If you want to mount a traditional 1” or 30mm scope to your Ruger Mini-14 and leave it there, life is simple – the Mini-14 comes with 1” rings, and 30mm are readily available if you need them. Easy, done.
If you want a quick detach option with a return-to-zero capability, Warne and a few others make the product you want. It’s all good.
If you want a scout mount setup using Weaver or picatinny rail for long-eye relief scopes (most often pistol scopes) or for red-dot optics, you’re in luck with two great options, the UltiMAK Scout Mount (left) and the Amega mount (right). Choate (follow link, scroll down) also makes a front end option. Rock-n-roll.
However, if you’re particular like me and want to mount modern red-dot sights easily, and easily interchange them with a variety of more traditional optics using standard picatinny/Weaver rail, and be able to clean the weapon without having to re-zero everything, there are a lot of probably not-so-great options (I haven’t tested them all, so that assessment can change). It’s my only real complaint about the Mini-14, especially since Ruger could easily correct the issue.
There are a few side mounting options that also allow use of the iron sights, something I value. The primary one on the market seems to be the B-Square, which is what I own and have used (pictured below). I like it, but the rifle finish will be scratched and I don’t trust it to withstand getting knocked around, and it must be removed to clean the carbine (at least Tactical versions).
Eagle make a similar QD mount (if you can find it for sale), as does UTG. There are some cheap Barska and NCStar copies not worth buying, according to most reviews. Armson makes a side mount that appears to be a drill/tap job.
The next type of mount is a Ruger-to-Weaver/picatinny rail that mounts over the bolt. Some are advertised as see-through while others don’t attempt to leave the irons free. B-Square makes of these (pic below) and has mixed reviews; solid, but difficult to use the iron sights.
This would be ideal – if with clear irons and cleaning could take place without removing it. I might try one and dremel the channel deeper if needed.
Others that offer a similar rail (though not see-through) are GG&G, Weigand, Mounting Solutions, and NCStar (not recommended).
IMO, there is a gaping whole in the market for someone to create a Weaver/picatinny rail that will sit high enough to allow use of iron sights and cleaning of without removal (or QD with return-to-zero).
I’ve got a Ruger Mini-14 but no scope. The only scoped rifles I actually own are a couple of hunting rifles my uncle gave me. The foliage is so thick here, even in winter, that you don’t get much real opportunity for shots that require a scope. I have been thinking about putting a night vision device on the Ruger though, if I can find a decent one configured for mounting on a rifle, though $600 would be about my limit and I haven’t found one in that range. If I do, the information on mounts will be handy.
My friend had one line the eagle cqd (screw on to the side thing) and it seemed to work just fine. Maybe not good enough for high end scope shooting 400 meters (we never tested that) but ample for an all around plinking or working rifle, certainly a red dot type.
Arsenius,
The B-Square mount I have and write about above is probably good enough for normal use, I’m must picky. Next time I’m home, I’ll get things sighted in and purple Loc-Tite all the set screws that need it. It would work well for night vision devices since most of those mount to a rail, and you’d still have irons for daytime.
TOR,
Like I say above, I’m probably too picky. The Eagle and B-Square mounts are probably as good as it will get. Next time I’m home I will try to 400 yards, which is about as much open space we can safely use on my parents farm. I’ve been picking up pairs of scopes lately and will try these out;
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=746570
I ended up back here because of the Orlov post. I was thinking about the Mini 14 optic situation. The thing is that you need to reconfirm zero if you switch optics. I do this for a living and as they say “proper preparation prevents piss poor performance”. Yes, especially when remounting to a picany rail in the same spot it should go back to zero but well, see above comment. This means a trip to the range and thus switching sights willy nilly is not a real viable option. Not a big deal if you say, move from the city (red dot) to a farm in Nebraska (magnification might be desirable) but you wouldn’t want to do it every other week.
I would recommend choosing an all around optic setup and sticking with it. While they cost dearly an ACOG is a great choice as they are also quite good (well as good as anything magnified can be) at relatively close distances.
SS,
Great post — I found this while searching for see-through picatinny rails for my 6.8 Mini-14. I recently got received the B-square mount and am, like you, disappointed that it’s not see-through, the rear sight’s obstructed.
I’m curious if you’ve taken the Dremel to the thing?
I’m also learning that there are significant differences in the slot widths between a Weaver and a Picatinny rail, which explains why my NVRS won’t mate with the B-square weaver rail.
Which brings up another question, would it be possible to Dremel out a weaver slot (which is .180″) to the Picatinny width (.206″) and have the sight stay true? I’m thinking this is beyond my Dremel-fu, which leads me to the same conclusion as you: market need, no suitable product!
I have recently purchased a mini 14 SN 182-xxxxx which appears to be a late 1981 production. It has the upper wood hand guard which complicates the mounting of anything. This type was only made for 1-2 years so not too many around. It appears that I may have to tap and drill to mount anything at all. This would be on the left side of the receiver, both fore and aft of the bolt lock cover plate. Maybe there may be some way to mount a rail attachment inside the bolt lock cover plate. I am sure that I am not the first one with this problem and would appreciate some advice.
THANKS, Hal
Hal,
I am unfamiliar with the earlier models; hopefully someone who knows will read this and respond.
Hal- I have same rifle with same issue- did you have any luck finding something ? I’m thinking of trying the Bsquare side mount….
I have one of the older Mini 14′s as well (didn’t know it was so rare). I saw for the 1st time today a “Boy Scout” mount, which attaches to the very front & top of the rifle stock (where the 4 bolts attaches to the 4 metal screws near where the wooden stock ends. However, this requires a long relief scope. Another fix would be to get a Tapco (or some other type) of assault stock, but I just found out, it would be illegal in California, as this would make any Mini an “assault weapon” which is not allowed here. Hope this helps.
Just check out the UltiMAK M4-B & M4-S mounts, they look like a winner and cover all models of Mini 14′s from the 180 to current. It is costly at $139, but looks to be what the doctor ordered. Can’t wait to get one.
I found through much trial and error that it is useless to mount a scope of any kind on the mini-14; it just isn’t accurate enough for a scope. The worst gun I’ve ever owned in terms of accuracy. Now I own it and can’t get rid of it for even a 1/4 of the original cost. A real piece of junk! My Colt AR-15 shoots better at 300 yards than the mini-14 does as 50!
Jim,
Last month I hit 14 of 20 shots on at 8″ steel gong at 200 yards, rapid fire. At some point I’ll do a post on the rings (Warne), scope (Viper PST), and sighting procedures (50/200). That’s witht the newer Tactical version (580 and up). If you have an older version that’s probably your problem.
Yup, the Mini I have is much older and although it functions well, it is frustratingly inaccurate. I won’t replace it with a newer model since I have the AR now and it is far superior….though twice the price! I’m glad you like yours and it is accurate…nothing worse than a gun that won’t group. There isn’t much you can do like glass bedding etc. to help it either, so I’ll just hang on to it Good shooting by the way!
Jim,
Might want to look into an Accustrut and maybe a Hogue stock, both can help with accuracy. But if you don’t want to spend anymore on it, probably not.
I think I got pretty luck with that shooting last month, I’ll try again next week. I’d just put a different scope on (1-4x) and for the first time tried the 50/200 sight in (usually just sighted in at 100 and held over for longer shots). Bascially sight in at 50 yards and you should be ~2-3″ over at 100 and right on at 200 yards or just over. Worked great.