I am a metallurgist. Your question about casting vs forging is a good one. Typically forging is stronger than casting. Ruger uses investment casting which is a superior casting method. Ruger is also very good at it, and I have seen the process personally and that's all I can say about that. Aerospace uses investment casting for a lot of things. Yes forging in general is better than casting but the Ruger investment cast is better than a bad forging, and believe me there are a lot of bad forgings. The question shouldn't be which is better, it should be is it good enough for the application. Compromises are made every day in manufacturing. In this case I would have no issue relying on an investment casting from Ruger. No I do not work for them, and Yes castings can fail, but so can forgings and billets.

When i was a kid i saw 3 guys with mini 14s shoot from a black and red van at a jeep, the jeep exploded and flipped end over end.

I think at this point in the game, if it's a semiautomatic rifle that goes bang more often than not and is 3 MOA or better, it is completely adequate for anything you might possibly use it for.

Old school here...I just prefer the carbine feel of the mini 14 to the AR. The flat top, pistol grip, sight two inches above the barrel doesn't do it for me at all. Put a M14 or a mini 14 to your shoulder and it just fits like it's supposed to...comfortable, quick, and right in front of your dominate eye. Just easier to shoot, less busy. Kind of like a trap gun vs a heavy combat shotgun. Lighter, quicker, easier to aim.

You don't get a mini14 because it's better than an AR, you get it because it's cooler than an AR, and that's what really matters.

I have a Mini-14 Ranch Rifle made in 1986. I polished the trigger and shimmed the gas block to tame it down and I'm getting 2 MOA accuracy. In 2019 the extractor cracked. I called Ruger and they sent me the kit to replace the extractor and other bolt parts free of charge. They even offered to do the work at the factory, but I chose to do it myself. You can't beat that for service. As far as dependability, the only failure I've ever experienced (aside from the cracked extractor) was when firing ammo that had not been properly crimped. Getting a bullet jammed in the barrel is some scary schnizzle. I will never buy gun show reloads again. Thanks for the videos.

My hunting buddy was a range master at a California state prison. He told me that he had several mini 14s in the armory that the officers qualified with that had over two hundred thousand documented rounds through them. I've had mine for over 20 years, and I can't remember ever having any problems with it.

I’ve owned quite a few dating back to the late 1980’s. Owned Ranch versions early ones. Then when the Tactical came out I bought one in 5.56 and shot it a lot. As I was raised shooting M1, M1 carbines and M1A’s I’m much better with it than any of the AR’s I own. I traded all my older Mini’s for the newer versions in 7.62x39 and 300 blackout. So now the stable in I own three AR’s and 5 mini’s. Along with a M1 carbine and a couple of springfield M1A Socom. But then again I was raised on a farm and once you know how to use tools buy the best ones you can afford and maintain them. That’s why most of my pistols are not polymer but metal also. But I’m a older guy who still likes 70’s and 80’s rock and country and drives a 20 year old truck. Oh and my truck gun is a Marlin 1894C in 357 mag. 🤠🇺🇸👍

I’ve got a SS made in 1984. 100% reliable and 2 MOA. I’ve got a 2020 Ranch that I’d describe the exact same way. I use 55 Grain ammo in both. Glad to see the Mini 14 get some respect!

Biggest problem with the mini is the magazines. Other than that, definitely a good rifle. As far as a cast receiver, ruger has been doing it since 1963, 64. They definitely know their stuff.

I'm from Canada and thoroughly enjoy you videos and reviews. I have always wanted to own a Mini 14, since watching our local Tactical Team use them. A couple of years ago, I sold off many of long guns with the intention of stocking my locker with a handful of really good weapons. Mini was on the list. Then the Canadian government decided the Mini was an assault weapon and banned it before I could purchase one.😢 it will forever be one of my dream long guns.

I live in Massachusetts.. this is my AR 15.

I absolutely love the attention the Garand-Style rifles are getting. From the recent M1A video and now this, I hope this pushes the market to give it some more support.

Came for the Mini 14 stayed for the Rugged Alaskan. That suppressor is in my sights.

This kind of review is especially great for people in restricted states, like MA, CA, or NY, where rifle options are limited.

The Mini 14 is still the primary duty rifle California Department of Corrections and is currently in hundreds of control booths and towers at prisons across the state. For its intended purpose, its very effective. Nothing sharpens the senses of inmates fighting faster that that action slamming shut. Might as well be a pin dropping in a silent room.

I have thought for decades that Magpul NEEDS to start selling Mini-14 magazines. C’mon, Magpul!

Bought one new for $179 in 1977. Owned a few ARs since that proved a bit more accurate & reliable but the mini still stands out as one of the funnest rifles.

I just like how it looks. It's the perfect mix of classic and tactical for a ranch rifle.

I always liked the looks of the Mini-14. I thought about buying one for a few years, until attending a patrol rifle class about 20 years ago. One of the attendees had a Mini-14, the rest of us used AR-15s. The guy with the Mini had nothing but trouble with his aftermarket magazines, and even had an out of battery discharge that blew out the guts of the magazine and showered me (I was right next to the guy) with hot brass fragments and gave me a dandy blister on the neck from a particularly large piece that was sizzling hot. I blamed the magazines for the most part, but with old Bill Ruger not wanting folks to have magazines over 10 rounds, most folks used aftermarket mags. I may get one someday for the hell of it. But if I do, I sure as hell am going to get factory mags only.

I’m shocked they didn’t just adapt the design to accept AR mags.

I have owned the mini 14 and the mini 30. If I lived in a free state I would still own one. These rifles are very reliable, accurate, and a lot of fun to shoot. They are also legal in non free states.

I like mine . About 8 years old now, not one malfunction ever. 680 bucks new at the gun show. Fast handling, a real work gun. Not for posers.

The mini has several good design features. • Simple controls. _(even moreso than the AK)_ • Rock & Lock mags advocated for by several prominent individuals for a general service rifle. _(Larry Vickers, Ian McCollum, etc)_ • Low sight over bore axis - Point of Aim = Point of Impact - Smaller shooter Silhouette. • Traditional stock has advantages for retention techniques. _(and classic bayonet/fighting techniques)_ • Lightweight • Reliable & proven action.

We totally agree with you about the Mini-14. My wife has shot a three-quarter inch group with this gun at 100 yards using Frontier ammo with 55 grain otm bullets.

Love my mini-14 with Samson folding stock. A-TEAM baby!! Best 223 recoil rifle for its weight.

"The brotherhood of steel vs the cyber mormons" We need James to publish his Wattpad writing

I'm so glad you made this video, my father was a Vietnam vet, 11B , he loved his M14, I'm a former 11B also. Loved my M16 A2 and later the M4, my father purchased M1A1, and later the mini 14, I absolutely love these rifles, never had a issue, even went out and bought a M1 carbine. Great video,!

Mini 14 was my first rifle and so much fun to shoot. Really cool to see an in depth look at it.

Not sure why the Mini-14 gets so much shade, the Mini's aren't much different than an AK. Mini-14/30 and the AKs share so much; both are old designs, both have right side charging handles, both are gas piston operated, both take rock and lock mags, both can be had in 5.56 and 7.62, both are hard to mount optics and lights to and finally both are hard to modernize. My Dad has both the Mini-14 and Mini-30 and really enjoys shooting both. I honestly think that if Ruger made a version of the Mini-14 that took the AR mag and the Mini-30 that took the AK mag they would have a double threat hit on their hands.

“But if you do, can you also get it in stainless?” Well said.

I got together 5 Mini haters who thought the weapon was obsolete and told them to walk out 300 meters and let me take one shot at each of them. All refused. I guess they were really lying about what they thought about the mini.

This is an awesome video. I was surprised to learn how well the rifle has performed at Thunder Ranch. It’s cool to think of this rifle like a song performed by a singer other than the original performer who actually performed it better than the original performer. Great video!

What's that ya say? The Rugged Alaska 360? Why that sounds like a mighty fine suppressor, young fella.

Happy to see some love given to the Mini. I absolutely love mine, never had a single issue with it. Every time I’ve pulled the trigger it has worked flawlessly.

Bought mine in 1986, put a SHilen target barrel on it in 89. Still shoots as well as any AR I've owned.

Awesome video as always thanks! I had a mini 14 in the first decade of the 21st century and only problems I had was with aftermarket mags. If I used Ruger mags no issues.

I had a Mini 14 Tactical that was very much a reasonable alternative to an AR. Liked it but a guy wanted it and traded me an M1A Scout, so it went.

You bamboozled us, James!!! That wasn't cornstarch you used in that Mini-14 test. It was GOLD BOND Medicated Body Powder! Maybe something you had lying around to powder your under bag before you take Grinder selfies. Still love the channel, regardless. You Mo!

I am a HUGE fan of the Garand action and the 4 rifle that encompass it. Personally, the M1 carbine is my favorite.

I got a 30 around 18 months ago and have loved it since! I did use an aftermarket Ruger/Weigand Pic Rail so I could mount a Red Dot+Magnifier combo. Which I also love! Great video!

I love it, but I also love the AR, AK, lever, bolt, pump, revolver, single shot, blackpowder, hell just gun I like them, sorry for the long iteration but yes guns good!

First of all..... "GREAT VIDEO!" I'm a retired member of "law enforcement." The Ruger Mini - 14 is a firearm that I've used and have had a lot of training with. I always enjoyed my interactions with it. Now (just recently), I've been discussing the newer version of it with my 33 year old son, who, like me, is a gun enthusiast. The conversation is simply about purchasing one to add to my collection. And, of course, to enjoy at the range. Your video is "saturated" with pertinent information regarding this weapon..... "Loved it!"...... thank you.

I purchased mine in a state where a Mini-14 was NOT considered a tactical rifle, so not state permit was needed to purchase. It was my first semi auto rifle…and I still hold to it as a favorite firearm.

I've always loved the looks of the Mini-14; it really is like an M1 Carbine in a more available caliber. I'm glad that Ruger is still making them, and I intend to pick one up sometime. Thanks for the great video, and Clint's excellent words of wisdom are always welcome!

I’ve been wanting a mini-14 for a few months now, so this makes me feel better about that decision. It’s just one of those wallflower guns that’s been around forever but only recently caught my eye. I like the caliber, but I’ve never cared for the AR-15 look and feel. A nice wood stock and stainless steel rifle is what I’m attracted to. I’d definitely get that Sampson upper hand guard with pic rail. The plastic guard it comes with just seems cheap.

My Mini-14 is a 187 series rifle I bought new. The Ranch rifle version with Ruger rings. I mounted a 3-9x Redfield Widefield scope. Used it on woodchucks for years with no problems, as cold bore shots are dead on. A couple years ago I installed a barrel stabilizer which helped greatly when shooting steel at the range. My only complaint, and others at the range, is it throws brass 30-40 feet to the right.

I prefer the Mini 30 myself, but the Mini 14 is equally a great, reliable and rugged gun. I Made two upgrades to my Mini 30. Accuracy Systems firing pin is a must! Once I put their Extended firing pin in the carrier bolt, well its EATS EVERYTHING. The Extended firing pin is about .02 to .03 longer. It ignites steel cased ammo! It EATS EVERYTHING! $70 dollar upgrade made this gun an absolute workhorse! The next upgrade I made was a lighter Sear Spring by MCarbo for $12.95. Then I polished the hammer sear and trigger sear. The trigger is smooth and crisp now. My trigger averages about 4 pounds now. It has some take up though.

I have the newer black version with a sampson walnut folding stock, accustrut barrel brace, all metal dust cover, and mcarbo trigger kit. It shoots lights out and groups (almost) as good as my 20" custom DMR build. Everyone who shoots it drools over the thing, plus its probably the coolest looking gun with a sig romeo mounted on the pic rail. Two thumbs up from me. 20round ruger mags are a MUST.

I own 6 AR15's but I still want a Mini 14. I have wanted one for years but never bought one. I am going to have to get one.

Late to the party - Illinois recent passed an “assault weapons” ban. I’m not “allowed” to own an “AR-15 style” rifle but I’m somehow “allowed” by our Great Khan Pritzker to own a Mini - 14.

The Mini-14 will remain relevant for as long as states insist on banning more modern designs as "too scary." That said, the Mini isn't a bad rifle. It's handy, it snaps to the shoulder, it's easy to carry, and it gets the job done. I'm glad Ruger finally addressed the accuracy issues, because that was long overdue. It's never going to out compete the AR-15, but nothing else chambered in 5.56 will either. The Mini-14 is its own rifle. If you have a use for it, there's nothing wrong with adding it to your safe.

I have an old 184 serial number mini 14 and it surprisingly likes the poly tapco mags that had the metal around the top.

For some reason I want a rugged Alaskan 360, I am shopping for my MP5 clone

I love the mini 14. They have an A-Team style mini at one of my locals, that I’ve been eyeballing for a while. They want $1400 for it, and I am justifying buying it 😅 It would cost more to buy one, as well as a folding stock, and to have the work done. That rifle would definitely get some attention at the range too lol

The fact that you have a FoxHound patch on your wall makes you such a badass.

I have a stainless wood stock mini 14 and i love it. for me its mostly the hertitage of it being based off the m14. i just love how they have the same action and everything. Plus it makes a sweet sound when you rack the bolt 😊

Good one James. I picked up my SS Ranch after disappointment with a Springfield Saint AR. Degassed it a bit with ports from Accuracy Systems, and recently sent the trigger group to A.S. for their Service Grade mod. $100 and a week later it came back with a crisp 4-pound trigger in place of the 6-pound creepy one it left with. Next up will be an adjustable gas block that will allow fine tuning and the option to used it as a straight-pull so I don’t have to scratch in the dirt for my brass. Absolutely dead-reliable and I can walk around my local WMA with a 5-round flush mag without any dog-walkers calling out SWAT. Runs wet or dry, and as Clint said, I feel I can leave it lay for a week, a year, or a decade, then pick it up and bang away. Thanks for all the good content.

At my local gun shop, I can buy an AR15 by Smith & Wesson for around $800. Now, you would probably need to throw some money at it, but I wouldn't be surprised if the cost to outfit the firearm is actually less than a Mini-14 just because the parts are much more available. My current setup is a Bear Creek Arsenal in 300 blackout. The lower was $140 from Palmetto. The upper was $200. ACS stock from Magpul for $140. SL grip from Magpul, $20 I have a timney trigger I paid $99 for. I have a vortex 2-7x32 scope for $120. Scope mount was $40. Magpul sling for $55. and finally, an MLok light I paid $40 for on Amazon. Lastly, a muzzlebrake I got off of eBay for proabably $20. Its meant for 308, but it works fine for this. Overall the gun is exactly what I want. It is comfortable to shoot, and at the 100 yard range, which is the main distance I have to shoot, I can hold about 1 inch groups, and I attribute most of that to me, not the rifle. the rifle is probably more accurate than I am.

Thank you for making this video, James. It’s very hard finding an out-of-the-box SA rifle that is NY compliant. And reviews on them are few and far between. Offers a lot of insight to Ruger’s quality and handling. Big help for us NYers behind 2A enemy lines.

The documentary about the Green Beret team that is in the Los Angeles underground first exposed me to the Mini 14. I may own one someday. The Ruger Mini 14 is slightly more ban proof & may look less "aggressive" than AR15s to some new shooters at my 2A4E Diversity Shoot events.

May have missed it... Is James running THE RUGGED ALASKAN on that build? Wasn't sure. Entirely.

One of my absolute favorite rifles. My dad had a 180 series way back when. Great rifle!!

Love my Minis. Original Ruger Folder, Mini Ranch, Mini Thirty and two Minis that were given to me because someone borrowed a couple of part. Like you said - older parts aren’t there anymore. Keep up the good work. 👍 🐈‍⬛

I love my mini. Mine is an older version passed down from my dad that came with a flash hider and bayonet lug. Mine's been tremendously reliable and now wears an A-TM stock. As for parts breakages, I actually did have to replace a part for the manual bolt hold open. Back then those pieces had what was essentially a wire as part of the assembly. The replacement I got was a newer Ruger part that was a solid piece of metal instead of the wire, so they seem to have noticed and addressed that issue. Besides that, she's over 40 years old and still running like a sewing machine.

I had a mini 14 for 7 years in the 1990s and loved it, it was 100% reliable and took a lot of abuse but there's so many customising parts for the AR15 that you can bring it to exactly how you want it that makes the mini 14 very old school.

Great video, great rifle. I'm on my second Mini; the first I foolishly traded away. Never want to be without one. It easily digests ammo that makes my ARs choke. Roger on the magazine issue. Long live the Mini!

From an unbiased perspective, I have owned Many Ruger firearms I have Never been disappointed in any and actually impressed by the Quality of their products. Plain and simple I for one would trust them with my life. 😊

I have wanted a mini-14 for many years, but living behind enemy lines (in CA) the firearms go for MORE than MSRP. Not a single pistol, rigle or shotgun I purchased in the past 20 years was for less than MSRP and lately most are going for $100 over.

I have 2 minis, one in 556 and one in 300 blk. Properly made and heat treated investment casting are really good and just as durable as any AK.

The difference between casting and forging is there is also the difference between iron and steel. There is carbon present in steel. This carbon forms a crystalline structure within the material that is formed and layered whenever the material is beaten. Something that is cast or molded although it might have the carbon present, it is not forming a crystalline structure and therefore has less rigidity and flexibility.

The profile of these rifles is better for tucking under a truck seat than the AR/AK platforms. I wish I would have bought one when they came out. I love absorbing Clint's wisdom. Thank You, Sir.

Very good video! I've had my second-hand, 1987 vintage 185- since the mid/late 90's. It was a rescue - clad in a ghetto-fab, chincy plastic side folding stock. First, got her into a Ruger factory wood stock and a couple years later, a Ruger factory side folder stock I snapped up at a gunshow for $80. Minute of dinner plate accuracy @100 yrds, but I'm fine with this - having grown up watching the A-team. 😁 With a custom BFG sling, a small pile of 20 and 30 round Ruger mags along with a couple cases of .223 that most of my ARs turn their nose up at - and I'm set. ( Easy on doggin' 5.45 - just 'cuz some of us stocked up on them spam cans when it was dirt-cheap, no need to hate, bruh! 😁 It's put down its share of haji across Afghanistan and other scenic locations for many decades now. )

I have a 181 skinny barrel model I bought 40 years ago. Never had a jam. When I got on the range shortly after buying it for $179, I was getting 10-inch groups at 100 yards once it got hot. Later I added a ten-dollar steel flash suppressor on it that is a bit heavy. That reduced my 100-yard groups to 5-6 inches. No M4, but it's all I need for a fun and home defense carbine. If I were getting a new rifle today, I would go with a cheaper M4, like S and W Sport 2, but the improvement I would get today buying a new gun is not worth the cost.

This was a perfect sum up of the Mini-14. Also your description of the AR DI system was hilarious 😂

Admittedly, the AR is much more capable but after 15 years I’m just burned out and bored of tactical firearms. I’m still an avid gun enthusiast but I’m drawn to firearms like the mini-14 because of the nostalgia of an era when firearms were pieces of craftsmanship. Wood stocks and blued or stainless steel are what interests me today and I don’t see that ever waning. I’ll never sell my Colt M4 but my days of having multiple ARs in every barrel length and caliber individually built for every tactical situation are over. Classics Lever guns, revolvers an hunting rifles inspire me today.

I’m glad to hear nice stuff about the Mini 14.. and also about the Rugged Alaskan 360!

Another benefit of just going with the factory rings as opposed to a pic rail mounted to the factory bases is less obstruction of the ejection path

I've never seen an interview with Clint before, but I'm calling it now. That guy's a stud.

I like both of my M1A's so much I really want to add a mini 14 to my collection. This video reassures me that it is not a bad choice.

Always liked the mini14, never actually fired one but I grew up watching The A-team and it’s a huge part of that series lol. What can I say, I love it when a plan comes together! Anything with irons from the factory gets a huge pile of bonus point from me.

Got a 583-series stainless Ranch. Added a Samson Hannibal rail (the single best upgrade you can do to a Mini,) a green dot reflex, and an Accu-Strut. It fires softly, accurately, reliably, and it's fun as hell. Built like a tank, too. Makes a great plinker/small game hunter/scout rifle. Minis also have excellent triggers right out of the box. Is it as modular and customizable as an AR? No. Is it a good rifle regardless? Yes. Most people who trash the Mini simply do so off repeating internet "truths" or because it's not an AR.

I still enjoy my Mini 30 originally purchased 20 years ago, especially after Ruger released QUALITY 20 round mags.. I’d still prefer a quality AK variant or AR-15 any day of the week

When I hear "obsolete" I ask two questions: What is the mission? Can the equipment still accomplish the mission? There may be improved gear that can better accomplish the mission, but if the old gear still works well enough, then it's not quite obsolete. That's why the M16 hasn't been replaced--the new gear doesn't perform significantly better across the board for service rifle missions. I purchased a second-hand Mini-14 in 1978 as a replacement for a Universal 1003 carbine (M1 Carbine clone) and used the Ruger until the rifle fell apart--the trigger group would back out of the receiver on recoil and the gunsmith couldn't fix it. So I purchased a new stainless steel Ranch Rifle during the early 1990's. When I sighted in the Ranch Rifle at 200 yards, my first group was five inches for five shots and my second five-shot group was three inches. I lost track of how many rounds I've fired through it over the past three decades but it's more than a thousand. It's still mission-capable.

My issues with the mini 14 are the same as the ak; specific mags needed, hard/expensive to modernize, and just plain better options available for less/similar money.... that being said... theyre cool af.

Amega mounts makes a rail similar to the Samson. I’ve used it for years with no issues. Great upgrade that makes the rifle perform and look even better

The cornstarch section killed me 😂

Thanks , I've been looking for a while . You cut thru the crap and love ole Clint ! M. B.

Im a Mini fan. I have a 188 S/N Ranch Rifle. I put a harmonic stabilizer on it. Have a Monstrum 3x9 optic. Im 1.5 to 2 inch groups at 100 all day long. It shoots great, very little recoil. And .223 is cheap enough....

I love my mini 14. Having a helluva time with mounting an optic and being happy with it. Just got the GG&G mount and it did not fit out of the box. Had to remove one of the alignment/recoil pins to make it fit.

Had a Mini-14 for years as my first rifle. Loved it, very reliable. Sold it when I bought an AR-15 to help pay for it. I wanted accessories and there are basically friggin none for it the Mini. I also found it pretty inaccurate (my was bought in the '10s, it should have been alright). Def miss it, was fun to shoot. The talk about using good mags is very deserved, the wrong mags can really screw your day up.

In regards to the magazines, I've had good luck buying Promag magazines, and replacing the spring with a Wolf mag spring and the follower with a follower from Midway. Still cheaper than factory mags. Thus far I've had no malfunctions with the modified mags.

The Mini 14 is the ultimate troll lords rifle. Upon mention of the Mini 14, you will INEVITABLY hear someone say "But muh AR"

Great video. Rather than an alternative to the AR or other platforms, I view the Mini-14 as a capable addition to the tool chest. I've owned and shot Mini's for 2 decades and have always appreciated them as handy and capable long guns. I think the accuracy deficit of the Mini compared to an AR-15 is more of an oft-repeated talking point than a serious practical disadvantage. No doubt the AR is intrinsically likely to shoot smaller groups under controlled conditions, but either can engage "minute of pie plate" targets effectively at extended ranges detectable to the naked eye. And although entirely illogical, the Mini doesn't trigger panic attacks by antis the way EBR's do. The unaltered Mini is barren of evil features, making it an easier sell in certain ban states. There is not much in the way of useful accessories such as with the AR, and reliability with anything other than pricey factory magazines may be an issue, but there are still a lot of fans out there, including me.

James I am an INTP and I have a gallon of astroglide. Had one anyhow; I think your mum nicked it on her way out last week, said something about an idea about a fire hydrant.

The ejection pattern is funny too, because the staggered mag, they eject at like 5 o clock and 2 o clock, but get yeeted into the next county.

love my mini-30. will never get rid of it. foregoes the need for an ar-15 and an ak47. only problem with it is that its perhaps a little on the heavy side. other then that, its amazing. rugged, quality made, will last 100 years.

I’ve always wanted one. Cool looking firearm. I’m a fan of having as many firearms as possible with round compatibility…just wish mags were compatible w/ the ar

I own a SIG 550, an H&K MR556 and a Mini 14 and I love them all. 100% reliable, light, compact I have the original type folding stock and plenty accurate enough.

Back in the mid 80’s, the Mini-14 was a very popular option per all the “experts” in the mags (publications) at the time. Especially as a budget value. I still have my stainless Ranch Rifle.