Howa Mini - Comparison of Bottom Metal Upgrade

[Stinky Coyote]

What do these bottom metal kits weigh?

[cwlongshot]

Minimal they are lwt alloy aluminum.

CW

[Trumpet]

Will the Dip or Jefferson work on a B&C stock as-is?

[HokeyPokeyKid]

Will the Dip or Jefferson work on a B&C stock as-is?

yes

[Oso Polaris]

I chose the bottom metal from Oregunsmithing and the B&C M40 stock. It is a tight fit getting the upgraded bottom metal to fit into new stock, and it will require some minor fitting to lightly ease the profile. The inlet in the B&C stock is designed/milled out to fit the factory drop box magazine assembly. The Oregunsmithing unit is significantly narrower than the factory bottom metal (magwell + plastic magazine) along the inside of the stock. The stock definitely needs/benefit from being bedded to eliminate the empty space/void around the new internal box magazine... don't want anything to shake loose. Also, the bedding job should improve the rifle's accuracy.

[Dinny]

Mine was real snug until I relieved the bottom metal inletting of paint over spray.

Thanks, Dinny

[Oso Polaris]

A couple of minutes with popsicle stick and some fine sand paper should ease it in nicely.

[sfmd]

I was really close to buying a Jefferson as I like the idea of a blind mag and thus no need for hard to find external mags. However, the plastic feedlips concerned me as if one of those crack, there's nothing you can do. With that, I went the DIP route and cut/smoothed the factory mag release. The mag release now is very tight but still easy to operate and the mags drop free.

[tdbru]

sfmd,
i'm hoping in my lifetime that's left i can wear out JO's bottom metal. i don't think it's anything to worry about. glad you got your howa mini setup.
-tdbru

[stilesg57]

Bought the Jefferson. Arrives Monday. Will let you all know what I think in the next couple seeks

[Oso Polaris]

I was really close to buying a Jefferson as I like the idea of a blind mag and thus no need for hard to find external mags. However, the plastic feedlips concerned me as if one of those crack, there's nothing you can do. With that, I went the DIP route and cut/smoothed the factory mag release. The mag release now is very tight but still easy to operate and the mags drop free.

I had similar concern and without any hands-on experience I went with Oregunsmithing's model (all metal). My thought process was, "Here I have to spend all this money to fix a crappy plastic factory part." I made a decision not to replace faulty plastic components with a superior plastic component.... There was no other basis to my decision.

Based on other users' feedback, I am confident that the Jefferson Outdoors unit is a quality component.

[sfmd]

I have no doubts the quality of the Jefferson products. I have a bad habit with firearms in that if "X" breaks now, how easy is it to replace? I have spare mags so if I split a spine, it isn't a deal breaker. With the blind mags, if feedlips, springs, followers, etc break, your SOL until it is replaced.

I know this limits me and may prevent me from buying otherwise quality products but so be it. My Howa currently sits in a B&C M40 stock, still would prefer a blind mag for it but am otherwise happy with it.

[Oso Polaris]

One addition to the B&C stock is to add a bipod picatinny rail. Seeking Precision SRS Rail (Bell & Carlson) fits the existing two mounting studs under forearm that are 2.5" apart. It also incorporates a connection point for traditional sling swivel.

[phorizt]

I bought the Jefferson bottom metal but not the flush version. First of all it took forever to get the the little spring thing back in. I finally figured out but it was a major PIA. I think the way they made it creates more spring tension on the release but also much harder to put the spring in.

I also got a Jard trigger and after putting the trigger on and reassembling everything the bottom metal comes in contact with the trigger making the entire thing useless. The cutout for the trigger to go through isn't large enough so it basically pulls the trigger when you assemble it and the trigger is pushed back in the fired position.

I'm not sure if it is the fault of the JO bottom metal or if it is the Jard trigger that is the issue but they don't work together.

Now I've got to figure out what to do. I tried using a rotary tool to remove some metal to create more clearance but that didn't work without making the opening significantly larger which I didn't really want to do.

[Dinny]

Phorizt,
BTDT. The fault lies on you, not the trigger or the bottom metal. HPK and Wayne York designed their metal around the OEM trigger not the Jard.

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...al-Reviews

Thanks, Dinny

[phorizt]

It would be nice if they put the little detail that their parts only work with the OEM trigger in the product listing so people would know before spending $100 on it. I guess I'm just going to have to grind out the opening larger so that it will work. At this point I've already done enough damage to it that I probably can't send it back.

[Dinny]

Unfortunately manufacturers can't predict every single modification a person will make nor will they ever try to. Hopefully your Jard trigger works better than mine did.

Thanks, Dinny

[phorizt]

so I used a rotary tool to open up the trigger slot in the bottom metal to provide more room for the trigger to fit with no interference. I had to remove quite a bit of material I also added .04" spacers between the bottom metal and the stock to provide just a little more clearance. Trigger is completely free and feels good so I got it all put back together and the safety is completely screwed up. If I chamber a round with the safety in the middle position, then move it back to the back position and then push it all the way forward to fire, you cannot pull the trigger. If I chamber a round in the middle position and then push forward to fire the trigger works fine. Sometimes if I chamber a round and move the trigger back and forth a few times and then stop in the middle position the trigger will still pull and fire. This gun is for my kids so this is a huge safety concern. I guess I'm just going to have to send it back(if they will take it) and try a Timney. Since I already opened up the trigger slot hopefully that one will fit.

[Dinny]

JARD refunded my money a month after I returned mine. That was the third and final time it went back to them.

Thanks, Dinny

[grayfox]

Anybody try a timney with these alternate bottoms?
I really liked the timney I put into my howa... it was the 1500 but fit just fine, with the DIP bottom assembly.