Modified front sights on my Mini...great results!

auburn1975 · February-06-15 17:02

After researching, reading others here on the Forum, and on You-Tube who had ground and shaped the overly large front sight on their Minis, I made the jump and did so to my Mini 1 5/8" Mag frame. I left just enough to aim and balance with the rear sight hump. Then, I changed out the grips...again but this time to the Houge rubber Mag grip that come standard on the Pug. It looks and shoots far better than before. It really is quite remarkable the difference in handling and the improvement in targeting results. I'll add picture later but thought I'd stir the waters tonight with my news!

boone123 · February-06-15 21:02

Auburn1975..
I bet that made a lot of difference in your sight picture. I cut down a Black Widow front sight so its right on at about 20 yards. Works great.
On that rubber Pug grip, when you put it on or take it off, be sure you lube it first or it will tear, as in split open. I use Rem-oil but other things will work.

auburn1975 · February-06-15 22:02

Boone123,
You are so right the sight picture now with mod made a huge difference. I only shot 10 rounds cause it was so cold out late this afternoon here in NC, but all were 5" tight to center at 10 yards. You've inspired me to also grind down my Black Widow's front sight. I 'm so very pleased with the results of the Mini; I'm thinking I want to have similar sight views with all three of my NAAs. So yea, my BW is next.

Oh and thanks for the reminder to use gun oil/lube when I go to also remove the rubber grip. Would not have thought of that.

Goldsmithy · February-07-15 05:02

Looking forward to the pic's.

OV-1D · February-07-15 07:02

Sacrilege Is the only word I can come up with . To each there own I guess , resale and trade in value has tanked to nothing for the most part . Not sure NAA will honor a piece that's been altered even just a minor change , probably will because of the minimal cost of the gun . For the life of me why are some so intent on shooting with sights to begin with with such a close quarter gun for which it was made for . Invest in a plinking gun like a Ruger or something and save the piece for emergencies only , again as it was intended . I've noticed its how you hold the gun is where its going to hit and every gun theres going to be a difference but the holding and type of grips contributing to that difference the most . Adjust to the gun but not alter the gun and its quirks for better shooting . Rant over ! Thanks .

Dinadan · February-07-15 09:02

Quote from: auburn1975 on February-06-15 17:02
After researching, reading others here on the Forum, and on You-Tube who had ground and shaped the overly large front sight on their Minis, I made the jump and did so to my Mini 1 5/8" Mag frame. I left just enough to aim and balance with the rear sight hump. Then, I changed out the grips...again but this time to the Houge rubber Mag grip that come standard on the Pug. It looks and shoots far better than before. It really is quite remarkable the difference in handling and the improvement in targeting results. I'll add picture later but thought I'd stir the waters tonight with my news!

I will be interested to see the photo! I have toyed with the idea of cutting down the front sight but never got to the point of picking up a file.

Quote from: OV-1D on February-07-15 07:02
For the life of me why are some so intent on shooting with sights to begin with with such a close quarter gun

Maybe because it is fun? That is why I have taken my Minis out plinking about thirty times in the past year.

OV-1D · February-07-15 10:02

Plinking is one thing but altering the weapon for such purposes is a little extreme unless you want a throw away after grinding off the serial numbers , might just as well seeing one already grinded the gun already . Oh if grinding the numbers you must go better than 3/16ths or close to it because FBI techniques can pull the imprint out pretty good if shallow grind .

Kentucky Kevin · February-07-15 11:02

That's why you buy guns from a person, problem is I'm not sure which are which any more. Guess I'll have to sell them all and start again.

Shovel-ready project · February-07-15 12:02

Quote from: auburn1975 on February-06-15 17:02I made the jump and did so to my Mini 1 5/8" Mag frame. I left just enough to aim and balance with the rear sight hump. Then, I changed out the grips...again but this time to the Houge rubber Mag grip that come standard on the Pug. It looks and shoots far better than before.

From your description, it sounds like I did exactly the same thing. And I am very satisfied. An orange paint dot on what's left of the sight helps me pick up the target much faster. You don't have to "use" the sights to benefit from this mod.

To those who would scold us for destroying a masterpiece, I would say this. I don't consider a $200 mass-produced gun to be a collector's item. I bought it to shoot and if I haven't had $200 worth of fun yet, I'm working on it. YMMV.

nastruck · February-07-15 12:02

Mine, I like it!!!!

Shovel-ready project · February-07-15 13:02

Yep, my front sight looks just like yours, except mine has a tiny orange blob. Maybe I got the idea after seeing yours. Have you posted it before?

auburn1975 · February-07-15 20:02

Here goes...not for the faint of heart. And now don't anyone go calling my baby ugly...cause that just not so. If the resale value isn't higher for this sweet thing now that it's been "FOOSE" (ground down & shaped the front sight to a arrow and super polished the whole frame), I just can not believe it. If I had know where to send it off to, I would have paid someone to put this hot-rod treatment on my gun. Well that's just the way it looks and the way it targets... FAR exceeded my expectation. So guys, go get your grinders out and join us if you dare! But you might want to make a tin and leather jig to protect your gun before you do (see blue taped jig in picture with grinder). Good luck and I hope you are having as much fun as I am having with mine.

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auburn1975 · February-07-15 20:02

One more...

Dinadan · February-07-15 21:02

Auburn - Nice work. The protective jig is a good idea.

boone123 · February-07-15 22:02

This is the way I cut my front sight down and I shoot it way further than just across the room. In all else fails, the front sight is replaceable on a black widow

Uncle_Lee · February-08-15 06:02

Quote from: OV-1D on February-07-15 10:02
Plinking is one thing but altering the weapon for such purposes is a little extreme unless you want a throw away after grinding off the serial numbers , might just as well seeing one already grinded the gun already . Oh if grinding the numbers you must go better than 3/16ths or close to it because FBI techniques can pull the imprint out pretty good if shallow grind .

It is rather easy to raise numbers.......
It is according how hard the die was struck on how far you must grind.

nastruck · February-08-15 08:02

Yes Shovel I have posted it before. At the time it had the pug slip on grip but since then I have changed to the folding grip and painted the SS black (I got this idea from someone on the board). I clip it in the back pocket of my jeans. No shinny SS shows just see black....

Kentucky Kevin · February-08-15 12:02

Good idea, I have one in each front pocket, hands a hang within inches.

Shovel-ready project · February-08-15 16:02

For anyone thinking of doing this job, that front sight on the mini is soft (AL, I think, not SS). All it takes is a flat file and a few layers of masking tape to protect the barrel. Go slow, it cuts quickly.

auburn1975 · February-09-15 09:02

Appreciate all the comments and they illustrate how adaptive these wonderfully manufactured small guns are and how passionate we feel about them. Very interesting to see what others have done as modifications. The pictures are very helpful and I would like to see and hear more from others who have tailored theirs. So thanks everyone!