Hello everyone I am new to the group. Sorry but this is going to be a long post, as I have alot of questions. I just recently found this forum and have read alot of posts but still haven't fdecided exactly what I want to do. So thank you in advance.
I have an older, non-ranch, 182 series Mini-14. I would like to do a little upgrading to it to make it shoot better. I am assuming that it has what I have seen referred to as a "pencil" barrel, but I am not positive. It has a muzzle brake with a sight on it that is held to the barrel with a little roll pin. It also has a perforated heat tube (not sure the correct name) over the barrell held on by set screws. It is missing the rear sight because when I got it it had a scope mount that used the rear sight bracket, and clamped down to the front of the receiver with a set screw, which was horrible. So I contemplating my options: either take it to Accuracy Systems Inc and have them do a conversion with a heavier barrel and the works, or try a barrel strut and order a new rear sight and go that route. I am not looking to make it a target rifle as I have a bolt action for that, just want it to be a reliable shooting gun for fun, and self defense if needed. I am not an AR-15 fan so I don't want to get rid of the mini for something else. if I take it to ASI I will have about $900 into it, not sure if I want to do that or not. So what do you all think? Have some general new guy questions:
1-The muzzle brake with the front sight can be slightly wiggled by hand, should the roll pin hold it completely tight or will htere be a little movement?
2-Is a barrel strut the way to go? IF so-What type of barrel strut do you all reccomend? I looked at the Accu-Strut website (LT model?)
3-Right now it has a bi-pod on it, can you still have a bi-pod with the accu-strut?
4-Open sights or scoped? I have a B-square mount ordered, to use open or scope, have read a couple reveiws. Or ASI will drill and tap a solid scope mount.
5-Or spend the money and let ASI do a conversion?
Thank you for any input, and sorry for the long post. Please chime in with anything I have forgotten (which I know I have). Maybe this evening I can figure out how to post some pictures.
I have an older, non-ranch, 182 series Mini-14. I would like to do a little upgrading to it to make it shoot better. I am assuming that it has what I have seen referred to as a "pencil" barrel, but I am not positive. It has a muzzle brake with a sight on it that is held to the barrel with a little roll pin. It also has a perforated heat tube (not sure the correct name) over the barrell held on by set screws. It is missing the rear sight because when I got it it had a scope mount that used the rear sight bracket, and clamped down to the front of the receiver with a set screw, which was horrible. So I contemplating my options: either take it to Accuracy Systems Inc and have them do a conversion with a heavier barrel and the works, or try a barrel strut and order a new rear sight and go that route. I am not looking to make it a target rifle as I have a bolt action for that, just want it to be a reliable shooting gun for fun, and self defense if needed. I am not an AR-15 fan so I don't want to get rid of the mini for something else. if I take it to ASI I will have about $900 into it, not sure if I want to do that or not. So what do you all think? Have some general new guy questions:
1-The muzzle brake with the front sight can be slightly wiggled by hand, should the roll pin hold it completely tight or will htere be a little movement?
2-Is a barrel strut the way to go? IF so-What type of barrel strut do you all reccomend? I looked at the Accu-Strut website (LT model?)
3-Right now it has a bi-pod on it, can you still have a bi-pod with the accu-strut?
4-Open sights or scoped? I have a B-square mount ordered, to use open or scope, have read a couple reveiws. Or ASI will drill and tap a solid scope mount.
5-Or spend the money and let ASI do a conversion?
Thank you for any input, and sorry for the long post. Please chime in with anything I have forgotten (which I know I have). Maybe this evening I can figure out how to post some pictures.