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Posted: 8/8/2004 2:06:11 PM EDT
I have plenty of AR's but sometime mess around with my Mini-14 - slumming if you will. I had seen a tread earlier about a scout rail and thought that I would try one. I found the item at www.midwayUSA.com for $40 - product 115003. Note that it came tactical black from the factory, the paint was added by me.  Getting the old screws out of my old gas block was a bigger task than the 4mm hex wrenches I had were capable of doing. I managed to get two of the screws out but the other two wouldn't budge. A torch didn't help so the dremel tool came out with a diamond cutting blade - a few minutes later and the old gas block was off. The scout scope mounting base replaces the top of the gas block, you retain the use of the old lower one. Don't lose the tiny piece that fits in the hole in the barrel and connects to the gas block. A trip to Home Depot secured two 4mm x 12 mm hex head screws for $0.40 to replace the two that were cut. Brownell's also sells them. The mount it rock solid tight and has a channel in it allowing the use of the stock iron sights. Removal of the upper handguard is a bit more difficult with the piece in place but twisting it a bit to the starboard side helps getting it off without scratching. I mounted an Aimpoint Comp M2 and it feels nice up there and mounted so far forward. I plan on mounting a Hakko TacPoint in it's place when my order arrives. Can't see spray painting a $320 sight and a $60 mount ... but the Hakko at $90 is nearly disposable. I'll add pictures once I get the painted scope in place.  So now I have a reason to take my Mini-14 out for some plinking fun. 
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I was unaware of this product when I installed a Scout mount on a Mini. The mount was about twice the price of yours, also replaced the top of the gas block, but extended to within 1/16 of the receiver, It is lower, and notched for sights along its entire length. In addition, the rear is also clamped to the barrel, making for a very rigid attachment. Made by Ultimak, IIRC. I'm sure you'll find your mount satisfactory, as I do my different one. BTW, well-done paint job. Really blends in. |
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Has anyone had extensive experience with one of these mounts on a stadard Mini-14? My Mini is the standard model (not the Ranch) and ejects to the one-thirty o'clock position and I have a concern about the brass damaging the ocular end of the scope. Thanks in advance, Mild Bill |
| Every scope should have covers for both the objective and ocular ends. Simply mount the scope maybe 1/2 inch forward of the action opening, and give it a few test shots with the covers closed. If the ejected case doesn't hit the cover, and it shouldn't, then test with the cover's open. You should still be OK. Don't forget to install an aftermarket buffer in your non-Ranch Mini (Ranch comes with one OEM). Your scope/optic will thank you. |
That is so sensible. I may try it. Regards, Mild Bill |
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