I was an armorer who exclusively worked with the M-14 platform. It is the best weapon you could ask for. Easy to disassemble, to clean, to replace parts, to repair any portion. The safety is my favorite aspect. The only reason someone wouldn't like it is because they aren't masculine enough to move the safety forward with a single finger.
I need to purchase an M14 so I can compare it to my favorite little military surplus weapons the SKS, first weapon I ever field-stripped and I was staggered to learn that it was all mechanical leverage spring tension and gas pressure that makes it function. And my AK-47, it's crudely simple, easier to field-strip than the SKS.
When does the copyright expire for the Ruger Mini-14? Wouldn't it be nice if dozens of other gun manufacturers like PSA started building clones and selling them at AR prices and then thousands of aftermarket companies flooded the market with all sorts of upgrade parts? Same for the M1A rifle too. The AR is nice but it really isn't all that.
What is your opinion of the trigger housing as I think the idea of putting a tool into the hole to release the housing can bend the trigger housing metal and snapping it back into place is a little difficult on the mini 30, as well. I am retired police and carried many weapons in my 33 years in LE and 11 years in the Army. Now I have a nice mini 14 as well as a mini 30 and find the mini 30 housing is very difficult to pop into position and will pop out easily if not secured tight.
It really is a shame that this man only has 157,000 subscribers, he has got to be one of the most underrated individuals in the RU-vid gun community. He's a total class act.
The only reason your finger would enter the trigger guard anyway is because you are about to fire it. And the only reason you would disengage the safety of a loaded rifle is because you are about to fire it. So having your finger in the trigger guard to disengage the safety makes perfect sense. I don't see a problem with that.
Except almost everyone disengages the safety in advance of being ready to fire. I’d never wait that long to take a safety off to where I’d have to disengage it and fire in the same instance. I like to think of duck hunting as an example. When I see ducks that look they they are working the spread to land, I generally have my gun up from its rest and loosely in my shoulder pointed the direction I anticipate to shoot. Safety comes off at that point too but my finger remains out of the trigger guard. If the ducks make the commitment all I have to do is raise the barrel a few inches and pull the trigger. Can’t do that with a garand style safety. And I challenge you to do it well with some nice winter hunting gloves on.
@@austincrowe5194 except the Garand is a combat rifle and not a waterfowl shotgun. I swear everybody just needs to have an opinion no matter how ridiculous
@@sgtstedanko7186 and only well trained military people should get to have combat rifles? It’s a subpar safety design for numerous reasons. It’s why it isn’t a common safety design. And it’s a legit complaint about the garand style rifle. Then again that’s one man’s opinion. But I’m not a gun writer. Just saying I think the garand is an elegant design. However I think the safety could be a better design. Doesn’t make or break the gun though.
@@austincrowe5194 is such a stupid argument. It's a very safe safety. There's no training required. When you're ready to shoot, you put your finger in the trigger guard, flip the switch forward, then put your finger on the trigger. I don't see what your point is. When the safety is on, it not only blocks the hammer but also blocks the trigger. Doesn't get any safer than that. Far more safe than a thumb switch or button. Like i said before, some just comment for the sake of commenting.
@@sgtstedanko7186 ok. Then work the safety with some winter gloves on. You’ve also ignored the whole part about when the safety is not properly functional… aka when the gun will fire when the safety is on. I’ve seen that happen before because mechanical stuff breaks from time to time. You’ve ignored any potential claims of problems and acted like it’s an infallible design. All I’m saying is that there are much better safety designs out there. In fact any of them that are generally ergonomic with a firing grip for the weapon are better. I’ve also said the weapon is good overall but that the safety design could be improved. It’s not the worst safety but it could be better. If you can’t see my point then you clearly didn’t read what I’ve written. But fortunately you don’t have to take my word for it… you can take the word of all the other countless gun designers that have seen the gun and did not incorporate that safety design into their weapons.
This form of safety is truly ambidextrous. A cross-bolt safety is awkward for most left handed shooters, while this design works equally well for either hand. I have to wonder if some writers' minds are actually engaged when they start spewing words!
I have no experience with Garand style safety, my experience is shotgun related the Rem870 v Mossberg 500. Im a righty, my youngest daughter a lefty. The safety on Mossberg is easier for her, we have Mossbergs as a result. Nothing against the Remington. This Garand style seems like a great safety to me, right or left. Kinda wished more used it.
Cross-bolt safeties placed behind the shooting hand are among the worst offenders because of their awkward location. Those placed at the front of the trigger guard are easier to operate if you are a northpaw. I'm a southpaw and I installed a cross-bolt safety in an 870 shotgun for my convenience, but I still visually check it because the rearward location remains awkward and pushing across (instead of forward) is not very intuitive. Tang mounted safeties are intuitive as long as pushing them forward disengages the safety. I've seen a few safeties that disengage by pulling them back. This is counterintuitive and awkward. I own one pistol with a frame mounted thumb safety that must be pushed up to fire and down to make it safe. I have no idea what the designer was thinking, but this feature is the clunkiest thing I've encountered on a pistol.
The"Garand"safety has been tried and true for over 80yrs. It's always nice when an expert who knows what he's talking about debunks myths and misconceptions and puts the armchair"experts"in their place. Thanks 👍
I always thought it was brilliant. It helps to be old enough to grow up with the generation that it was designed for. I’d bet my front teeth the safety haters are from a generation that caused a need for instructions on shampoo bottles
Here Here or is it hear hear!! As hear what these people are saying! Couldn’t agree more with you folks 😃 legit! (Is that what the kidz say nowadays legit?)
You are spot on sir! Just ordered a mini 14 just like yours. As a retired state trooper after 30 years, (the last twenty as a firearms instructor), my knowledge of firearms is no where near the level that you present. I salute you sir.
@vettelover2009 YEP, an empty chamber is the only sure thing. But to all those people that just love safeties, would they allow me to point a loaded weapon to their head and squeeze the trigger ?
@vettelover2009 You have fallen victim to the bad rhetoric of hand gun trainers. Rifles almost never have holsters and safety switches are essential. Especially on self loading / automatic rifles.
@vettelover2009 I believe EthosAtheos is saying while carrying a rifle the trigger is open and can snag on branches and other things. While a pistol is in a holster with a sheath over said trigger giving it protection from outside forces that are not controlled by handler of said firearm.
@vettelover2009 Talking about military applications running in the jungle with a hot weapon with no safety is asking for it. That is why they are on rifles.
@vettelover2009 I have no problems with loaded rifles. But gear snagging a trigger is real, I've seen it happen. I've seen people ND when picking up a rifle in a vehicle. I have no idea what your exp. is but mine is that safety's are your friend.
I love listening to you. You're one of the most intelligent and calm people educating us. You are to our craft what Bob Ross is to painting. Kudos and cheers to you.
I would say, "sales clerks with below-average writing skills, but great familial or other connection to the publisher and/or the so-called *industry*." As of 2023, most firearms publications are at the Popular Science or Popular Mechanics level of technical honesty versus salesmanship. Which is to say, heavily biased in favor of a particular view, regardless of factual or mechanical accuracy in what's written.
@@Paladin1873 I will take a look, never have before. I think print media are, at least for the next 50 yrs or so, on the sidelines at best. So many people use the internet versus newspapers or magazines. On the internet it's a lot of noise and very little signal. Some would say "this reflects the audience" but almost none of it feels organically created to inform, most of it seems to be selling either a product or a persona, and sometimes both. This is one of the main reasons our host Mr GB is such a treasure. I've never felt anything but the desire to share his accumulated wisdom and experience. If he mentions a manufacturer it's usually in the course of talking about a particular firearm, cartridge, or aspect of either. I see no favoritism other than favoring honesty.
Untruths and misinformation in professionally written and published articles, less than thought out comments on the internet? Surely these things could never happen! I simply love it when you explain a simple concept so that “anyone” should be able to grasp the obvious! Another great video, education is sometimes a very slow process; thanks for being the patient teacher you are!
I enjoyed this video! Thank you for making it. I have found silly complaints about other safety methods. The 1911 comes to mind especially in regards to how new shooters cannot handle the complexity of such a manual safety.
...and the grip safety... ...and it's single-action trigger... ...and the half-cock notch on the hammer... It's almost like J.M.B. designed so that it's as "G.I.-proof" as possible and will not fire unless you intend it to fire. .
I will say honestly that when I chose my first handgun I chose polymer striker-fired simply to avoid the decock/safety-off step when learning. Now, however, after a couple years of training heavily, I could manage it with less stress. I don't think it's false to say it's one more step to train and think about, I would say instead that everyone should train with what they have, and learn the process until it becomes automatic. Regardless of whether it's a simpler striker-fired polymer pistol, or a dual-action pistol with a decocker or manual safety.
I can't agree more, not only is it just as safe or safer than any other safety, it is certainly faster and more effective than any Mauser, 1903, Enfield, or any conventional rifle safety of the time, The time it takes to move a Mauser or 1903 safety in combat and fire is at least double that of the Garand!
The essence of a true improvement in mechanical engineering -- more efficient in use, no less dangerous, and possibly safer via the mechanical changes/improvements.
Exactly. The only argument I have heard that carries weight was from a new shooter who was nervous about the safety being anywhere near the trigger rather than in a different position entirely. I reminded them we were shooting stiker fired pistols lacking any safety as well, and after explaining the ethos of this safety type they immediately came to prefer it over the side mounted switch safety on the AR we were shooting. It was a good lesson for them about trigger discipline and for me about their safety concerns
Love it when it rains truth, but you sir cast lightning bolts of fact that illuminate internet misinformation. Thanks for everything you do Gunblue490!
As the owner of a Mini-14, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I never understood the vitriol directed at the Mini. I love mine. No, the Mini-14 isn't an AR15, but then again neither is a Ruger American, an AK47 or a Henry Big Boy.
I really enjoy your videos, the perspective from our old timers is both wise and appreciated. Lots to learn from them, even if it’s as simple as a press to reset peoples ‘think with yer head’ button video like this one
I wish I had him as my Pops growin up. Didn't have a single shooting relative till my 30's. Great videos and LOVE his no nonsense approach and the way he shares his wisdom and experience.
I've only recently discovered your channel, but it's great to see someone who's obviously experienced (far more than I) and knows just what they're talking about! I love my AR-pattern rifles, but I will NEVER sell my Mini-14! I especially like the point you make about not having to look at the safety to know it's position instantly.
Thanks for all of the wonderful tips on the Mini-14. In regards to Mini-14 topics I would love to see how you are zeroing (what zero range) the Mini-14 using the iron sights at an indoor range and which height over bore and muzzle velocity specs you are using to calculate POI vs POA at 25 yards for those of us that don't have access to a long distance range.
The only thing I can think of is that someone who is not paying attention and not familiar with the weapon system could, when trying to put the safety on, push the trigger instead of pushing the safety. The safety is just a couple of inches in front of the trigger, and someone not paying attention could push the trigger and fire the weapon, instead of pushing the safety to the on position. They would have to be completely unfamiliar with the weapon and safety system, but I guess that it is a possibility.
That’s my line of thinking on this. I made a post with my thoughts as well but I would liken it to having a two light switches side by side, one for hat turns off the lights and the other that turns on the oven or something. Make a mistake, be in the dark etc and you are right in the right place and doing the right physical action that would actuate the trigger. A separate and different action should actuate the safety. It doesn’t seem to be a problem in practical use but it’s also not a good idea to design features of safety like this.
Do you actually know what you’re saying? “ pushing” the trigger? You pull a trigger, an opposite action from taking the safety off in this family of firearms. Even better, you engage the safety from outside the trigger guard, no possibility of pulling the trigger while you’re pushing the safety on unless you have another finger in the trigger guard (think about that name for a minute) and at that point you shouldn’t even be allowed to touch a firearm.
@@tnzayatz6579 Never underestimate the stupidity and carelessness of people. The action of engaging the safety is the same action as pulling the trigger. You push back on a piece of metal that hangs from the bottom of the rifle. The trigger is maybe a couple of inches behind the safety and both are manipulated in the same exact way, you pull back on them. It is conceivable that someone not familiar with the rifle and just being careless could think that their finger is on the safety, when in fact it is on the trigger, and get an accidental discharge.
During the course of 20 years handling and unloading a Mini-14, somewhere between 3,650 to 7,000 times, never was there an ADD (accidental discharge). Anyone who might claim that the safety is unsafe is incorrect.
Thank you for bringing wisdom, experience, and Truth to the Firearms community. I hope and pray you do not waiver or fatigue. God Bless you, your family and Benny we need more people like you.
I get annoyed when stupid gun writers don't provide correct information to trusting people because they're not the experts that folks think they are. I didn't attend chef's college, so I don't try to teach people French cooking, and too many gun writers never were schooled in firearms and aren't qualified to be teaching about them. All that was ever needed to be a gun writer was a typewriter. Now, it's just a cellphone.
Just stumbled across your channel…good channel with good content. I’m now subscribed! Just watched your video comparing the synthetic versus wood stock Mini 14. Excellent video! What do you think about longer, stiffer recoil springs with a buffer on the Mini 14?
Very very well stated.... Great system, for right or left handed .... I get worked up when a homeowner hires me then tells me how to do the job they are paying me for ..... Your a great person to explain things even as I may know somethings well, I will never know it all, anyone can always learn ....
I applaud you for making this video to set those who buy-in to stupid hype about anything “old” straight. Just because something is invented at a later date(AR-15) with a different mechanism(safety) that invention seems to put in some minds that the previous product is somehow bereft of the attributes that made it great in the first place. Thank you, sir for your “short” but very informative video👏
I dont want to assume that, that's the case but I have an itching feeling that you may be right. There's so much "out with the old" mentality lately that these meat heads seem to think that its a righteous principle to get rid of anything that's old now. Functionality is functionality...no matter who used it or how long ago it was used. I think the writer who made that statement couldn't push the safety out of the way with his dainty little index finger so he immediately came up with a case for why it's stupid to have it there. Haha
@@nsob8897 and probably has no confidence in his own dexterity. So then it becomes unsafe for everyone in there own mind. I think this is what happens when we let schools, government, TV and social media raise our kids
@@nsob8897- It is a bias which is pervasive amongst the young, and perhaps for understandable reasons, that newer is always better. Their youth can be blamed, and the lack of life experience, for holding such an outlook. What is mysterious, though, is how so many older folks who ought to know better still subscribe to this tired trope. Maybe we ought to use the word "old" less, and substitute "time-tested" in its place....
Thank you Mr GB,, and Happy New Year to you and your family. If you reviewed the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision regarding the ATF "bump stock" ruling you would see the emphasis there on true mechanical function versus the untrue & emotionally charged version of mechanical reality. There's a bit of serendipity between that 5th Cir decision and your fine video above. God Bless you.
Universal Firearms Safety Rule: “Finger off the trigger until the sights are aligned and the decision to shoot has been made.” (Then pop the safety and send your message down range.)
I agree with your video. I consider my Mini14 safety to be the most intuitive and easiest safety to use and understand on all my rifles. The closest 2nd place intuitive safety on a rifle I own is the common bolt action rifle safeties. It's my opinion...should be yours :) Thanks for the discussion
Trigger guard safety like this works great, it's just that a lot of the current gun enthusiast community has grown up with the AR platform safety, and subsequently feels more comfortable and safer with those controls. AR style controls do tend to be a little bit faster on the clock in competitive shooting, but outside that environment where strict administrative procedure must be followed (including when safeties must be engaged and disengaged) under time pressure, there's not a huge objective advantage over the older style trigger guard safety.
I'm so glad that you put this video out because there are a lot of potato heads out there that are confused about that safety. Keep up the great content
Well sir I like that design much better than the AR so my friend you can't fix stupid .Wish we could .We wouldn't have the bozos we got in government now .
I totally agree. I have never understood the idea that the safety on this design isn't safe. I find it to be the best safety our there for all of the reasons you mentioned.
Soldiers carried the M1 Garand across Europe in one of the worst winters recorded, and they wore gloves. There's plenty of room in that generous guard.
@@GunBlue490 Excellent point! However I doubt the military would tout any data of some GI getting shot in the bum from the guy behind him fumbling through the trigger guard.
@@chrishill1286 I received military firearms training. GIs are taught to not place their finger on the trigger until they can safely shoot at the enemy. The last person to shoot their buddy in the bum is someone who received military training.
Great video, I like the safety position on the mini-14 because I don't have to change the position of my hand as I do when using a tang safety or crossbolt. My mini is a favorite "walk around" rifle.
Good points. Too bad those are banned in my country. BTW thanks for the videos on using mineral spirits and mineral oil for cleaning and lubricating. Walmart only just got some in stock. Best price. Went to the paint section and picked up a quart of mineral spirits for $6. The added bonus of stocking up on the mineral oil is that if I or the wife ever get constipated the mineral oil will help. 🙃
I was trained to shoot on grand at age of 9 when I started using other rifles I thought all of them needed the same safety system of the m1 grand and still do. Thank you for what you do for all of us.
Love your videos very informative.. I do have a question.. i am looking into buying one of these.. either the 223 or 7.62x39.. another option would be a 9mm carbine.. any thoughts on which would be more enjoyably for myself wife adult kids.. it would really be range rifle and ammo cost ya 9mm is cheaper but that's no big deal.. I'm just talking recoil shooting.. and such.. thanks
They were probably referring to a gloved hand. So if your trigger finger is bigger than the gap between trigger and guard your gonna hit trigger before getting safety on maybe? It's only thing I can come up with. Thanks for all your content, keep up the good work.
SO SO TRUE, and I've always hated that comment for the exact same reasons. Thanks for making this. In the future when I see a comment online about this I will simply respond with a link to this video because as far as I'm concerned, this is the final word on the subject!
Finally ! I am 80 and it's nice to finally hear some sense. I sure feel sorry for you with all that snow and cold. Maybe you should take a break and come hear to North Dakota.
It seems like a lot of gun writer "experts" can't control their fingers when in proximity to a keyboard. The same problem exists with many internet commenters. Great video!
I fondly remember many outings into the bush around Willow AK with that weapon in my hands or over my back. The safety took a bit of getting used to, but far and away the best design. Miss those days for sure
@@fjb4932 Look at the video at the video 7:11 time, his finger is on the safety just like it would be on the trigger. It would be easy pull the trigger while thinking you are setting the safety. A similar finger movement is used to set the safety as it is to pull the trigger.
This right here. Same actions in close proximity is the kind of thing you try not to design into machinery for safety reasons. Mistakes and fumbles happen, try not to set operators up for failure.
The safest thing about a mini 30 is that if someone has a negligent discharge and also bad muzzle awareness, the person in the line of fire will not get injured.
Blue, the best video I have ever watched on guns is the one you made on how to take down and clean/oil the AR-15. It should be a must watch for anyone who owns an AR-15. So, my dad just gave me two of my grandfather's M1 .30mm carbines from Korean War. Do you have a video I cannot locate on how to take down and clean/oil a M1 .30mm carbine???
The other giant advantage of the M1/M14 safeties is they double as a PADLOCK hasp. I imagine that a properly drilled hole would allow the Mini's safety to be padlocked too.
It was common practice in armories for a rod to be passed through all the safeties and secured in gang fashion to the gun rack. Yes, the Mini-14 could be drilled, but I suspect such tough steel might require annealing and re-hardening.
I personally find that safety design to be the best of all the rifles/long guns I own, you are never left wondering if the safety is on or off, you can feel where it is.
100% agree with this video! The only “safety” that “fails” is the dual purpose mechanism, located on each hand and sometimes referred to by its secondary name as a “booger picker.” Shooters need to know how to control that device…. For safety purposes of course!
It's great to hear someone be honest. We hear people knock the safety on the Mini all the time. The reality is what you said, it is a great ambi safety. Your finger should not be in the trigger guard unless you are preparing to fire, and then you can undo the safety from that position faster than almost any other safety. Your finger is already in place and you can undo the safety and fire the round extremely quickly. It's a great design that is extremely fast. Thanks for the honesty. God bless.
