I like the new design approach Ruger has taken with this rifle. The two-stage piston driven operating system is a plus over the gas driven. Also they declare it to be both 5.56mm NATO/.223 Rem compatible. <--- any thoughts on that? Why is the Standard Model $1995 and the E-Model only $1375? I don't see the $600 dollar difference. Why are the 3 stand alone uppers more expensive than the complete E-Model rifle? http://www.ruger.com/products/sr556/index.html
Ruger SR-556 Autoloading Rifle
- Thread starter usglfvet
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How so?
Because they don't want to sell them? I honestly don't know. But for that price you could get a Colt, or even a budget minded Noveske and be better off.
Is it, or is it just another option?
A 5.56 chamber will shoot .223, not uncommon.
Fortunately for their prices, Ruger usually overstates their MSRP and you can find them for less.
Z-Michigan
Member
It's massively overpriced and a bit heavy. Other than that it's OK, but there are better options for less money. The E model is intended as the discount model but is actually better in many ways (it weighs less, for starters), however its barrel is not chrome-lined which is a major minus.
mljdeckard
Member
I have fired piston guns, and I'm not sold on the advantage over DI.
As others have stated, all rifles chambered for 5.56 will run .223. This is a case of them saying this as if it was their idea and they have the exclusive on it, which is not at all true.
I have handled one, I haven't shot it, I didn't see anything in it worth picking it over other rifles in the same price range.
As others have stated, all rifles chambered for 5.56 will run .223. This is a case of them saying this as if it was their idea and they have the exclusive on it, which is not at all true.
I have handled one, I haven't shot it, I didn't see anything in it worth picking it over other rifles in the same price range.
And you know the piston is better than a gas driven rifle by how??... it's obvious you don't know much about AR15's if you don't know about 5.56 and 223 differences in rifles...
highorder
Member
I handled the E model last weekend, and I must say the handguard is very SLIM.
People like that. It's still very nose-heavy compared to other mid length guns.
People like that. It's still very nose-heavy compared to other mid length guns.
230therapy
Member
Go research it on m4carbine.net. I was just looking at them, but dropped the idea. There were some problems with it, including accelerated wear on the frame from carrier tilt. Robb Jensen did some evaluations on the rifle. This may have been fixed. You may find it more advantageous to consider a standard DI gun from Bravo Company, Colt, or Daniel Defense.
It's also a 1:9 twist.
Robb's eval starts here in the thread:
http://www.m4carbine.net/showpost.php?p=403291&postcount=315
This is bad: http://www.m4carbine.net/showpost.php?p=416224&postcount=355
5,000 round photo essay
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=79663&highlight=SR556
It's also a 1:9 twist.
Robb's eval starts here in the thread:
http://www.m4carbine.net/showpost.php?p=403291&postcount=315
This is bad: http://www.m4carbine.net/showpost.php?p=416224&postcount=355
5,000 round photo essay
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=79663&highlight=SR556
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rbernie
Contributing Member
People learn by asking questions, so let's try to keep the snark in check.
"Fortunately for their prices, Ruger usually overstates their MSRP and you can find them for less." I find most Manufacturer's overstate their MSRP. DPMS has thier Panther 5.56 NATO Oracle listed on thier web site for $709.00 and I can get the same firearm at Lotus in Jensen Beach Fl. for $599.
MtnCreek
Member
I don't own one, but I have put a few hundred rds through one. Seemed like a good rifle to me, but the price tag may be a little high for what you're getting. When they were first introduced, everyone was talking about piston driven AR's and that probably has a lot to do with their choice to go piston and it does add to the cost. As others said, it's a little heavy, but most railed AR's feel heavy to me.
I can vouch for BCM and Colt, both are very good rifles.
"it's obvious you don't know much about AR15's if you don't know about 5.56 and 223 differences in rifles..." Ok AR hotshot here it goes: It is the chambers for these 2 rifles that differ. The 5.56 Mil Spec round has higher velocity and chamber pressure than the 223. The portion of the barrel in front of the chamber known as the throat is greater on the 5.56 NATO than on the .223 Rem. Hence you can fire the 223 round in a 5.56 rifle without incident but look for malfunctions when vise versa as the higher pressure cartrige will raise hell in the 223 rifle with the shorter throat. How'd I do? Hey JEM375, as the local AR15 Scientologist, give me one thing that is the same about both rounds?
I guess I will keep shopping then.
230therapy
Member
Check the timestamps on the posts. I bet Ruger made changes since the gun was released.
Robb's posts: 2009
Tokavrev's posts: April 2011
Frankly, I think there are better guns for $1400ish. Check out the Daniel Defense guns with a Modular Float Rail (or the similar rail from Troy). The MFR makes the gun very handy and you can add rails where needed.
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MtnCreek
Member
C-
230therapy
Member
wtxj,
Have you taken your gun apart? Are you seeing carrier tilt wear? I suspect that Ruger would have improved the rifle since Robb's initial evaluation.
Have you taken your gun apart? Are you seeing carrier tilt wear? I suspect that Ruger would have improved the rifle since Robb's initial evaluation.
Dude! it was a Pop-Quiz.... I did not take time to study.C-
"The two-stage piston driven operating system is a plus over the gas driven." Is it, or is it just another option?
Direct impingement is more sensitive to ammo variations and much of the spent gas ends up inside the receiver causing fouling. Gas piston's Spent gas is vented externally and has more tolerance to variations in ammo. "Cleaner and more ammo choices is my final answer without phoning a friend."
Direct impingement is more sensitive to ammo variations and much of the spent gas ends up inside the receiver causing fouling. Gas piston's Spent gas is vented externally and has more tolerance to variations in ammo. "Cleaner and more ammo choices is my final answer without phoning a friend."
The fouling issue, in my experience, is vastly overstated. I put somewhere close to 1000 rounds of various ammo through my AR and had very little fouling to clean. Not sure about the issue of different ammo as I have expereinced no issues. Other than different bullets weights getting mixed together and my poi changing in the middle of a match.
If you want a piston gun by all means get one. But honestly I think it is an answer looking for a problem. And as some have stated pistons may actually create more issues than they "solve".
I have 3 ARs. All get run hard. All shoot everything; wolf, federal xm193, hornady and black hills, hot or not. None have had any issues with any of the ammo.
sure cleaning is a bit easier, but i clean my guns often. So i personally don't see a need for a piston.
A good friend that has shot 3 gun with me for a year(12 matches or so) with his piston, just got a DI AR for 3 gun. He is happier with the DI.
As stated. Nothing wrong with a piston. It is another option. Is the extra cost worth a cleaner bolt.?
sure cleaning is a bit easier, but i clean my guns often. So i personally don't see a need for a piston.
A good friend that has shot 3 gun with me for a year(12 matches or so) with his piston, just got a DI AR for 3 gun. He is happier with the DI.
As stated. Nothing wrong with a piston. It is another option. Is the extra cost worth a cleaner bolt.?
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