Top 3 Things About the Mini 14 (Number 3 is Controversial) 

I originally was set on getting an AR but when I went and held some I was turned off by the loose feeling stocks and hand guards. They felt like toys. Then I picked up the Mini and it just felt right.

Everyone should have at least one in their home !

The mini14 is what got me hooked on semiauto rifles back in 1979 when I shot one. Crisp,loud, powerful shot that shattered a cement block with a big fireball from the muzzle! Acquired many toys since then. USMC 1983-87

Yes the vicious recoil of the 5.56😂

Love the Garand action. The first high-powered rifle I shot was an M-1 and fell in love with the action. I regret having to sell my Mini when work and living left me short one too many weeks in a row. Thats life.

Every Mini-14 everbilt in 223, except for the Target version, was rated for 556 please read your owner's manual. The water, it would take somebody who doesn't read their owners manual to not know how to use a protected eared site.

Check out Choate hand guards. They’re quality pieces. The other thing that’s nice about the mini 14/30 is they come tapped and ready for scopes. They even come with proprietary ruger scope rings. I have a Leupold 3-9 on my mini 30 using the included ruger rings. Great deer gun.

Yes, I have my AR's and AK's, but when I hit the woods the Mini 14 and Mini 30 are just the best fit. My scoped Mini 30 can pretty much handle anything I'm going to run into in these parts and a lot less awkward in the woods than others

Man listen. I’ve had mini-14s back in the 90s , when I was in law-enforcement way back before they even thought about having magazine feed rifles in the mobile unit, all we had were 12 gauge pump, shotguns and revolvers. But anyway, I had two mini-14s on two different occasions, not really knowing what I had or just was unfamiliar with the weapons platform. I either traded or sold for a little to nothing now I have another one present day and it has a special place in my heart. Mines is the mini-14 tactical ,556 NATO.With a rogue rubber replacement stock from a black synthetic original stock, and also a heat shield over the top of the barrel with a SOCOM barrel stabilizer on mines, and I Really do like it a lot. And I know what I have and believe me you I will not be getting rid of this one. I also have AR’s but this mini 14 is near and dear to my heart…

I have owned 3 mini-14's and love them. No, they aren't as accurate at long ranges as an AR-15 (300-500 yards) BUT the reason I sold my AR and kept the mini is it is more than accurate enough out to 300 yards and I can shoot all the crap ammo (Wolf and the dirty import stuff) and it just keeps on running. Try shooting wolf ammo though you AR and see how long it lasts. My Bushmaster would jam after about 3-5 rounds. It would shoot clean high dollar ammo fine but not the cheap stuff. The mini is kind of a shtf gun and I want it to be able to shoot ANYTHING i put in it and it does. I agree about the 20 round and their just perfect, the 30 & 40 round mags make shooting prone hard. I used 20 round Ruger mags and kept a couple of 10 rounders around also. A company called Itek (I think thats right) makes an aluminm top piece to replace the oem cover thats a piccatny (thats spelled wrong probably) rail thats pretty nice

You have the absolute coolest mini 14 I've ever seen. I have always thought an actual 556/ 80 percent size garand would be freaking awesome.

I have 180 series Mini 14 marked as bicentennial edition. I put the accustrut on mine also and it looks fabulous with its full wood stock. It’s a great ranch gun and I don’t mind taking it out to 200 meters for steel targets with my iron sights.

I used to own one of the first mini-14s and I liked the fact that it looked like a real firearm instead of the Mattel look of the ar15.

Everything you stated about the mini-14 is also the reason I love the rifle. Solid and unassuming, but just as dangerous and "scary" as those black rifles. Had mine way before the A-Team made them popular. I know a good thing when I see one. Didn't need a top tv show to tell me about it. Never cared to purchase an AR. Had my fill of that platform when I was in the military.

Got mine all wood, much as yours. Just a comment on video, from rifle on shoulder on sling, to rifle to shoulder firing position. As the rifle rotates, left arm goes between rifle an sling, then left arm rotates clockwise around sling, left hand grip on forearm. Now raise both shoulders apply pressure left arm. Rifle is now much more stable. With some training you may also synchronise your trigger finger. Rifle comes level, take slack on trigger,up firm. now apply the press up left shoulder,when on target, the pressure from shoulders will activate trigger trip,shot fired. Very effective five second accurate shot. Learn to use that sling, it's easy. Thanks for the fun video. Usmc

I think you would be pleasantly surprised with the A-TM folding stock. Doesn't degrade the shooting experience at all and turns the Mini into, probably, the best compact truck gun.

I agree on your 3 reasons. I, too, love my 14 and 30. Your 14 with that 16.xx” barrel really looks sharp.

That's a fine looking shop-cat

Another awesome video - thank you! You'll love the replacement sites, they make a huge difference. Merry Christmas!

I used the M-14 during Vietnam after learning to hate the M-16. The Ruger Mini-14 is a great weapon!

I like the mini 14 but rather have the M-14 in 7.62 x 51 was the battle rifle i used in vietnam mounted with star-light scope. These were very hard to find in my 4th div. pleiku 1969.

I have used this rifle my entire time as a TN. Dept.of corrections officer and is a very good platform and can be transformed into many different tactical weapons systems.👍

Great video. I also I love the little Mini 14 with the 10 sharp finger nails at the beginning of the film. I bet she is a very big helper around the house chores

The ergonomics of an AR style are better especially in rapid fire. A smaller or weaker person can shoot an AR much easier and better in general. I have lost a lot of my upper body strength due to spinal probs so I would most likely go to it in a need situation. I still have my Mini and a Garand and certainly like all 3 and wouldn't feel at a disadvantage with either one. Nothing wrong with a Mini if no one else needs to shoot one of them. Needs.

I just bought a mini 14 for really 2 reasons.. First, I was a Gunners Mate in the Navy and was a Small Arms instructor and absolutely loved the M14... Second is, we have a AW ban in my State and can not buy a Center fire AR, so I bought mine for Home protection and if some bad stuff happens and I need more than my M&P 15-22., plus I just love the style, and it can get the job done no doubt.

Dont forget to lessen that gas system; taking apart the barrel clamp will expose the little gas pipe they have in the barrel and then replace it with one of those aftermarket gas pipes, makes the gun put out more velocity since less gas is used over working the action, and the brass just drops at your feet, and the gun runs smoother adjusting the gas system so its less jerky in recoil.

I've got a California bro n law, I showed him AR and Hi-Point carbine, he said the Hi-Point is scarier 30 rnd mag I don't like, when I'm out shooting I rarely shoot more than 5 rnds at a time, and trying to shoot from prone position is not good Pistol grip vs traditional rifle, when shtf you may be in close combat, to perform butt stroke then shoot you must change hand positions My AR may not hold together for a butt stroke.......the original would but these new short things

I've been considering buying an AR for quite some time... just never found one I really liked that much. When I looked at the mini 14's, something clicked. I haven't purchased one yet, but after watching your video, I'm leaning much harder toward purchasing one. I really agree with everything you said about yours, and I love the way it looks, quite a sexy rifle it is! Love the wooden stock as well... in my opinion, it makes the gun! Wondering if yours is a newer model or an older one? I see a lot of used minis for sale, I just haven't decided whether or not I want to buy new or used. I really appreciate your reviews. I commented on your review of the CZ P07 as this is my EDC... the longer I carry it and the more I shoot it, the more I LOVE it! Thanks for your input LeverBoy, you are quickly becoming one of my favorite gun guys on RU-vid! 👍

Another great video. I hope your audience continues to grow!

Good stuff, thanks for the show and tell.

The traditional stye on a mini 14 is an important factor in gun unfriendly jurisdiction

I HAVE A MINI 30 in stailess with a black synthetic stock. I have a black leather sling on it. I have used it for a hasty sling by my elbow. I was doing this once when 3 youg shooters 20ish and they were perplexed by what I did

I don't want no teenage queen just give me my Mini 14. Get some tech sights on that rifle.

My main beef about the Mini 14 is the cost of the Ruger Mags. Way over priced but they know they have you by the short hairs because most others don't perform well in the mini.

All mini 14 rifles have always been able to shoot 5.56. If people would read their owners manuals it clearly states that they will chamber and shoot 5.56. i love the mini 14, they're awesome rifles.

I agree with all your points. I love my mini 14s and mini 30. I kinda wish Ruger would come out with some more calibers. I'd like to try the 300 blackout, but I think some other calibers would be cool too for different applications. A 350 legend would be pretty cool for people in straight wall cartridge deer hunting states.

M14 & mini 14 highly under rated

owners manuals say 556 or 223 for all of them my 3 all say that

I really like the 5 round low profile magazine you can put in the gun when carrying it on your back. You can always put the 30 round magazine in your pocket and swap it out when you finish your hike. It is a lot easier to move the gun around with a low profile magazine. I would rather have four 5 round magazines instead of one 20 round magazine. You can also put different bullets (soft points vs. FMJ, ect.) in each magazine if you want versatility.

Agreed 💯 % the ruger mini-14 is still one of my favorite guns that I oun. I have the Smith&Wesson ar15 with suppressor and thermal for hog. But it just feels more like a tool and it is. The mini-14 is more alive in sorts or was alive with wood, steel and leather. More natural in ways, a warmth and balance where as the ar15 Plastic and steel feels cold to the touch.

nice set up for rifle. agree with the 20 rders vs 30. have placed rls magpul sling with swivels. the rls has a feature of using loops around support arm to stabilize when firing. what happened to your buttstock pouch. last i think the wings on front sight are just to protect middle post from being bent. i did not think you use it for sighting.

You should try the Mini 14 peep sights from TechSights. They’re supposedly very solid.

I have one of the first mini `14' in stainless. I did the accu strut thing and it chopped the groups way more than 50% I have found that only Ruger magazines work 100% reliably You are absolutely correct on perception... The whole 'tacticool' thing is a bit embarrassing to me in any case... and most of those into it feed the problem making us all look like nut jobs at worse and just 'a little off' at best. I do own an Ar but it is not tacticooled out. In fact it is 300 blackout with open sights. When the mini has its ten round mag in it looks almost harmless. Like a 22 plinker.. It is interesting to take newbies out shooting. They all want to shoot an AR... but most? don't really notice the mini until offered to shoot it. I think most actually like shooting the mini more... then.... I bust out the Garrand. No way that old beat up thing could compare with a black rifle! after one or two shots they are like "holy crap" And yes... I do inform them that the 30-06 it fires is near twice the power of the .223/556

I've been a fan of the mini-14 ever since I watched Hannibal Hayes carrying one on the A-Team. Yours is just as cool w/o the folding stock, and you're right, the wood stock definitely makes it more "family friendly". Ditto on the 20 round magazine. Is that magazine the same as the original M-16 metal magazines ? Not to be too offensive, but Burt Reynolds called & he wants his Smokey & the Bandit gloves back

Always a pleasure big man , Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours , Buy ammo , after January 1st it's going to go to the moon , a firearm without ammo is nothing more than a club . IMO.

The accu-strut is not necessary on a modern mini-14. As mentioned, it's for aesthetics. The adjustable gas port is handy.

Love the Mini. Not my first choice (that would be my Tikka, Finns make a good bolt action), but definitely beautiful. I want to get some Mini-14 sights and then have a local gunsmith bubba them onto my Tikka because they’re pretty good. I was thinking of doing the same as you with the nail polish actually

Mini -14 is a fine rifle and the Garand action is more robust than an AR, neither system will function well in extreme cold however, hammer spring becomes too weak to ignite the primer. One gripe i have us finding good mags to the weak point is the locking tab on the back side, whether steel or plastic, if the bottom edge of that tab wears down by repeated use you will have problems, mag wont lock, bad alignment for feeding, or a slight hit or bump to the mag dislodges it. Ruger mags are great but pricey, Tapco is making some really good polymer mags with a re-inforced steel front tab and rugged rear locking tab, Ramline makes great Mini-14 mags. Since you mentioned replacing the handguard i would recommend the Hannibal rail adapter, it gives you the option of mounting optics/dot sights scout style. I personally feel that is one area where the AR is better, mounting any optic right above the bolt creates an obstruction during case ejection, which to say the least is robust on the Mini-14. When i had a Burris mounted over the action it was rare but occasionally an ejected case would bounce back into the action and prevent the bolt from closing. Cheers

Thank you 😊 💓 that was a very interesting 👍 discussion on the mini14

Was active duty Marine during the switch from M-14 to M-16 an believe the Mini-14 would have been a better choice.

Love the videos and the Mini 14. I had several with wood stock but unfortunately, I had to sell them during some hard times. Now I have the tactical with plastic stock (do not like it) do you still have the original stock that came with the rifle? I believe it is wood with some kind of paint or coating on it, is it for sale?

I also have the wooden handguard and Tech Sight. The wood is lovely.

Definitely 💯 my favorite rifle ‼️

I have the exact one as you, but mine still has the synthetic stock. I want to get a wooden stock so bad. It definitely makes the gun look better. I did the same thing with my 10/22.

I own several “scary black rifles”. I also have a modern Ruger mini 14. My mini 14 is topped with a red dot sight. I prefer the thirty round magazines. The rifle came with two five round magazines.

Great video!

Nice looking stock and agree with the wood barrel cover will look good.

maybe a video idea for the future but I think itd be really cool to see like your alternative take on like a combat kit of sorts, without the tacticool. just a thought

Get a Choate hand guard to see the full action. That’s half the reason I bought mine over an AR. That’s all she’s missing.

I have both an AR and a Mini-14. Carried an M16 in Nam and hated it. Bought an AR kind of accidentally. I will carry the Mini-14 anytime but the AR I never use. I can’t stand them. Mini-30 is next.

I used white nail polish for my front sightand also installed a mini-14 tech sight

Before you rush out and buy a Mini-14, keep in mind that earlier models were designed for open sights. Trying to mount a rail or a scope on an older Mini-14 requires an aftermarket mount or adapter. All of them are expensive and none of them work very well.

I always wanted a Ruger Mini 14. . but I have an m1 carbine and a Springfield M1A/M14 . . .So I couldn't justify the expense. . . . That Accu-Strut . . . is so cool . . . .It balances out the visual esthetics SO much . . . . .Do they sell a bipod that grips it ?

Love my mini and also your appreciation for it 👍👍🇺🇲🇺🇲

Wooooo love the mini 14. Cheers from Australia mate

I love my M1 Garand. You are right about the rifle.

Damn, love me Mini-14 videos! Also i have a question: do all Mini 14s (specifically the 16 inch carbines like yours) come with 1:9 twist or are there models/barrels for 1:7 (maybe aftermarket or straight from the factory) and also what is your opinion on the side folding stock for Minis (like A Team style)

One of the things in this video is a deadly killing machine, and the other is a rifle :)

I bought and installed a Shilen barrel from Brownells. Man it groups nut tight at 200 yards. Get one 😉 .

I wish someone would make a 223/350 legend open-top carbine with a forged receiver which is actually accurate and gas adjustable. The mini-14 just lacks a few things I want...a clip guide for larping being one.

Got my first Mini-14 over 40 years ago when it cost $400 and an AR cost $700. Now that is reversed and I still prefer the Mini even though I can't afford them.

I really like your furry assistant, Ripley.

My mini14 is decked out with an ATI strikeforce stock, accustrut, and a sig sauer romeo red dot. Might save up for the ebr stock from sage

Such a cool rifle 👍

I have a stainless rancher model and I love it

I really need to get that stock for mine it looks awesome.

You've mentioned wanting another Mini and also getting an ATM stock, well apparently, now you can order the Mini already with the ATM stock directly from Ruger. I just found out about it recently but I don't know the price. It might be cheaper to buy it direct from Ruger or it might be cheaper to buy the regular Mini from Ruger and then purchase the ATM stock from Samson. Since you have the Mini-14, are you thinking about getting a Mini-30? They are fantastic and the ammo "used to be" a lot cheaper than 5.56, lol. Anyway, the ATM stock fits on either the Mini-14 or the Mini-30 rifle. I don't think I've ever seen a wooden cover on a Mini, sounds cool. Great video. 👍

I have the 14 tactical and a SS 30. Much prefer the 30. Rear Tech sight. Amega forward rail with a red dot. I have a shotgun scope in Ruger rings set up and sighted in on standby. Enhanced firing pin handles steel just fine. Agree on the 20 round mags. Stay away from Ruger 10 round mags for the Mini 30 as they have bad followers. Gas piston is a much better system than DI on the AR15.

Beautiful kitty 🤗 I love my mini 14 tactical !! Im currently looking for a nice wood stock for it

If Ruger made a Mini-14 that takes AR pattern magazines they would sell tens of thousands of them.

Would like to see you do a video on the Samson A-TM folding stock

Their guy at the range i go to he's in his 70's or 80's and he served in Vietnam and he has alot of ar 15 including some full auto's but i talking to him about the mini 14 i just curious what he thought of it and it surprised me when he said he own and he bought in 2014 i think and barrel harmonic device and the reason he said he bought one for a coyote gun because here in Tennessee there starting to become more problem but use when he goes and checks on his chicken and hog because of how light weight it is

Mine is old, had it over 30 decades. Still gets used often. Have a red dot on mine and wouldn't be sad if it was the only one i could grab.

I subscribed for the cat content lol.

I'd keep the peep... can you remove, clean/degrease the threads and put a bit of blue locktite?

What muzzle brake is that? Is it threaded or slip on? Thanks

I'm not sure of going with a scope or a red dot The farthest I'll be shooting will be 300 ft what do you suggest

4:00.. Ahh, I was thinking the Tactical Mini 14 came with a black composite stock. I'm with you on the wood.. Wood is beautiful.. I would even say it's damn sexy. AR15's are now being offered with a charging handle on the bolt, that allows side charging of the rifle.

Yeah, and when you run out of ammo, it makes a pretty good club too.

I really only tune into the LeverBoy channel to see Ripley... And I don't even like cats. ...naw ..just kiddin'...another good vid!

The gas ports in the barrel band can get really hot. I almost dropped mine when I got the barrel band in my hand after shooting.

Damn, I thought the special weapon was the cat, the kitten gun

Yes, the action is better on a Mini and cleaner too than on an AR. Ironically the safety on the Mini is more suited for a combat environment than is the safety on an AR/M4/M16

A friend moved down to Tennessee from new York and their family has alot of mini 14 though all the internals have upgraded with accuracy systems parts

Adding a shock pad makes the charging handle a little harder to lock the bolt back. But it makes a noticeable difference in recoil.

The fact of the matter is that any platform that has an on board “forward assist”, is a POS by design.

Honestly the “tactical” flavor for me is wearing off. I love my Ak and AR but for the past year or so the Mini14 has really caught my eye for the exact reasons why this video talks about. For the foreseeable future I think the Mini14 is my new squeeze! Hell I even like the set up in the video. Simple, effective, and it even looks good!

I don't like that clumsy T-handle on the AR-15, either. So i bought a right-hand side charge Bear Creek Arsenal upper. I also have two Mini 14s;)

I have never had a problem with standard M14 sights. NATO 5.56 does not work well in US .226 military weapons; we had a lot of issues with the Nato 5.56MM during Sand War Deuce. I do not know if the Mini 14 will have issues firing the US .226.

Brother what kind of gloves are those?