Ruger SFAR engineering. Inside SFAR vs LFAR, AR15.

[silicosys4]

Here is a photo comparison of some of the engineering that went into the SFAR.
I am not an engineer, I do not claim to have knowledge of the changes Ruger made other than the obvious, but from the photographs you can see that Ruger did some interesting things.

Here is a top down, SFAR in the middle, Palmetto PA10 on the left, AR15 on the right. The differences become immediately obvious.


comparing the SFAR to the AR15 The SFAR receiver is significantly shorter. You can see the SFAR receiver really does have some clever engineering to keep the overall length similar to the AR15. Whatever extra length the longer magazine well requires is compensated for by the reduction in space behind the trigger group.



Comparing the SFAR to the PA10.



You can see just how much size and weight is reduced in the SFAR design.
When you compare the size of the bolts, here is where things get really...interesting.
PA10 on the left, SFAR in the middle, AR15 on the right.





The bolt itself. AR15 on the left, SFAR in the middle, PA10 on the right.



Approximate Bolt head diameter AR15


Approximate SFAR bolt head diameter



Approximate PA10 bolt head diameter



So there you go. Some of the physical differences between the SFAR and its peers that makes the size and weight of the SFAR possible.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I am curious how the SFAR would hold up to a 45 Raptor.

I would be interested to see the difference in the buffering systems.

 

[IlikeSA]

Thanks for showing the photo comparisons.

 

[Varminterror]

I am curious how the SFAR would hold up to a 45 Raptor.

Better than it will to 308win. Same max pressure, same bolt face, but greater bore capacity, so the dwell time under max pressure is lesser - the max forces (bolt thrust and pressure) are the same peak, but a 308win will sustain longer at higher pressure/force.

 

[zdc1775]

I'm really hoping the aftermarket picks up on these and someone starts offering stripped uppers, lowers, and barrels soon, as I really want to pick one up but have no desire to add another 308.

 

[Bartojc]

If I had a reason to own a 308 semi-auto.........

-Jeff

 

[someguy2800]

 

[marksman13]

Ruger literally just copied the POF-USA design. It’s what Ruger does. They find designs that work and copy them with very slight changes.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

all of us are very angry and smart.

 

[Varminterror]

The timing of Ruger’s release of the SFAR, coincidental to the release of their OTHER first products from formerly Remington owned IP is somewhere between suspicious and indicative, or maybe wholly coincidental. I would be intrigued to learn that Ruger had acquired the DPMS G2 somehow through the bankruptcy.

But naturally, it’s pretty obvious if Ruger had done anything untoward in “copying” defensible IP from ANYONE, every lawyer in the country would gladly take that case to get a piece of what would be a fantastic payday… more likely, 1) Ruger either developed their own IP based on info which, frankly, is in the public domain, or 2) Ruger licensed the IP as pertinent.

So really, either way, you’re buying a product and buying the company behind it - and there is good reason Ruger’s stock price has held on while competing brands have largely faltered.

 

[kwb377]

Ruger literally just copied the POF-USA design.

I've only casually handled the POF...but it sure looks like they found a design that worked (AR10/15) and made slight changes.

They find designs that work and copy them with very slight changes.

You just described every AR manufacturer. In fact, you just described every firearm, automobile, electronics, appliance, furniture, clothing, etc. manufacturer.

 

[drobs]

The selling point for me on the Ruger SFAR is the weight at 6.8lbs for the 16 inch carbine:
https://ruger.com/products/sfar/specSheets/5610.html

Any issues with reliability and your SFAR? TFBTV did a review on it and had feeding issues (jump to 6m55s):



I'm done buying unreliable $1000+ guns.

 

[d2wing]

I am interested.

 

[marksman13]

I've only casually handled the POF...but it sure looks like they found a design that worked (AR10/15) and made slight changes.

POF and Sig seem to be the only folks in the AR market that are doing much innovation outside of some boutique manufacturers like Falkor and Nemo. Ruger copies more than just ARs and I’m not knocking them. I am a Ruger fan.


You just described every AR manufacturer. In fact, you just described every firearm, automobile, electronics, appliance, furniture, clothing, etc. manufacturer.

 

[silicosys4]

Any issues with reliability and your SFAR? TFBTV did a review on it and had feeding issues (jump to 6m55s):



I'm done buying unreliable $1000+ guns.

I haven't had any time to get out and use mine. It's unfired.
I had 2 coming because of the fiasco with my two returned wranglers...I ended up taking 2 sfars at a steep discount and offered one to my buddy for what it cost me.

Mines two numbers away from his so if they don't run the same I'd be surprised. I was hoping for consecutive numbers but oh well.

He's been able to run his....I gave him some supplies and taught him to reload his first 50 rounds of 7.62, 45 gr. Varget under a 150gr fmj, a mid range load.
At "3" on the gasblock, the recommended break in setting , the gun was throwing brass about 8 ft to the 2-3 o'clock position. I had him lube the bolt to dripping, and it fed all 20rds without failure. Its not much of a test I know but so far so good with no indications of any issues.

My first impressions are pretty good.
Build quality is fair,
The trigger is excellent
The takedown pins must be knocked out with a punch and a light tap,

The front takedown pin has more slop than I'd like, when clamshelled open there is a lot of wobble back and forth that dissapears when the gun is closed and pinned. Both issues are personal taste that don't affect function.