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I installed a BCM PNT, Polished, nickel, teflon, trigger. Standard 6 poundish pull but very crisp. An excellent mil-spec trigger. It is possible, depending on how my ambi operation of the rifle turns out, that I might replace it with a Geissele SSA. Safeties…Perfect, mirrored operation is required for the sake of bilateral transfer of skill…so the levers must be identical on each side…the same length and profile. The 60 degree throw Strike Hex looks very similar to the BCM 90 degree ambi safety and it has both levers at the same length. The 45 degree throw Radian and UTG safeties include a long and short lever. This might be fine for left OR right handed shooters, but not for the ambidextral gunfighter. I do like how the Radian levers taper toward the rear, but ultimately during blind taste testing, I really have no significant preference between the three options when setup with equal length levers. The Leapers UTG at $30 could be the most affordable option…until you have to buy two kits to get identical length levers. But watch for expanded offerings. The Strike Hex at $40 with the identical length levers is the current bargain for the ambidextral gunfighter. The Radian Talon, once you buy the 2 lever kit and an extra matching lever, is the most expensive at $75. I’m running the UTG levers on the ambi build, but I’d be happy with any of these options. AmbGun Ambi AR Build Project Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/ar15/ambiar

In 2019, I picked up the fully ambidextrous VP9 pistol and it altered my CCW trajectory with its awesome paddle magazine release. Key benefits of the Paddle mag release: ambidextrous, prevents accidental mag disengagements, and accommodates a pinch grip operation. This admiration for the VP9’s paddle mag release ultimately led to trying the Keltec P17 and the P17 led to my 22LR opportunity costs, “Handbook on Human Vulnerability” CCW spiral. And, now, while I no longer own a center-fire handgun, I still admire the VP9….excellent trigger made possible by the pivoting striker block safety, ambi slide releases, slide ports for bloody hands manipulation, and an overall appealing quality build. I love fondling this pistol. But more so, I am grateful that it led me to the P17. https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-pistol/hk

Shooting the dueling tree with my Red Dot equipped P17 competing against my 4 year old grandson with a 10/22, I experienced a failure to fire. Running CCI Mini-Mag this is such a rare occurrence that I had to investigate the cause. Turns out the firing pin was gummed up a bit. I could press the back of the firing pin and it would occasionally stick or slowly return to ready. Disassembled the bolt head, cleaned out the channel, lubed with Sentry Tuf-Glide, and reassembled. Problem solved. I had to do the same on my very first P17 years ago…and it has run without issues ever since being Tuf-Glided. I think the manual discourages disassembly of the bolt, but if you run lots of rounds through your P17, I suggest monitoring your firing pin…or maybe preemptively address it. Unless you need an excuse for being on the wrong side of a four year old’s dueling tree.

Mycomlan LED Desk lamp Read Avid Universal Smart Mat Tipton Compact Range Vise AmbGun Store https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-store First you have to see what you're working on. For video production, I like how the Micomlan LED desk lamp can eliminate shadows and it allows me to change the color temperature of the light.. For doing actual work, it delivers light where I need it. The arms hold position well, but the C-clamp mount feels a bit wobbly. There are plenty of options for desk lamps. The Micomlan is certainly meeting my needs. For video tabletops, I use a non-reflective gaming mat, but when I need to do some real world cleaning and lubing, I protect the gaming mat with a Real Avid Universal Smart Mat. Magnetic parts tray. Oil resistant. I don’t see the need for the parts diagram…seriously anyone buying this mat doesn’t need instructions on how to field strip an AR. Tipton Compact Range Vise vise is small enough to take to the range and unobtrusive so that isn't a distraction in videos. Affordably useful for multiple, concurrent gun projects. Small parts tray to keep things on track. Product and Affiliate links on the AmbGun page or just find the products at your favorite vendor. Product names are listed in the description.

The More You Know, The Less You Need. Think of foraging, trapping, and hunting…the more you know the less food you need to carry in the backcountry. I think this applies somewhat to body armor…if you know how to make ambidextrous “optimal use of cover” the risk to your center of mass is significantly reduced. In paintball, fully ambidextrous gunfighters are not typically hit in the body…almost wholly on the sliver of head and gun hand exposed. Therefore, the more you know…ambidextrous “optimal use of cover, the less you need body armor such that the opportunity cost of body armor possibly becomes too high…the weight could be better spent carrying more ammo, a more complete IFAK, water, or just keeping the weight off for enhanced mobility, reduced fatigue, and lessened risk of heat related injury. Same for optics vs irons. As part of my ACOG vs Irons testing, shooting stage one of the KD AQT, 100 yards offhand, I shot identical 50/50 scores with the ACOG as I did with carry handle irons. However, I’m not there yet out beyond 200. Practice more with iron sights such that I don't need a heavy, fragile, and costly optic. A fellow instructor from Laramie shoots irons way better than I do glass. Maybe I need to “need less” by knowing more.

CVLife Tactical Bipod 20% Discount code: EQIGVQ6U https://amzn.to/3LWban1 (Amazon affiliate link) Backyard airsoft running a CVlife tactical bipod makes a Ripcord M4 manageable by a 4 year old and his dad. Even when the little marksman goes full auto the bipod holds steady. Back down in the cool basement, from behind impenetrable cover, the M4 bursts balloons, lights up cans, wrecks a shoot n see, and delivers cover fire pressuring bad guys into the Mantis Laser Academy kill zone for the Accurize laser fitted, and CVlife bipod stabilized Keystone Overlander to dispatch. The CVlife tactical bipod is then drafted to serve as support for the Keltec RDB in its psychological and political warfare operations of the special forces underground. The infamous Curt Behnke, running his Tikka T1x, compares a MagPul bipod vs loop sling for managing out of control pests, eliminating the entire Cheyenne prairie dog platoon…with the loop sling delivering the same precision as the bipod. “those men behind the cars are very lucky” https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-library/unintended-consequences

I am building an Ambidextral Gunfighter AR15 around the American made, Leapers UTG Pro full ambi lower. https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/ar15/ambiar The key ambi feature is the ambi bolt hold open and bolt release levers. A clever pedestal bolt catch design makes left and right side releases possible. However, the right side paddles are about ½” to the rear of the left side. So not perfectly mirrored…due to the need to clear the dust cover. The left side bolt release reminds me of the Gieselle maritime bolt catch lever. For better separation from the mag release, I’d prefer the standard AR paddle with the tab bolt catch. If smacking the bolt release with the palm of your hand, the UTG Pro setup is close enough to perfect mirroring to work. However, The right side bolt hold open lever needs to more closely resemble the left side…with a ledge to help your finger get traction. The magazine release is made ambi in the same way as the Arms Unlimited or Strike Industries ambi mag releases. The right side mag release is a bit stiff, reminds me of the MDR. On the left side, I think the spring tension could be a bit stiffer to reduce the risk of accidental mag disengagement. And I wish the right side mag release fence were mirrored a bit more on the left side. The lightweight, skeletonized lower is beautifully designed with a Flared magwell, ambi trigger finger scoops, an integral glove compatible trigger guard, and includes a set screw to tighten the lower to upper lockup. Despite the added ambi hardware, It feels very light. In the next episode we’ll install a trigger and an ambidextrous safety.

IndieGoGo Computer Workstation Fundraiser https://igg.me/at/ambgun/x/37991643#/ Since 2018 when I picked up this little 8gb, i3 Thinkpad, I’ve produced over 400 videos landing over 4 million total views. AmbGun has replaced the keyboard and shuffled through several terrabytes of SD card storage over the years. The Thinkpad 13 will not support updated versions of our video editing software and is suffering many crashes lately…editor freezes losing work or the keyboard stops working and I have to switch to a bluetooth keyboard. There have been more than a few times where I have a few spare minutes to do some editing and with editor freezes and keyboard issues, I come away with nothing accomplished. On some large projects, simply splitting a clip results in 10 seconds of waiting. My videos typically have a lot of cuts like that. Monetization of long videos covers some of the costs of running AmbGun. Shorts…Minuteman Reviews..my most popular format gets very little from monetization…especially as gun content. Coming up on 20,000 subscribers and I really need to switch to a more capable notebook for editing. If AmbGun content has benefited you and you have discretionary funds to help, please consider supporting my Indiegogo fundraising campaign. Those who contribute will have their name, business, or favorite quote added to the description of every AmbGun video produced with the new machine.

Nine episodes in shorts to build the best possible Ambidextrous AR15 for the dynamically ambi Ambidextral Gunfighter. An ambidextral gunfighter means a shooter who is fully and unconsciously making optimal use of cover by shouldering his personal defense weapon left or right handed. This gunfighter, if queried in the moment, will be hard pressed to express which hand he’s using. This dynamic ambidextrous shooting starts with “eliminating” eye dominance since either eye must readily pick up the sighting system. We have a 7 episode playlist “How to Become an Ambidextral Gunfighter” see the link in the description. What does the ambidextral gunfighter require? Perfect mirroring of the controls to take advantage of bilateral transfer of skill. Perfection means identically positioned controls. Controls that feel identical left or right. No gun is yet truly perfect. Especially on the AR platform. My favorite ambi mag release is the RDB, Favorite charging handle, Hellion, and bolt release, MDR. Safety, MDR, RDB, and the 45/90 safeties available for the AR. Bullpups CAN be exceptional ambi platforms. If the RDB had charging handles like the MDR or Hellion, I would not have circled back to look at making the AR ambidextrous. Our Ambi Your AR video showed how to retrofit ambi controls on a standard AR. Lets look to furthering ambi “optimal use of cover” perfection. In the next episode we start with an AR15 ambi lower by Leapers…the UTG Pro Ambidextrous Lower. In the meantime download the free booklet, The Ambidextral Gunfighter

Ambidextral Store https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-store HFS Parrot Vise Read Avid Smart Bench Block Wheeler Torque Wrench Pioneer Woman Paring Knife Klemma Kid's Knife My all time favorite vise was an old hammer forged Versa-Vise. Supremely handy aboard our junk rigged sailboat… sadly a former friend permanently borrowed it. Replaced with a cast iron Chinese copy…the HFS Parrot Vise. Mounted on a piece of 2x10, I can easily move and clamp it where needed. And the jaws can be positioned vertically or horizontally. A homemade kydex press allows me to fabricate holsters for my P17’s as well as for knives like the infamous Pioneer Woman Paring knife or a play dough slicing Zlemma kids knife. The Real Avid Smart Bench Block replaced a roll of duct tape a few years ago. Non marring and magnetic so it captures springs and pins. Gives me confidence when doing little bubba smithing jobs. Wheeler Torque wrench so I don’t bubba guestimate the tightness of optics mounting screws. Despite years of doing shade tree mechanic stuff, the torque wrench has taught me that I have a tendency to overtighten things.

AmbGun ACOG vs Irons Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/ar15/ironsACOG Our recent video on Shaffer upgrades for the ACOG drew numerous comments about the cost of the Trijicon optical gunsight. The ACOG, despite being “old” tech, is my favorite magnified optic. However, it is not a panacea for lack of marksmanship technique. If you’re dragging wood, you’ll pull that shot 2-3 moa regardless of whether you’re using irons or an optic. So I did a quick Ambi-AQT shootout. ACOG vs Carry Handle irons. I was going to switch the carry handle to the UTG Super Slim Fixed Rear Sight sent to us by Leapers. I really like the slim, no protruding mounting nuts profile. But I found the elevation wheel clicks a bit too indistinct. Hopefully Leapers releases an American made UTG Pro version of the super slim rear sight…it’d be nice to save 5 ounces of topside weight. So one sweltering hot day, I shot the ACOG and landed a total score of 230, including an offhand score of 48. Then on a nice cool day, I shot the Carry Handle rifle getting a 228, including an off hand score of 47. Given the difference in temperature, this is not a wholly fair comparison. Nonetheless I typically find a 4x magnified optic is worth about 6 points on the AQT. In other words, the ACOG is nice, but you can do work just fine with some good irons. Coming soon, a known distance, Ambi-AQT Irons vs ACOG shootout. 100 yards offhand, 200 yards sitting, and out to 400 yards prone.

AmbGun BC201 Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/22-long-rifle/bc201 The BC 201 is Bear Creek Arsenal’s 10/22 clone. The 16” stainless bull barrel dwarfs the standard Ruger 10/22 barrel…in diameter and weight. The aluminum receiver features an integral pic rail and with no front sight, this is an optics oriented rifle. The grippy Hogue stock could use a bit more comb height for proper eye alignment given the need for optics. The pic rail needs three more slots to get the optic far enough forward. Otherwise great for attending a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic. I just placed both rings behind the turret. Includes the Ruger BX trigger and a Ruger 10 round rotary magazine…and dripping with oil. During the first two outings we experienced frequent malfunctions…every other shot…failure to go into battery. It features a bolt design very similar to the Volquartsen Competition Bolt featured in our Takedown project. Internal firing pin and different recoil spring…Just not DLC coated. The BCA bolt can be removed without removing the buffer pin. Discovered that it is 1/10” shorter from bolt face to buffer pin cutout. It is also .005” wider than the Volquartsen bolt. Possible that the bolt is briefly hanging up if it cycles fully to the buffer. Installed the Volquartsen bolt, and it ran flawlessly. Second try with the stock bolt…more malfs and a broken bolt. An in spec bolt, 3 more pic rail slots, and a higher comb and you’ve a solid 10/22 clone. Bolt measurements Stock Width .940 Bolt face to buffer cut 3.373 Volquartsen Width .938 Bolt face to buffer cut 3.278

AmbGun's Rimfire vs Centerfire Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-pistol/9mmvs22lr How the 22 Wins - 9mm versus 22 Long Rifle https://youtu.be/kR3THJW5smQ?si=cNcjUVzUhRVepacN How the KelTec P17 Wins - 9mm versus the P17 https://youtu.be/YWMopzx3hgE?si=dBkqD0JQ330Dx5Ck After I presented the statistical, financial, and lethality reasons for choosing 22LR for self defense over 9mm (or centerfire in general), I end up getting the “inherent unreliability of rimfire” argument. Given my battle to get the Ruger LCP II to run reliably, the claim certainly has merit. However, If I look at the reliability of the KelTec P17 I am unable to discern a reliability benefit compared to centerfire. The P17 with Mini-Mag has been shockingly reliable. I would have to do 50,000 rounds of side by side testing to discern a difference compared to 9mm. My reliability testing protocol would be a bit different than the typical run it dirty until it quits test. I would allow cleaning of the handgun every 100 rounds. For example my Galloway Precision equipped Ruger LCP II is running Federal Punch 100% reliably for 50 rounds after cleaning before I start seeing any issues. I carry at most 30 rounds, so good enough. Like “all cause mortality” my reliability testing of center-fire vs rimfire would add a time component…e.g., running a drill to see how many rounds are placed on target in 20 seconds with the measurement including the time it takes to clear any malfunctions that arise…comparison of average scores between rimfire and centerfire over that 50,000 rounds. Moreover the drill would require draw, 3 one handed shots, shift to a barricade and 3 three more shots hits weak hand point shooting around the barricade while peering thru a window, then see how many two handed azone hits can be achieved in the remaining time allocation. And if we assume that rimfire suffers three times the malfunctions as centerfire, I still think that given the speed with which a P17 malf can be managed coupled with the general speed with which hits can be placed in the A-zone with 22LR vs centerfire, the 22LR will come out on top. Then there is Opportunity costs. What is the likelihood, over a lifetime, that you will face a lethal threat that requires a firearm? What other risks do you face? Firing about 1,000 rounds of handgun per month, I can save well over $1,000/year running rimfire rather than 9mm…and much greater savings when compared to other calibers…is that $1,000+ best spent to get the alleged tiny fraction of improved reliability of a centerfire firearm or would the “saving your life and that of your family” $1,000 be better allocated to body armor, first aid gear, better tires for your family vehicle, nutrition, food storage, moving to the country, thermal or night vision, education, pare down debt, gym membership, etc The whole “I wouldn’t trust my life to” x, is almost wholly a rationalization to buy toys we think are cool while ignoring any adult evaluation of the opportunity costs or adjusting for any kind of all encompassing risk analysis. In my judgment, a 22LR KelTec P17 for CCW and a Ruger 10/22 is about all I need for a WROL situation. Add in a centerfire rifle like an AR, RDB, or Mini 14 for louder hunting and “go to war” and I’m done. I have WAAY more than this and honestly I’d be smart to sell this excess off and address those opportunity costs I’m currently ignoring. With my video channel, I rationalize that this excess is part of that business. But given how lucrative it is creating video content, that only works when I’m not thinking about it too carefully. Time to think more carefully.

AmbGun ACOG Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/acog The Trijicon ACOG, the Advanced Combat Optical Gun sight, is my favorite rifle scope. But I despise those big snaggy mounting nuts and I hate using electrical tape to snuff out the fiber optic generated reticle flare. During our review of the Desert Tech MDR we removed those nuts, cut back the stud, and used 5mn flange nuts to reduce the fingernail breaking obstruction. An 80% solution. The elegant 100% solution is the Shaffer Machining ACOG mount. Easy to swap. 30 grams lighter. And it completely eliminates the snag hazard… especially important for bullpups like the MDR or RDB. Shaffer also eliminates sticky electrical tape residue with their fiber optic cover. I generally prefer a near black ACOG Chevron, so I keep the shutter closed, but it is nice to have the ability to quickly brighten the reticle. Use the indexed slider to dial in just the right amount of illumination. Shaffer Machining, single handedly and uniquely making the ACOG less flashy, less snaggy, less sticky….And More ambi.

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 Part 1 Canvas GI Sling - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/Zrg3MfUOlnM?feature=share Part 2 Length of Pull - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/EsI5tzRQQCs Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/aiEuS_OJjag Part 4 Safety - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/7gyxZbWqV18 Part 5 Trigger - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/bo3FmZZAyjw Part 6 Piston Driven Action - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/6DaKLgpF_WE Part 7 Sights - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/7xJgxL-O4Do?feature=share Part 8 Social Credit Score - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/ZBlfMy61Cxs Part 9 Field Accuracy - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/kLAambINp68 Mini 14 Zeroed…Proceeded to do an AQT, squeaked in a Rifleman score of 211. Solid performance in the crucial slow fire prone stage was undermined by a slightly weak showing in stage 2, sitting. I usually do this squatting, but decided for some stupid nostalgic reason to do cross legged sitting. Nice groups, but a bit to the right. Sloppy NPOA. Clean up that stage for another 4-6 points, and I'm scoring the same as my iron sighted AR and only 10-12 points less than my ACOG equipped BCM. Scored a 48 out of 50 offhand…right up there with my best performances with the AR, irons or optic. While the Mini’s in the field accuracy was better than the Internet experts led me to believe, the hand guard got uncomfortably hot. If the AR shits where it eats, the Mini burns where it shits. Not suitable for attending a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic, unless you were a glove on your support hand…or place a computer fan in the handguard. Still it has been a satisfying project..not the easy snap together of AR15 legos but a soulful hand crafting every step of the way. If you had told me that I’d be altering sling attachments, cutting down the stock, reshaping a thin butt plate, and filing down the front sight, I’d have steered clear. But now that it’s done, well it feels special in a way that AR “builds” do not.

AmbGun 10/22 Takedown Build Series in Shorts https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/backpackrifle/takedown22lr Thanks Keltec for the SU16d pic rail peep sight KelTec Peep diameter is .14. I wanted .070 max…so Drilled out peep with #11 bit Tapped with 12-40 Threaded up Skinner .070 aperture Probably should have gone with extended aperture for a bit more threads and to shift aperture rearward a bit… Zeroing for elevation was quick with the Tech Sights front sight tower. It took a bit more trial and error to nail the windage…loosening the phillips head screw on one side and tightening on the other to shift the peep. About 20 rounds and I had it dialed. Proceeded to do an AQT Offhand I scored a 47 out of 50 with all hits in the black although one was close. Squatting (not an official Project Appleseed position, but more tactically useful than sitting on ass) scored a 43. Stage 3 rapid fire prone, a 45…really good scores so now I’m nervous for the slow fire prone worth double points. Shot an 88. Total score of 223 is my best ever shooting without a sling. I’d say building a pic rail aperture peep sight proved worthwhile. Check out the Ambgun 10/22 Takedown Build in Shorts series and parts list. Link in the description.

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 Part 1 Canvas GI Sling - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/Zrg3MfUOlnM?feature=share Part 2 Length of Pull - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/EsI5tzRQQCs Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/aiEuS_OJjag Part 4 Safety - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/7gyxZbWqV18 Part 5 Trigger - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/bo3FmZZAyjw Part 6 Piston Driven Action - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/6DaKLgpF_WE Part 7 Sights - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/7xJgxL-O4Do?feature=share Part 8 Social Credit Score - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/ZBlfMy61Cxs Part 9 Field Accuracy - Mini 14 Coming soon Replaced the somewhat adequate Ruger rear sight with Tech Sights’ MINI200 . Better adjustments. Smaller aperture. About ½” more sight radius. (wish it added another inch and 1/) Shooting 10 MOA low with the peep at max elevation, contacted Ruger support. Spoke with an interesting technician who recommended that if it's grouping well to just\ file down the front sight…he offered to do it for me and check out everything else for a refresh if I wanted to send it in. I didn’t. So I did some BubbaSmithing. Measured where my sight was, where I wanted it to be, and knowing minute of angle change per ½ turn, I made a crude calculation as to how much I needed to remove from the front sight I hand Filed the front sight down by 50 thousandth of an inch ReSet the peep in the middle of its elevation adjustment. Went to zero…spot on. No changes needed. Three shots cleanly in a 1” square at 25 meters. Iron sights, in the field prone, 4MOA gets it done. The clueless keyboard warriors will cry “muh 1 moa”. Yeah, whatever. Next field accuracy…offhand, sitting/squatting, and prone.

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 Part 1 Canvas GI Sling - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/Zrg3MfUOlnM?feature=share Part 2 Length of Pull - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/EsI5tzRQQCs Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/aiEuS_OJjag Part 4 Safety - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/7gyxZbWqV18 Part 5 Trigger - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/bo3FmZZAyjw Part 6 Piston Driven Action - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/6DaKLgpF_WE Part 7 Field Accuracy - Mini 14 Coming soon Part 8 Social Credit Score - Mini 14 https://youtube.com/shorts/ZBlfMy61Cxs Is the Mini 14 as accurate as an AR? Probably not. Is it as reliable? Maybe. But it is way more gray man. No pistol grip, so it's not a deadly, high powered assault rifle in the som-nam-bulant public’s NPC brain. Bare muzzle version…No flash hider or supressor so it's not a “weapon of war”. Flush 5 round mag isn't dangling menacingly beneath grandpa’s wood stock and if you run 20 rounders in an INVRT bandoleer the round count will most likely fly under their radar. Sometimes American forces deployed overseas like to run their M4’s with innocent looking 20 round mags and a shortened pistol grip for a less provocative posture. The Mini is the civilian civilized posture carbine. Preserve the grey man advantage of the Mini…steer clear of folding pistol grip stocks, run a bare muzzle, stick with peep sights, and deploy with a 5 round mag inserted. Don't try to make the Mini14 into an AR. If you want a pistol grip, muzzle device, and lots of 30 round mags, get an AR. If you want a folding backpack carbine, KelTec’s SU16c. The Ruger Mini 14, the subdued profile, low drag, gray man, carbine…the sleeper with AR-15 capabilities concealed in a civilized wood veneer. Elegantly hanging over your fireplace. And if that veneer is peeled back, I prefer the 18.5” barrel over the flash suppressed 16.5

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 1 Canvas GI Sling https://youtube.com/shorts/Zrg3MfUOlnM?feature=share Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 2 Length of Pull https://youtube.com/shorts/EsI5tzRQQCs Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release https://youtube.com/shorts/aiEuS_OJjag Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 4 Safety https://youtube.com/shorts/7gyxZbWqV18 Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 5 Trigger https://youtube.com/shorts/bo3FmZZAyjw Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 6 Piston Driven Action https://youtube.com/shorts/6DaKLgpF_WE The original Mini-14 featured a 12 ½” length of pull, the current millennium production is 13 ½”. While I’m ok with trigger manipulation at the new longer length, I think it makes for an excessive eye to peep sight distance. To get the clarifying benefits of a peep, the eye should be about 2” or max 3” from it. Buttstock pad to peep is 14 1/2”..on the AR, with the same trigger LOP, it’s 11 ½”. Cut ⅝” off the wood stock. Replace the recoil pad for a thin butt plate to shave another ¼”. for a 12 5/8” LOP. Install Tech Sights to shift the peep back half inch. I wish it set all the way back to the end of the receiver. Aperture is nearly half that of the stock peep making for a crisper front sight. I need 10 MOA more elevation. Thought maybe the loop sling was throwing things off, but shooting without being slung up POI was the same. Groups are pretty good. File down the front sight? Need a good selection of shop tools to dial in the Mini. Coming Next in the AmbGun Mini 14 series…the magazine release.

20% Discount code: I9DKJYDN AmbGun Keystone Overlander Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/backpackrifle/overlander AmbGun KelTec RDB Page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/keltec-rdb I typically don't care much for bipods They introduce the variable of the terrain, sand, gravel, dirt, concrete, wood, into the “steady hold factors” equation Versus a shooter's sling that insulates a bit and can provide support for not just prone, but sitting, squatting, and offhand, too. But our 4 year old ‘lil gunfighter wanted to try a bipod for support. And parents wanted help keeping the muzzle out of the dirt and directed down range. I Paired a CVLife QD pic rail Tactical bipod with the Keystone Overlander. A terrific combination for kids shooting prone….and adults alike. One surprising benefit of the bipod for the Overlander is that it prevents the stock from collapsing during live fire recoil…even if forward tensioned. Raising bipod awareness… The Tactical bipod is Great for bullpups, too, where the sling, as a shooter's aid, is less effective. Compared to the Magpul bipod… Size and Weight basically the same Tilt is smooth on Magpul, indexed on CVlife CVlife features numeric markings on legs CVlife can fold both to the front and to the rear…great for bullpups or backpack carbine versatility With legs folded, the CVlife can keep a rifle balanced upright on its adjustment knob, whereas the Magpul knob is pretty tippy…although it has really nice knurling. I do wish the bipod could splay its legs at a sideways angle to create a wider platform for kids. Our little test shooter figured it out, so maybe not worth the added complexity and weight. CVlife Tactical bipod…about half the price of Magpul offering. And with similar features.

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 1 Canvas GI Sling https://youtube.com/shorts/Zrg3MfUOlnM?feature=share Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 2 Length of Pull coming soon Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release https://youtube.com/shorts/aiEuS_OJjag Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 4 Safety https://youtube.com/shorts/7gyxZbWqV18 Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 5 Trigger https://youtube.com/shorts/bo3FmZZAyjw Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 6 Piston Driven Action https://youtube.com/shorts/6DaKLgpF_WE The Mini 14 features a “self-cleaning”, fixed-piston gas system vs the AR’s “shits where it eats” direct impingement system. As for the AR being “dirty” or dumping heat onto its bolt carrier group, given my AR’s reliability I’m like “so what?” However when a cartridge fails to fully seat in a dirty chamber, I do prefer the Mini 14’s reciprocating charging handle over the AR’s forward assist. The AR’s forward assist obstructs and nullifies the AR’s otherwise very ambi charging handle. The REAL advantage of the Mini 14 action is the lack of a buffer tube inside the buttstock. This allows the Mini 14 to adopt a folding stock with ease (but don’t, see the full length review), the buttstock can be used like a club with minimal risk of wrecking it, and it allows the line of sight to be less than an inch above the bore…whereas the AR’s line of sight is about 2.5” high. So overall, I do prefer the Mini 14…if it can match the AR’s accuracy. Next in the AmbGun Mini 14 series…in the field accuracy

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 1 Canvas GI Sling https://youtube.com/shorts/Zrg3MfUOlnM?feature=share Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 2 Length of Pull coming soon Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release https://youtube.com/shorts/aiEuS_OJjag Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 4 Safety https://youtube.com/shorts/7gyxZbWqV18 Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 5 Trigger https://youtube.com/shorts/bo3FmZZAyjw The Mini-14 stock is sandwiched between the receiver and the trigger group. I actually like THIS part of the field stripping process. Unlatch the trigger guard, pull straight out, and remove buttstock from the gas block flange. Great design. Easy to clean and maintain. The two stage trigger is very good…better than a mil-spec AR trigger but not as good as a Giselle. Good enough that I won’t fuck with it. At the most maybe a MCARBO spring kit to drop the pull weight down a bit. Otherwise, I’ll let it polish itself with live fire and just keep it clean and lubed with Sentry Tuf-Glide. As for manipulating the trigger with the standard straight stock, I recommend thumb to the side to create the exaggerated c-shaped trigger finger to prevent dragging wood…maybe to the point of fingertips to stock. I added some skateboard tape to keep my firing hand from slipping down the angled face of the grip. The mini’s trigger is definitely one of the components that boosts its practical, in the field, accuracy. Next in the AmbGun Mini 14 series…piston vs direct impingement. #mini14 #trigger

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 1 Canvas GI Sling https://youtube.com/shorts/Zrg3MfUOlnM?feature=share Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 2 Length of Pull coming soon Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release https://youtube.com/shorts/aiEuS_OJjag Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 4 Safety https://youtube.com/shorts/7gyxZbWqV18 The Ruger Mini 14’s inside the trigger guard, M1 Garand-like safety is simple and very ambidextrous friendly. One advantage over the AR thumb safety is that if you reach the Act part of the OODA loop and move your finger off index into the trigger guard to fire, you will get instant feedback if you forgot to take the rifle off safe. No such tactile feedback on the AR. Some bedwetters think this inside the trigger guard safety is dangerous. I think it is fine for bare handed shooting, but I might dampen the sheets a bit if wearing diaper thick winter gloves…like 8 months of the year here in Wyoming. I definitely could see a risk of an accidental discharge if wearing thick gloves. More room inside the trigger guard would be useful, but just be glove aware. I very much like that the Mini safety actually captures the hammer and locks up the sear. Too many safeties simply prevent trigger movement. But what if the sear fails…and there are plenty of ways that can happen…metallurgy failure, pins walking out, cracks in receiver or FCU. Kudos Ruger. One reason I do ergonomically prefer my AR’s thumb safety is that it is a very similar motion, muscle memory to running the manual thumb safety on my KelTec P17 handgun. But for the straight stocked Mini 14 Ranch rifle, the ambi trigger guard safety is excellent. Definitely safer than a cross bolt safety for the ambidextral gunfighter. See our video on the MC2c crossbolt safety as to why. #mini14 #safety

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 1 Canvas GI Sling https://youtube.com/shorts/Zrg3MfUOlnM?feature=share Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 2 Length of Pull coming soon Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 3 Magazine Catch and Release https://youtube.com/shorts/aiEuS_OJjag Ruger Mini 14 Marksman - Part 4 Safety https://youtube.com/shorts/7gyxZbWqV18 The Mini 14 features an AK like rock in magazine catch. Plenty fast once you're accustomed to it and I think it eliminates the need for a tap tug check that most of us perform on straight insert STANAG mags. Spending so much time on a 10/22, I like to operate the Mini14 mag release the same way as Ruger’s 22 rifle…pushing forward with the back of my trigger finger. Allowing you to simultaneously eject the empty mag while reaching for a fresh one. Mini 14 mags, even 20 rounders, can drop free if the rifle is horizontal otherwise the grip and strip method is going to be the most reliable way. And it will certainly be the least painful method since the mag release lever can bite the backside of your finger…or chew on your glove. Seems like this pinch hazard would have been eradicated after 6 decades. Nonetheless, the Mini 14 mag release is perfectly mirrored ambi for the ambidextral gunfighter. It also reduces the risk of an accidental mag disengagement compared to the AR…as long as you avoid those third party, extended mag release “upgrades”.

AmbGun Mini 14 page https://www.ambgun.com/ambidextral-rifle/mini-14 My 583 series Ruger Mini-14 Ranch features 1” sling loops Not good enough for a 1 1/4” Canvas GI Sling Plus it is not easily detached for when the sling is looped up as a shooter’s aid So Peel the 1” front sling loop off the gas block But the hole in the front mount does not fit any production sling swivels…not even the one’s sold by Ruger So Drill out hole…not that big of a deal Now you learn that the mount is too wide Grind down width…this is kind of ridiculous for a rifle that’s been in production for 6 decades Install a new 1 ¼” sling swivel Unscrew rear sling loop Epoxy Install an Uncle Mikes wood screw sling stud Install a new 1 ¼” sling swivel Weave Canvas GI Sling into the sling loops. Almost ready for the range.. Coming Next for the Mini 14…Heel to Peep and LOP drama.