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Posted: 4/23/2013 10:02:22 PM EDT
| I'm picking up a Mini 14 since New York went fully unhinged. I plan on getting either the GG&G 1913 or law-profile base. With the low-profile base you can use a sight like the FastFire, with the 1913 there are a whole lot more options such as my existing Aimpoints or even a variable power scope like a 1-4x. Of course, that means more weight. Since I plan on moving my boogie guns out of state rather than register, I'm looking to set this up as an all-around utility rile. Varmints, plinking, home defense. What are your thoughts in terms of optics for a Mini 14 in the role? |
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i have a fastfire II on a gg&g lowmount on a ranch rifle, late model gun.
shoots really good and fast. i may try an ultimak rail on that gun, so the reddot will mount a little lower and farther forward. that would let me also use a 2X7 burris pistol scope on the same gun, and if it works well, get an ultimak for the other ranch rifle and move the scope to that gun. (no, i would not be trying to mount both red dot and pistol scope at the same time) i likes them rifles. scruff |
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I have a Primary Arms MD-06 Microdot. It's been a good sight. It uses Aimpoint H1/T1 bases and has a 1000hr battery life. If you can afford it though, I'd get an Aimpoint H1 above any of them. Are you using the low base or a riser? I'm just using the base that comes with it. I'm using it on an AK side-rail mount right now. I have a scope on my Mini, but I think the Mini 14 Ultimak top rail and red dot combination looks like a pretty ideal setup IMO. |
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I'm picking up a Mini 14 since New York went fully unhinged. I plan on getting either the GG&G 1913 or law-profile base. With the low-profile base you can use a sight like the FastFire, with the 1913 there are a whole lot more options such as my existing Aimpoints or even a variable power scope like a 1-4x. Of course, that means more weight. Since I plan on moving my boogie guns out of state rather than register, I'm looking to set this up as an all-around utility rile. Varmints, plinking, home defense. What are your thoughts in terms of optics for a Mini 14 in the role? Before deciding on optics, you should first settle on the base for the optics. IOW, on what will the optics be mounted? I can tell you, for a certainty, that having tried just about every mounting option available for my standard Mini-14, the Ultimak Scout rail is the best option that I have ever used. Granted, I generally use a scope, BUT the Ultimak is also extremely well-suited for red-dots and similar sights, which I have also used. Amega Ranges makes a Scout similar to the Ultimak, but its rail surface is noticeably higher. I bought the Ultimak. With the Ultmak, you will be able, all other things being equal, to mount the red dot lower than would be the case with the mounts you proposed above, and thus you will be able to more easily obtain a good cheek weld/shooting position without the use of a cheek riser. If the red dot or other optic has QD mounts/attachment, the OEM BUIS can be readily used once the optic has been dismounted. OTOH, I do not see, anywhere in GG&G's write-up of their Mini-14 rails where the OEM BUIS are useable with optic detached, but rail still present. I would call GG&G and confirm that OEM BUIS are still useable with rail in place. If not confirmed, that would definitely be a deal-breaker for me. The Scout rail would allow the use of forward-mounted red dots and other optics, as explained. If you wished to mount a conventional scope, the OEM-supplied rings could still be used, thus adding potential sighting options and versatility. Yes, the Ultimak is more expensive than the GG&G rail, but also more versatile. Plus the Ultimak serves, by means of its mounting attachment to the barrel, to stiffen the barrel a little, always a good thing in a Mini-14. In any event, once having decided on the means of/base for mounting your optics, I advise making a significant effort to select such optics that can be mounted as low as possible for reasons stated above. From the pix supplied by GG+G, the Ultimak seems considerably lower than the GG&G product. Final point: The Mini-14 bolt is removed up through the top of the receiver for periodic servicing. Although GG&G mentions their mount is cut away for cartridge case ejection purposes, I wonder if the GG&G rail might interfere with bolt removal. Can't tell without handling one, but I shy away from anything coming even close to obstructing ejected spent cases. The possible bolt issue troubles me a bit. A link to the Ultimak Mini-14 Scout Rail: http://ultimak.com/BuyMini.htm. Additional Mini-14 photos in photo gallery, same site. I might also add that Ultimak's customer service is top-notch. Disclaimer: no financial interest. |
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The GG&G 1913 mount should be here tomorrow. Try it out, and see if you like it. If so, then that's all that matters. If not, send it back; there are other alternatives. No doubt it is quality gear, but the final question is whether or not is the best item for your needs. Good luck! |
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Aimpoint Pro in Ruger 30mm ring. 
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/mini14jac/image_zps9cf6df38.jpg Very nice... I might o this route if I don't like the GG&G mount. I'm torn between red dot and the PA1-4x scope. The damn thing is awful heavy, and the Hogue stock already added a bit of weight. |
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slick Quoted: Aimpoint Pro in Ruger 30mm ring. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/mini14jac/image_zps9cf6df38.jpg |
| My mini never shot better than 6" or so at 100 yards, it is the 18" tapered barrel version, I had a 8 moa Burris Fastfire so I put it on. A the lower light setting the dot is more like 6 moa and at high setting, at 8 moa, I know that the bullet will be someplace inside the dot. The big dot is easy to pick up in close up in targets. If you have ever used 2 moa dots in stressful situations you may find it is harder to pick up. Anyway that is what worked for me. |
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The PA Microdot seemed to work best of my four choices. http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c89/HiramRanger/d6657ca1cb4049ec4030804a06984f3f_zps13c532c2.jpg Are OEM iron sights useable with mount attached, and optic detached? |
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The PA Microdot seemed to work best of my four choices. http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c89/HiramRanger/d6657ca1cb4049ec4030804a06984f3f_zps13c532c2.jpg Are OEM iron sights useable with mount attached, and optic detached? Iron sights would not be useable with any mount save maybe an ultimak. Piss poor options. Even he GG&G low-pro mount with. FastFire does not allow use of irons. 
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I have a 580 Tactical. Are there any options to allow for use of the irons and the use of a Dot. I would assume that I have to use a riser or peep ring to use the irons. Thanks An Ultimak rail with a Microdot will get you close. It's my understanding that this combo will get a decent cowitness with older Mini 14s with the larger sights, but the sights are too small on newer Minis for this to work. Others that have tried it can chime in with more info. I love the PRO. It's built like a tank with a 1000 hour battery life. But, I'm expecting a Weaver 1-3 scope to arrive today. 
The red dot doesn't help me much at 100 yards on man-size targets. I'm hoping the Weaver will work well as an all-purpose sight for 25-100 yard shots. I expect to spend a few more range trips trying to decide which option works best for me. |
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As mentioned above, the Ultimak scout rail WILL allow unimpeded use of OEM BUIS. Personally, I would not accept any sort of sight arrangement that did not allow use of OEM BUIS once the (QD-mounted) optical device was removed. YMMV, and good luck! I'm not a fan of the Ultimak, have one on my AK and don't like my optic that far forward. But I understand what you're saying.
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