Ruger AC-556 at the Range: How Does it Compare to the M16?

[@miketeeveedub5779]

M-14: "I'm one of the most difficult rifles to fire full-auto." AC-556: "When I grow up I want to be just like dad!"

[@LinguiniHoudini]

"That's fast and spicy." -Gun Jesus

[@khurramzafar]

Who else remembers when he shot the M14 and had to "excite himself up for this" XD. That bad boy was something!

[@issackliener3065]

"Huaaaaarghh" -Gun Jesus, Revelations M:14

[@cheekflapperer]

Timestamps 2:50 and 4:40 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHKkc4CsosZ6jbM

[@jesseterrell9354]

Not in a good way. Uncontrollable garbage.

[@ajorsomething4935]

Yeah the m14 is kinda controllable in full auto but y'know really with the way the recoil axis is and the design of the receiver it jumps. Though it can be said of most 7.62 guns in full auto, the m14 is a little bit more unperdictable.

[@punkotaku9906]

I wonder how he would compare the two.

[@fire304]

Now we see why the A-Team never killed anyone...

[@1971irvin]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@natewheeler8090]

Yup

[@lancekilkenny721]

Lmao!

[@bertofehr]

Believe it or not. It was in Mr T's contract that nobody would actually get shot. He doesn't like violence. But $$ talks!

[@mazkact]

They shot great when they aimed a tires and gasoline filled drums.

[@BlokeontheRange]

I got to have a play on one of them in a polymer stock back in 2006 I think it was, shooting it alongside C7's, early G3's and an L1A1 with a bit of card in the trigger mech. That particular AC556 would allow you to select full auto with the hammer cocked, unlike the one in the video (so I guess they'd made a change at some point). My thoughts at the time were that it climbed quite a lot in full auto and due to the conventional layout and low sights you can't get your thumb on top to help hold it down. The C7's by comparison were sweeeeeet. And having shot one myself, I'm super impressed at Ian keeping that burst where he did! :D

[@nicholaspatton5590]

Glad to see our Friday Night Gun Tubers enjoying some guns.

[@ianmedford4855]

These were issued to the RUC during The Troubles... is there any feedback from them available?

[@humansvd3269]

The m16/c7 is just a superior weapon.

[@weronikazalewska2098]

The (british) cadets had some of them as well, for some reason. Im assuming they came from the UDR of somewhere like that

[@ordinosaurs]

Finally after 35 years, we learn the A-Team series was actually an objective documentary about the Ruger's inability to hit any kind of target. Shocking.

[@speedyfly]

I was going to ask if this was the same gun that was used on A-Team because they were always modifying the guns in the show

[@ordinosaurs]

@@speedyfly : I'm not a gun specialist and I come here mainly to enjoy the historical knowledge of the host ; but if you believe this page : www.imfdb.org/wiki/A-Team,_The_-_Season_2 , the A-Team uses a civilian Mini-14F (semi-auto with folding stock), with editing tricks to make it look full-auto capable which it was not.

[@robertreynolds6057]

They also had a larger flash hider/suppressor on the ones in the a-team

[@Len1977gt]

lol

[@Len1977gt]

@@robertreynolds6057 well it was the 1980s, so everything had the big in your face look

[@davidgreen40]

The KAC-556 is a Forgotten Weapon. Forgotten by the manufacturer.

[@dylanwight5764]

To be fair, sometimes a company is right to forget about certain products. Imagine if they "remembered" this rifle existed. Now stop imagining and realize that there already exists a slew of aftermarket parts that add pistol grips and folding stocks to the Mini 14. Yeah... I don't think Ruger wants that kind of public image. I'm not talking about Ruger trying to stay classic and steer away from "tactical" looking rifles. I just can't see them suffering through manufacturing such an ugly rifle in an effort to compete with an already vastly superior platform for that type of purpose.

[@cottonballs185]

*Abandoned* by the manufacturer and notable only for being the cheapest (worst) assault rifle for those who bother with unconstitutional and/or unjust laws

[@bluecaptainIT]

Just got back from a quick Google search, I either get a Suppressor or a handguard. Can anybody explain to me what the KAC-556 was, please?

[@bluecaptainIT]

@@TheRealColBosch watching it now! Thanks!

[@maverick3576]

Ruger also forgot about the 44 mag carbine

[@Star_Lancer]

Ian missed the opportunity to tape two magazines "jungle style" and fire full auto with his support hand on top of the handguard - just like "Miami Vice"`s Ludovici Armstrong (Jim Zubiena).

[@Mac-pi4cy]

A non A team 80s tv comment bravo that man!

[@devinthierault]

"DROP IT DROP IT!" *Mozambique Drill*

[@davidbrown4620]

I have a mini-30, trust me you DON'T want to do that

[@matthayward7889]

What a great (and mutually beneficial) relationship Ian has with Morphys

[@liliwinnt6]

including other organizations like royal armouries national firearms centre, other than any auction companies

[@poisonmans]

It seems they must also have their own private range.

[@Zmeeed01]

Meanwhile, Rock Island sings Dame Da Ne

[@martianhighminder4539]

A bit of credit should be given to the people who let Ian disassemble and sometimes shoot their consigned guns. But the auction house affiliation no doubt helps to make that happen.

[@matthayward7889]

@@martianhighminder4539 absolutely!

[@wraithwyvern528]

The Mini-14 and by extension the AC-556 are known for their ability to fire blanks reliably from being so overgassed which is also why they're so popular in pre-CGI shows and movies but also recoil a lot with real ammo.

[@madeconomist458]

"You have to have the hammer down to switch fire modes" I know Bill Ruger is a legend but wow, talk about sh**ting the bed.

[@navgunner80]

Something must be wrong with that specific firearm. My AC 556F functions flawlessly and select fire always works perfectly on the fly. Hands down the M16 is a better MG but that’s why it commands a premium price.

[@avlawns3037]

Bill ruger can rot in hell. What gun company tosses its customers under the bus?

[@Ostenjager]

Maybe this explains why Gary Fadden had his in full auto when he killed Billy Hamilton. From what I gathered, Gary didn’t intentionally have his rifle in full auto at the time of the shooting, and had only started shooting it that same day.

[@avlawns3037]

@@SonOfTheDawn515 and you notice, all you mention are second runs and has been living off names nowadays?

[@ZGryphon]

@@avlawns3037 To be fair, he was long dead by the time the company end-of-lifed this particular product.

[@Mac-pi4cy]

In Range / Forgotten weapons "Weapons of the A Team special" 2 gun. 0 points for hits on target but 10 points for launching a jeep into the air......

[@michelguevara151]

kettle bell replaced with equivalent weight in gold chains for the kassada drill... it could work...

[@jacobmccandles1767]

THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN IAN!

[@deekim8164]

A video of that magnitude could only work if there was an ad-hoc weapon construction montage included in it.

[@509Gman]

@crazy silly that’s right. Season 2 and onward they almost exclusively use it.

[@erzherzogalbrecht8504]

+ 2 points for each henchman crawling out of that Jeep unharmed. + 5 points extra if your puffed up hair is unblamished at the end. (Faceman)

[@millermonsterair]

5:15 "im gonna dump this magazine for you guys" so, basically, at these ammo prices right now, youre giving up an entire years worth of income for us? lol

[@UTubeHandlesSuck]

For He so loved his children that He sent His only ammunition for our pleasure...

[@michelguevara151]

@@UTubeHandlesSuck I think the original orthodox reading is, "For He so loved His children that He *spent* His only ammunition for our pleasure". translations vary.

[@avlawns3037]

For some of us, this is not our first election year panic.

[@Predalien195]

My work still sells .223 and 5.56 at more or less regular prices. Bulk packs shot up a bit but nothing too drastic. We still get loads of the stuff in too.

[@shaqm0bile]

@@avlawns3037 are prices out of control again? is that because people are worried about regulation or ammo shortages due to more foreign "intervention"?

[@johnfriend862]

I fired thousands of rounds out of the AC-556, the KAC-556 and the KAC-556F. Granted it's been a while, but I remember being able to change fire modes while firing, or with the bolt open between magazines. One thing I did not like was that in 3 round burst, if you fired 2 rounds the next trigger pull you only got 1 round. It had to complete its 3 round cycle to reset the 3 round cam assembly. Another thing we hated about the Ruger was that every single part was controlled by Ruger, meaning if you broke any part (even something simple like a firing pin) the whole rifle had to go back to Ruger. On the flip side, M-16 parts were easy to get and repairing one was easy, even at the range. The Ruger also did not run if the bolt rails got dry or dirty. It was a cool weapon, but for a duty rifle we much preferred the M-16, and phased the Ruger out by the early 90's.

[@elmimba]

That "I hit something" at the end has such meme potential.

[@sirius2a253]

I was thinking the same thing

[@sidekickerbrohoof9584]

He seemed really happy with it.

[@ph0gwalkrzero]

as does "Ooh, that's fast and spicy."

[@MikeVal1369]

I was teaching my lady friend to shoot. Started with a 10/22 and worked our way up .She was good about following instructions, calm when shooting, and did very well for a beginner. Then she wanted to try the 12 gauge Mossberg 590. Walked her through the function and safety instructions and she lined up very carefully on the hanging steel cans we were using for targets. BOOM! "I hit....EVERYTHING!!!!" Cylinder bore and #7 will do that :)

[@jaredcat6398]

@@sidekickerbrohoof9584 i know right, he was so proud of himself! good on him!

[@farhorizons3901]

Ian, thank you for taking one for the team during your "field experimentation"! Seriously, it's only through watching your channel that I found out that the actual mechanism can significantly influence felt recoil and hence controllability of full auto weapons.

[@robertramirez3885]

Very late comment Ian but fun fact about this rifle, back in the 80s my father himself used these in a certain government agency that secured the Southern part of the U.S. he was stationed in California and this was an issued weapon for the agents and he himself said that he quite enjoyed shooting these Ruger rifles. Of corse during the time the main reason why they had them is mostly because of the cost of an M16 was way higher compared to these Rugers, and after showing my father this video he himself also says he preferred the Ruger in over the M16 of the time mainly because of the “compact” and “handy” feeling that it had over the M16. Take all this with a grain of salt from your experience with the rifle, but i really wanted to share this bit of info mostly for additional info but to show that yes they were surprisingly used but of corse not common place like the AR-15 like today.

[@user-ye8co7xp6m]

Any chance we could get a series on the development of ironsights for pistols/rifles and perhaps a video on the most effective? maybe a day at the range testing accuracy at extreme ranges/ease of target acquisition??? :)

[@andrewquesinberry773]

Another collaboration with c&rsenal perhaps

[@5000rgb]

@Angus Dabull I think the shooter is the major factor. I don't doubt that aperture sights are superior but I seem to be more comfortable and perform better with open sights. I learned to shoot with open sights and maybe with more experience I'll come to prefer apertures. My eyeology may also be a factor or maybe it's a natural preference. Plenty of rifles were built with express sights after apertures were available so I think open sights do have their advantages.

[@beavisbutt-headson3223]

@Angus Dabull Well, they could have a somewhat more diverse group, like when Karl got the gang together to try out the MDR (do I remember that correctly?). Throw a couple of AK guys in the mix so you don't have all people used to AR apertures and maybe a couple of non-regular shooters. I could absolutely see the open sights having advantages in acquisition and recovery speed. Not necessarily but I could see how that might work

[@CandidZulu]

@@5000rgb There are many variables. Personal preference is one but, apertures are more forgiving with different eyes. You can hand a rifle to someone and expect it to be on zero with his eyes. With open sights the individual will need to verify the aim. Down side to apertures is that they need more day light, up side is they are actually an optical device that makes the target a little bit easier to see. For speed and rough use in bad light and brush, an open sight mounted far forward is the go to for many, and is what you will see on most European rifles for wild boar shooting (and tracking wounded game) these days.

[@5000rgb]

@@CandidZulu Yeah, Europeans can buy rifles with iron sights. the battue sights look cool.

[@saltybones8492]

That ramline magazine deserves an episode in itself. It's the only magazine ever devised to fit and lock on empty in the AR15, AR18 and mini 14.

[@RedSntDK]

Aw, it's a shame it handles 556 this bad. Also the fact that you need to unchamber the gun to switch between full auto and burst is not optimal.

[@sanguinemoon9201]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine 2 round burst can be very useful for suppressive fire (with multiple bursts) and improving hit probability on moving human targets. Three rounds gets wonky. I'd prefer 2 rounds or full auto. This also eliminates the ratchet issues. Gun always fires two rounds.

[@jeffreyroot6300]

Good rifles as long as they are semis.

[@Mac-pi4cy]

There is nothing optimal with this....

[@shawnr771]

@@sanguinemoon9201 I just trained myself to that naturally, no matter what weapon semi automatic weapon I am using.

[@racercowan]

@@sanguinemoon9201 Unless you've got some sort of rate-of-fire adjustment or a super-high cyclic rate, there's not much burst can do that isn't equally possible with good training. You could have a 2 or three round burst, or you could just stop after a few rounds in full-auto.

[@CurtHowland]

The slow motion from the front at 3:39 shows barrel vibration quite clearly. This is a fascinating aspect of shooting, thank you for including such camera work.

[@williamperry01]

Yep, I wonder how much better that gun would run if it had all the hop-up stuff like an accustrut, recoil buffer pad and adjustable gas block and better comp like mine is....Of course mines a newer S.A.....

[@codyrivenburgh7645]

I think k ruger should reegineer the ac556 with the new thicker barrel adjustable gas block and recoil buffer and see how it turns out

[@gonnegottkehaskamp1667]

Anyone else getting flashbacks to the M14 full auto video? XD "WHOOAAAAAA!!" Also, I would assume the somewhat higher recoil can be explained by the stock not being an inline stock like on the M16, therefore hitting the back of the receiver at a higher point and pulling up the muzzle?

[@jeffreyroot6300]

True, also directly effecting the muzzle climb.

[@sogerc1]

Wait, there's an M14 full auto video? I'm searching it right now.

[@Tallmios]

That was definitely one of the most quotable videos ever. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IR7xZ0F-fAl5MA1GnCZv3fw1S3K39pnZkSvTMEEkr0Y/edit?usp=sharing

[@sogerc1]

@@Tallmios Hihi, funny spreadsheet :D

[@Enthymene]

@@sogerc1 watch it with the human-supplied captions on. It's gold.

[@petesheppard1709]

The straight-line design of the AR really does seem to help. A question I posted yesterday was answered; the burst drum doesn't seem to affect trigger pull, as with the M16A2

[@travissmith2211]

It does make sense that the M16 is more controllable when the fun switch is activated. The Ruger has a higher bore axis and probably a bit more weight in the reciprocating parts. It would still be a great gun to own.

[@Privat2840]

M16 also has a pistol grip that increases control.

[@zehsackett6132]

​@@Privat2840I like the old school grips better for aiming

[@UncleStevie8er]

I got mesmerized watching the barrel whip in slow motion. Like watching a cobra snake swaying back and forth.

[@spudgunn8695]

Well from what I learnt from watching the A Team, if your AC556 actually hits what you're aiming at, it's malfunctioning!

[@MravacKid]

Unless your target is a car. :)

[@spudgunn8695]

@@MravacKid no, if you shoot it at a car, it makes the driver swerve onto a concealed ramp that turns the car over.

[@burningsporkdeath]

Watching the receiver move in the stock in slow motion is interesting and really a good demonstration of the issues with poor stock bedding that everything in the Garand family (M1, BM59, M14, Mini 14, Mini 30, etc) share.

[@ultrablue2]

A couple things... 1) I believe the inaccuracies of the AC-556 were covered in 1982 with the “historical document” the “A-Team”; they never hit anyone ever. 2) Why was this not named the “Mini-14” instead of AC-556, as it seems to be in result a scaled-down full auto M14? 3) In all seriousness, obviously there is something in the layout and design of both the M14 and the AC-556 that exacerbates recoil. It would be interesting to compare both to other designs of similar calibers but different designs and compare the recoil and controlability.

[@Stoney3K]

My guess is that it's the two-lug asymmetrical rotating bolt design that is hardly buffered by a spring. It's the reason that the gun is loud as hell, and if you look at the slow-motion footage you see the bolt slamming against the receiver both when it's going forward AND backwards. The rotational locking is also a "slam open, slam shut" kind of action, which makes the receiver rattle all over the place. In contrast, the M16's bolt locking lugs are axially balanced and the bolt is caught on the way out by a recoil buffer spring for a gentle landing.

[@ultrablue2]

Stoney3K : I agree, and I’d add the AR’s buffered system tied in with the straight-line action design all work together to make recoil negligible. But I still think doing a deeper dive with Gun Jesus would make for some must-see TV.

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

The Mini14/30/AC is 1930s technology redone in inexpensive cast parts for mass production. The AR is a 60s high budget design. Not to slam Ruger, but Stoner's design is far better in all respects. Makes perfect sense that the AR beats the Mini. Gas impingement with the buffer is smoother than a direct impingement system.

[@godfreybrad12]

Not only is the M-16 softer shooting, but it is also inline recoil ( no comb drop on the stock) making it much more controllable. Thanks for another great video, Ian.

[@fokkerd3red618]

If I recall correctly from my army days, doesn't the M16 have a long recoil mechanism in the stock, whereas this gun doesn't? Is that what you commented about?

[@intelinside5574]

I swear if the comments section is flooded with A-Team references for like the third time...

[@jeffreyroot6300]

Guaranteed, just posted mine!

[@gwaters8067]

"have a glass of milk B.A"

[@christopherhayto1089]

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire...

[@Getpojke]

Haha, we just love it when a plan comes together!

[@_stoatchaser]

Is that a problem that no one else can help with. Maybe you should hire the a team

[@niklasaskham4208]

Every time I see this camera angle, I expect to see Othais walking out of the bushes 😂

[@GreetingsandSalutations4007]

Niklas Askham are him and May a couple?

[@anthonyhayes1267]

@@GreetingsandSalutations4007 they've left the nature of their relationship deliberately ambiguous

[@GreetingsandSalutations4007]

@@anthonyhayes1267 I see

[@FalcoMoment]

Our beloved Gun Jesus has returned to make loud pews for our enjoyment

[@Piotwor]

Christ, you people are cringeworthy.

[@CropiCZE]

@@Piotwor no, u

[@Mac-pi4cy]

PEW PEW PEW!!!!!

[@kevinwestermann1001]

@@Mac-pi4cy Less QQ!

[@johnl.5117]

He had the same "pull the mag out" wrestling that most of us first have. Don't "pull" it out. Hit the release and it falls out on its own. Great show. Love the mini. Notice the distance the emptiy shells travel. Rifle is overgassed by design but they very rarely break or jam as long as you have good mags.

[@johnstacy7902]

The Bermuda Defense force used Mini 14s. I used to date a chick and her dad was in the Irish Guards and was attached to them

[@RJM1011]

Yes there are also a few of them with 22 SAS when I was in 63 SAS we got asked about them as I owned a Mini 14 at the time.

[@WingMaster562]

I misread this as you dating the Mini 14 which is a daughter of/owned by an Irish Guard.

[@punjivr]

@@WingMaster562 I would date a mini-14

[@RicardoSanchez-es5wl]

@@punjivr that sounds inappropriate 😂

[@punjivr]

@@RicardoSanchez-es5wl Why not make it so? They're sexy guns

[@recoilrob324]

In 1975 while serving in the Marine Corps I bought a 180 series Mini-14 for the same cost as the SP-1 Colt available at the time to compare them. The M16A1 we were issued was a nice rifle but wasn't very good past 300 yds with M193 ball ammo due to the slow twist barrels where the Mini had a bit faster twist and actually shot better at longer ranges. The Mini was of course semi only but we spent very little time shooting our M16's in full auto as it wasn't very effective in that mode either and we had belt-fed's for that duty. The Mini was accurate and the stories about how bad they were came with the later series as mine was (still is) a good shooting light rifle. Good display of the AC556 Ian!

[@gregtheredneck1715]

There's always going to be a soft spot in my heart for the rugged Ruger Mini-14 over the AR not matter what anyone else thinks and to have the full banana rock and roll iteration in an AC 556 would be the bee's knees. Too bad I was mischievous this past year and ended up on Santa's naughty list without a hope of that beauty being in my Christmas stocking on December 25.

[@Predalien195]

So you're now a felon is what you're saying.

[@James_Bee]

I figured he was in the dog house.

[@Dread_Not]

This video really puts the Ruger rifle design in perspective and shows why it didn't see much "combat". I imagine the moving heavy steel block under the barrel where gas exits is where most of the movement comes from.

[@s.h.v.c2865]

Sounds like your doing Adam Savage's impression of Jamie Hyneman at 4:11

[@robr2529]

Always loved these style guns. My dad had a Synthetic Mini 14 and sold it right out from under me. Hope to get one soon. Wouldn’t mind sending some lead down range with the AC556.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Well... if it has one advantage, it's an assault rifle that doesn't "look" like an assault rifle... which could be useful once in awhile.

[@5000rgb]

Low profile has advantages.

[@MalikCarr]

This is basically why some police departments use it, it doesn't have that Evil Black Rifle vibe.

[@zakofrx]

Louder with Crowder has a video were he asks a heap of people about a bunch of guns he has on a table.. They all wanted the black platic ones banned and thought the wooden ones were the least dangerous..

[@harryjacobson1002]

Despite strenuous objections from Senior Weps instructors and agency armorers, the front office weasels in Contracts and Procurement afflicted my old outfit with this rifle. They did it for one reason: image. They deemed the original "Evil Black Rifle" (M16) as bad for PR ("Too military-looking"). Not to mention full auto capability made the boys in pinstripe suits nervous.

[@GaMeRfReAkLIVE]

@@zakofrx despite the fact that multiple of the guns were literally the same type just different furniture

[@SuperMarshall2009]

The GB variant remained in production and in use by LEOs for a while. I recently picked up an LEO Trade late manufacture (after 2000) and there were some routine sales of these despite being not "black rifles" I know they are not better than other systems, but I really enjoy them and like adding them to the collection. They are fairly robust, and found in Stainless which many modern weapons are not made of.

[@alanhelgeson690]

I think that the Ruger K Mini-14 and the Ruger KAC-556 are the only assault rifles that are made of Stainless steel. I think that is pretty awesome.

[@henryroepke2891]

I know it is heresy, but I just checked my AC-556. You can change the selector lever to any position (1, 3, auto) with the hammer in both position. Ian is wrong, the hammer does not need to be down. Or something is wrong with his AC-556

[@anthonyhayes1267]

Does yours appear to have any sort of modification to facilitate this? Maybe this is a problem specifically with early examples

[@disturbedlife5691]

Was it also loaded, as his was?

[@illogicalbear6200]

They are different production runs. They changed it at some point. I'm not sure myself when. Neither of you are "Wrong" he's absolutely correct when speaking on the rifle he has in his hands.

[@wittsullivan8130]

My brother had a Mini-14. He bought a Ram-Line transparent polymer magazine that was supposedly able to be used in a Mini-14 and an AR-15. It did go into my AR but because of the flexibility of the feed lips, you could swing the magazine to the floor and the spring would overcome the feedlips and a good amount of your 30 rounds would spew out onto the floor.

[@611_hornet5]

Can we all just be amazed that he made it through a full mag with a Thermold and it didn't jam?

[@celmer6]

Thermold magazines are made out of Dupont Zytel and they are great reliable magazines. I have 6 of them from back in the 1980's and dozens of new 20 and 30 round magazine's and they all work great. That internet story about Thermold being junk turns out to be because the Canadian military wanted Thermold magazine's but Thermold didn't want to mess with it. So another company licensed the Canadian production rights and went into production to supply the Canadian military. Someone in that company thought that it was a great idea to stop paying Dupont for Zytel and make more profit using another material. That other material turned out to be black polybutalene plumbing pipe. Magazines started melting and there was a huge investigation. So the contractor who had the license effectively trashed The Thermold reputation by doing shady substandard crap. You know like S&W did to the Walther PPK and the pistols firing when you depressed the decocker.

[@taiming71]

Thank you for sacrifice Ian we appreciate you going above and beyond taking one for the the team so we can see this gun fired with the fun switch engaged.

[@enricopaolocoronado2511]

Even if the recoil is worse, the Mini-14 or the AC-556 is such a good looking gun. Might be because of the wooden furniture.

[@high-velocitymammal5030]

Folding stock is bae

[@Stoney3K]

I like the wooden stock and I personally like the looks of the bolt locking mechanism when it's moving. It's something that kind of screams "There's mechanics going on in there", much like the exposed valve train of an engine with the covers off.

[@wesbrown5601]

If you like the wooden furniture look, you might want to check out a flightlite scr.

[@kennethcurtis1856]

It also looks less intmidating to a jury.

[@fredoresto3126]

It’s far better to LOOK GOOD then to SHOOT GOOD.

[@charlesmiller6826]

Awe, poor Ian, we do appreciate you taking one for the team and going full auto out there for us.

[@vigunfighter]

The Germans were on to something with that whole 'stock in-line with the bore' thingie... I think having less reciprocating mass helps the AR in addition to the in-line stock.

[@alpine9996]

I think that spring in the stock may have something to do with that

[@tolarpowell5069]

I shot the 13" barrel variety of this (the AC556K) at Bill Ruger's summer home while attending the Ruger armorers course. For me, it was a hoot to shoot. After everyone got tired of pray and spray, I sat down with it and was hitting a fist size rock outcrop about 180 yards out about every other round with slow-ish fire. I did not find it to be an underperformer at all.

[@larryfontenot9018]

Never saw an AC-556, but I'm a big fan of the Mini-14. Having served nine years with M-16A1s, I got heartily sick of the jamming and feed failures that were endemic to the model. When I first got my hands on a Mini-14, I was pleasantly surprised when I fired a few magazines worth of ammo through it and never had an issue. In fact, the entire time I owned it, it was utterly reliable. If it jammed or misfed even once, I can't remember it. I'll agree that Rugers aren't as easy on the shoulder as an AR, but I'll happily deal with that in trade for knowing it'll put bullets downrange every time I pull the trigger.

[@georgewhitworth9742]

Fairly certain those problems are thing of the past. In fact, never heard any guys with A1's having issues. Only the original and first M16's sent to Nam. Plus, in my experience, my Mini didn't like steel ammo in the cold. My AR A1 clone does just fine.

[@Privat2840]

Fired many M16 while in the army for 24 years. The only jam issues I had where on the old warn rifles like what was used in basic training. I am not sure at what round count the tolerances get oust ow wack and jams start. In basic my rifle and others jammed on a regular basis. The only good thing about that was you became and expert in clearing the M16. May be tired rifles where used in basic just to ensure we got proficient in handling misfires.

[@kiloalphasierra]

In re all the comments about the AR buffer: the AR’s buffer and bolt carrier group weighs about the same as an AC-556/Mini-14’s op rod and bolt. The carrier weights in the buffer on an AR function as a dead blow hammer to stop bolt bounce in full auto. What makes the recoil so sharp on the AC-556/Mini-14 is that it is a long stroke gas system that is very over gassed and it has a very high bore axis in relation to the stock compared to most other modern semi/full auto weapons.

[@jeffreyroot6300]

Thanks Ian! Classic A Team schlocky TV vibes! I will keep my Rugers Semiautomatic and dream of owning an M16A1 one day. I still have fond memories of training with the A1 thirty plus years ago.

[@sebastianwlodarczyk]

That's one gorgeous slo-mo shot at 3:40

[@WhatTheHellFritz]

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SWITCH BETWEEN FIRING MODES. THE GUN WAS LIKELY ASSEMBLED WRONG OR FORCED BACK TOGETHER. I’ve got two full auto Ruger’s and they don’t have this problem.

[@stampeedvalkyrie]

I was going to make this comment myself, I have had the opportunity to shoot this model and I've never had issues on changing between firing modes on the fly. I also am amused by the spicy comment.. in comparison to what? My NFA weapons experience is rather limited, but I've had the chance to fire a few fun makers.. I would definitely not consider this rifle spicy.. The M-14 yes.. this... Not by a long shot.

[@TheObso1337]

I remember reading some commentary about a police officer in Brazil (or Colombia perhaps? I remember it was South America) who used an AC-556 (apparently they had a whole hodgepodge of who knows what from god knows where) and he was very fond of the fact that the safety and fire selector operated independently of each other. This meant that unlike an AK or an AR, he never had to manipulate the safety to "look" for the full-auto position. They were expected to carry with a round chambered and safety on, which on an AK meant if you swept it down it would be in Semi and on an AR meant you had to click it over two positions. Both could be done fast, but because the Ruger had it's safety inside the trigger guard all you had to do was reach for the trigger, push forward, and when you pushed back you'd be in full-auto which could be done faster. This mattered a great deal because they would have frequent run-ins with very well armed and violent criminals in a mix of urban and jungle environments where the opponents would attempt to ambush them or the opportunity to fire a burst at a fleeing perp was very brief. I suppose any consideration for collateral damage must have been a low priority.

[@joshuazoldschool4720]

Such a heavy burden Ian carries for us all.👍😃

[@Panzerkopf]

Great video! Very interesting to finally see the AC 556 in action.

[@actionhirvimoose4294]

Here in under a minute of the upload. Never clicked on a video so fast.

[@tomtruesdale6901]

You have way to much fun doing your 'job' LOL Great review and I guess the fact that the M-16/AR platform uses a buffer system would reduce the felt recoil over the Mini14/AC556

[@Remington53]

"I love it when a plan comes together"

[@snake57]

9 degrees in SW Montana with a foot of snow

[@codyw4140]

i love it when a plan comes together

[@anthonyhayes1267]

Hey Ian, what are your thoughts on the usefulness of a 3 round burst mode on a service rifle as opposed to semi and full?

[@rotwang2000]

The main dream of the US army has always been that a rifleman should be able to oblitifry an enemy combattant with one pull of the trigger. They could achieve this with lots of marksmanship training for soldiers, but that's a long and expensive progress so they do the next best thing, give soldiers a weapon that does the job for them and the 3rb was designed to give a chance of hitting an enemy with said single trigger pull. In practice it kinda works, but it's never been a convincing rousing success, and newer versions of the M16 platform reverted to Semi/Full triggergroups. Some say it's just one more thing that can go wrong with a rifle, and it still takes some skill to use properly so the idea that it's just point and shoot doesn't quite hold up.

[@vold2268]

If i remember well,he find burst unecessary if you are properly trained to use full-auto in short burst.

[@Piotwor]

Bursts are pointless, I'm more interested in the usefulness of full auto on a service rifle when 99,9% of its use will be in semi.

[@S.Fortunato]

He has already addressed this question in a Q&A, basically it's a decent idea on paper but it's just a way to try to reduce training and its cost, he doesn't like it.

[@andyrihn1]

He’s said before that semi is most useful and full auto has some niche applications. Burst is overcomplicated, removes shooter control, and is mostly useless if properly trained. Basically burst only exists to prevent the undertrained from waisting ammo while still having SOME of the effectiveness of full auto

[@jamespmullin21753]

I used M16 in USAF Security Police, in the early 1970s. The M16 in full auto climbed too. Full auto, to me, was just wasting ammo. We had 20 round mags, but were usually loaded with 18 rounds. I have a Ruger Mini 14 circa early 2000s stainless ranch model. I bought it when the beltway snipers were ambushing people. I carried it in my trunk JIC.

[@kirkmooneyham]

"Bruce Lee hype yourself up..."

[@billstevens5277]

I've shot one, well almost, it was a Beretta BM59. I was 210 at the time. Bruce Lee was too small to shoot those things.

[@Redmenace96]

pure gold.

[@rickgao2969]

But definitely at a Jackie Chan level of hype

[@TeamPaulie2520]

With the adjustable gas system and the pistol grip stock it completely changes the way the gun runs and handles, yes they are over gassed and throw brass into the atmosphere but once you dial in the system....game changer.

[@vanboy5697]

Could you then say it could be 'undergassed' after modification since the action is more violent than ideal and still work reliably?

[@mtacoustic1]

Watching the slo-mo, the barrel really flexes when fired!

[@williamprice3929]

It could be, 1. Shoulder placement on the stock. 2. Gas piston operated. Most M-16s or AR-15s are gas impingement; try the same test with a piston operated M-16/AR. Also, the Mini 14 has the gas push into the slide, propelling it and the bolt backwards. A lot of physical mass sliding backwards. Most piston guns use a small piston pushing a rod and spring back on the bolt, quite a lot of less mass. Same thing happens with a M-1 Garand, M-1 carbine, and a the M-14.

[@TheGearhead222]

I never could understand Bill Rugers opinion concerning high capacity magazines, but I still like their designs. Have owned a 1976 Mark I and a 10/22 for years:)-John in Texas

[@no1bandfan]

"I hit someting!" DS: You'll do just fine in infantry son.

[@KC-bg1th]

My buddy’s dad used the Mini 14 when he was on the Toronto ETF (SWAT); at the time the C rifles that were being issues had reliability issues, and he said that if he needed to pull the trigger, he wanted to ensure that his gun would go boom.

[@MrHws5mp]

"Whatever you hit, call it the target." - alleged Vietnam helicopter door-gunner saying. Think I'm right in saying that the Royal Ulster Constabulary had these. You see pics of an RUC officer on patrol with a British Army soldier, and the AC-556 looks like a toy compared to the latter's SLR.

[@celmer6]

I have both and my L1A1 SLR is on a way higher level of quality, accuracy and controllabilty than the Mini-14. All of my AR-15's are way better than my Mini-14. The Mini-14 is within accuracy specifications with a 6" group at 100 yards. I've had that 181 series Mini-14 for 30 years now and it leaves a lot to be desired.

[@SlavicCelery]

@@celmer6 The newer versions of the Mini 14 are more accurate than that. But, I still think it is a weirdly overrated gun from some people. I remember when I bought a VZ2008 and I had some Fudd telling me that it was a horrible purchase and I should buy a real rifle, like a mini 14. *shrug* All I know is that vz58/vz2008 are great guns, and I've put probably 2000 rounds through it without any issues. I would put more ammo through it, but most of the ranges around me forbid steel cased ammo. Even though you can have a non-magnetic projectile, and the case has nothing to do with damaging the backstop.

[@kiloalphasierra]

@@celmer6 I had an AC-556 issued to me for a while. Mine was more like an 8” gun with good ammo from a bench. I was very glad when I finally got an AR issued to me.

[@Armoredcompany]

Actually that last burst (and granted, that's fairly short range for "battle range") was actually pretty well controlled for intentionally adding in the lateral spray motion.

[@robertpacific8319]

That clear mag looked cool emptying. Seeing this weapon shooting, I would not want full auto.

[@1pcfred]

Most do not find themselves in circumstances where full auto is a benefit. But when you do it certainly has its uses.

[@rexfrommn3316]

The military trains its recruits, especially combat service support troops, to shoot the M-16 rifle on semiautomatic. Generally, a soldier will have seven ammo magazines of thirty rounds for 210 rounds total. This 210 rounds of ammo is considered "ready use ammo." The purpose of the individual weapon is to provide self defense or shooting at individual targets for the soldier. The military always had us shoot our M-16's on semiautomatic mode. I never fired "burst" once in the 20 years I trained with the M-16A2. The infantry is somewhat different but only for specific tasks such as clearing a trench or a room/building floor, or if in an extreme emergency where life is on the line will a regular soldier shoot on burst or automatic mode. At some point, a soldier has to hit his target on the battlefield. It takes only a ten or fifteen minutes on semiautomatic mode in a serious combat situation to burn up 210 rounds of ammunition. Soldiers often must carry 40 lbs or more of other equipment so ammunition carrying ability is limited when looking at the helmut, body armor, water, a poncho or jacket for the elements, grenades, night vision equipment and other equipment like a radio or LAW type weapon. My point here is a soldier has absolute physical limits on their ability to carry ready use ammo in magazines. The SAW or Squad Automatic Weapon is a heavier weapon built for sustained automatic fire for suppression of bad guys. Generally, a squad of riflemen will have two SAW's, one per fire team. The SAW's provide a whole lot of suppressive firepower but requires several soldiers to carry enough ammunition to keep it going for more than a couple of minutes, including extra barrels and other equipment, such as a bipod. The M-16 rifle has a pistol grip and a shock absorber in the stock but muzzle climb is still an issue. The M-16 rifle generally works much better on semiautomatic mode anyway. The M-4 carbine tends to overheat and gum up with carbon gunk in the exhaust port. So semiautomatic mode is a superior choice in most combat situations or tactical situations. Again, every squad has two SAW's and the Platoon will have access to one or more, usually several M-60's or M-240's in 7.62mm NATO. One important aspect forgotten in many of these gun videos, is the limited ability of soldiers to carrying enough ammunition to keep their automatic weapons firing for prolonged periods. Ian is a good man who does his research on these weapons. However, every person worrying about which type of rifle shoots better on full automatic weapon needs to hump a SAW or even just an M-16 on a 24 mile road march with other equipment such as water, body armor and other equipment. It is the human ability to carrying a finite amount of ammuntion that determines how much firepower a squad of soldiers has in a meeting engagement or an ambush situation such as during patrols. These infantry platoon problems on patrols are a "come as you are" combat fights meaning you win or lose/live or die with the equipment you carry on your back. Physical conditioning of a squad of infantry is one of the main important factors for its survival. It is critical to get into your brain the concept of fatigue and pain the human body feels on these long marches carrying 60 lbs or more of stuff essential for survival on a long 12 mile or 24 mile road march. It is far worse humping through mountains or rugged hilly vertical terrain, a jungle, swamp or climbing buildings/stairs in urban warfare. When a blood blister pops on your foot after a long 12 or 24 mile road march, you quickly get an education on the physical limits of a human soldier to carry "extra stuff." So shooting your personal rifle/M-16 or M-4 on semiautomatic for 90 percent of your combat tasks makes much more sense when viewed "after the blood blister pops" or the Alice pack straps dig into your skin wear your shoulders raw or bruised during a long hot road march. An experienced wise soldier always asks himself how much does this "wonderful" extra equipment weigh? It always weighs twice or three times as much ten miles into the patrol or road march.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Amen Ounces make weight, weight makes pounds....

[@AlexBoom73]

The A-team tv series used the folding stock version of this!

[@NapoleonGelignite]

Actually they used Mini-14s dressed to look like an ac556.

[@jeffsmith8197]

And the A-Team couldn't hit sh^t, which is what Ian was saying about this.

[@NapoleonGelignite]

@@jeffsmith8197 - they were firing blanks :-)

[@jeffsmith8197]

@@NapoleonGelignite In order to keep it a "family friendly Show" the A-Team never killed anybody directly. I was kidding of course.

[@NapoleonGelignite]

@@jeffsmith8197 - yes I know you were joking, I was joking back 😊

[@adventureswithducky4088]

Great video! I love how you go from "teacher/professor" mode to "guy having fun shooting" mode!

[@Pcm979]

Even I can tell how much you're fighting the gun to keep it on target.

[@troy9477]

Could be a better design, but it works. I have a GB Mini 14, which is the semiauto version. It has a Choate folding stock in sddition to the bayonet lug and flash suppressor. Pretty good rifle, but you can feel the bolt hitting the receiver. Haven't shot it in probably 14 years. I should get a Buffer Tech buffer for it and enjoy it more. When i was in LE, our first patrol rifles were commercial Minis that we traded for (4 of them) with a hodgepodge of magazines. I always took the non-ranch blued steel one with the GI style leather sling because i liked its peep sight better and i knew how to use the hasty sling method. They were decent rifles, probably about 2 MOA average, and they did the job. I put Hogue overmolded stocks on them, which improved the handling. The AR-15's we got a few years later were better. Better accuracy, better triggers, and easy to mount optics, first Eo-Techs and later the Aimpoint PRO. Good rifles. I bought my own Bushmaster, used it for abt 9 years. Was planning to get a 308 version and train with a scope and start a DMR program. Small PD, we had some latitude, and DMR made sense. But i got squeezed out before it happened. Anyway, great video as always. Thank you

[@jonminer9891]

Well, Ian, I am disappointed but not surprised. I favor semi-auto and see no need in anything I would do that requires 3 round burst or full auto. I still like the looks though. It's just my era I know. So, if I ever have the desire, thanks for letting me in on the AC-556. I think the mini is a lot less than the PS90. Thanks for sharing! Stay healthy!

[@jeffreyroot6300]

True! Full auto has very limited practical applications outside of a modern battlefield, where it’s best served by a belt feed arm designed specifically to the purpose.

[@1IGG]

Agreed, it looks cooler than the m16.

[@shawnr771]

One of the uses was if a small unit was attempting to break contact with a larger unit. Point man emptied the mag on full auto, tossed a grenade and then runs back past the compass man. Compass man repeats the procedure. keep doing this succesively down the line of the patrol. When the break contact order is issued the trail man. Sets a claymore land mine pointed in the direction of the enemy. If this does not break contact. Rinse Repeat.

[@jeffreyroot6300]

@@shawnr771 aAll true.

[@bryanewyatt]

It is hilarious how much the barrel and furniture move when you watch it fire in slow-mo. The barrel in particular looks like it's made of Play-Doh.

[@raphx5530]

I feel your emotional struggles with having to reign in your passion when given the opportunity to test historical weapons...kinda like a kid in a candy store

[@ohtehlolz]

Hi Ian! I'm so happy to be an AZ resident today, November 7th. It's finally under 90 degrees. Yay! - Mesa

[@0toeknee0]

“I pity da foool who uses a wood stock on dat rifle!”

[@mr.fahrenheit6976]

I don't get the Ali-G reference?

[@ArcturusOTE]

@@mr.fahrenheit6976 Mr T, not Ali G, or perhaps you might be referring to Easy E?

[@scudzuki]

Another thing that makes it different than the Mini 14 (and the M16 family) is, the Mini is only rated to run .223, with it's max SAAMI pressure of 55k PSI vs the 62k PSI max pressure of 5.56 NATO. I sold my brother in law one from an estate collection and now I'm trying to find .223 ammo for him. I do have a metric $hit ton of 5.56 NATO but no .223. However, in my experimentation, including the use of a piezoelectric chamber pressure measurement system, every factory 5.56 NATO ammo I've tested does not exceed the SAAMI spec of 55k PSI. However, they were all tested in a 5.56 chamber, whose longer throat theoretically would result in somewhat lower pressure than the same round in a true .223 chamber. Although I would (and will, we're keeping a Mini 14) shoot M193 or M855 out of said Mini, I'm unwilling to take the same (exceedingly small) risk with my BIL's health.

[@zendell37]

I've never understood why it's so hard to find good reliable magazines for the mini-14. It's basically Ruger factory mags or jam city.

[@Hornet135]

It would be so much easier if they just used STANAG magazines.

[@NYstranger74]

I've had good luck with pro-mag and cdnn sports 10 round magazines (I like in the people's republic of ny)

[@death-punchindustries3908]

Thermold mags work great for mine. Two thing worth of note is that: 1. The catch hole will enlarge after some use. Mine generally didn’t enlarge until well over 1000 rounds each, save for two that started wearing around the 600 mark. And 2. When you get them new, there’s excess material from the molding process that don’t get cleaned up too well around where the rounds get ramped up and around the feed lips. Clean those up and you’re golden. Also, they’re decently affordable.

[@stevestruthers6180]

Starting in the late 1970s, the Canadian Forces began the Small Arms Replacement Project (SARP) to replace the existing FN C1A1 and FN C2 service rifles, which had been in service since 1957 and were getting a little long in the tooth. A number of candidates were trialled, including the French-made FAMAS, the British L85, the Belgian FNC and the M16A1. The AC-556 was also trialled, but clearly didn't make the cut, as evidenced by the fact that the CF ended up adopting the M16A1, which was domestically manufactured under licence from Colt and designated C7 in military service after a substantial number of improvements and modifications were made to the basic design.

[@DanielWW2]

This must be the single most accurate Ruger AC-556 ever made. I mean, everybody knows that these guns can't hit anything other than engine blocks or conveniently placed explosive barrels at 20 meters.

[@chanoom]

Watching a Forgotten Weapons vid makes me feel like coming home. Warm & cozy.

[@maxcady645]

Do the Diemaco C8 carbine/ SFW

[@Stoney3K]

Why would that be any different from all other AR-15 carbine/M4 style clones on the planet? The only significance is that it's being made by the Canadians, but it's otherwise just a licensed copy.

[@maxcady645]

@@Stoney3K There are a few minor differences that apparently make it better. I don't know about you but i watch Forgotten Weapons for the history of what Gun Jesus reviews. After all Ian goes into detail and that is what his specialty is. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. It is almost the same thing I agree, but I would like to hear about the history, specifically about UKSF adoption of the weapon.

[@zakofrx]

The people who want to ban all the guns would love this.. It's not a scary black color and is made of wood... A KZbinr in the past showed a bunch of guns to people and they usually wanted the black plastic ones banned and wanted the wooden ones availble.. They never thought about action or calibre..

[@me3333]

"It's tough work but somebody has to do it" Thank God we have Ian taking one for the team!

[@opticandersonopticanderson3364]

When Ian is doing shooting, if no Elmer Fud "huhuhuh" is heard, the gun being shot is, at most, average in performance.

[@TheFishE77Official]

The front-on angle during the slow mo makes the barrel look like jelly, look at that barrel whip between the handguard and flash hider!

[@Bobbymaccys]

“Fast and spicy” similar experience after curry Thursday

[@michelguevara151]

@Doctor Stain I shouldn't laugh.. XD

[@Bobbymaccys]

@Doctor Stain F

[@rohawaha]

So the lesson is : the M16 recoil buffer and buffer spring work well in absorbing some recoil .

[@texturk6092]

Wow I’m early. How y’all doin?

[@spaceorb123]

Tired. Lol

[@texturk6092]

@@spaceorb123 hope you rest well.

[@adamarndt2587]

@@spaceorb123 Rest and sleep is for the weak

[@jeffreyroot6300]

Up all night, but happy !

[@texturk6092]

@@jeffreyroot6300 good

[@Spike-13]

3:17 this dude shoots so many guns his collar is permanently bent upward 😂😂😂

[@arnoldsherrill6305]

Why am I having flashbacks to ROTC in high school and having to try to maintain an M14 as an assistant armorer good times but at the same time it was a lot of work., and I definitely approve the references to the A-Team. The inability to maintain sight picture on Full Auto definitely makes this a no-go, you could end up hitting something you're trying not to hit, talk about an invitation to Friendly Fire. Other than that Ian keep up the good work, and we'll see you next video.

[@JohnPaulJones87]

This is exactly what I was looking for after yesterday's video!