My husband wants a scope for his mini 14. I've been looking online and some of the nicer ones look like they won't fit without that extra piece that you attach. He's not picky, please just tell me what to get so I can stop looking at guns stuff online and go have fun.:wink: Thank you!!
The first thing you need to know is whether it's a new model or an older model. The newer models and the "Ranch Rifle" have the mount for scope rings built-in on the reciever. Most good scopes come with a set of "Weaver" style rings to attach to the built-in mounts. Bass Pro, Cabelas and such all carry a good 3 X 9 X 40 adjustable power scope for $60-$100 that will do fine.
If he has the older style Mini-14, like I do, that doesn't have any provision for a scope mount built -in, and you're considering getting him one of the those side-mount devices to add the the side of the receiver, I can say don't bother. They move around too much to ever work very well as a scope mount. No matter how much I try and tighten the thing down it will not hold a zero. I finally gave up, took it off and went back to the iron sights on mine.
Sorry to be negative, I hope he has a newer model so you can get him a nice Christmas present. Best Regards.:smile:
I looked up the Mini-14 NRA model and it has the scope base built-in on the receiver, which is good. It also mentions on the Ruger website that they include a set of nice scope rings with the gun when you buy it, which is also good. Hopefully, your husband still remembers where he put them. That said, it sounds like you'll just need a 3 X 9 X 40 adjustable power scope in matt finish to match the gun finish. You can also decide if you want to pop a little extra for a lighted reticle, which is nice. Bushnell is a good affordable brand.
Thank you. It is the newer NRA edition and he as the rings. Some of the scopes he was looking at needed a Ruger to Weaver adapter. He also wants a flash guard? I'm not sure that's the right name, but it's the thing that goes on the end of the barrel. Will the Choate fit? Or does it have to be adapted to fit? One of his friends has it and he had to have it done at the gun shop.
Is this what you mean? I don't know if it's the lighted reticle or not?
WOW!!! That's a really nice scope. He'll be really happy with that one. If he's got the rings that came with the rifle, he shouldn't need anything else to mount the scope on that rifle. BassPro, Cabelas and such sell several different types of laser devices for him to place in the muzzle to help him boresight the scope after mounting. Usually they are under $50. Very helpful for getting everything lined up properly. Don't worry about me metioning a lighted reticle, that's a luxury that's not really necessary.
As far as the flash hider / muzzle brake goes you need to be careful there, The particular rifle he has comes with a heavy barrel that is not the same diameter as most mini-14's. The Choate brand is nice, but they may or may not have a model that fits the heavy barrel. More research and some phone calls the manufacturer may be required. John Masen also makes a "Black Warrior" muzzle brake that's nice. Again, I'm not sure if they make one for the heavy mini-14 barrel. Both kinds require that the existing front sight be removed by driving out the pin holding it in place. Once the the new muzzle brake with sight is in place a new pin must be driven into place. This is not as easy as it may sound. A good gunsmith may be helpful on this matter. In Naples we have exactly one, so I can imagine what you have in the Keys.
the Mini-14's are really beautiful rifles, in a nostalgic sense. Very well made, solid and dependable. The only problem I have seen with them, including one I bought (a very early model with less than 30 rounds through it), and sold this year, as well as several that my friends have owned, were a bit disappointing in the accuracy category. Some were better than others, and mine was probably in the middle (None were the NRA model though). I could shoot pie plate accuracy at 100 yards without the scope, then bought the side plate scope mount (older model) and a low cost scope to test it, and found the scope just would not stay put for any length of time. It did seem to give me 3-4 inch groups at 100 yards though. The point being that the scope may really not make a tremendous difference in the accuracy of the weapon, unless the shooter has vision problems like myself. With any vision imparement at all, the scope on the Mini will greatly add to the shooting pleasure.
Whatever the case, I applaud your husband on his choice of a bride:smile:
surv
let me add that your husband's rifle will not have the same problem with scope movement as my older model, so that will not be an issue. It should do fine.
Sorry for this late reply, but I have also asked myself some of these questions about my new Mini-14 (not the NRA model). If you buy a scope from a local store, they will usually bore-sight it for you. That way he will be certain to be "on paper" with his first shot so sighting-in will just be a matter or fine-tuning. Just bring the Ruger Rings with you when you go to buy the scope (if shopping at a local store is an option).
As for the flash hider, the latest Mini-14s, the 580 series, which both his NRA model and my ranch model are, I am thinkng that most of the flash hiders on the market are designed for the earlier rifles. The latest 580 series has a slightly heavier barrell contour. If you can find one for the 580 series, it should work on the NRA model. The NRA model does have a shorter barrell, but it tapers MUCH more quiclky than the longer barrell regular ranch rifle. If I am not mistaken, the barrell diameter at the muzzle of the NRA version is the same as the longer barrell on the regular 580 series ranch rifle.
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