I guess you had to get there early. I never tried. I really want to speak about Mini-14s and be among "friends." This thread title ought to do it.
I bought one a few months ago. It shoots just at their spec of 4 MOA. I checked my gas block and it was ok as is. The out of flat and touching ones referred to on the web must have been a bad run. I carefully torqued in four new screws because I boogered up one with the wrong allen wrench, plus they had it in there at about 200 in. lbs.
The theory that one of the problems was the violent torquing action put on the skinny barrel due to the harsh op rod etc. was not an issue. I shot it with a solid gas port bushing, so there was no action at all. =4 MOA=
I may bed it, but what I "did" do was take the scope off. It never handled right with it on anyway. Now it handles like it was meant to. Kind of like an M-1 Carbine with a bit more zip. I have one, and laying next to each other they're like peas in a pod. With Iron sights in what probably will be a rapid shooting situation it doesn't need to be that accurate. I guess I'm exposing my inadequacies, but I, myself, will be very lucky to be good for 4 MOA in those situations. If you're not going to be in a rapid shooting situation and you want more accuracy, use a bolt action.
I also put on a wooden forend. I don't like no plastic. I have a nice plastic ($10) one that is very matte and doesn't cover the op rod. I'll snap that on if I think I'm going to do rapid fire. I think it's far more attractive than Ruger's if it doesn't melt. It has a lower profile than Ruger's and doesn't have a metal heat shield.
Which brings up 5 round mags. Now I'm on thread
. That's what I'll have in there all the time. I don't like nothin' stickin' out the bottom. I have a bunch of 10s to load up for a trip to the range, or to carry with me but for using as a "ranch rifle," I like the fives.
That gets me to the people who say the Mini is worthless crap and for only double the price you can have a "real" gun like an AR. I don't =want= an AR. I want an "M-1 Carbine" that shoots a fair amount farther with similar accuracy and uses modern ammo. That's the Mini. I don't want a big, ugly (only a personal opinion) AR type thing.
I thought the scope made the Mini awkward. How in hell do you carry an AR? Carry at port arms all the time? I'm an ol' country boy who likes to grab his rifle around the action and let it dangle at his side. Furthermore, if I was out walkin' the ranch with my Mini, laid it up against a tree and sat on a rock contemplating nature I would much rather be looking at something like the wood shielded Mini layin' there than an AR. With the AR I'd feel like I was in the "Guard" and have to go back to KP soon or something.
My analogy is the Mini is like an excellent "Sport Ute" and the ARs are like Hummers. A hummer might be the perfect thing for battle conditions and "the worst" off road use, but for driving around in traffic with the occasional off-road excursion, I'll take the Ute. I didn't get the Mini to be a battle rifle, I got it to be a ranch rifle.
Hey, that has a familiar ring to it... deja vu?
Just a Mini lover ranting.
