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Posted: 7/16/2011 1:10:47 PM EDT
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I have an older series Mini-14 and the scope mounting options are limited. I am considering getting one of the forward over-the-barrel rails to mount a red dot. I know there are several brands out there and I would like to hear from anyone who has experience with one. The good, the bad, etc.?
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That's interesting and something I did not know existed, but I was thinking more along the lines of the Ultimak rail that clamps to the barrel ahead of the receiver.
I know Ultimak and maybe 2 other companies make them, but I don't know the advantages and disadvantages to each brand. |
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I have used an Ultimak Scout rail with Burris Scout scope for years. No problem seeing over the rail when using iron sights.
Rock solid, and even provides a little added stiffness to the barrel; not a bad thing at all considering that the older versions were a bit slender. |
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I have used an Ultimak Scout rail with Burris Scout scope for years. No problem seeing over the rail when using iron sights. Rock solid, and even provides a little added stiffness to the barrel; not a bad thing at all considering that the older versions were a bit slender. I have the Ultimak on my AK74 clone. It has been fine and am leaning toward that one, but to be fair I know nothing about the others. However, after reading your tips post I am thinking of postponing the purchase of the rail until I first get one of the barrel bracing rods. I'll get both eventually. |
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I put one of these on and it solved the scope to far away syndrome for me. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS429US429&q=rail+mount+for+a+mini+14&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2880619818661969669&sa=X&ei=xg8iTvSFLsrV0QHcrZWwAw&ved=0CDUQ8wIwAQ# I tried one of those, it made the scope set a bit too high for my taste. And, that mount will only work on the Ranch model....not sure what the OP has. |
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I have used an Ultimak Scout rail with Burris Scout scope for years. No problem seeing over the rail when using iron sights. Rock solid, and even provides a little added stiffness to the barrel; not a bad thing at all considering that the older versions were a bit slender. I have the Ultimak on my AK74 clone. It has been fine and am leaning toward that one, but to be fair I know nothing about the others. However, after reading your tips post I am thinking of postponing the purchase of the rail until I first get one of the barrel bracing rods. I'll get both eventually. I have the Amega scout rail on mine, with a Bushnell red dot. It works great for me. Is your a Ranch model? |
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I have used an Ultimak Scout rail with Burris Scout scope for years. No problem seeing over the rail when using iron sights. Rock solid, and even provides a little added stiffness to the barrel; not a bad thing at all considering that the older versions were a bit slender. I have the Ultimak on my AK74 clone. It has been fine and am leaning toward that one, but to be fair I know nothing about the others. However, after reading your tips post I am thinking of postponing the purchase of the rail until I first get one of the barrel bracing rods. I'll get both eventually. I have the Amega scout rail on mine, with a Bushnell red dot. It works great for me. Is your a Ranch model? No Ranch here, just a very much old model. |
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I have used an Ultimak Scout rail with Burris Scout scope for years. No problem seeing over the rail when using iron sights. Rock solid, and even provides a little added stiffness to the barrel; not a bad thing at all considering that the older versions were a bit slender. I have the Ultimak on my AK74 clone. It has been fine and am leaning toward that one, but to be fair I know nothing about the others. However, after reading your tips post I am thinking of postponing the purchase of the rail until I first get one of the barrel bracing rods. I'll get both eventually. I have the Amega scout rail on mine, with a Bushnell red dot. It works great for me. Is your a Ranch model? No Ranch here, just a very much old model. I've seen some scope mounts for the non ranch models that put the scope above the receiver, but the ones I've seen put the scope too high for me. Your best bet would probably be the forward scout rail, it's what I have and I like it. I posted some pics in some other threads. Well, here's mine if you're curious as to how they look.  " />
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If you've already seen it, then disregard this pic. 
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Thanks for the pic. Great looking rifle by the way.
I bought the gun used and it came with two different scope mounts that fit above the receiver, but as you said one of them is too high, and the other requires the removal of the rear site. If I decide to put an optic on the gun it's defintely going to be one of the forward rails. |
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The Ultimak rail arrived today at work, which is generally where I have stuff shipped. I installed it when I went home for lunch. Not a lot of detail, but here are some pics anyway..
the kit itself: 
Installation was straightforward and simple thanks to the detailed instructions and lots of pictures for the reading impaired like me 
I test fitted a couple of optics.. the first is a Millet 2x pistol scope. Eye relief on this scope is really generous and works well. The rear iron sight protrudes into the lower part of the sight picture a little causing some annoyance, but I think I could get used to it, rather than opt for taller rings. 
The second is an Aimpoint Comp-c 2x. : 
I also have a Bushnell 2-6x(?) pistol scope but I quickly remembered why it's sitting around the house not mounted on anything - it sucks. Otherwise I have a couple of unmagnified red dots that are not currently mounted including a Bushnell and a Primary Arms Aimpoint clone. It may take some experimenting to figure out what works best. eta: Here's the Primary Arms Aimpoint clone in a low 30mm ring I found in my big box of scope rings
Although it's not what I was attempting, this actually does co-witness with the iron sights, although the body of the scope cuts off the bottom third of the picture. It doesn't look like it in this picture but there is a little breathing room between the bottom of this scope body and the rail. It is close enough that I had to leave the flip-up cover off of the front. 
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