Ruger Has Gone Silly

[mordechaianiliewicz]

Okay.... so, I've been looking at AR-15 models to buy, and the one that has stood out the most for me as something not to buy is the SR556.

My first gun was a Ruger. A 10/22 purchased when I was 18, working as a Customer Service Rep part time in the most terrible call center ever. I had no money, really. But, Ruger made a good gun, that would last for decades, and was very affordable for a guy making $8 an hour.

Times changed, I got better jobs, but Rugers continued to be a theme in my gun collection. The always offered a great value for not a lot of money.

I know they wanted a piece of the AR market, who wouldn't? But, Ruger's claim to fame seems to have always been 1. Take a design that's solid and make it inexpensively.... 2. Make sure it's as high quality as the models that cost a little more.... 3. Profit.

In the SR556 I see a gas pistoned AR that is several hundred dollars more than other gas piston ARs and is largely subcontracted to a whole bunch of other companies. It offers nothing that hasn't already been done by Stag Arms, or Bushmaster, or a few others for less money.

Basically, Ruger should have done what Smith & Wesson did with the M&P 15 Sporter. I just hope the SR556 is not a harbinger of things to come. I'd hate to see Ruger basically become a company that makes good stuff, but marks that stuff way up.

 

[buckstrucks]

This rifle has been out for about 3 years, and seems to be pretty popular. It does not cost near as much as the MSRP, I have seen the top end model sitting next to a COLT for only $100 more. And you get nice parts, and 3 p mags with it.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

I haven't seen it for less than $1800 where I live.... before Sandy Hook. Interesting.

 

[LockedBreech]

While I agree that Ruger tends to be more budget oriented (not a bad thing, they do great things on a budget), I shot the SR556 and was very impressed. I own a Daniel Defense, definitely a top-tier DI AR, but I found myself wanting more time on the Ruger. Very pleasant recoil impulse.

I think it'd be neat if they made their equivalent of the M&P15 Sport, though. Expand the line a bit more in the budget direction.

 

[highorder]

I spent a day with a SR556. It shot well enough, but it's as muzzle-heavy as other piston AR's if not more-so. Built quality was good, and the trigger was average. It was purchased for $1299 a couple years ago.

 

[chicharrones]

Basically, Ruger should have done what Smith & Wesson did with the M&P 15 Sporter. I just hope the SR556 is not a harbinger of things to come. I'd hate to see Ruger basically become a company that makes good stuff, but marks that stuff way up.

Maybe, just maybe, if and when Ruger opens its third manufacturing plant they might produce a traditional AR?

One can hope.

http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2013/05/12/ruger-to-open-third-plant-expansion-for-new-guns/

 

[CraigC]

I haven't seen it for less than $1800 where I live....

No Ruger should cost much more than 75% of MSRP. If it does, find another dealer.

We must also remember that the Ruger also comes with a Troy forend and battle sights.

 

[HOOfan_1]

In the SR556 I see a gas pistoned AR that is several hundred dollars more than other gas piston ARs

RUGER SR556 MSRP $1,900
HK MR556 MSRP $3,200

which one is several hundred dollars more?

I am seeing the Standard SR556 for about $80 more than the Sig 516...sights and number of magazines included might have something to do with that.

 

[Quentin]

I'm not expecting a cheap Ruger AR since it would cut into their Mini-14 sales. No doubt folks planning to buy an $800 Mini would also look hard at an $800 Ruger "Sport"!

Ruger seems forced to keep their AR a few hundred higher than their "other" .223.

 

[tahunua001]

Basically, Ruger should have done what Smith & Wesson did with the M&P 15 Sporter. I just hope the SR556 is not a harbinger of things to come. I'd hate to see Ruger basically become a company that makes good stuff, but marks that stuff way up.

the SR556 has been around for some time, almost as long as the SR series handguns. nobody complains about the quality of those, or the SR22 handgun or rifles(though to be honest the rifle is just a 10/22 with flash hider and archangel type stock), or the SR1911, or the gunsite, or American, or any other model that Ruger has released in the last 5 years or so. true a lot of people are griping about the things that they are cutting out of their menu like the P series handguns and a number if chamber options for the no 1 rifle lines but that's about it.

I agree the SR556 is way overpriced for what you get and their economy model isn't much better. I don't buy into the whole piston AR gig anyway so I don't really pay it much thought one way or another.

 

[CraigC]

...the rifle is just a 10/22 with flash hider and archangel type stock...

Actually it's a 10/22 with a Nordic chassis. Which was one of the first commercially successful AR-style chassis' available and is all aluminum. It accepts most AR buttstocks, pistol grips and forends. The Archangel is all plastic and much of its furniture is integrated. A substantial difference.

 

[Dentite]

I'm not expecting a cheap Ruger AR since it would cut into their Mini-14 sales. No doubt folks planning to buy an $800 Mini would also look hard at an $800 Ruger "Sport"!

Ruger seems forced to keep their AR a few hundred higher than their "other" .223.

That might be true but on the other side of the coin you would expect them to care more about profitability vs internal competition. The question is how profitable is the Mini 14 compared to an AR variant. Materials, components, time of fabrication, cost of labor, equipment, etc. If the AR variant can be made for the same cost to Ruger as the Mini 14, then it shouldn't matter if the price is close to the same.

I have no idea what the cost of production comparison would look like but it would be interesting to see what it was.

 

[tahunua001]

Actually it's a 10/22 with a Nordic chassis. Which was one of the first commercially successful AR-style chassis' available and is all aluminum. It accepts most AR buttstocks, pistol grips and forends. The Archangel is all plastic and much of its furniture is integrated. A substantial difference.

interesting... maybe I'll have to look into one of those then, slap on a MOE stock and a hogue pistol grip and that gun might just be fun to shoot. do you know if the flash hider is screw on or integrated? it'd be nice if I ever got a can to slap that bad boy on.

 

[CraigC]

It's threaded with the standard half inch pitch. These are reportedly better barrels than on the carbines as well as slightly heavier.

 

[dubbleA]

Quote:
...the rifle is just a 10/22 with flash hider and archangel type stock...

Actually it's a 10/22 with a Nordic chassis. Which was one of the first commercially successful AR-style chassis' available and is all aluminum. It accepts most AR buttstocks, pistol grips and forends. The Archangel is all plastic and much of its furniture is integrated. A substantial difference

Plus one for the above. I have that setup and it's a very solid well machined chassis. I haven't played with changing it up yet though I did add a suppressor.