larger pistol, pump shotgun, all irons)

Some matches have a "Standard" class which is like Heavy Metal but minor calibers are allowed.

Here are the rules for SMM3G:

http://www.smm3gun.com/Rules/IMA_Rules_April-24-2008.pdf

But as for being competitive w/ your Mini. If you can shoot it well then you can be competitive. Though I'll qualify that by saying for the first couple years of competing your equipment won't make much of a difference. As you get better you'll start to find limitations in your equipment. So I would just go shoot what you have and worry about high-dollar gear later.

Check w/ sargenv here on Calguns - he shoots a Mini quite well in matches and would know what it takes to make one work well.

Tactical then - I was going to download the rules and read them, so thanks for posting them.

Jeff

[zrock]

First Q. Not with a stock mini shooting at 2-300 yds like you will do at most 3 gun matches Secound Q. You will need all the mag capacity you can get to compete with the AR guys . They will spare no expense . Third Q. Send that mini to accuracy systems and let them trick it out. Then put a good 2-7 varible scope on it and practice those mag changes. Also do a google search for the mini 14 forums (BBS) good info there

[randy]

Para if you live in the LA area come to the match on Sunday at Piru and you'll see what works and what doesn't.

This match you need to hit 12" plates at 375 yards maybe 4 plates. Other plates are going to be closer if you hit them fast enough you can take a miss and still get a good score. If you can do that then your rifle is competitive.

You will need a shotgun that holds 9 rounds to be competitive. It is better to have a hi cap pistol but if you don't it isn't that big a deal at this match.

Check with AR15 about the match at WEGC. I don't think they shoot that far so that might help you. I don't think Pala shoots that far either I'm not sure.

The scoring at Piru on paper is 1 "A" zone or two anywhere. If you are a good shot then you don't reload as much.

Shotgun you might shoot 40 rounds in a stage you need some way to carry ammo.

Good luck and come on out on Sunday

[Religious Shooter]

Can you be remotely compeitive in "tactical" class 3 gun? ... I have a Mini - and plenty of standard capacity mags.

If you have 30-40 round magazines... yes you can be competitive.

If you only have 20... no, you won't be competitive. But it will still be fun.

[3GunFunShooter]

As some one who has shot 3 USPSA Nationals with a Mini, can you be competitive?, yes, if you have, standard mags and have it sent to ASI for long range up grades. For a local club match I would get a trigger job, Accu-Strut, muzzel brake, extended mag release, and cryo the barrel and reciever. I shot my stock mini at my first 3 gun national, and it would not get out to the 200 or 300+ yard targets. Also do not get a 2-7 scope. Get a 1-5, 1.5-5, Simmons Diamond Pro is a good scope to start with, cheap and it works. To hit the long range you will need to get a new barrel. I went with a 18", 1" for
4", .90 to past the gas block and .75 the rest of the lenght , and fluted. From ASI, mine is #51 on their list of models available.
Very accurate rifle. 355 yards is no problem, with the right ammo, mine likes Black Hills 69 gr. The only disadvantage I have is with mag changes. They take a little longer than an AR, also the safety in the trigger guard can cause some problems. If you are right handed, use your
left hand thumb to release the safety by pushing it forward and not putting it in the trigger guard. If you use your trigger finger in the guard to release it and you hit a wall or netting on a stage it can cause an AD, not good at a match, don't ask me how I know. If you really want to know all about Mini's
go to www.perfectunion.com, great web site about all things mini. I have switched to an JP upper AR for my main 3 gun set up, but I still kept the mini. Nothing beats the looks I got when I would pull out my ASI mini at major matches and shooters would ask what kind of gun is that? It had a laminated grey wood custom stock on it, it did stand out.

[Paradiddle]

Thanks guys. Randy - unfortunately I can't get out there this weekend. I do live in So Cal so perhaps next time.

Jeff

[cal3gunner]

There is a big match in Bakersfield next weekend if you want to go watch.

The trigger job for the Mini that Accuracy Systems does is GREAT! Ruger did some work on the gun in the last few years and the accuracy is better but its still not that great. The biggest problem with the Mini is the barrel. Its super thin and gets really hot really fast which leads to groups opening up. I would try a match or two to see how you do on the long range stuff.

I don't use the mini for matches but its capable of hitting the plates at long distance, I just havn't tried it with the barrel smoking hot.

Here is a stage that will be shot this weekend at Piru. One way to shoot this stage would be to double tap most paper targets and hit a few A zones with single shots, then move on to the long range steel. That means you are going to go through 30 rounds in about 30 seconds to a minute. Your barrel will be hot before you even settle into position to hit those little bitty plates out there at 350+ yards.

http://x3multigun.com/images/Stages/1-18-09/1-18-09-6.jpg

There is a reason the ARs dominate the sport, they work and they work great. Plus they are easy to work on and easy to get to shoot very soft and accurate. But hey, you already have a Mini so come out and have fun with it.