[Reflex]

I've put together a list of mods to a stock mini that I think would make for a good patrol carbine. I'd like to hear ideas from you guys on how I could improve such a setup.

Ingredients---

-Mini 14 (duh)

-Full length scout rail by Ultimak

-Aimpoint ML2 2x CCO on QD mount (probably an A.R.M.S with swan levers)

-Barrel chopped to 16.5, re-crowned.

-Black Warrior brake

-Hogue overmold stock

-GG&G M3 light rail, mounted on right side of stock, within fingertip reach (idea blatantly stolen from Djskit)

-M3 light (wouldn't have much use for the rail without it)

-Versapod mounting post, and medium bipod

-Giles or Chalker sling (depends)

-alternative to stock iron sights (those irons are coming OFF), probably Millett. Would like a flip up rear/front combo for the rail, but haven't invested much research in that yet. Tritium or fiber optic if at all possible.

She'll be firing heavy loads (77gr Black Hills), so a looser twist (1 in 7 or 9) would be preferred.

Thanks in advance for lending your expertise to this project.

,Steve

:usa:

 

[aarocker1]

It looks good except for the bipod. A shortened mini isn't a good sniper weapon - especially with an aimpoint. Stick with the short and fast carbine approach if that's the way you want to go.

There's a few mini's in the gallery set up very similar to what you are describing, especially djskit's that you can use for reference.

 

[Coon Dawg]

For what you are wanting the carbine for(patrol) I would get rid off the bipods. Unnecessary bulk and weight. I would add a jungle clip to 2 30 rd. magazines and a front forearm pistol grip. My 02 cents **** Dawg :ar15:

 

[Reflex]

Much thanks fellas. I picked the Versapod for just that reason, because it can ride in the vehicle and be mounted if a standoff situation occurs. Having a bipod frees up an officer's left hand for using the radio.

 

[Reflex]

BTW, the jungle clip idea might interfere with the use of the bipod. In retrospect, the mag could be used as a rest in a pinch, so a bipod might not be such a big deal after all...

 

[hanksr]

maybe a gas bushing kit to reduce recoil, so you can stay on target during rapid fire. The rest sounds awesome.



:ar15:

 

[Coon Dawg]

Oh yea I forgot, Try an OEG instead of the aimpoint. Israily snipers love them. They work great in low level light very fast sight picture and target acqiuzion( my spelling sucks) You owe it to yourself to at least try one. I seen a friend of mine shoot a crow out of the air with his monted on a ar15. I can't afford one but if my life depended on it i could. Food for thought anyway. **** Dawg:rapid: This is my patroll carbine Browning 1919a4 semi-auto hehe

 

[Reflex]

thanks **** Dawg. I'll look into that OEG.

 

[Reflex]

Whoops! I had a little brain-fart regarding the OEG (Occluded-Eye optical Gunsight). Seen em,' shot em,' don't like them as much as the Aimpoint solution. Effective, and cheap to be sure! However, they don't correct for parallax, and don't provide magnification (obviously). Gotta stick with the Aimpoint for this. Thanks anyway!

Keep those good ideas coming!

regards,

Steve

:usa:

 

[Reflex]

Hank Sr.,

Does that bushing kit cause any doubt in the reliability department? Sounds like it might reduce my confidence in consistent cycling....

Thanks again,

Steve

 

[aarocker1]

Definitely lap the trigger sear. Very easy to do and makes a big difference.

The usual recoil buffer and bedding job are easy to do and wouldn't hurt.

 

[special poop]

another brother in cali, I like this forum. the crew here pretty much nailed everything, but you might want to try the Final Finish barrel lapping kit...it'll be a noticable difference for sure and it's a cheap and easy improve. Also, I put on a laser (barrel mounted - I have a picture of it on this forum, forget the manuf. off hand though). I havent shot the thing outside in the dark yet, but indoors at 25yds it shoots fairly accurately from the hip and is tough to beat from the raised shoulder position with no cheek weld. what ever gives you an edge is my motto. PS einstien sucks.

 

[valleypine]

I would forego the Aimpoint 2X and go with the Aimpoint 1X. The Aimpoint 2X seems to get bad reviews on the AR-15 site. I don't believe you will find any flip-up sights for the MINI-14. All are made for the AR-15, and would most likely place the sights too high for the MINI-14. In addition, flip-ups are more unreliable than fixed sights. I am assuming that you have a standard MINI-14 and not the Ranch. If so, I would go with either the Ashley aperture on the stock sight or use the Millet and drill out the aperture to a larger diameter. In any case, I would co-witness an Aimpoint 1X with fixed (not flip-up) sights of your choice.

 

[mikr]

77 grain loads?

1/9 will be a poor choice, to say the least. A 1/7 will be just about mandatory to stabilize that heavy a projectile in flight for any decent range (100M and past)...

edit-I see you are in Cali, and are an LEO as well?

 

[hanksr]

I'm not sure. I haven't installed the bushing kit yet but it is the next thing on my list. I asked the same question you did, but many members on here have had good experiences, and as i understand the kit comes in three sizes so you can adjust how much gas is coming in. I think this would be a good thing to try for a tactical carbine, so as to reduce recoil for fast firing, and at 25 bucks from mike in oregon you can afford to try it out. By the way guys my name is Hanks not Hank Sr. as my name implies. Good luck on the gun Reflex

 

[Camera man]

Here is my idea.
It would work just like the ones on the M16 M4. The front grips on an M4 mount on a Weaver rail. Take a BC folder or a Choate pistol grip stock. Pick up a Weaver mount. The type you can get for bolt guns. Just one single block. And buy the
front grip for the M4. Take out the metal in the fore arm. Drill holes to match the Weaver. Buy 2 small wood screws. After you have it all lined up. Use some good epoxy and mount the weaver under the for end of the stock. After it sets up put on your handle. I guess you could put a rail on eather side of the stock too. For a light and so on. Here is a site with the hard ware on it. http://www.sogarmory.com/cat.asp?sh...0&categoryID=50

 

[Reflex]

Thanks for all the input, guys!

I am not in Law Enforcement, but I'm putting this prospectus together as a favor for a friend in who leads one of our local SRT teams. They employ the Mini extensively, and haven't done squat to them!!

People don't like the 2x Aimpoint, eh? I shot with it before on a Springfield M1A scout/squad and loved it! Oh well, different strokes, I guess...

And thanks for the info about the twist. I kinda suspected 1 in 7 would be necessary.

Flip-up irons are out the window, as well.

 

[cajungeo]

Where did all these posts come from, and where have I been? I feel left out. So I will put in my two cents.

Since I don't know what kind of LEO Were talking about, I can't give as accurate of advice. A guard carying a rifle all day would want something different than a cop with a squad car, and carries a pistol, with a stand off rifle in his trunk.

Reflex first If you shorten the barrel to 16 1/2" I would not install the muzzle brake. I don't believe you will gain much in the accuracy dept with the brake on the shorter, i.e. stiffer barrel. The down side is: (1) you would be adding an extra 1 1/2" to the barrel, now your 18". (2) the blast, and noise will be increased a bunch, upps! didn't hear the cease fire! (3) You said the iron sights are coming off the BW muzzle brake fits over the sight!

You mentiond a 7"-1 turn barrel, are these to be custom barrels? The new mini's are a 9"-1 turn. In my opinion the 77 grn bullet is too heavy for the light weight Ruger barrel, now if you have a heavier .720" barrel or heavier, thats different. Speaking of custom barrels do we have unlimited budget? Most LEO are on a tight budget.

I would think I would research the sight options in more detail, and get the officers opinion before typing the proof copy. The ultimak, and optic sight may add a couple more pounds of weight. I would forgo the bipod if the rifle is to be carried on patrol as a guard would carry one all day. If were talking a LEO with a squad car then he may want that option. I would ask em.

As far as lights, If your talking police, they usually light up with the spot light on their squad car to blind the suspects. In a stand off situation at night, a little light on the end of your gun would tell the perp. Here I am shoot me, shoot me.

As far as the gas port bushings go, if would depend on the ammo used, and age of the rifle. I would test the short barrel config, with the ammo to be used to determine which would shoot 100% reliable. Mike Knifong also makes a 4th size gas bushing. I believe it is between the stock, and his famous 3. A reduced bushing will greatly reduce recoil, flying brass, and keep the muzzle on target during rapid fire. If proper bushing is used with selected ammo it seems to be as reliable as the stock one, but with the added benifits.

I'd bed the stock, do a trigger job, and add a sling. Now they need to practice, practice, practice.

The only experience I have is, I pulled some MP duty In the corp, and I watch Cops on TV Just my 2 cents not knowing what LEO application I'm talking about.

Maby a Real LEO member can post some real world experience.

 

[valleypine]

Originally posted by Reflex
Thanks for all the input, guys!

I am not in Law Enforcement, but I'm putting this prospectus together as a favor for a friend in who leads one of our local SRT teams. They employ the Mini extensively, and haven't done squat to them!!

People don't like the 2x Aimpoint, eh? I shot with it before on a Springfield M1A scout/squad and loved it! Oh well, different strokes, I guess...

And thanks for the info about the twist. I kinda suspected 1 in 7 would be necessary.

Flip-up irons are out the window, as well.

The only one I saw on the AR-15 site that didn't like the Aimpoint 2X was a dealer who disliked them and refused to carry them. He didn't give a reason why.

 

[Reflex]

You guys are awesome!

Cajuengo, thanks for chiming in with that advice. I'll re-consider the size on that round. I've decided to go with Millett irons instead of removing the conventional iron sights altogether (to be honest, I was going for the 'sexy looks' factor there) Jury is still out on whether gas port bushings will be used at all. The Accumak is a must, as the Aimpoint I used was in the scout position, and this mount appears to be the best solution for that.
Considering the length of the rail, I'm surprised there is no front/rear sight combo I could mount at it's extreme front, and rear of the rail... AND I haven't yet found a tritium illuminated sight kit of any kind for the Mini!!

A little more info on our local SRT team - these guys are essentially a SWAT solution for Corrections, so no patrol car. I am, however, trying to kill two birds with one stone. Another good friend of mine is an officer with KCSD (Kern County Sherriff's Department- sorry), and they have several Mini's in their inventory, although these will over time be replaced by full length ARs. Given the nature of the terrain (big, flat open spaces), a versapod would come in handy (a lot of guys from that department liked the idea when I broached it), and a weaponlight as well. Car mounted spotlights are superior, of course, but you can't bring your car with you into some speed addict's trailer (unless you're Dirty Harry).

I still like the idea of a brake on the shorter barrel. I've fired quite a few M4's with shorter barrels than that, and an assortment of brakes/flashhiders, and while the noise does go up with a brake, I would tolerate it if it helped me place more shots accurately. Somebody who has both could help me out with that one...

Thanks a bunch for your help, fellas. Nice to have access to such a friendly group of experts!!

,Steve


:usa: