New mini 14 project

[ragincajun1919]

Like all fans of the A-Team, the time has come for me to build a replica of the rifles they used. I already found a correct rifle with original factory folding stock. I'm currently on the hunt for the correct flash hider and that metal ventilated hand guard that was used in the first 2 seasons. like this:



Can someone identify the brand of the flash hider and hand guard? and maybe also give me some help finding the stuff?

 

[FlyinBryan]

did you ever notice that they never, not even once registered a single kill with theirs?

 

[shotgunjoel]

did you ever notice that they never, not even once registered a single kill with theirs?

The good guys aren't supposed to kill people, it's TV. What I always noticed was that the guns weren't really full auto.

 

[FlyinBryan]

What I always noticed was that the guns weren't really full auto

actually they were.

they were not mini 14s, they were factory built ruger ac556k rifles. 700 rounds per minute.

 

[husker]

It looks like the slip on, flash hider
http://www.midwayusa.com/

 

[FlyinBryan]

and actually there was one man killed in the show.

 

[shotgunjoel]

I'm not saying that imfdb is the final authority, but:
http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/A-Team,_The#Ruger_Mini_14_Stainless_version_with_Folding_stock

 

[FlyinBryan]

hmmm, interesting. i got my info from some place called the a-team resource website.

http://www.ateamresource.info/weapons.html

im thankful that i dont care enough to research the matter further

 

[Oathkeeper1775]

Quote

"I love it when a plan comes together"

Also, "Murdock" sits in for Michael Savage.

Some of those add-on hollywood flashhiders were made for blanks.

 

[usp_fan]

You can tell the AC556 from the Mini by the location of the front sight. The Mini's sight is at the front of the barrel, the AC556 has a sight mounted back (mid barrel) to allow the front sight base to be used as a bayonette lug.

 

[1KPerDay]

actually they were.

they were not mini 14s, they were factory built ruger ac556k rifles. 700 rounds per minute.

Nope.

 

[1KPerDay]

To the OP, my ranch rifle has a similar style FH. I'll try to remember where I got it.

This one's similar but includes the front sight, which will bother you if you're really trying to get authentic.

http://www.deltaforce.com/catalog/flashhiders.html

I'm guessing the metal handguards were custom made by the show's gun guy.
This FH looks pretty close

http://www.innovativeindustriesllc.com/products/m14-style-flash-hider
http://www.oldsargesdropzone.com/product.php?item=1184

 

[1KPerDay]

http://www.deltaforce.com/catalog/riflepartsandaccessories.html

Ventilated blued steel handguard... looks like the holes are rectangular however

 

[1KPerDay]

Here you go... get you close, anyway.

http://northridgeinc.com/store/index.cfm/c47/i1531

 

[FlyinBryan]

what kind of accuracy did you have before the strut vs. after?

 

[1KPerDay]

I haven't done much formal testing. Informally my groups went from about 5 inch plate sizedto about tennis ball sized at 50 yards. Offhand. I can hit pop cans regularly at that distance now... it was a crapshoot before.

My mini was not very accurate at all stock, and according to my initial shots it isn't particularly accurate now either, at least with me behind it and m193 in it. I haven't tried any match ammo because I'm too cheap. I also fear my crappy Tasco scope has given up the ghost. I like the way the strut looks, and I got it second hand for a good price so I'm not too fussed if it doesn't turn me into a miracle shot.

It did fine in a 3-gun match at the 200+ yard steel torsos, and that's pretty much what I use it for... that and plinking.
This is before.
top target


Lower target




This after (different ammo, different conditions, wobbly rest, crappy shooter, etc.)
3 shots Fiocchi v-max



(Top target 2 different types of M193 ammo, top group and lower group)

 

[Rexster]

You can tell the AC556 from the Mini by the location of the front sight. The Mini's sight is at the front of the barrel, the AC556 has a sight mounted back (mid barrel) to allow the front sight base to be used as a bayonette lug.

Not quite; this front sight set-up, with bayonet lug, also indicates a GB Model of the Mini-14, in the pre-580-series days. (580-series GB Minis dropped the bayonet lug.) Plenty of semi-auto GB models are on the market, largely ex-LE and ex-prison-guard weapons.