Howa Mini Rifles, Builds, and Upgrades

[hereinaz]

The JO is back in stock if anyone needs it.

Out of stock.

The Mini is too good a platform not to have better bottom metal and mags. I think I am going to design and build a better bottom metal AND magazine with the mag release inside the trigger guard like it should be.

Anyone else want that?

 

[9.3koolaid]

Out of stock.

The Mini is too good a platform not to have better bottom metal and mags. I think I am going to design and build a better bottom metal AND magazine with the mag release inside the trigger guard like it should be.

Anyone else want that?

Heck yeah! Have an example of a mag release inside the trigger guard?

 

[Tanner]

Heck yeah! Have an example of a mag release inside the trigger guard?

I am guessing it would look similar to Hawkins Hunter? Super handy setup… no more accidental mag yeeting.

 

[Cantharellus]

Out of stock.

The Mini is too good a platform not to have better bottom metal and mags. I think I am going to design and build a better bottom metal AND magazine with the mag release inside the trigger guard like it should be.

Anyone else want that?

If it's nice and light, for sure!

 

[9.3koolaid]

I am guessing it would look similar to Hawkins Hunter? Super handy setup… no more accidental mag yeeting.

Gotcha, no experience with that style. Are you pushing it with your trigger finger?

 

[The Guide]

Agree, good way to start shooting but the scope is meh at best.

Definitely isn't a scope I'd buy outside of the combo but if you didn't shoot past 200 yards and didn't hunt the edge of dawn/dusk it would be an ok scope. Mine have come with adjustable parallax objectives that actually worked OK but they aren't anything close to the $300 msrp that they claim for them.

Jay

 

[hereinaz]

Heck yeah! Have an example of a mag release inside the trigger guard?

This is an example from Greyboe.

 

[hereinaz]

Gotcha, no experience with that style. Are you pushing it with your trigger finger?

Yes

 

[Ophidian]

I've bought the scoped combo before. The scope is MOA adjustments on a MIL Dot reticle. The rings and scope are 1" are suitable and usable. Gets you shooting right out of the gate and let's you upgrade where you feel it is the most useful. On my 6mm ARC I changed the stock to a Stockys and upgraded the scope after 1 season. Neither was "required" but more of a want. If you look on gunbroker you can find the combo with the Houge stock and Nikko Sterling scope for between $490 and $510 with no CC fees or shipping from time to time. Good way to get into a ready to shoot gun with money left to buy ammo.

Jay

Thanks, Now to figure out if i want the shorter chunky barrel or not. I much prefer short barrels so I am leaning that way.

 

[270quest]

I think I snagged the first JO yesterday - got the email and immediately logged on and it showed 25 in stock and placed my order.

I checked about an hour later and it showed 15 left. They do go fast.

 

[Qholum37]

Out of stock.

The Mini is too good a platform not to have better bottom metal and mags. I think I am going to design and build a better bottom metal AND magazine with the mag release inside the trigger guard like it should be.

Anyone else want that?

I think this is a great idea and the kind of setup I would be really interested in. I have no problem with the BDL style on normal sized actions, but the mini ejection port is so small I just don't think it is ideal and the reason I have not ordered one from JO. Magazines are also much easier for kids and newcomers to load so I would really like to stick with a magazine and a higher quality option would be awesome.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Out of stock.

The Mini is too good a platform not to have better bottom metal and mags. I think I am going to design and build a better bottom metal AND magazine with the mag release inside the trigger guard like it should be.

Anyone else want that?

I’ve not had any noticeable issues with my factory DM bottom plastic other than COAL limitations.

But I prefer not to have a mag release inside the trigger guard

 

[hereinaz]

I’ve not had any noticeable issues with my factory DM bottom plastic other than COAL limitations.

But I prefer not to have a mag release inside the trigger guard

Where would you put the mag release?

 

[Qholum37]

I don't really care where the mag release is located as long as it doesn't snag and drop mags. A flush fit mag that allowed longer COAL would be money.

 

[Stocky]

Anyone running a maven rs1.2 on thr mini. How's the long eye relief suit the action not being able to get the scope as far forward?

 

[General RE LEE]

The newest version (2024?) of the Howa Mini bottom metal has almost a barrier stop. I used it as such against the 2x4 window framing in my box blind. It works well and doesn’t drop the mag. I think it’s a good design except it’s plastic.

 

[hereinaz]

The newest version (2024?) of the Howa Mini bottom metal has almost a barrier stop. I used it as such against the 2x4 window framing in my box blind. It works well and doesn’t drop the mag. I think it’s a good design except it’s plastic.

Definitely a better design to prevent accidental dropping it.

 

[The Guide]

Where would you put the mag release?

Personal, I don't have an issue with the new style release on the Mini Actions bottom plastic. I have not seen how the current style release could be hit to drop the magazine like previous iterations were known to do. If a direct replacement bottom metal that was made from metal (maybe aluminum to keep the weight down) that would accommodate factory magazines and a light weight magazine that gave a little longer COAL was available, I think it would sell very well.

I have 5 Mini Action rifles (2 - 223, 1 - 6mm ARC, and 2 - 6.5 Grendel) and other than the magazine release on the original style bottom plastic, I've had zero issues with them. All have shot well and function without issue in factory configuration. I'll be getting a 22 ARC in a Mini Action as soon as they come available.

Jay

 

[waspocrew]

Agreed - the newer bottom "metal" for the mini actions are fine as far as magazine release location is concerned. The plastic is what bothers me, so I went with the JO hinged floor plate. It's a little tricky to load with a pic rail, but not too bad.

 

[The Guide]

Anyone running a maven rs1.2 on thr mini. How's the long eye relief suit the action not being able to get the scope as far forward?

I have no issues with it. I move my scope from my 223 to my 6.5 PRC to my 6CM without having to move the scope rings. The "Pink Panther" looks good with the Maven on it...

Jay