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BOERNE, TX — Matt Carriker, the founder and face of Demolition Ranch, has officially stepped away from YouTube, concluding his nearly two-decade run with two emotional and explosive final videos. Known for his unique blend of firearm experimentation, high-energy content, and down-to-earth personality, Carriker’s departure marks the end of one of the most influential channels in the gun community.
The farewell came in two parts: a reflective upload titled “The End” on his personal channel Off the Ranch, and the final Demolition Ranch video titled “Thank You For Everything…”, which dropped today. Each video served a distinct purpose—one heartfelt and introspective, the other celebratory and action-packed.
In his Off the Ranch farewell, Carriker sat quietly on his Texas property as rain fell around him. He reflected on his 18-year YouTube journey, his initial fears of not being “good enough” for success, and his surprise at how viewers embraced his normalcy. “You guys didn’t want a Hollywood guy. You wanted someone real,” he said.
The final Demolition Ranch episode, in contrast, was filled with tanks, grenades, and longtime friends. In true Demolition Ranch fashion, it included over-the-top tests involving dummies, explosions, and laughter—all while subtly acknowledging the weight of the moment. “It’s weird… this is the last time,” Carriker admitted in a quiet moment with friends between experiments.
Carriker emphasized that the decision to retire was driven by his desire to focus on family and live life without the constant pull of content creation. “I want to plan my day around what will make the best day—not what will make the best video,” he said.
He encouraged others who are hesitant to start their own creative journeys to “just start,” noting that he, too, once thought the platform was too saturated. “There’s room for someone new to pass up Demolition Ranch,” he said. “It might be you.”
Matt Carriker’s impact on the gun community, YouTube culture, and content creation as a whole is undeniable. His retirement leaves a lasting legacy, but also an open invitation for the next generation to pick up where he left off.
