$20 strut worked great [Archive]

prc77

08-23-2008, 18:21

First time with the new strut that I put together for 20 bucks on my buddies 182 mini worked WAY better than I was hoping:lol::):D. I'm going to try and talk him into getting a trigger job next.

tri70

08-23-2008, 20:37

Cool! Do you have a target to show off?

sarge58

08-24-2008, 18:44

Prc77, looks nice brother. Really glad you could see some improvment for $20.00 that is what makes a mini-14 unique, it's everymans gun,kinda like an american AK. I don't think I have a single part on my AR that costs less than $20.00and I doubt there is anything I can do in the garage for that price to improve any of its short comings. A mini will never be an AR but thats part of the joy of owning one.......

Seabee

08-26-2008, 12:04

First time with the new strut that I put together for 20 bucks on my buddies 182 mini worked WAY better than I was hoping:lol::):D. I going to try and talk him into getting a trigger job next.

PRC 77,
I have to admit it. I stole your idea. And you are right, it works! I went to the range this past weekend, and I was very happy with the way my Mini-14 shot. I did gap the gas block, added the muzzle brake, and recoil buffer, and was able to get 2 1/2" groups. There was no change to POI when the barrel warmed up, and the barrel didn't get Hot, just warm. Thanks for the great Idea. I can use the $100 dollars I saved for more ammo.
CB.

prc77

08-26-2008, 13:03

seabee
I stoled the idea from Sarge.
what type and what dia. of steel did you use for the strut?

Seabee

08-26-2008, 13:41

Thanks Sarge!
prc77,
I got a piece of 1/2" mild steel bar stock from a local welder, but I used an old 10-22 barrel I had collecting dust. I thought that it would be harder steel, and only had to touch up with a cold bluing.

g5m

08-29-2008, 09:11

prc77, where did you buy the Picatinny rails you are using?

prc77

08-31-2008, 11:28

G5m
they call them tri-rail clamps and they are available from Cheaperthandirt.com

g5m

08-31-2008, 17:58

Thanks, they look to be about $20 each on their website.

prc77

08-31-2008, 18:58

g5m
you must have been looking at the 5 slot one.$19.97 I used the 2 slot $9.97. heres the link
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemDetail.aspx?sku=SCP-069

burch

10-05-2008, 09:44

I have an odd question that needs an intelligent answer. I have .410 barrel laying around and was wondering if it could be cut down and made into a strut. If so, how long should I cut it and what clamps could I use ?

Burch

prc77

10-06-2008, 05:56

Burch
What dia. is the .410 barrel

burch

10-06-2008, 07:43

well, now a buddy says he can get me some bar stock. So what dia. and length will I need if I use that ? If it`ll work I might as well go with the bar stock instead of cutting down the .410 barrel.

prc77

10-06-2008, 13:10

Burch
I went with 5/8 Dia. 5 inch long Stainless steel and the triclamps from Cheaper than dirt.

javelin98

10-07-2008, 14:49

I just got one of those 2-slot Picatinny adapters in the mail from Combathunting yesterday, and it looks like you can use them with any size barrel, so the specific diameter of the bar stock might not be as critical as with a different type of clamp.

So I wonder if there is a particular type of metal best suited for this? Aluminum would probably be best at bleeding off heat, but steel would be better for weight. I'm not a welder or metallurgist, so I really don't know. Any suggestions?

RetailOp

10-07-2008, 17:32

prc77...could you post a picture, if you have it, of the side view, close-up. Looks good...I have learned so much from you guys. I appreciate this site being focused so clearly on the Mini...and everyone shares their work. Hopefully, I'll have some to post soon.

prc77

10-08-2008, 19:49

working on the pics

ricardo145

10-10-2008, 18:41

Just another version I did a few years ago. Barrel was cut to 16" and threaded 1/2"-28 for muzzle brake. I used 5/8" stainless tube with 3/8" bolt secured in end to finish end of tube. GunDoc trigger job works wonders. Can hit golf balls at 100yrds easy. I love this thing.:D

prc77

10-12-2008, 08:55

magnomark

10-12-2008, 10:43

:DWoW!These are the first barrel mounting blocks that I have seen that actually look like they are useful!;)

HighDesertWolf

11-04-2008, 23:51

WOW!! its looks better than the HARBAR and the accu strut and way cheaper. Uses the same principal so Im sure it will work just as good. and a plus you get a few rails if ya wanted to add a lazer. just wonder if adding a lazer would throw anything off?

Rock Creek

11-05-2008, 08:20

Having been away from the Mini-14 scene for over 20 yrs what with getting married and raising a family I have the time now. Just wanted to say I am impressed with the innovations you guy's keep coming up with to counter the commercial applications "And expensive". I dusted off my vault queens and am slowly waking up to the fun I enjoyed shooting with friends when I was single! Keep up the sharing of ideas this boomer can use all the help he can get! It is appreciated!
Thanks Rock Creek:)

fcoy2

11-17-2008, 11:08

Found the page on the CheaperThanDirt site, but where would I find the 1/2" or 5/8" steel bar?

Rock Creek

11-17-2008, 12:42

No problem just look in your handy tool box! I had a 1/2 breaker bar where the end was broke "knew it would come in handy one day" measured just a few hundreds over 5/8 " Got the cutting Dotco out 5" later my solid steel Strut bar was born.Sorry no pics yet will try and figure out later but is a exact copy of the $20.00 strut Prc 77 built! My thanks to him for info and the rest of the guys for pics! Fired a few rounds the other day just practice to target yet , but at least it held together!Good hunting!
Rock Creek:)

esq_stu

11-17-2008, 13:49

MajorJim

11-20-2008, 21:39

Found the page on the CheaperThanDirt site, but where would I find the 1/2" or 5/8" steel bar?

If you don't have any laying around, might want to check on a site like ebay - guys that have leftovers from big projects will peddle it there sometimes. Also look at stainless tubing - not the thin stuff, but something like 5/8's diameter with a thick wall. It is heavy enough and you can pack silicone into the tube to help with the vibration.

MajorJim

11-20-2008, 21:42

Has anyone tried simply installing one of those mounts on a barrel to see what happens? Seems to me that if barrel harmonics is an issue and cutting down a barrel or adding a flash hider makes a difference, then maybe one of those mounts in the right spot would also make a difference.

Just a though. I'm ordering parts with plans to get my 186 shortened and threaded for a flash hider. I may but one of those mounts just to see what happens.

What the strut does is to help to tame the barrel whip. You can stick a deresonator on a barrel or cut it until it shoots just right if the only issue is harmonics. But with the Minis, especially the older models with the thinner barrels, there is quite a bit of barrrel whip. If you add the strut it helps to more or less anchor the beast.

OrneryolMofo357

11-22-2008, 15:38

I just recieved my Mounts from Cheaper than Dirt today. I found a piece of solid aluminum , actually a handle for something no longer needed. I cut it to fit, mounted it up in the brackets... and you Guys werent Kidding ! Huge Improvement! I actually think I will use mine for more Predator calling now! I shot some 40 grn V Max, and some 52 grn Midsouth Varmint Extremes, and I was really suprised with the result. Thanks for all of these posts to make Our Mini's shoot better ! :cool:

tri70

11-23-2008, 08:21

I love using my mini for predators and pdogs, gotta love the semi auto for the quick follow ups!:D

Uncle Chan

11-23-2008, 08:44

I know this is going to sound lame, but how are you attaching the bar to the gas block? Is it just pushed tight against it? Drilled-out? Notched?

prc77

11-23-2008, 14:51

the one that I did has about a 1/2" gap from the gas block. Kept it simple

Uncle Chan

11-23-2008, 16:08

the one that I did has about a 1/2" gap from the gas block. Kept it simple
For some reason, I thought it needed to be attached or at least touching the gas block. If that's not the case, that opens up all kinds of avenues for creation of personal struts.

Hmmmm......thanks for the reply!

buckeyetarget14

11-27-2008, 23:37

Ok so i am a total newb, and was wondering if this would do anything for my soon to be delivered 580 target model? it has the thicker barrel on it and the harmonic dampner so is it gonna help the target?

thanks

prc77

11-28-2008, 06:33

The struts that are being talked about in this thread are being used as a harmonic dampener. Your new target model mini 14 has one from the factory and from what I've seen and read from this forum. They shoot pretty tight groups with the right ammo. So I wouldn't think that you would need one.

rab79

12-30-2008, 22:20

Another theft here, but I put the rail to the top instead of the bottom, used a scrap piece of stainless pipe that measured 0.72" outside diameter.

Waiting on the muzzle brake but it looks like groups have tightened up and shot stringing is gone, although I still got an occasional flyer during an impromptu shooting session, that may have been the nut behind the trigger though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/3152016765_5a5e4a8f14.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/3151995765_f1b0f274ca_m.jpg

Dirt_Farmer

12-31-2008, 09:19

So whos gonna be the first to embed a laser sight in the strut tube?

-Jeff

DJAbby

01-01-2009, 22:03

Looks great! I was thinking the other day of using a piece of aluminum tube filled with silicone. Should be a bit lighter and the silicone would serve to further dampen/absorb the harmonics in the barrel. What are your thoughts? Anyone try a piece of aluminum bar stock? I got good results just swaping out the wood stock for a bedded Hogue, but I want more.