[jetguy]

I have had since new a 186 serial number mini 14 and a friend has a number 188. From describing our rifles over the phone, they seem to be alike except that where mine says mini 14, his says ranch rifle. His has no rings for mounting a scope, just that round hole in the heat shield above the barrel. Same as mine. My owners manual says its for numbers 181 thru 185. Did the 186's just kind of get lost, or something? It seems that the 186's and 188's were built at the same time. Early 1990's.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[bwraven]

The scope ring mounts are cast as scallops into the top of the receiver, not on the heat shield.

His is a Ranch Rifle (with the scallops), yours is a Mini-14.

The rear sights are also different.

Mini-14
Thin barrel, ejector is in the bolt, no scope ring scallops cast into the receiver.
Beginning
Serial Nbr
181-07488--1978--1 in 10
181-48351--1979--1 in 10
181-84879--1980--1 in 10
182-45601--1981--1 in 10
183-03581--1982--1 in 10
183-40455--1983--1 in 10
184-17175--1984--1 in 10
184-26063--1985--1 in 10
184-95448--1986--1 in 10 and 1 in 7
185-14140--1987--1 in 7
185-50455--1988--1 in 7
185-56556--1989--1 in 7
185-81009--1990--1 in 7
186-05029--1991--1 in 7
186-18250--1992--1 in 7
186-20065--1993--1 in 7
186-31116--1994--1 in 7
186-42502--1995--1 in 7
186-58133--1996--1 in 7
186-66855--1997--1 in 7 and 1 in 9
186-81445--1998--1 in 9
186-87432--1999--1 in 9
*196-06325-2000--1 in 9
*196-44553-2001--1 in 9
*196-80982-2002--1 in 9
*196-99207-2003--1 in 9
*197-12180-2004--1 in 9
* Mini-14 serial numbers rollmarked with Mini-14 Ranch Rifles beginning in 2000

Ranch Rifle
Thin barrel, ejector in the bolt stop assembly, scope ring scallops cast into the receiver, buffer sytem using the recoil spring assembly.
Beginning
Serial Nbr
187-00001--1982--1 in 10
187-02611--1983--1 in 10
187-13218--1984--1 in 10
187-27226--1985--1 in 10
187-50919--1986--1 in 10 and 1 in 7
187-59308--1987--1 in 7
187-70033--1988--1 in 7
187-84127--1989--1 in 7
188-01157--1990--1 in 7
188-30499--1991--1 in 7
188-50902--1992--1 in 7
188-66901--1993--1 in 7
188-71086--1994--1 in 7
188-85981--1995--1 in 7
195-06037--1996--1 in 7
195-27761--1997--1 in 7 and 1 in 9
195-44221--1998--1 in 9
195-63542--1999--1 in 9
196-06325--2000--1 in 9
196-44553--2001--1 in 9
196-80982--2002--1 in 9
196-99207--2003--1 in 9
197-12180--2004--1 in 9

 

[jetguy]

Thanks

Thanks for your reply. The guy just texted me a couple of pics, but I couldn't see any place for scope rings. Not good pictures. I could see that the rear sights are different. His seem to be not adjustable for elevation. In addition, his stock is a much lighter color than mine.

I'm certain that this bores you experienced guys to death, but I was detoured by my AR and have recently become more interested in my mini. Still love my AR! My mini too!

It seems that both of our rifles were manufactured in '91, or '92.

Hmmm. Ejector is in the bolt v bolt stop assembly. I see that I have much to learn. Also don't know about the buffer system. Obviously not like an AR.

I need to go to school. Thanks for the heads up.

Regards,

Bill

 

[bwraven]

This is the place to ask!