I have owned my Mini-14 Series 186 since I bought it NIB in 1995 for a whopping $249 from Guns in Cypress, CA. Over the years it has sat in the back of my safe and has been shot rarely if any; pretty much was neglected due to the collection of AR's, FAL's, AK's, HK's, etc. With the crazy political climate, I decided to start using it and noticed that even though the finish was worn, wood beat up, and a little filthy due o non-cleaning, it has held up very well with no pitting and the bore was nice and shiny. So I decided to re-finish it and add a few extras.
(1) the Mini-14 is notorious for accuracy, due to the 18" barrel and barrel whip. So I decided to have the barrel cut down to 14.5" and pinned a YHM muzzle brake to make it 16" ( I am stuck in Kalifornia for the next 4 1/2 years till retirement and caring for elderly parents at the same time; SBR's and suppressors are in storage in AZ).
(2) Re-built all my USA 30 round magazines by stripping the crappy finish, I finished them using dry film lubricant as I did my old AR magazines, and added Ruger factory followers and Wolff extra duty Mini-14 springs; function as well as my factory Mini-14 20 round magazines.
(3) added a Hogue OD green stock to replace the beat up factory wood stock.
(4) had the rifle Cerekoted using Magpul FDE finish; came out beautiful.
All in all, I am pleased the way it came out, how it shoots, and functions. But their ate some things missing such as a light and good quality sling. How do I add a light to it? I was going to buy a Ultramax rail cover, but my gun smith was unable to remove the top of gas block because Ruger staked the gas block screws. Can I drill the stick to add a piece of rail or is there a much easier way to add a light.
Another dilemma is what sling? I would light a tactical two point sling because that is what I am used to on my other rifles. Does Blue Force Gear make a sling for the Mini-14 and a butt stock ammo pouch like fir the fixed stock AR?
Anyway, here are the pictures of the finished rifle. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. The upgrades costs more that what I paid for it.
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