[Mr.T.]

Ah, I hadn't seen the AT3 before! Looks pretty nice. I've heard a lot of the TRS-25 front lens popping out on some rougher guns... I think I'll add it to my list!

The Ultimak looks pretty slick on your mini. For me, it was a toss-up between the Amega or the Ultimak, but I think I like the oprod being exposed like with the Choate, so I'll probably go with the Ultimak.

Does the Ultimak get hot after shooting a bit? Too hot to touch?

I just need to calm myself down and focus on solving one problem at a time... fix the Hogue then get an Ultimak!

 

[LoneWolf]

You're right .. one thing at a time. Also it can get pricey doing all these upgrades !
It took me almost a year and a half to get mine the way I wanted it and to do the upgrades I felt were needed. Take your time, do what is right for you and you will get there.
It's raining here again but I may hit the range to test out those Wilson shock buffers and see how the rifle operates with them.

 

[RJF]

I run a TRS-25 on my 583 (and a CX4) with no problems. If the AT3 is about the same size and for less and as reliable, go for it!

Once my PIN money gets high enough, I'll probably invest in a UltiMak and a Burris FF-III - per Sandog's set up. Some of that might get set back if WalMart's clearance of Mini-14s is true to form. Lord knows I don't need a THIRD Mini-14, but a $399 price is a sin to pass up!

 

[Mr.T.]

Oh how I wish my local Walmarts had carried rifles!!!!! I'd be all over the clearance sales!

 

[LoneWolf]

We would both be there Mr. T. ! I can't even get ammo at mine. :blink:

OK I just got back from the range. The rain wasn't awful and I got to test things out. I ran 100 rounds through the mini and tested (7) 20 round mags I had to block to 10 .. courtesy of our antigun Democrat politicians.
I did have to sight in my red dot again because I had added a quick disconnect. It was mostly on though.

Number one is I had zero FTE or FTF at any time. Lsbho also was fine.
Number two was the rifle was quieter. It didn't have as much of the metal to metal clank noise.
Number three is I didn't notice any change in distance or angle of brass discharge. (I have the .050 gas block bushing)
Number four I noticed no change in accuracy. I'll post the target picture at 100 yards but I'm not a target paper shooter .. I like point and shoot at metal, milk jugs, etc.. Also much of the shooting was at a fast cadence to see if the forward rail heated. All was done off of a forward rest.

The forward rail (Ultimak) did get warm but not extremely hot. I'd assume if you ran 2 or 3 20 round magazine through it back to back it would get hot.

Here are pictures of the target and the front and rear buffers.
The target speaks for itself .. I need practice !!
The rear buffer looks virtually untouched.
The forward buffer you can see the indentation on the lower half. That doesn't bother me at all. What bothers me if you look at the center of the gas tube you will notice a crack developing in the buffer.

 

[LoneWolf]

I'm going to be out of town until probably Tuesday night.
When I get back the first thing I'm going to do is give it a thorough cleaning. I'll try some more light filing to round the edges a little better. I'll install a new buffer and give it another try.

 

[Mr.T.]

Very nice results!

Glad to hear the Ultimak doesn't get too hot, was a little worried.

Your front buffer looks a lot like mine does when I put one on... eventually it'll just fall apart into hard plastic bits and be eaten alive by the oprod! I've had to dig a few dead ones out of the oprod's mouth ;P

Pretty good shooting for 100 yards - better than I can do!

Which quick detach did you get? My mini will eventually look quite a bit like yours

 

[LoneWolf]

I didn't want to add a QD riser as the height is literally perfect with my cheek weld. I found a QD that is made for the TRS 25 but no one knew if it would fit.
I removed the original clamping hardware and this goes in it's place. It worked fine yesterday and the only problem I saw was the threaded stem only grabs on about 3 threads. If the stem were about 1/16" longer it would be perfect.
It is made by Arms Unlimited. Here's a picture.

 

[LoneWolf]

I just went back a re read some posts and I'd like to make a correction. It was raining that day and I only walked the target out to 50 yards. I usually write 100 as that is what we usually are shooting. Sorry for the mistake.

 

[Mr.T.]

I just went back a re read some posts and I'd like to make a correction. It was raining that day and I only walked the target out to 50 yards. I usually write 100 as that is what we usually are shooting. Sorry for the mistake.

:lol: That's still better than my shooting!

 

[RJF]

Lonewolf, I, too got a QD mount adapter for the TRS-25. It was made for the AimPoint but works - sorta. Had to do some filing to get things tight. That one is on my 583 Tactical, on the Ruger rail. My other Mini (181GB) is naked but has a funky side-mounted rail should I want to mount a red dot or a scope. Have a 3-9X32 UTG scope that is pretty okay, but I mostly use irons to keep the weight down.

My other TRS-25 is now on my Beretta CX4. Fits like it was made for it and a perfect co-witness. It is comfortable to know I can shoot accurately - even if I forget to turn the thing on!

Wish Bushnell would come up with flip-up covers for that TRS-25...

My wife went to our local Walmart today and asked if I needed anything. I was VERY tempted to ask her to pick me up another Mini-14 (they've had at least one there for quite a while). Walmart is apparently clearing out Mini-14 at the absurd price of $399. While I need another Mini like I need kidney stones, that price is REALLY too hard to pass up. Perhaps I'll make a trip out there tomorrow... That would be my project gun...

 

[Mr.T.]

Wow, $399... you're killing me RJF! I'd buy 2!

You could even just sell them once Walmart's out... that's just too good of a price!

 

[LoneWolf]

Ah, I hadn't seen the AT3 before! Looks pretty nice. I've heard a lot of the TRS-25 front lens popping out on some rougher guns... I think I'll add it to my list!

Just a heads up it's still on sale for $75 and free shipping.

 

[Mr.T.]

Just a heads up it's still on sale for $75 and free shipping.

Where from? That's a good price!

 

[LoneWolf]

It's from AT3 Tactical directly. I noticed they're now offering a rubber armor that slips over the sight as well. Here's the link.

https://www.at3tactical.com/collections/at3-red-dot-sights

 

[Mr.T.]

It's from AT3 Tactical directly. I noticed they're now offering a rubber armor that slips over the sight as well. Here's the link.

https://www.at3tactical.com/collections/at3-red-dot-sights

Thanks! I just ordered one, but decided to try out the "Open Box" for $59.99. Seems AT3 still provides a full warranty on it, and it's going to get scuffed up in due time anyway... so I'll take the risk

https://www.at3tactical.com/products/open-box-return-at3-rd-50-micro-red-dot-reflex-sight

Looks like a great little red dot! Fantastic reviews online and youtube, and it seems it should stand up to the Mini's violence for a long while. AT3's website says they'll repair or replace it for life if it ever falls apart... so I guess we'll just have to put that to the test!

Now... gotta get an Ultimak... and fix this darn Hogue stock! :beer:

 

[sandog]

Lone Wolf, you're on the right track by mounting your dot further out on the Ultimak.
I put mine as far out as I can, while still being able to reach the brightness button easily if needed. This (along with keeping both eyes open) increases your "downrange awareness" (peripheral vision) even more. Mine would be all the way forward on the Ultimak if I had longer arms !
The idea of a forward mounted optic, whether it be scope or dot, is hard for some guys to get used to after years of having an optic right up against your head. But once they try it, they won't want to go back.
I don't find that the Ultimak gets warm at all, but I'm not a mag dump kind of guy, and the 7.62 x 39 round doesn't produce the kind of heat that the 5.56mm does.

One more "mod" you might want to consider is the Vickers sling mounted on the side of the fore end and the top of the butt stock. The Vickers is a great sling, and mounted in this fashion, is quick to deploy, easy to transition to handgun if needed, can be used as a shooting aid, and carry across the back for hands free usage is comfortable without that 20 or 30 round mag digging into your back like it would with a bottom mounted sling. My friend Bepe has gone with that set up as well.

 

[Mr.T.]

Looks like everyone uses a QD for their optics... do any of you, RFJ, Sandog, or LoneWolf, experience any issues with co-witness with the added riser level? Any of you had bad experiences with a certain QD mount, or recommend one over the others?

 

[RJF]

Mr. T. I don't think co-witness is really an option for the Minis: the sights sit too low. No experience if a "hollow" riser will allow, but doubt it.

Got a UTG QD adapter (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BIPRF18/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) which was fine, but put things up too high for me. Worked fine, but once I got the QD adapter for the AimPoint (which is supposed to fit the TRS-25), the UTG adapter went into my drawer. Only problem I have with the Aimpoint QD adapter is that it required some "fitting" to work with the TRS-25, and even then, the "Q" part of QD isn't...

For scopes, Warne seems to be the favorites...

 

[sandog]

Yes, like RJF said, the Mini's sights are too low for even a lower 1/3 co-witness.
I use Warne QD rings for my scope, and for red dots there is this one:

While the concept of being able to quickly release the optic to use the irons is something a lot of us think about, it's not really that necessary.
The Q.D. mount is going to be more expensive and weigh more, and the chances of you ever needing it is pretty slim. Spend the cash you'd save to buy a better quality dot.
Burris FastFire at the minimum, an Aimpoint Micro, Trijicon RMR or Leupold Deltapoint if you can afford it.

The first FastFire I bought is still on the same battery it came with 3 years ago.
(I keep a couple spare batteries in the butt stock pouch)
Granted it's not on all the time like an Aimpoint would be, but it's nearly 1/3 the cost of the Aimpoint. And it's shielded well from damage with the Protector Mount.
If I ever did have to remove the FF to use my irons, a coin, back of a knife blade, etc. would loosen the thumbscrew in about 4 seconds, not much slower than a Q.D. mount.
An excellent little sight (weighs less than an ounce without the "bathtub" Protector mount), they can be had for just under $200 if you shop around.