Get the best range and outdoor gear here! www.masonoutdoors.com Get your handmade leather gear here! www.masonleather.com Let me know what you think about the video and please share, it’s a big help! Visiting the websites above directly supports the channel and helps me bring you more awesome videos!

The Mini-14 is a hidden gem in this day and age.

Love the Mini-14 and Mini-30. They are just a ton of fun to shoot, easy to maneuver around AND they look great too.

I prefer my mini 14 over the ak and ar

I bought a Rugger Ranch Mini-14 chambered in .223 20yrs ago, it's a very good riffle. At first I went hard on it to see how reliable it was, after aprox 1,900 rounds I didn't had any trouble at all, no misfires or any trouble at all. I worked the wood and changed the springs with the intention of selling it but when I finished it I fell in love with it. I've always used the factory sights and don't have any issues with it. Now I enjoy cleaning it and maintaining it shooting 15 rounds every year just to see that the sights still in their place. I reach the target at 100 yards easily. I got no complaints. "A riffle is as good as the person shooting it". Good video!. Keep up the good work!.

Such cool rifles, but I can’t bring myself to spend the money on one. I think these would be more popular if they were in the entry level AR price range. Make them $600 and I might see a reason just for cool factor.

i have one identical to yours, and i love it. it makes a perfect suburban shtf gun, because every shot will be within 50 yards, 100% of the time. you talk about the brass flinging out, you can (and should) tame that with an adjustable gas block from accuracy systems. it's cheap and easy to do, works great. try one, you'll be glad you did. it also saves wear on your gun.

I had mini 14s and ar-15s . I tested them and sold the Ar-15s right away . My oldest mini -14, I have no idea how many years i have had it . It is used for deer and varmint hunting . My favorite min 14 has the 1 in 7 twist . My older ones are 1 in 10 twist . The mid 90s to now have the 1 in 9 twist .

I am 75 and not a gun person AT ALL. Plus, I don't think I have shot a gun three times in my entire life. That said, I really like this guy. He communicates an honest, straightforward respect and affection for this particular gun, and he almost makes me want to get one. Plus, he's funny (sniper rifle: takin' out prairie dogs at 600 yards). I like it. I subscribed.

Biggest advantage is that it they won't get as dirty as AR-15s thanks to the Garand style gas piston. Perfect for SHTF.

Well said! I sold my older designed Mini 14 and got into the AR platform as well. Was bored very quickly. Learned that Ruger had improved the design where needed on the MIni and am now actively looking for another Mini 14. Good video!

I'd love for Ruger to come out with these rifles in .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster. Call them the Mini-35 and Mini-45. I'd also want a 14 in .223, and a Mini-30 in 7.62x39. I absolutely love how they kept the Garand style safety on this rifle. In my opinion, it is one of the best designed safeties ever put on a rifle.

I’ve had my mini 14 for 35 years. Love it.

I got my first Mini14 in 1973 and have owned a couple ever since. My most accurate model is a heavy barrel synthetic with barrel stabilizer. I own one AR and a couple dozen assorted Garands… Swedish Mausers, etc.. the Mini14 has its place.

I bought a stainless steel Mini back in 77. I Love It!! lost count of how many rounds I put thru it, But I still have it I still love it. Great size and weight. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

Enjoyed the video , something I did to reduce brass from flying away{like 25 to 30 ft} when ejected was get a gas bushing kit from Accuracy Systems , if you can gap a set of ignition points{old school} you can replace your gas bushing , you just need a quality 9/64" allen wrench and a feeler gauge set , I ended using the .045" bushing going down in size from the factory's .085" bushing , make sure to match the height of the new bushing to the old or else it will be crushed into the block , also keep the gap even on both sides of the block when tightening back together by using feeler gauges {check instructions for torque specs} , the .045" bushing combined with setting the halves of the gas block even improved accuracy noticeably and now the rifle ejects casings 6 to 10 ft away without a massive ding in the brass , I use those blue 1911 Wilson Combat Shok Buffers too , 1 at the rear end of the operating rod , I also run 1 at the front end{gas block} but can not use .223 ammo when doing so as it will not eject properly with the buffer at the gas block. Shoot well , Dave K

I have both the AR, Mini 14 and AK. I have a Butler Creek folding stock and a 4X scope on my Mini14 and I use it for a truck gun. We are overrun with feral hogs and coyotes and it works great been using it for years and I have never had a problem with brass hitting my scope maybe others do but so far so good for me. Great video and keep up the good work.

Love the Mini-14, bought one at Walmart 40yrs ago for $400. Thought that was expensive, now Walmart don't sell them or AR's. This Country has Regressed on firearm sales.

I don't own one but they've always been on my wish list just for fun . I have never really been an AR fan simply based on looks and style. I just like vintage stuff whether it's guns, cars or guitars . I like wood over synthetic and my favorite days at the range are with the lever and bolt rifles. Plus I have a 10/22 so there's a little overlap. Speaking of I'd been interested in a saddle for my 30-30 , I'll go check out your site!

Having experienced temporary “misplacements” of the selector detent spring pin and extractor retaining pin on an AR, I can appreciate the big parts ruggedness of the Mini.

I just ordered one.. they are on back order everywhere it sounds like.. I much much prefer the wood stock ssd's standard rifle look as opposed to the tactical look but that's on me.. I'll save this video and when it comes in I'll be sure to order the leather.. looks very good.. and a quick simple review..good job

I used my 582 series Mini 14 Tactical Carbine to take a 100 pound feral pig at about 90 yards. One shot, clean kill using hand loaded ammo with a 77gr boat tail hollow point projectile. My Mini 14 rifle is very accurate. That said, I owned three different Minis between 1974 and 1988. Each of them was very accurate on a cold bore, first shot but each of them would start stringing shots as they heated up. I like Mini 14s but gave up on them by 1990. Then, after reading that Ruger had made some changes in the mid 2000s, I bought mine in 2009 and I've been very happy with it. it's very accurate and holds a good group with repeated shots. I do own some AR 15s and other rifles and like and enjoy shooting them, as well.

When I was younger I wanted one mainly because I’m a fan of Ruger in general and it wasn’t an AR. I was fortunate enough to receive one with the ATI tactical furniture for my 18th birthday from my parents. After not shooting it much for years I recently put the Samson AT-M stock and Hannibal rail on it. I was able to directly mount a Holosun red dot to the Hannibal rail and the whole package looks absolutely awesome now. I plan on using it for general purpose use out to 100 yards or so. I think they are great rifles as long as you realize they probably won’t be as accurate as even a more affordable AR. And I have come to appreciate AR’s over the years.

I learned through my own, personal experience that after market magazines don't work well. I buy Ruger brand magazines only now. I also learned that foreign (especially Russian) ammo doesn't always feed well and keyholes sometimes. That said, I enjoy the reliability of the mini 14 and own several. I use them out to 150 yards for light skinned animals here in northern Alaska and have had much success. Excellent review! Thank you.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment was the user of the Mini 14. I believe they have replaced them now with surplus SA80's. The French Gendarmerie's GIGN special forces unit also used it as one of their rifles in the AC-556 version in the past.

Ergonomics and manual of arms wise the Mini is much like the M14. As far as the operating system, they're more like a miniaturized magazine fed Garand. I had one of the stainless GB models with the side folder(cue the A-Team theme music) when I was a kid. They're fun plinkers and nearly as capable in most defensive situations as an AR. The Mini 30 in 7.62 would be a perfectly adequate deer or hog rifle with the right ammo.

I have a Mini 14 in the Police GB configuration. It is one of the orginal models that required a B Square side mount for mounting a scope. About 40 years ago I handloaded Match grade target ammuntion for it, and found a combination it really liked. A friend and I shimed up the mount as needed and it would really shoot well, if you can hold it steady. The factory stocks like to slide around on your shoulder, especially vertically, so you need to really support the whole arrangement more so to its center mass. Off sand bags, it placed its best 3 shot group at a true half inch at 100 yards. My brother used it for years for varmint hunting in Indiana. Luckily, everything has remained tight and he/I always babiedt about in a big padded bag. Ruger barrells were never considered top rated steel or particuraly tight bores, but by chance this particular rifle's barrel is well bored. The GB model has a bayonet lug, an inward mounted front sight and a longer flash hider on it;s barrel. This structures, and their location on the barrel give it a good harmonic vibration not disturbing bullets shooting out the muzzle. There's many factors to calming semi automatic, and we seem to have given a good set of harmonics, plus, what we may have added or tamed.

I found a Mini 14 at my local shop and being in CA with lots of restrictions I prefer this so I put it down on layaway and recently found your website and purchased a few things for it while I slowly pay it off. It’ll look nice.

Hi. 1984, a friend of mine wanted to sell his Mini 14 stainless steel rifle to buy an AR. I gave him $150.00 for his rifle, ten magazines and 200 rds of .223 Remington. About a year later he asked me if I would like to sell it back to him. I didn’t ask what the problem with his AR was or even if there was a problem because I wanted to keep my Mini 14. I got an AR in 2000 but sold it a few years later. I wasn’t interested in customizing it or shooting more than 100 - 150 yards at targets, plinking or varmints. I still shoot my Mini 14 for plinking and varmints. If I’ll need to shoot farther while hunting, I have scoped rifles to use. I have your sling, loop wrap and cartridge cuff for my Marlin 1895 45-70 Government. I'll be looking at your Mini 14 magazine cuff.

First time here Good video. Good info. Well done You explained the intent of this rifle very well. Getting closer in to animals is what it’s all about. There’s a certain allure to using iron sights too. Forces the hunter to get closer and be better.

You are correct on installing a scope. The first time at the range, my scope almost fell off after 20 rounds. this happened 2 more times. Eventually, I had to safety wire the scope mounting screws. It's Frankenstein AF. Another problem I had, every 2 or 3 rounds, I had a stove pipe. It turns out, the gas bushing was the wrong size. Brownell's sells a multi-pack of Mini 14 gas bushings. Original GB could slide around and cover the gas port, leading to a stove pipe. The bigger GB can't cover the gas port.

Great rifle, and one that's more like a traditional style rifle than either an AR or AK. The main drawback to the Mini-14 vs. the AR or AK is the cost of magazines. I trust only Ruger factory mags and they're $25-45, as opposed to $8-15 for good AR or AK mags.

I have a mini, it was made in 1988. After I bought it (in 2004) the bolt would periodically jam open, found that the gas piston would fall out of the transfer housing not allowing the bolt to return to battery. Send it back to Ruger they repaired free of charge. Great customer service! Fun to shoot, had some feeding problems with aftermarket mags. Bought some Ruger 20rd mags and never had that problem again. When I bought my AR, said to the salesman that I own a mini-14 his direct words were, " Don't get rid of it". Besides the fire rate is close to an AR and they are not listed or labeled as a "black scary gun" by the liberal MSM. I love both those rifles. Each have a different yet similiar purpose.

Straight forward, no dumb intro with music......good video, thanks!

An honest assessment from a personal observation and use. I appreciate your honesty.

Me and my dad played with playing cards @4-500 yards with a target version for years until his health went south. I still do from time to time just to brush up. This one was a custom order with a custom barrel from ruger but essentially a "factory tool"

I have a Mini 556 with a Strike Eagle 1-8x24 mounted with Vortex medium rings on a rail (don’t like the Ruger rings). Casing ejection is flat not up, no scope damage occurs. The Mini is good however, you could assuage some anxiety of a new Mini owner by showing a typical dented ejected casing. Mine eats all shell casings on the way out.

I bought one about 8 yrs. ago. I did put a scope on it and have had no problems. As far as accuracy, I tried a various loads and manufacturers before settling on one that consistently achieved close to 2" groups (or less) at 100 yds. That is my recommendation. Some of the ammo I tried were closer to 4-5 in. groups at 100. The ammo makes all the difference in the world. Find the ammo that suits your particular rifle. But that's true with all firearms. As far as other desired qualities, I have found the Min-14 to be dependable. I have had no misfires or malfunctions at all in the 8 yrs. I have owned it.

I have the 30 and 14, love them both I put a scope on my mini 14 I left the mini 30 with irons. I can hit a 10" gong all day at 300 yards with the 14 and a torso gong at the same distance with the 30. Thanks for the videos.

The older mini's tend to throw brass upward, into the bottom of a scope. My newest one throws it pretty much parallel to the ground, about 10 yards out. I put a piece of cardboard next to my bench so I can find the brass.

One of the best truck guns ever created.

Nice 1 take video. I have a nice 89 stainless mini and a couple ARs. Both ARs are a bit more accurate, but I wouldnt say more reliable. But when I want accurate I grab my rem and tikka bolt guns. Other than that, I like EVERY feature about the mini better. Gas system, bolt hold open, safety location, balance and especially appearance. I'm a baby boomer, so the mini definately look more military and menacing to me.

Scope and good ammo mine will do 2 moa. I installed an Ultimak forward rail on mine. Works good with red dot and scout scope. Keeps them low and the action clear. Currently have a shotgun scope in Ruger rings. I have not noticed brass hitting the scope.

Thank you for an honest review, love my Mini 14 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Love my Mini, so sad it was lost in a tragic boating accident. Tech sights !!!!! Best upgrade.

I have an older mini 14, 183 series model. It doesn't have the scope mounts made on the receiver Had to purchase a B square mount for mine. A d IT DOES ding the scope when ejecting the shells. I also installed a barrel harmonic dampen er on it which has help with it's accuracy. Love my mini 14 over my AR. LOVE taking it out and hunting pigs with it and have taken several animals with it

Just shot a doe yesterday with .223. Good bulllet and shot placement its not problem.

Got my mini14 in 1980 from a friend who owed me 300.00 dollars who had a stainless and a blued one.He offered the blue one for trade.Really like it and its a good shooter.

I spent 12 years in the militry 76-88 firing the M16A1. Never had a problem hitting a silhouette Target at 450 ft. Recently got into ARs and wasted an incredible amount of time trying to find an AR paltform I was comfortable with and could get optics that worked to my liking (never did) I finally opted for a Mini 14 .223 Remington and just like the M16A1 in the 70s and 80s I have no problem hitting af silhouette target at 500 feet. Many of my shooting buddies spend a lot of time trying to get 1 to 2 inch groups with the AR, and that just isn't me. I know now what I knew in the 70s and 80s if I have to shoot at a human target to stop a threat a bullet anywhere below the neck and above the waist is most likely going to stop that threat. I can do that with iron sights at 500 feet so the entire AR platform with its myriad of attachemtns and optics for me is just colored bubbles.

It's an effective tool, for a wide range of purposes. It's an artifact, a connection to a different age. It's a piece of art.

Thank you for a realistic and honest review. Can’t stand people who take a absolute crap on the Mini14, M14, and Garand. People shouldn’t expect so much from an older design like this. These have their place, but of course, no surprise they aren’t pin point shooters because the Garand’s action design is from the 1930’s!

The mini is a great compliment to an AR. Had 3 of them but times got hard and had to sale them.

One thing to note is Hogue makes a fine replacement stock which totally improves the handling of the rifle as well as saves the wood stock from getting chewed up from use.

Great rifle. I've owned three of them in 223. I've also owned the mini 30. And a the Ruger ranch rifle chambered for 44 magnum. Loved all of them.

While the mini 14 is classical, iconic, and does its job the one thing is for 1300-1500$ a 4 inch group at 100yds is not that great, and cheaper ARs can do that and then some. Most people cant justify the cost of it based on that, but maybe some of that's due to some people not being proficient enough with iron sights these get the bad wrap that they do.

Yes absolutely love mine but Techsights rear sight is a must upgrade. In CA not considered an "assault rifle" so unlike the AR, Hellfighter kit not required...

Thank you very much. it will be nice supporting a local Texan. 🙂

Another fun history fact: the British regiment that protects Bermuda used to use the Mini-series, particularly the 30 variant.

I use my circa 1976 " Bi-Centenial" model to cruise the woods and checking cameras. Super light weight and points almost like a lever gun but semi auto with negligible recoil.

Had one(16” Stainless/black tactical), wanted to love it, but it was very picky with ammo and the accuracy was hard to put up with. Traded it for an AR. In retrospect I wish I had kept it, as it was the only gun I’ve ever sold. The problem with the AR is that it has no soul. Also, the manual of arms of the AR is not intuitive at all for me. I much prefer my M1A Scout. My next rifle will be a Socom.

The French used the AC-556 which is the select Fire version, Bermuda used to use the regular mini 14 with plastic tactical stocks

Agreed on the TechSights, they’re great!

Stuck in California for another 2.5 years. Bought my dad one and I love it! I shoot mainly 308 Socom 16 and FAL. But think I’m going to buy one for myself I like it so much.

My new one shoots 1.250 at 100 yards with ball ammo. Love it

My 14 is great to 200. 3-4 inches. You are right about the sight. Mine is a 1970 made. And I bought it new

It's not the shells hitting the scope, it's how hard the receiver hits. A good strong scope is needed. The shell actually hits the charging handle and puts a crimp in the top of the shell. You can always tell a mini 14 round by that crimp.

I bought my Mini because my brother owns an actual M-14 that I absolutely love, but he bought it before the ban. I wasnt so lucky. But my Mini is an awesome rifle.

Bought mine 21 years ago. Fired at least 15000 rounds out of it. Love it!!

Had the mini for a year or so and liked it. The action in my opinion is superior to the AR. Traded for the AUG, which is an even better alternative to an AR.

I have a 14 & 30. They are fun guns. My AR-15s are in 223 and 762x39. M1A AK47 and other rifles all good in my book. When I go to the range I usually take one mini 14 and or 30 with me. My 14 is the target model, won't shoot 556. I put a Vortex Crossfire on it. No issues with ammo hurting the scope

The thing that really hurts the mini is price. I bought mine the day before covid shutdown for $750. Same one is going between $1100-$1200 now. It needs to stay under $1000.

Living and riding my sxs in rural NV, I always have a rifle attached to my rear rack. Having an AR, AK and my Ruger Ranch rifle, my top choice is always the Ruger. When going down rural country roads, the "scary" AK and AR acquire dirty looks and unwanted attention. The Ruger, if even noticed, gets a thumbs up, even from a local deputy who wanted to buy it!

I agree, it's a carbine, not a snipers rifle, it's a fun bush or brush carbine. After dark it's real Kool to see the long muzzle flash!

was issued a mini as a patrol rifle, it shot well & never one hiccup on the range, felt very confident with it.

California Dept of corrections still uses then. I have a scope on my mini and no brass dings to be had. 10 years and no dings

It’s an awesome rifle.. I would say that buying it in .223 is the best option because of cost/availability and the amount of people that own rifles chambered in that round. Even the military carries that round. Not saying that in a war type situation most people would last long but if you do it won’t be hard to find ammo. Pretty much all you need is a shotgun 12 gauge, handgun 9mm, .223 rifle or .22 and possibly a bolt action 308 or m1a style semi auto for distance. The best bet if you had to pack out I would go with a .223 rifle and a 9mm side arm.. just because of weight of rifle and the light ammunition.

I have had my stainless for 30yrs. 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40rd mags and a Butler Creek folding stock. So much fun to shoot.

GREAT LOOKING LEATHER!!! I go back and forth w/ my configs ,,, I have the Base model Ranch Rifle stock and the Butler Creek Folder and the Choate collapsible...

One thing Bill Ruger did was refine the very sloppy M14. The M14 was a moa of 5 or worse. It was made with many quality issues. Ruger got he MOA down better than in half if not better. Rugers quality of parts and simplicity improved that rifle through some good engineering. What Ruger has with this gun is a super nice version of what no one could achieve with the M14 design. It was never intended to be a sniper rifle. It is probably 3X as accurate as an M14 and acurate enough for what it was intended to be..

being part of the M16 family never wanted a AR 15 the mini 14 is the best improvement of the M14 considering what is going down these days it will provide needed protection

I have the latest model. I tried 6 different boxes of ammo. Most gave me 2 inch groups. Then tried Federal 55 grain power shoks..for a 3/4 inch group. The key is try different weights, brands etc. The high dollar ammo didnt shoot that well.

My favorite is the SKS. Tough as hell and just really neat and unique

The average person with a mini or 30 carbine can hit 8 out of 10 rounds a cantaloupe at 200yrds with a little practice. I have hit out two 500yrds back when my eyes could see that far regularly. I do feel the two rifles listed above are an excellent choice especially the 30 for urban assault as step outside your house and see how far 200yrds is in either direction. And hits like a 357 at 10yrs. Light, heavy duty minimal recoil very compact. Checks all the boxes for small people.

It’s a good rifle. I think it’s biggest shortcoming is logistical and not performance. You really cannot buy parts from the factory for it. Ruger will not sell you trigger parts for it period, the end. Also, replacement parts generally are not drop in. With an AR I can buy any part I want for spares and almost all parts replacements are an “armorer” level repair as opposed to a gunsmith level repair. But the mini is undeniably cool and really looks good.

Now you know that the Ruger mini-14 was a major asset for the A-Team.

You can tell they are not garbage, because they've been around for 50 years, Ruger is still making them, and people are still buying them, even though they are pretty expensive. That tells you all you need to know.

I bought mine in 1986, I think. It does not even have mounts for the scope. My buddy had an AR, so I got it to save on bulk ammo.

For a personally owned firearm they are fine. I worked in a place that issued hundreds, if not thousands, to employees at facilities around the world. They were not up to military style use in the real world and we replaced them.

Had em back in Early 80's wen I was In My A - Team Phase. Verrry Pretty with the Stainless Folders. Once they got hot?? All over the place. A Great Nostalgia piece.😊

I love my mini. Literally the only thing I want for it is a way to attach a small canted red dot directly to a scope ring. Like two small plates at a 20 degree angle so that a small red dot can ride on either side of my primary scope.

I bought the mini 14 rancher model the shells eject differently than the original more user friendly than the original for scope mount and yes it’s very accurate

I've had a couple mini 14s, they're good little rifles. In my opinion they're just over priced for what they are. I can buy 2- 2 1/2 ARs for what a mini typically sells for

For us lowlifes stuck in MA you can't even get one of these anymore. It's under the new bs they wrote and passed behind closed doors. I had days to grab another semi auto rifle to ad to my collection before it took affect Aug 1st. It was between a PTR 91 G3 model which I had once before or a Mini 30. Ended up going with the Mini for the ease or maneuvering, way less weight and more reliable overall. Dam I do love me a 308 win semi auto. Stinks there's no prebans for the 30s though. Stuck at 10 rounds.

Love mine. I've owned a Norico (pre-ban) AK47, BM M-4 A3, & M1 Carbine. If I could only have one and ammo was plentiful I'd go with my Ruger Mini14.

I think my biggest issue with the mini is how expensive they are and how much a budget AR can outperform it. I think if we're going to be realistic about our expectations for the mini, Ruger needs to be realistic with the pricing.

Plenty accurate the way it comes. 99% of shooters can’t utilize anything more accurate

Takes the place of the M1 carbine very well 🇺🇸

Just ordered one. It really is the perfect finishing touch to a mini-14.

Hell Yea. The Ruger 10-22 is the baby brother. Both great guns!

I had an early Mini-14. I was getting 4+ inch groups at 50 yards. I complained Ruger, sent it back to the factory, they re-barreled it for me and it was a little better, maybe 2 1/2 - 3 inches at 50 yards. I regarded that as unsatisfactory and sold it.