Sightless Mini 14 needs.... well, sights!

I bought this 196 series with a couple-few other guns at an estate sale recently and assumed the sights would be in the box of take-offs and accessories but, alas... no joy.

So, here's the gig: It is a (however it came to be) 16.250 inch Ranch Rifle with neither a front or rear sight.

I can easily re-install a factory rear sight but not knowing Minis very much and having nothing currently, is there any aftermarket rear worth considering over the factory version. I took a bit of a shine to the version identical to the M1 Carbine, type II sight.

As for the front:

I'd like to not have to cross-drill for a pin or drill & tap for screw on.
I'd like to keep the muzzle threads unencumbered should I screw a suppressor on.
If one is available, I'd accept the short sight-span to put one on in place of the gas-block cap instead of the goofy rail that it currently has.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Dibbs said:

Perfect Union.com is a forum for Mini-14s.
Type in "mini-14 sights" on your search engine, and go to images. A 196 model should be a .563 OD "pencil barrel" . There are sleeve type
front sights which don't need staking, and you just slide onto the muzzle and tighten them with a couple screws. Which you can mount behind the flash hider, but you need to remove it to slide the sight over muzzle. Most sights I've seen you would have to ditch that facacta gas block.
Are you going to remove the scope? I'd see if it shoots OK, and leave it the way it is.
.

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The gas-block cap is certainly going away or at least be ground to a more original configuration.
Thanks for the heads-up on the site, I will look into a clamping sleeve.
Ultimately, I expect to mount a fixed 3 or 4 power scope but would like at least decent irons just in case. Having a herd of ARs at home, I figured I'd set this up as a low-cap truck gun though I am rather fond of my SU-16 too.

Todd.

Dibbs said:

Maybe you have a stock gas block cap in that parts box?

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Sadly, no gas-block cap. Looking under your suggestions, I see back in 2016 someone had 3D printed a passel of pinch on GB styled sights. That would have been pretty cool having a short barrel.


Todd.

illinoisburt said:

Top half of gas block - these can be hard to come by, so buy now if you think might want one. It's cheap but Ruger does not sell them to the public.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1736770A

Rear sight assembly

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/478000B

For the front sight, don't worry about drilling and pinning. It's quicker and easier to simply sweat it in place with a propane torch and a little solder. Barrels don't get hot enough to melt plumbing solder from firing, torch the sight won't get the barrel hot enough to change barrel steel. Simple to remove in the future if needed, rock solid.

* edit * Fyi you can probably sell that gas block rail for $100 so wouldn't chop it.

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Funny how the obvious can not be.... well, obvious. I hadn't thought about silver-soldering the front sight at all until reading your post. The gas block cover I could only find in silver/stainless. Thanks for the link.

Todd.

kBob said:

Well I was going to suggest two birds with one stone and getting the gas block cap for the AC-556K version of the mini that has a front sight on it. but can't find one to point you at.

-kBob

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Still - that's good to know. I was all but certain that I had seem it in the past but couldn't find a reference.

Todd.

250-3000 said:

This web sight has new factory gas blocks and various sights, no navigation, just scroll down the page a ways and you'll get there eventually. I bought one of the orifice kits and now the brass doesn't fly 40'. https://ruger-mini-14-firearms.com/mini_14_30_accessories.php

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Oddly - that is exactly the site where I had already found a rear sight and yet, had never looked at the rest of their products.
Most impressive, thanks.

Todd.