I am also in the process of acquiring my first AR. While the Ruger may be a fine weapon, I'm not a fan of the proprietary parts. I want an AR because of the huge aftermarket available, so I'm not going to buy one that has limited options from the get go.
Ruger SR-556 as first AR?
- Thread starter gadgetguy1288
- Start date
- Status
I'm new to the AR market as well and would like to get a nice gun, first time. I've looked at LMT, S&W, Rock River, LaRue (would build my own from their upper) and also the Ruger. I'm leaning toward a traditional DI high quality build, probably a LMT.
ALso, several responders to this post have said the Ruger is selling for $2,000. Well, that's not true, at least in my area. Two local dealers have had them and both wanted about the same which was right at $1550 which I assume is MSRP. I've held both of them...They seem a little heavy compared to other AR's I've held, but all in all it seems to be a very nice package. I really hope Ruger does well with this gun as everyone will benefit if they do.
ALso, several responders to this post have said the Ruger is selling for $2,000. Well, that's not true, at least in my area. Two local dealers have had them and both wanted about the same which was right at $1550 which I assume is MSRP. I've held both of them...They seem a little heavy compared to other AR's I've held, but all in all it seems to be a very nice package. I really hope Ruger does well with this gun as everyone will benefit if they do.
possum
Member
if you do get one, let us know how it does.
now back to your question. the sr9 and the lcp 2 of the 4 newest firearms that ruger has came out with has had issues, therefore i would be a little hesitant. also i normally like to let other people be the first to get something new, i like for it to be out for a while so i can read and hear about their track record. honestly i normally wait to hear when one goes through a high round count training course, and makes it, and that is a good reason for me to look into it if it meets all those requirements.
also i am not a fan of the gun companies, trying to make the ar into an ak(piston ran). i have had no issues with the ar design in 2 deployments to the sandbox, over 6 years in the Army, and years of shooting and training with my personal guns.
now back to your question. the sr9 and the lcp 2 of the 4 newest firearms that ruger has came out with has had issues, therefore i would be a little hesitant. also i normally like to let other people be the first to get something new, i like for it to be out for a while so i can read and hear about their track record. honestly i normally wait to hear when one goes through a high round count training course, and makes it, and that is a good reason for me to look into it if it meets all those requirements.
also i am not a fan of the gun companies, trying to make the ar into an ak(piston ran). i have had no issues with the ar design in 2 deployments to the sandbox, over 6 years in the Army, and years of shooting and training with my personal guns.
Why are you talking about a mini-14? The OP is asking about Ruger's piston AR. I say if the OP want's a gas piston AR the Ruger appears to be a good choice especially at $1400-$1500.
Also people need to understand that the Ruger AR is never going to get a ringing endorsement in any internet forum due to the DI fanboys and the anti-ruger crowd. I do think Ruger should offer a 1:7 twist barrel and I'm sure they will.
"Oh they are front heavy for sure. Probably because of the piston and the adjustable gas block thingy"
I think thats but a small amount of that extra weight, the primary reason is that big chunk of aluminum with rails on 4 sides that sits in front of the reciever.
Rugers piston design could add extra weight to it, I havent handled one yet, and I havent had a chance to see the GP design closely. Maybe the barrel is also a heavier profile, something like an Hbar profile, that could explain the primary difference.
After all Ruger did make the cold hammer forged barrel, maybe its a heavy profile also.
I think thats but a small amount of that extra weight, the primary reason is that big chunk of aluminum with rails on 4 sides that sits in front of the reciever.
Rugers piston design could add extra weight to it, I havent handled one yet, and I havent had a chance to see the GP design closely. Maybe the barrel is also a heavier profile, something like an Hbar profile, that could explain the primary difference.
After all Ruger did make the cold hammer forged barrel, maybe its a heavy profile also.
possum
Member
heavy up front is a good thing imho, will help you manage muzzle rise. that combined with a good muzzle break and the appropriate grip would set you up for great success in rapid fire situations.
Evergreen
Member
I was about to purchase a Ruger SR-556, which I found at a smokin deal for $1450, but turned it down. I know most places sell this gun for around $1600. The reason why I turned it down is it is a very new and not extensively tested. You will be the guinea pig, and I rather others, richer or better suppplied (LEO/Miliatry/Beta Testsers etc) people do the testing than myself.
It looks like an awesome gun and I wish I bought it, but I decided for the same price I can buy an LMT MRP CQB 16 with exchangeable barrels and a long time proven record as being a reliable and high quality rifle I know will not fail me. For that price, all rifles are very high quality and the average user won't see much of a difference I am told unless you are going into the battlefield. On that note, I would still want a gun with a proven track record of quality and reliability.
As far as piston guns that I hear are superior in quality, I think LWRC and Robinson XCR are winners and a better, safer bet than the Ruger SR-556.
It looks like an awesome gun and I wish I bought it, but I decided for the same price I can buy an LMT MRP CQB 16 with exchangeable barrels and a long time proven record as being a reliable and high quality rifle I know will not fail me. For that price, all rifles are very high quality and the average user won't see much of a difference I am told unless you are going into the battlefield. On that note, I would still want a gun with a proven track record of quality and reliability.
As far as piston guns that I hear are superior in quality, I think LWRC and Robinson XCR are winners and a better, safer bet than the Ruger SR-556.
W.E.G.
Member
Rugers are way overpriced for what you get.
Who in their right mind would pay $1500 for an unnecessarily-heavy, unproven, and nothing-special Ruger, when you can get a flawless new Colt 6920 for at least $200 less?
Note to the audience - that gas piston has no talismanic qualities.
None at all.
Who in their right mind would pay $1500 for an unnecessarily-heavy, unproven, and nothing-special Ruger, when you can get a flawless new Colt 6920 for at least $200 less?
Note to the audience - that gas piston has no talismanic qualities.
None at all.
I am a DI fan myself but my new build has been torpedoed by Ruger's SR-556 release, 
I want one. With the special work on the bolt it seems that they have spent some time already working out the kinks. If you want to pan Ruger because of what Bill did over ten years ago that is fine but I have several Ruger guns that have round counts in the thousands. His politics might have been bad but his guns are great.
You should be able to get them for $1250 to $1500.
I want one. With the special work on the bolt it seems that they have spent some time already working out the kinks. If you want to pan Ruger because of what Bill did over ten years ago that is fine but I have several Ruger guns that have round counts in the thousands. His politics might have been bad but his guns are great.You should be able to get them for $1250 to $1500.
There have been a few Ruger firearms with recalls, or problems, none were rifles that I know of, and how many manufacturers as big and extensive as Ruger have had less than 3 firearm models with problems? I venture to guess very very few.
My Rugers have been flawless minus the mini-14s accuracy after one or two shots.
My Rugers have been flawless minus the mini-14s accuracy after one or two shots.
For the price of the Ruger I'd much rather have a Daniel Defense XV M4
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Daniel_Defense_XV_M4_Carbine_7.0_Omega.html
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Daniel_Defense_XV_M4_Carbine_7.0_Omega.html
Charger442
Member
i was responding to the man who said that a mini-14 had the same accuracy as a standard AR.
The OP can do what he wants. but i think its a steep price to pay for the new Ruger AR.
wally
Member
I really love my Mini-14 and Mini-30, but they are closer to an AK accuracy and reliability wise than to an AR. Lack of good 20 or 30 round mags holds the Mini-30 back. Mini-14 mags from Ruger are now available in 20 or 30 round versions, but cost 2X+ AR or AK mags.
--wally.
W.E.G.
Member
No.
Just three or four that I frequent.
I'm not dead set against the Ruger.
You are right.
I have NOT handled the Ruger.
I've looked for them in a few places, but not laid hands on one yet.
I can read though.
Do you disagree that the gun is front-heavy?
Do you disagree that there have been reports of the gun chewing up the buffer tube?
Do you disagree that the Colt 6920 is available for $1,200 or less, whereas the Ruger is $1,500 and up?
Yes, I have an opinion on this topic.
In case you didn't notice, this is a discussion board.
I see you have 4 whole posts here.
If wagging your finger at me is what it takes for you to participate in the discussion, please wag on.
Welcome to THR.
wally
Member
I went to the last gun show planning to get a Ruger SR-556, but I ended up with a Colt 6940 for the exact same out the door price. Seemed a better deal in the long run right now. Time will tell how well the Ruger prices and guns hold up.
--wally.
KBintheSLC
Member
Key words bolded.
New Mini's are far more accurate than the "classics".
stchman
Member
The SR556 is complete AR lower. This means you can buy all the AR mags you want.
As far as accessories, the SR556 comes pretty loaded. About the only thing you would want to do it get some good optics IMO.
As far as accessories, the SR556 comes pretty loaded. About the only thing you would want to do it get some good optics IMO.
LMT CQB MRP Defender 2000 - $1500
You get what you pay for in all things.
I just picked up the LMT for my son and it is a great gun. I have held the Ruger SR556 too and it looks and feels good. However, I purchased the SR22-R for my son back in Nov09 and it too looks good and feels good. But the real issue with Ruger's as I see is they don't have the engineering and design experience for these types of ARs. I have had issues with the SR22-R and plan on dumping it as soon as I can and plan on getting one of the other 22LR ARs for training. I like the SW 22 ARs that have the same basic design of a standard AR controls. The original design of the SR22-R was great with being able to use the ruger 10/22 mags, etc. but the gun is hard to disassemble and reassemble and it has an alloy screw to put upper and lower together and it will strip out over time and have to be sent back to be fixed and I talked to an engineer at the NRA convention in Charlotte a few weeks ago and he didn't seem to care much about my suggestion on how to fix the issues. These gun mfg should take some lessons from the Air Force they know more about light weight alloys than any one. If your plan on using this AR to defend your self and family then get a good one like; LMT, DD, Colt, etc.. My issue with Colt is I have to replace all the parts to improve it. With LMT I can purchase a new Upper MRP in 204, 6.8 spc, etc.. and it only takes a one or two minutes to swap out Uppers. It comes with fairly good LMT BUIS and everything else is top notch.
Xaml
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CZ-75 Pre-b, CZ P-07 Duty, Browning BDA 380, etc..
LMT CQB MRP Defender 2000 DI
NRA Pistol Instructor, SC CWP, UT CWP, PA CWP
You get what you pay for in all things.
I just picked up the LMT for my son and it is a great gun. I have held the Ruger SR556 too and it looks and feels good. However, I purchased the SR22-R for my son back in Nov09 and it too looks good and feels good. But the real issue with Ruger's as I see is they don't have the engineering and design experience for these types of ARs. I have had issues with the SR22-R and plan on dumping it as soon as I can and plan on getting one of the other 22LR ARs for training. I like the SW 22 ARs that have the same basic design of a standard AR controls. The original design of the SR22-R was great with being able to use the ruger 10/22 mags, etc. but the gun is hard to disassemble and reassemble and it has an alloy screw to put upper and lower together and it will strip out over time and have to be sent back to be fixed and I talked to an engineer at the NRA convention in Charlotte a few weeks ago and he didn't seem to care much about my suggestion on how to fix the issues. These gun mfg should take some lessons from the Air Force they know more about light weight alloys than any one. If your plan on using this AR to defend your self and family then get a good one like; LMT, DD, Colt, etc.. My issue with Colt is I have to replace all the parts to improve it. With LMT I can purchase a new Upper MRP in 204, 6.8 spc, etc.. and it only takes a one or two minutes to swap out Uppers. It comes with fairly good LMT BUIS and everything else is top notch.
Xaml
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CZ-75 Pre-b, CZ P-07 Duty, Browning BDA 380, etc..
LMT CQB MRP Defender 2000 DI
NRA Pistol Instructor, SC CWP, UT CWP, PA CWP
C-grunt
Member
Holy zombie thread Batman!!!!
- Status
