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Posted: 2/10/2023 8:54:28 PM EDT
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Got a stainless ranch Mini-14 with black polymer stock and standard barrel end with front site. Been thinking of putting on a Sampson stainless folder but want flash hider, purely for the aesthetic. Worth having front site removed and barrel end threaded so I can do this or just live with it how it is? I haven't shot the rifle in 10 years. LOL!!! |
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About 15 years ago I bought a Mini14 that had this flash hider on it that is plug and play. Drive the pins out of the front sight and remove and put this sight/flash hider in place. Except the seller had chopped the barrel to about 12" and pin and welded the flash hider on. It was short and handy. A friend talked me out of it. https://www.riflestock.com/store/product/m-14-look-a-like-flash-hider-stainless-steel/  |
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Originally Posted By Utahshooting: Got a stainless ranch Mini-14 with black polymer stock and standard barrel end with front site. Been thinking of putting on a Sampson stainless folder but want flash hider, purely for the aesthetic. Worth having front site removed and barrel end threaded so I can do this or just live with it how it is? I haven't shot the rifle in 10 years. LOL!!! In my opinion no. The Sampson stock sounds like a good idea but skip the flash hider. I want the blast sound to go away from me should I need to shoot it without hearing protection. If you get caught up in a social disorder situation you will want the other side to get the sound blasted their way with little coming back to you. You don't even want to be beside someone with a brake. kwg |
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The Short Choate Muzzle device is an A2 style flash suppressor and adds little length to the Mini's barrel; it's all you need, and nothing more. Added mass/weight at the muzzle is often an accuracy-enhancer for most Minis. Winged, Military style front sight is incomparably better than early, unprotected single blade OEM front sight. Short Choate muzzle device will accept an M-7 bayonet if rear bayo lug installed on barrel. However, a barrel-mounted bayo lug precludes attachment of a DUAL CLAMP Accu Strut. This device is not usually needed on most modern "heavy barrel" Mini-14s and not needed on any Mini-30s, but which is a virtual necessity for early "Pencil-Barrel" Mini-14s. If you have a "Pencil Barrel" Mini-14, then strongly suggest getting a Dual Clamp Accu Strut and forget about the rear Bayo lug. IMHO, reducing muzzle flash (and likely reducing flash-induced temporary "night-blindness") is a reasonable trade for added weight/length of the muzzle device. The Short Choate device, like all A2 style muzzle devices, is closed at the bottom, thus reducing muzzle rise. YMMV. I have seen Minis lacking a flash suppressor, shot in full daylight, displaying a visible flash. My Mini, with the Short Choate device did not display any flash in daylight, and no more muzzle flash in darkness than the nearly identical A2 flash suppressor which is standard equipment on most US military M-4 carbines. Disclaimer: No financial interest. |
Promoted to Member by Ed, Sr.
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Originally Posted By Utahshooting: Got a stainless ranch Mini-14 with black polymer stock and standard barrel end with front site. Been thinking of putting on a Sampson stainless folder but want flash hider, purely for the aesthetic. Worth having front site removed and barrel end threaded so I can do this or just live with it how it is? I haven't shot the rifle in 10 years. LOL!!! Accuracy Systems can turn that barrel into tactical specs for around $300.00 Includes barrel chop, relocating the front sight, and barrel threading, FWIW |
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Originally Posted By LIONHART: Accuracy Systems can turn that barrel into tactical specs for around $300.00 Includes barrel chop, relocating the front sight, and barrel threading, FWIW Originally Posted By LIONHART: Originally Posted By Utahshooting: Got a stainless ranch Mini-14 with black polymer stock and standard barrel end with front site. Been thinking of putting on a Sampson stainless folder but want flash hider, purely for the aesthetic. Worth having front site removed and barrel end threaded so I can do this or just live with it how it is? I haven't shot the rifle in 10 years. LOL!!! Accuracy Systems can turn that barrel into tactical specs for around $300.00 Includes barrel chop, relocating the front sight, and barrel threading, FWIW Problem is that OP has not revealed the Series # of his Mini, thus we are unsure whether or not it has a "Pencil Barrel" or a later "Heavy Barrel". All OP has said is that Mini-14 is a Ranch rifle variant, and he has not shot it in 10 years. Let's assume worst-case scenario (Pencil Barrel): OP could install Short Choate muzzle device and either a Samson or Ultimak Scout rail (both of are proven to aid accuracy) and an even more effective Accu Strut for less than having ASI cut and thread the barrel. Cutting the Pencil Barrel often leads to improved accuracy compared to OEM length, but also reduces muzzle velocity and hence, effective range. YMMV, but not a "trade" I'd be willing to make. Installing Short Choate muzzle device and Dual Clamp Accu Strut usually remedies the "issues" involved with "Pencil-Barrel" Minis. Assuming best-case scenario (heavy barrel), OP could install Short Choate device and abovementioned Scout rail (omitting the Accu Strut) for even less. All depends on what OP has, and his budget and desires. @Utahshooting Could you please provide first five digits of rifle's Serial Number? First 3 digits followed by a (-) and then next 2 digits? That will allow determining what sort of Mini you have (without revealing personal info) and allow better, more focused advice. |
Promoted to Member by Ed, Sr.
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I like the long Browning style Choate flash hider. Very effective and it looks nice. I’m also a fan of the short SOCOM style AccuStrut. Is the longer two clamp model ore effective. Maybe, but both of my skinny barrel Mini 14s shoot 5 shot 1.5 MOA groups at 100 yards with Hornady 55 gr FMJs at M193 velocities. That’s the same accuracy I get with that load in my Colt made M16A1 and SP1 uppers. .jpg?width=590&height=590&fit=bounds)  Installation wise it isn’t a direct drop in as you need to either: - drill the hole located at the divot in the side of the flash hider with it installed and properly indexed on the barrel; or - install it using high temp green cylindrical fit Loctite. Either way, put a piece of painters tape around the rear of the muzzle device and around the barrel just behind it so that you can make index marks. It’s normally a press fit, and between the press fit and a some duct tape it will stay in place long enough to allow you to shoot a group with the rear sight mechanically zeroed so that you can index the muzzle device to allow you to zero with the rear sight centered. Whether you drill and pin, use use high temp Loctite, use the index marks you made to install the flash hider. |
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