Mini - 14 scope question

[Cootie]

I would like to put a scope on my Ruger Mini - 14, but I have a few problems to figure out. The more I look into the matter the more indecisive I become. I don't not have the ranch rifle version so I do not have the built in Weaver rings (REALLY wish I did). I have a serial number 185 so I need a mount that will fit the 181+ models. I don't know what they changed about the rifle that will not make the 180 and older rifle mounts not fit mine. The best looking one that I've found online is this one (best price too).

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/RGR300-51769-2710.html

This one is appealing to me because it looks like its the lowest one and its the only one that I've seen that has more then that one side bolt holding it steady. IF you look close it looks like it fits flush against the top of the rifle, and has screws that I'm guessing thread down to push against the top of the rifle holding it in place and keeping it from rocking. However it does not say if it fits 180 and older nor 181 and newer. This is why I'm hesitant to buy it. Is it possible for it to fit both models? Like I said I don't know what makes the old and new rifles different. Every other mount I've seen says if it fits the older or newer but this one doesn't. Any comments on this?

Second issue I have is because these mounts are so high off the rifle I want to buy low profile scope rings like these.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/22055-16607-1490.html

I know the scope is long enough to clear the scope mount with out a problem, however I think the 32mm scope I have won't clear the rear iron sight of the rifle with the low rings. Can the bulk of the rear iron sight be removed if it does hit? This picture makes me think it might, but this is the lowest scope mount I've seen on a Mini - 14.

http://www.modelguns.co.uk/images/mini14q.jpg
http://www.modelguns.co.uk/images/mini14p.jpg

Anyone else been though this with this rifle or know anything about putting a scope on a Mini - 14? Thanks for reading!

 

[lee n. field]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/RGR300-51769-2710.html

Skip it. If you want one, I've got one I'll part with cheap.

If you want one that mounts at the receiver, close to the eye, Williams has (I think they still have) a mount. Requires drilling and tapping.

There are a couple scout type forward mounts that attach at the gas block. Ultimak and Amega come to mind. Look to spend about a hundred bucks, + a long eye relief scope.

 

[GunTech]

Aimtech makes the other scout mount.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=65&title=MINI-14~+SCOUT+RAIL

 

[NC-Mike]

I have the B-Square mount on mine. Good thing about it is it has two adjusting screws, so you can zero the scope with using the scopes adjustment, cept for final tuning.

The brass does bang the snot out of it though.

 

[Cootie]

@lee n. field - I've also seen ones that require the rifle be drilled I'd rather not damage the rifle. I'm sure I'll take the scope back off when I get a match grade rifle. I just would like to have at least one rifle with a scope, and this is my only rifle at the moment. Thank you though.

@GunTech - I also saw those but I'm really not a fan of those long eye relief scopes, and I think they look ugly =/

@NC-Mike - I found this one
http://www.swfa.com/pc-7871-477-b-square-sporting-rifle-mount.aspx
for $53.95 but I was looking at this one
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/RGR300-51769-2710.html
for $29.97 and they look exaclty the same so if yours was ok I'm sure this will be about the same, if not I'm sure I can do some metal work on the mount to make it fit nice.

So how close does your scope come to hitting the rear iron sight with your B-Square mount? Could you go lower with the Weaver rings, like the ones I linked before?

Thanks again every one.

 

[NC-Mike]

I guess it's OK. Leapers is not exactly known for quality though.

You should have plenty of room. My mini is in a Choate Dragunov stock and I needed to put a cheek piece on so I can sight the scope. So it's pretty high up.

I must warn you, I'm pretty sure I threw away a perfectly good scope that came with my mini. My shots were wondering all over the place and I was pretty sure the scope was toast. Turned out it was the mini all along...

I'm waiting on a Black Warrior muzzle brake and I'm going to cut down the barrel to 14" or so and weld this brake on so it's legal. Also going to reset the gas block and bed the stock. I love that mini-14 but right now, I'd be better off throwing the rifle at the target.

 

[Cootie]

"I love that mini-14 but right now, I'd be better off throwing the rifle at the target." HAHAHA poor mini-14s

Yeah I think leapers will be good enough for me, I don't plan on keep the scope on there forever. Thanks for the input though.

 

[W.E.G.]

Mini-14 Excedrin headache #367

 

[Oohrah]

One of the first things I did with my 181 Series is scope it.
Cut group size down, cause I can see better. Mount I used
and it has been on for 30 years or more is an S&K. Solid,
it uses the back half of the Receiver rear sight slot, so the
rear sight is first removed. This is the one of the best
mounts I have seen, but have not inspected the B square.
After using the S&K, I will not go back to iron. It sits low
and most scopes will fit. I never had any problem with
ejected empties with this set up. Due to the fact it is
magazine fed, I prefer a regular set up vs a scout type
forward long relief scope type.

 

[Cootie]

Any idea where to find this S&K mount? I looked around the web couldn't find any mini-14 mounts ... but you did say that was 30 years ago so who knows if it can still be found.

 

[NC-Mike]

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=12461&title=NO-DRILL%2C+NO-TAP+SCOPE+MOUNT

They ain't cheap but good ain't cheap and cheap ain't good.

 

[Cootie]

That looks like something I would like. Looks like this is it, or something like it on the rifle.
http://www.scopemounts.com/rifle_pics/m142.JPG
Does the front half of the scope mount just rest on the rifle? There is nothing there to attach or bolt to is there? I don't have the rifle with me at the moment so I can't double check this. I really like the looks and low level of this mount though, thanks a lot guy!

 

[CTPistol]

played that mini scope game before...

save the aggrevation and use the iron sights - or trade it for an AR.

 

[doberman]

played that mini scope game before...

save the aggrevation and use the iron sights - or trade it for an AR.

I'll second that.

 

[NC-Mike]

played that mini scope game before...

save the aggrevation and use the iron sights - or trade it for an AR.

I got a plan that's going to make mine shoot straight!

Bwhahahahahaha! (evil genuis laugh)

 

[trainwreck100]

If it's not a Ranch Rifle, you'd better be careful of stovepiping...major problem as they eject straight up, ranch rifle angles out under the scope, no problems. A scout mount is probably the only way your going to make it work successfully. Everyone that says trade it for an AR: AR's aren't nearly as awesome looking, or tough as a mini-14, but they are far more accurate...really need one of each rather than picking just one.