" Har-Bars"...

[Big_Saw]

Oh, I only buy ruger parts for ruger guns and kahr for kahr, etc......unless they don't make what I'm looking for....

[Bayou Blaster]

Mini-14 Magazines

BTW...check out my playground:

http://www.mwgco.com/?page=MWG/CTGY/MINI-14-MAGAZINES

Big Saw

I know you don't know me from Adam, but please take my advice on this.

Stay away from the following aftermarket 30rd Mini-14 magazine Manufacturers:

National
Promag
Triple K
Eagle

Your mileage/experience may vary.
All of these brands will not function 100% of the time over the long term. Sometimes they will fail right from the get go. Weak feed lips, follower springs and fit are primary culprits. Some just don't lock in easily (poor quality/dimensional control and manufacturing process irregularities). Some of these mags like Promag won't work reliably if fully loaded.

Again please if you intend to run this firearm hard core over the long haul you would be better served with "Ruger's" high capacity 20/30 rounders. The only aftermarket metal mags I trust 100% on a Mini-14 if you can find them were manufactured by PMI (Precision Mag Industries). Thermold's make excellent polymer/nylon mags for the Mini.

[Big_Saw]

..... I hate to say this but I'm getting kind of burned out on guns. Nah Never;)

Whoa.....you had me goin' for a minute there....I almost called the Bitch Slap Brigade to knock some sense into you.......:eek::eek::eek:

[Bayou Blaster]

No doubt...and now Ruger's even come out with an AR platform with a piston system...the SR 556.....finally, an AR without the need to be polished after every mag.....but I still think the Mini is comparable with the right tweaks....

I have yet to have my Mini-14 jam with any kind of ammo I've fed it, to include steel cased Russian ammo. I've even tried to purposely get it to jam by mixing different brands of ammo in the mag and not seating the rounds in the mag; then rapid firing. No problems. Can't say the same about the M-16, AR-15 and M-4 platforms; all of which I'm quite familiar with and shoot often. The Mini-14 does not sh*t where it feeds as Mr Stoners direct gas impingement system does with the M-16/AR-15.

The Mini's are fun to shoot with virtually no felt recoil compared to an M-16/AR-15 that slings a heavy bolt carrier rearward against the buffer. If I decide to add to my sling shot with broken rubberband it may be a Sig 556. I hate to say this but I'm getting kind of burned out on guns. Nah Never;)

[Big_Saw]

No doubt...and now Ruger's even come out with an AR platform with a piston system...the SR 556.....finally, an AR without the need to be polished after every mag.....but I still think the Mini is comparable with the right tweaks....

BTW...check out my playground:

http://www.mwgco.com/?page=MWG/CTGY/MINI-14-MAGAZINES

[Big_Saw]

A couple of things you can do to reduce this problem and increase accuracy at the same time is installing either a Buffertech Mini-14 or better yet a Wilson Shok 1911 buffer.

Reduced orrifice gas bushings also help reduce dented brass, while slowing down the operating rod translating into better accuracy. I just go with the buffer right now to ensure positive case ejection. I may go with a medium orrice gas bushing as a compromise to prevent clogging of the gas bushing orrifice.

It's amazing the bells and whistles being made for the Mini-14 nowadays:

http://www.sageinternationalltd.com/si/documents/MINI-14_CATALOG_SHEET.pdf

Ruger is now manufacturing 30 round mags as well. I use PMI (Precision Mag Industries) Stainless 30/40 rounders. When you go to that Gunshow, Stay away from the cheap Promag magazines. Enjoy the show.

No doubt...and now Ruger's even come out with an AR platform with a piston system...the SR 556.....finally, an AR without the need to be polished after every mag.....but I still think the Mini is comparable with the right tweaks....

[Bayou Blaster]

Yeah, I know....when we were ship-board and "scaring off" questionable watercraft :rolleyes: , the squad armorer always bitched about the Lbs of brass we were spewing over board :D ....

A couple of things you can do to reduce this problem and increase accuracy at the same time is installing either a Buffertech Mini-14 or better yet a Wilson Shok 1911 buffer.

Reduced orrifice gas bushings also help reduce dented brass, while slowing down the operating rod translating into better accuracy. I just go with the buffer right now to ensure positive case ejection. I may go with a medium orrice gas bushing as a compromise to prevent clogging of the gas bushing orrifice.

It's amazing the bells and whistles being made for the Mini-14 nowadays:

http://www.sageinternationalltd.com/si/documents/MINI-14_CATALOG_SHEET.pdf

Ruger is now manufacturing 30 round mags as well. I use PMI (Precision Mag Industries) Stainless 30/40 rounders. When you go to that Gunshow, Stay away from the cheap Promag magazines. Enjoy the show.

[Big_Saw]

If you save your brass, the Mini-14 has a tendency to expell the brass over to the next county.

Yeah, I know....when we were ship-board and "scaring off" questionable watercraft :rolleyes: , the squad armorer always bitched about the Lbs of brass we were spewing over board :D ....

[Bayou Blaster]

Yeah....a buddy showed me his ATI setup and I promptly cancelled the Tapco and went over to the ATI......

The ATI does afford the user a folding/adjustable stock. Nice feature for those that want compactness and an adjustable length of pull. I went with the "Choate" brand folder becuase it was what was available at the time of purchase. Additionally I liked the robust metal hinge assembly and the fact that it folds more compact against the side of the rifle (Less Bulk). The draw back is no LOP adjusment. Butler Creek makes a similar stock:

http://www.butlercreek.com/products/stocks_solid_steel.html

If you save your brass, the Mini-14 has a tendency to expell the brass over to the next county.

[Big_Saw]

Yeah....a buddy showed me his ATI setup and I promptly cancelled the Tapco and went over to the ATI......

[Bayou Blaster]

As far as I can tell, the ATI Strikeforce stock doesn't require this bracket, am I right, or should I order one?

Under the "Mini-14 Wanted" thread you started, you showed a picture of the TAPCO stock. This led me to believe you were getting that one. The ATI "Strikeforce" stock does NOT need the reenforcement bracket. I keep one of these around myself, but my Mini-14 currently sits in an "All Weather" stock:

http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_page_detail.cfm?recordno=6&Product_CatalogID=2703&ProductNumber=07%2D01%2D14&ProductCode=21&ProductSubCodeID=155&NewProduct=0

[Big_Saw]

As far as I can tell, the ATI Strikeforce stock doesn't require this bracket, am I right, or should I order one?

[Bayou Blaster]

Important Tapco Replacement Stock Consideration

Thanks, BB....actually, after following your previous links, I realized that it's easier than I thought....but your further info is great, too......thanks for some useful advice....

One other very important consideration:

If you intend to install TAPCO's "Intrafuse" pistol grip stock to your Mini-14 and your current stock is Ruger's "All Weather" synthetic/composite, you will need a reenforcement bracket. (Item RGR-012)

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/RGR012-1.html

http://www.tapco.com/html/instructions/mini%2014-30%20stock.pdf

This reenforcement bracket does NOT come on Ruger's "All Weather" Stock.

Again congrats, good luck and enjoy your Mini-14.

[Big_Saw]

Provided as General Info Only For Other Mini-14 users as well :

Info was offered as an alternative to the Har-Bar. I was able to accomplish my version for about 30 dollars/minutes total. All I utilized was a hack saw to cut the 1/2" - 5/8" bar stock and belt sander to true-out the ends. Since my barrel profile is consistent forward of the gas block I did not require a set screw at the gas block, which would possibly mar the gas block if I removed the Har-Bar or Accu-Strut-2. Utilizing these clamps (see links below) provided a stable platform to attach the dampener and did not mar/f*ck up my rig.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SCP068-6.html

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SCP069-6.html

The Accu-Strut-2 is a great alternative to making your own dampener: http://www.accu-strut.com/

In a previous thread on the Mini-14, I recommended the "Accu-Strut 2" for those that own Mini-14s. With the addition of the rear set screw it does not suffer from slipage as the older Accu-Strut did. Additionally the Accu-Strut-2's new forward profile is more reminisent of the M-14's gas mechanism (Nice Touch)

Considering your Mini-14 is an 08 tapered barrel variant. You may not see a significant improvement in accuracy. The thicker barrel forward of the gas block helps reduce barrel harmonics. Depending on the variant, some 08 Mini-14s came with barrels 16 1/8'" long, further helping to increase barrel rigidity/accuracy. The barrel here would be at just about it's minimum legal length.

Where the Accu-Strut 2 will show it's worth with tapered barrels will become apparent after repetitive firing. Once the barrel heats up, accuracy will begin to fall off and barrel harmonics again are a consideration. In concert with the barrel clamps, the Accu-Stut-2 will act as both a heat sink and harmonic dampener helping to maintain tighter groups. You may find that after installing this product you may have to re-sight your firearm.

As a suggestion only, if this firearm is your primary defensive rifle and you intend to run this firearm hardcore, I would recommend an extended mag release: (See Bottom of Link):

http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/mini_14_30_accessories.php

Congrats and good luck with the new firearm.

Thanks, BB....actually, after following your previous links, I realized that it's easier than I thought....but your further info is great, too......thanks for some useful advice....

[Bayou Blaster]

Me?......actually machine something?

Bwa ha ha ha ha!!!

No, seriously.....I suck at that sh*t.....the smallest unit uf measurement I'm aware of is the 1/16"......anything smaller than that is pure fiction in my world :D ....

I'll probably go with the accu-rod for around $120.00.....and not totally f*ck up my new rig...

It's a 580 series, YOM: 2008......tapered barrel.....

Provided as General Info Only For Other Mini-14 users as well :

Info was offered as an alternative to the Har-Bar. I was able to accomplish my version for about 30 dollars/minutes total. All I utilized was a hack saw to cut the 1/2" - 5/8" bar stock and belt sander to true-out the ends. Since my barrel profile is consistent forward of the gas block I did not require a set screw at the gas block, which would possibly mar the gas block if I removed the Har-Bar or Accu-Strut-2. Utilizing these clamps (see links below) provided a stable platform to attach the dampener and did not mar/f*ck up my rig.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SCP068-6.html

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/SCP069-6.html

The Accu-Strut-2 is a great alternative to making your own dampener: http://www.accu-strut.com/

In a previous thread on the Mini-14, I recommended the "Accu-Strut 2" for those that own Mini-14s. With the addition of the rear set screw it does not suffer from slipage as the older Accu-Strut did. Additionally the Accu-Strut-2's new forward profile is more reminisent of the M-14's gas mechanism (Nice Touch)

Considering your Mini-14 is an 08 tapered barrel variant. You may not see a significant improvement in accuracy. The thicker barrel forward of the gas block helps reduce barrel harmonics. Depending on the variant, some 08 Mini-14s came with barrels 16 1/8'" long, further helping to increase barrel rigidity/accuracy. The barrel here would be at just about it's minimum legal length.

Where the Accu-Strut 2 will show it's worth with tapered barrels will become apparent after repetitive firing. Once the barrel heats up, accuracy will begin to fall off and barrel harmonics again are a consideration. In concert with the barrel clamps, the Accu-Stut-2 will act as both a heat sink and harmonic dampener helping to maintain tighter groups. You may find that after installing this product you may have to re-sight your firearm.

As a suggestion only, if this firearm is your primary defensive rifle and you intend to run this firearm hardcore, I would recommend an extended mag release: (See Bottom of Link):

http://www.ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/mini_14_30_accessories.php

Congrats and good luck with the new firearm.