Are you a Ruger Mini-14 or Mini-30 rifle owner?
How do you secure your tactical light to your rifle?
The made in the U.S.A. Skinner Sights Mini 14/30 Light Rail is put to the test.
If you are a Ruger Mini-14 or Mini-30 you are probably aware of the lack of proper accessories for the great little rifles. While the AR-15 has every conceivable accessory available on a quick online search the Ruger Mini’s have very few options. Switch out the stock and buy some cheap aftermarket full capacity magazines that probably won’t function correctly. That’s about it. Want to add a light to your rifle? Well look for some universal attachment that clamps onto the barrel in a ghastly appearing and in the way position. Also good chance that cheap import mount is made in China. Thankfully Skinner Sights now offers something quite handy for attaching lights to your rifle, the Skinner Sights Mini 14/30 Light Rail model #RM14180B.
Showing some love for the Mini series this quality American made accessory rail mounts easily in five minutes or less. First off remove the two front barrel/gas block clamping screws with a 9/64 Allen wrench. The two screws closer to the receiver are left in the front barrel/gas block clamp assembly. Put the Skinner Sights Mini 14/30 Light Rail in position. There are two relief cuts in the rail to go over the remaining screws. Use the supplied 8-36 x 3/4″ screws and tighten evenly. That is all there is. Now you are ready to mount for light or laser right on your rifle.
Examining the mount on the rifle you can see it is out of the way. The light rail does not touch the barrel and is technically free floated attached to the gas block clamp assembly. Below you can see there is three locking recesses to allow your tactical light or laser to lock on. As you can see on this Stainless Mini-14 Ranch rifle the fit is tight, compact and essentially weightless.
While there are brighter and better modern options than the below Streamlight M3 Tactical Illuminator was the test light I had on hand. It fit on tight and perfect with an audible click when the spring loaded latch engaged the locking recess. It is ultimately out of the way until needed.
During testing I found the Skinner Sights Mini 14/30 Light Rail to be well made and compact. Whether for home defense or protecting the homestead from night raids of hogs, coyotes or other beasties this is the way to go. Light up those targets when the darkness falls now for your favorite A-Team rifle. Be sure to check out the Skinner Sights Mini 14/30 Light Rail that is available in two models for either the 180 or 580 Series Carbines. Also don’t forget all of the other great products that my friends at Skinner Sights offer on their website.
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NEXT: SKINNER SIGHTS EXPRESS PEEP SIGHT TESTED