Ruger SR-556

[DC300a]

Does anyone on here have any experience with Rugers "AR" design? Im curious to see what your opinions are. Im specifically interested to hear abotu the piston driven vs. standard gas driven action.

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[KeithK]

DC300a
I have been using a Ruger 556 with my son for local competitions from 50 to 300 yards on a military MRF range, it's been very reliable, a little heavy compared to our AR's, but I have been very impressed with the accuracy. We outfitted it with a ACOG and use Federal 556 ammo, no Failure to feeds with the gun set at the factory setting I think was 2. It seems to get maybe a little dirtier faster that our other AR's but not by a lot. I have been very pleased with it, I see you are in Florida, if you ever get up by Jacksonville you can give mine a try, just holler, we are always looking for an extra excuse to go shooting.
Keith

 

[kwelz]

The Piston system offers no advantages over the standard DI system. Yes a lot of people complain about DI saying it is dirty. However it has no real impact on reliability.

A piston System on the other hand introduces a number of problems into the platform. These include but are not limited to: Added weight to the front of the gun. Added complexity and moving parts. Reduced compatibility with current parts. Limited selection of rails that will work. Carrier Tilt.

 

[ugaarguy]

There's a defense review article/interview where Noveske says he has no interest in pursuing piston systems. No advantages, even SBRed & suppressed, and all the issues Kwelz listed. Can't remember where, but Reed Knight has come out and said pistons in ARs only have a real advantage in SBR & suppressed applications. AAC is using DI, not piston, on their .300 AAC Blackout bbls & uppers, and that's a cartridge that was designed (copy of previous versions) to be suppressed. YMMV, but I'm not seeing any real advantage to a piston driven AR.

 

[General Tso]

I was gonna get one. Then I asked for opinions at M4carbine.net. They pretty much called it junk. I disagreed that Ruger makes junk. They locked the thread. The hardcore AR guys hate them. Carrier tilt is bad I guess.

 

[nathan]

They should be good , but it depends on the person you are talking with . Either he s sold out as an AR or AK guy. I think its a good gun. Its just kind of pricey for my taste. Ill go for a Spikes Tactical and be happy .

And for those who say its junk, take it with a grain of salt. Its a typical cliche to close up the conversation . Its like saying, That girl is ugly. He could have been busted by her on a date for another boy.

 

[C-grunt]

I wouldn't buy a piston gun. For the same price you can buy a top of the line standard gas system AR.

 

[mdauben]

I was gonna get one. Then I asked for opinions at M4carbine.net. They pretty much called it junk. .

A lot of people who have never even handled one have strong negative opinions of the gun. Every hands on review of the gun I have found has been universally positive.

Unfortunatly the on line AR community seems to be dominated by people who are obsessed with "milspec". The further a gun deviates from that standard, the harsher the criticize it. Any deviation (like a piston) is automatically a flaw with no room for argument or dissenting opinion.

 

[CraigC]

It is no doubt a fine rifle and I am typically very positive on Ruger but after using a S&W M&P15 for over a year, I can't see paying extra for a piston gun. The nonsense about DI being dirty is just that, nonsense.

 

[browneu]

It is no doubt a fine rifle and I am typically very positive on Ruger but after using a S&W M&P15 for over a year, I can't see paying extra for a piston gun. The nonsense about DI being dirty is just that, nonsense.

I have to agree about DI being dirty. The bolt vents the gas outside with a small amount of residual gas entering the chamber. I can usually wipe out any residue since I keep my AR pretty wet.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk

 

[W L Johnson]

I have not fire one yet but I have handle one. First impression was it seemed the balance just didn't feel right, maybe a bit front heavy.

 

[Frankl03]

You will get a better value with a DI AR. AS said earlier get an upper end DI AR instead of the Ruger. I would trust a Spikes Tactical, Bravo Company and DD more than a Ruger!

To me the piston AR is a novelty! I believe that's the reason Rugar made one.

 

[Oxide]

The Piston system offers no advantages over the standard DI system. Yes a lot of people complain about DI saying it is dirty. However it has no real impact on reliability.

A piston System on the other hand introduces a number of problems into the platform. These include but are not limited to: Added weight to the front of the gun. Added complexity and moving parts. Reduced compatibility with current parts. Limited selection of rails that will work. Carrier Tilt.

I'll disagree with parts of that, if I may. The crud from a piston gun goes into the piston, the crud from the DI gun hits the key. Same crud, different spot. I doubt that .25 pounds of stuff makes that much difference, not enough to tell the difference being blindly handed one or the other, I'd wager.

There ARE moving parts where the DI has none, but, you can GET to them, whereas you can't get to the inside of the DI pipe, at least you shouldn't. As for reduced capacity with existing parts and rails, of course it has that. Anything new and different will; it's not the fault of the piston.

Here's something no one is talking about. The DI system has one great flaw, and that is that you can't drive it with a spring back to the front like you can an op rod. The one thing you will never see on an AR with DI is a folding stock (there's some highly modded exceptions) and that's because the spring is back there.

If Ruger were to mod their design with an op rod style spring return, then sell an AR with a folding stock, people would go nuts over it. Yeah, it would need some room for the carrier itself, but it would still be awesome.

 

[nathan]

For that price, get a Daniel Defense.

 

[Rodman30]

I have a friend who has one its nice but a little heavy and the trigger was gritty.

 

[DC300a]

Thanks everybody for your comments. You all echoed my initial thoughts on the rifle. Its an interesting idea but for what I would spend on it I could get a very nice gas AR.

Thanks again!

 

[Ridgerunner665]

My son just bought a Sig 516 (piston driven AR)...over 2,000 rounds fired in 3 days...no issues, no signs of carrier tilt, no malfunctions...and very accurate.

This is the first piston AR I have ever handled or fired...VERY SLIGHTLY front end heavy (not enough to matter IMO), it DOES run cleaner and cooler...it gets a tad dirty around the gas block and piston but the BCG and all parts involved stay clean and wet (the lube doesn't get burned off), the recoil feels different...not harder, just different.

He bought it as a graduation present to himself (graduated MCRD Parris Island)...I supplied the ammo...and we have been going at it since we got home from his graduation...

I have 2 Colts (6920, Hbar) and a S&W...that piston driven Sig is more accurate and just as reliable as either of mine.