Grim Reaper for Mini-14

[KMO]

Well, my buddy & I took our new product, the "Grim Reaper" front sight/muzzle brake out for a test this week. This prototype for the Mini-14 was machined out of a solid block of high quality aluminum. It surpassed our expectations. As you can see from the pics below, it's a sturdy accessory...
(Don't sweat the rubber band...just a temporary cross pin holder...)

 

[sappyg]

that looks well made. how did it do for you?

 

[KMO]

That looks well made. How did it do for you?

The 196-series Mini-14 shown was already a pretty good performer, having a Mo-Rod barrel stabilizer on it. The results with the sight/brake on it raised the pattern about 1.5 inches at 80 yards, but it was still tight. After adjusting the elevation on the rear iron sight (Williams) and the 6x Weaver scope, we put in a fresh 20-round magazine. Here are the results from that next 20...

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I checked it out on the Mini page of PerfectUnion - this has some real potential as an accuracy enhancing front sight for the Mini.

 

[husker]

It is threaded? Right? can you turn the pin up & down ?

 

[chicharrones]

+1 Husker. I wonder how without a hole in the top of the sight hood. I guess it was installed from the bottom.

 

[husker]

I only ask / cause I have a 30 carbine rear sight on my ranch.
I have been looking for something to replace the front sight . Rather than grinding it down,so the rear 30 carb peep sight will work.
It looks nice. & would be a great solution for the guy like me who puts the 30 carbine rear sight on the Mini ranch. That flip up sight it came with SUCKED!!!

 

[KMO]

It is threaded? Right? can you turn the pin up & down?

The prototype shown is not threaded. It is designed to fit on the Mini-14's with the traditional barrel (aka "pencil barrel" Mini's). It mounts with a roll pin in the same location as the factory front sight, and a set screw comes in from the bottom side to secure against the barrel.

I wonder how without a hole in the top of the sight hood. I guess it was installed from the bottom.

Yes, that is correct. The .072" ball-type sight post is installed with the unit off of the rifle. It can be replaced with standard AK or SKS sight posts. We did not design the front sight for frequent adjustments, as all Mini-14's have windage and elevation adjustments at the rear sight. We wanted to keep the hood complete, without any holes in it for removing or adjusting the sight post. The ball is centered with the cylindrical hood.

 

[Joe Demko]

Aluminum would not be my first choice of materials for a muzzle device.

 

[Zanad]

Any ideas on how much it will cost?

 

[KMO]

Aluminum would not be my first choice of materials for a muzzle device.

Actually, it wasn't our first choice either, but we've been careful with the design to preserve the structural integrity of the unit. We might take special orders in stainless steel, but I'm not certain the extra cost will warrant the departure from aluminum. This thing is pretty sturdy. We want to offer it for under $100 when it goes up for sale.

 

[Joe Demko]

I'm less concerned with it flying apart than I am with it eroding.

 

[KMO]

I think we found our solution...Aluminum Alloy 7075-T6 Mil Spec is already being used for commercially produced muzzle brakes, some of them pretty high-end quality parts. Tactical Innovations also uses it for a Ruger 10/22 muzzle brake. Since our plan is to treat these (i.e. anodizing, MP3, baked-on coating, etc.), I think this material will suit well if we can find it, and if it's affordable enough...

 

[gunnutery]

Not trying to knock your design, but what about having a hole above the front sight post to allow for adjustments like an AK?

 

[KMO]

what about having a hole above the front sight post to allow for adjustments like an AK?

We decided to make it a fixed sight since the Mini-14's all have windage & elevation adjustments at the rear sight. We're centering the ball-type sight post in the middle of the hood. But, if someone wants to replace or adjust the post, it can be done with the unit off of the rifle, from the bottom side. We still think that makes for the best setup...

 

[KMO]

Prototype #2

I think we've got it. We will be sending this prototype in for some hard anodizing, and then we'll be back in the testing mode. I think we're getting close to a winner...

 

[W.E.G.]

I was about to correct you for using the term "pattern" to refer to what is more usually referred to as a "group."

Shotguns -- pattern
Rifles -- group

Then I saw this thread was about a Mini-14.

 

[KMO]

I was about to correct you for using the term "pattern" to refer to what is more usually referred to as a "group."

"About to" WEG? I think you did! OK...my bad on that. How do you like this?

 

[W.E.G.]

I'm liking this thing more and more.

I'm thinking maybe a deluxe model, with integral-heat shield and pic-rail.

Instead of simple holes for the heat-shield, maybe lazer-cut lightning bolts?

Would be totally awesome.

 

[jpwilly]

If you open to ideas from someone in marketing:

Consider a threaded shank using standard AR-15 1/2" x 28 so any muzzle break, flash hider, compensator, designed for the AR-15 could be utilized.

Using front sight inserts designed for the AR-15 (for example) world would give access to things like night sights, target/match sights, and a slew of other sights I've seen for the AR-15etc etc. - an easy drop in should the customer want something a little different.

Upgrades the owner can do with ease provided you built the proper modular front sight base for the Mini 14.

This wouldn't be difficult to modify the existing design or offer it as a second offering "upgrade" good for sales and margins.

In the end people want choices this is a choice but the more versatile it is the more mass appeal it will have.

 

[KMO]

Good stuff jpwilly...Once we get the first run out, we will likely explore some options to make available for it, as you suggest. We're using an AK/SKS sight post right now because we can run it up from beneath & we don't have to alter the hood with a hole. Some of these options are available for AK sight posts too...we'll be poking around...

Merry Christmas all...And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

 

[KMO]

About Ready for a Run of 25...

We're going to follow up with some additional tests, but after 200 more rounds fired through our Proto #1, and 100 initial rounds through our Proto #2, we're not seeing any deterioration whatsoever when we put a bore light in these two brakes. Keep in mind, #1 was coated with a baked-on gun finish, and #2 was was hard anodized with an industrial treatment that gave it a look similar to MP3, but slightly darker. Both prototypes were machined from 6061 alloy, a good material, but not up to the specs of 7075-T6 Alloy that we will be using for our first production run. We're getting pretty close to a game plan now, and will likely produce an initial run of 25 units, all of which will be sold at a discount to interested gun forum participants, many of whom have offered valuable input toward this design. We will offer silver and satin black finishes, and all units will be hard anodized...

 

[carbine85]

Have you tested it as a brake and does it actually work that way?