The future of the Mini-G

Tim, I was telling a coworker of mine about my new Mini-G and the mods you do on Garands and he asked me if you are the only person that knows how to do the mods that you do? In other words, if someday you decide to retire early to some tropical island, how would I get a Mini-G mod done or perhaps even a repair done to one of your mods. To my knowledge, you are the only guy on the planet that knows how to do what you do and offer your service to customers. Is there an apprentice in training that could continue your fine work? An evil twin brother with your same skill set? A trusted friend/business partner that could do what you do? Or, could the day come when Schuff's Mini-Gs simply become a rare collector's item and go down in history as that great little Garand that was modified & perfected by a visionary gunsmith named Tim Schufflin from a little town in Michigan?

As most things in this world, few things are lasting or permanent thus the reality is that someday, you will hang it all up. Just wondering out loud what the future of the Mini-G might be. Hell, this public pondering might all be moot as the CMP runs out of Garands someday soon (and that day is coming)! Anyway, I'm damn glad I got mine and I just may get another!

I *think* they can be reverse engineered, the recoil spring is off-the-shelf as I recall. Parts will be available for quite a while, I dare say.

Eli

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Originally Posted by peterpilot379

Or, could the day come when Schuff's Mini-Gs simply become a rare collector's item and go down in history as that great little Garand that was modified & perfected by a visionary gunsmith named Tim Schufflin from a little town in Michigan?

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that's what I'm hoping for. My Mini-G is stamped "SMG #001"

Might be the true Gem of the day..it's a good investment by most standards for any sportsman..Rifles and weapons have been doing very well in the inflation period..Plus the Mini -G has the famous tanker beat hands down.. Sean post a photo of the SMG#001 please...

I am 48 so I have a few years left in me. The only real craftsman thing that has to be done on the Mini-G is the oprod bend. The recipe has been worked out, measurements done, a monkey can reverse engineer. Sean does have 001 and I have 000. I quit numbering them at 100.

Exactly how many have you converted? Or did you stop counting?

I was worried about this too a while back. But really the only differences are barrel, oprod, and follower rod.

The barrel should out live me (plus if needed a good gunsmith could probably make one up from the shot out one as a template), The follower rod looks easy to make up if needed, and the operating rod can be retabbed / re-pistoned as usual.

But if your worried you could always have Tim make up a spare oprod and or barrel.

Justin

How many? Why would I say that? That's like giving a tax testimony to use against your W2.

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Originally Posted by jbkf1003

I was worried about this too a while back. But really the only differences are barrel, oprod, and follower rod.

The barrel should out live me (plus if needed a good gunsmith could probably make one up from the shot out one as a template), The follower rod looks easy to make up if needed, and the operating rod can be retabbed / re-pistoned as usual.

But if your worried you could always have Tim make up a spare oprod and or barrel.

Justin

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Don't understand the idea that the OP rod is anymore fragile on a Mini-g than any other Garand?? Many old timers, including me still shoot the un-cut op rods of ww2..think how many cycles they have been thru, of course metal fatigue can set in on any firearm..As Example did you know an HK mp-5 self destroys itself from firing it?Probably any sheet metal gun will crack from cycles, Plus never forget the striking of the bolt can break the Heel of any garand? Spare barrel? yeap, I have a couple just in case...:confused:

Fair enough Tim. We will leave it at 100+ then. ;)

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Originally Posted by Old Guard

Don't understand the idea that the OP rod is anymore fragile on a Mini-g than any other Garand??

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Tim should answer this (cuz I'll probably be wrong), but it's friday and he's home with his hot-honey. I think the issue is not fragility, but the tightness of the bends. That's a short rod that has to be bent perfectly to clear everything

Sean is correct, the oprod is actually stronger on the G because it's shorter. Bend a 1/2" tube that's 16" long and then bend one that's only 8" long, which one is easier to bend?

The bends on a G oprod are very tight and done in a very short area. That is, you have two bends right next to each other and the rod literally runs about .010 from the barrel at the entire length. There's not much room be wrong in your bends.

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Originally Posted by timshufflin

How many? Why would I say that? That's like giving a tax testimony to use against your W2.

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The Love of my LIFE!!! A TRUE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER!!!

Lois Learner just called, she wanted to know if I have your current address.

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Originally Posted by jhunt67

Lois Learner just called, she wanted to know if I have your current address.

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Just refuse to talk about it, there will be no repercussions.

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Originally Posted by jbkf1003

Just refuse to talk about it, there will be no repercussions.

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What difference does it make?

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Originally Posted by timshufflin

Sean is correct, the oprod is actually stronger on the G because it's shorter. Bend a 1/2" tube that's 16" long and then bend one that's only 8" long, which one is easier to bend?

The bends on a G oprod are very tight and done in a very short area. That is, you have two bends right next to each other and the rod literally runs about .010 from the barrel at the entire length. There's not much room be wrong in your bends.

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Tim,
Might I assume the op rod bend is less if you use a BM59 "drop down" gas cylinder? That is what I will be sending you for my Mini-G build.
Randy

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Originally Posted by seaninmich

What difference does it make?

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It was just a bad pun on her refusing to testify to Congress and the injustice dept refusing to prosecute her for contempt of Congress. :)

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Originally Posted by seaninmich

Tim should answer this (cuz I'll probably be wrong), but it's friday and he's home with his hot-honey. I think the issue is not fragility, but the tightness of the bends. That's a short rod that has to be bent perfectly to clear everything

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Okay, now that part i can soak up, then his answer on the length of a flexing rod..just was not looking at those angles...I knew if anything it should be subjected to about the same torques....Not to say an Op rod cannot be bent too much..

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Originally Posted by mxlmax

Tim,
Might I assume the op rod bend is less if you use a BM59 "drop down" gas cylinder? That is what I will be sending you for my Mini-G build.
Randy

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Bend would be almost straight.

one solution is to buy a second Mini-G!