Ruger's AR 556
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StingRayRay
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Did all your brass end up in a neat little pile?
danez71
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So.... I will be one of these 'new to MSR' / 'entry level' people.
I'm not big on pistol gripped rifles but I'm lacking in an area that a 556/223 fills well.
So what the best bang for the buck in entry level AR15s? Ruger? M&P Sport?
Obviously we don't know the reliability of the Ruger but assume the Ruger and M&P Sport are both reliable.
I'm not big on pistol gripped rifles but I'm lacking in an area that a 556/223 fills well.
So what the best bang for the buck in entry level AR15s? Ruger? M&P Sport?
Obviously we don't know the reliability of the Ruger but assume the Ruger and M&P Sport are both reliable.
I checked out the Ruger at the shop the other day - didn't even know it was out, but overheard the shop owner on the phone telling someone looking for one that he had 'em in stock.
Walked back over to the rack and played with it a bit, then came home and did a little research (still researching / verifying):
1. It's made in their new plant, just up the road from me in Mayodan, NC (two employees from the plant happened to be in the store at the time).
2. While the barrel nut is proprietary, it was reported that a regular barrel wrench would fit it, and you could easily replace it with a conventional barrel nut if you so desire.
3. I think one report I read said the BCG was shot-peened and / or particle inspected (if that's important to ya), and the gas carrier keys are staked.
4. It has M4 feed ramps.
5. I did notice that instead of a bayonet lug, they have a QD mount.
6. Tom Gresham had a Ruger rep on this week's podcast - he was telling how many parts they were producing in-house for the gun, instead of buying from suppliers (if that's important to ya).
You can stream / download this week's Part A with guest Mark Gurney of Ruger @ http://guntalk.libsyn.com/
I don't really need another AR, but I gotta admit, once the newness wears off and the price comes down from the shop's current $599, I wouldn't be surprised if one didn't follow me home.
Of course, after reading much of this thread, I realize it would be sacrilege to store it next to my Colts!
Walked back over to the rack and played with it a bit, then came home and did a little research (still researching / verifying):
1. It's made in their new plant, just up the road from me in Mayodan, NC (two employees from the plant happened to be in the store at the time).
2. While the barrel nut is proprietary, it was reported that a regular barrel wrench would fit it, and you could easily replace it with a conventional barrel nut if you so desire.
3. I think one report I read said the BCG was shot-peened and / or particle inspected (if that's important to ya), and the gas carrier keys are staked.
4. It has M4 feed ramps.
5. I did notice that instead of a bayonet lug, they have a QD mount.
6. Tom Gresham had a Ruger rep on this week's podcast - he was telling how many parts they were producing in-house for the gun, instead of buying from suppliers (if that's important to ya).
You can stream / download this week's Part A with guest Mark Gurney of Ruger @ http://guntalk.libsyn.com/
I don't really need another AR, but I gotta admit, once the newness wears off and the price comes down from the shop's current $599, I wouldn't be surprised if one didn't follow me home.
Of course, after reading much of this thread, I realize it would be sacrilege to store it next to my Colts!
Gtscotty
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Here's the realguns.com review:
http://www.realguns.com/articles/656.htm
The accuracy and quality look pretty promising.
http://www.realguns.com/articles/656.htm
The accuracy and quality look pretty promising.
USBP379
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- 709
Ah, yes. The Chart....
Some people have commented on Ruger's choice of barrel material (4140) when they're using 4150 on the SR-556 line. I have to wonder myself. In my mind, it would be easier to manufacture and machine the same blanks for all their AR line. But the AR-556 is made in NC and the SR-556 is made in NH. Don't know if they've got barrel manufacturing equipment at both plants but I assume they do. Anyway, I would guess at some point the SR-556 rifles will also use uppers and lowers made in NC. Probably once the existing stocks of subcontracted parts are used up.
Same deal for the choice of bolt material. Milspec apparently calls for C158 and Ruger chose to use 9310. While 9310 might not be the material called for on The Chart, it is what many companies are using nowadays for their bolts. JP and AR Performance come readily to mind. 9310 seems to be working fine for JP and I'm sure most of their guns (competition) see more rounds than many of the other makes/brands of AR's on the market.
Some people have commented on Ruger's choice of barrel material (4140) when they're using 4150 on the SR-556 line. I have to wonder myself. In my mind, it would be easier to manufacture and machine the same blanks for all their AR line. But the AR-556 is made in NC and the SR-556 is made in NH. Don't know if they've got barrel manufacturing equipment at both plants but I assume they do. Anyway, I would guess at some point the SR-556 rifles will also use uppers and lowers made in NC. Probably once the existing stocks of subcontracted parts are used up.
Same deal for the choice of bolt material. Milspec apparently calls for C158 and Ruger chose to use 9310. While 9310 might not be the material called for on The Chart, it is what many companies are using nowadays for their bolts. JP and AR Performance come readily to mind. 9310 seems to be working fine for JP and I'm sure most of their guns (competition) see more rounds than many of the other makes/brands of AR's on the market.
alexander45
Member
Hell this may be my first ar it's not 1k for a $600 rifle and it comes with a lot of bits other "budget" ars don't (dust cover nonstandard grips, SIGHTS!
I think the interesting thing with the Ruger AR is the market dynamics involved. A few years ago during the panic bubble a $600 rifle was cheap POS rifle. It had to be since the price of ARs at the time was highly inflated due to demand. The high end companies had to distinguish themselves using all kinds of marketing techniques order to justify those inflated prices (making a distinction without a difference, sell the sizzle not the steak etc. etc).
Now that bubble has burst and demand is low, the prices have actually returned to a more realistic level. Quality is still good, maybe even better across the board due to the competition. Those quality components that were once used to up the price are now pretty standard equipment now. The deflated prices are necessary to stimulate sales in a soft market. They are good for the consumer, except for those who bought during panic. Those rifles now have less value. Let's face it, who is going to buy a used parts gun, or designer AR when they can buy a brand new good one for $200-500 less?
That S&W M&P 15 ORC (no sights) that I bought 4 years ago for a LEO only price of $700 and was worth $1K last year is probably only worth half that now in this market. Oh well it is a nice rifle anyway. It is a Great time to get into ARs if you haven't already (which is of course is the point of the discount prices being offered).
Now that bubble has burst and demand is low, the prices have actually returned to a more realistic level. Quality is still good, maybe even better across the board due to the competition. Those quality components that were once used to up the price are now pretty standard equipment now. The deflated prices are necessary to stimulate sales in a soft market. They are good for the consumer, except for those who bought during panic. Those rifles now have less value. Let's face it, who is going to buy a used parts gun, or designer AR when they can buy a brand new good one for $200-500 less?
That S&W M&P 15 ORC (no sights) that I bought 4 years ago for a LEO only price of $700 and was worth $1K last year is probably only worth half that now in this market. Oh well it is a nice rifle anyway. It is a Great time to get into ARs if you haven't already (which is of course is the point of the discount prices being offered).
USBP379
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Despite my wish to have some type of barrel treatment, I do think the Ruger provides a solid value for the money. My rifle is nicely assembled with a nice fit between the upper and lower. The front sight base, bolt and bolt carrier are nicely machined and finished without a bunch of rough tool marks or, on the other end of the spectrum, signs of being over-polished with no square edges, etc. Heck, the complete gun sells for about what Model 1 Sales, M&A Parts, etc want for a basic kit. So you're getting a complete and assembled working rifle that's covered by a big-name company with full customer service and warranty.
AR's are basically Legos for grown men and there's no reason something like this new Ruger couldn't be used as-is and/or later made into a tactical trainer, 3-gun match rifle, varmint gun, etc. As mentioned, upper and lower fit is very nice so these two main components would work well as the base for a custom project.
Furniture is inexpensive plastic but it, like the rest of the gun, does a good job of being usable while keeping costs down. I had been planning on changing out my furniture but now I think I'll leave it on and use it until it gives me a reason not to.
henschman
Member
Sure enough. I wonder why they don't list those specs on their website? They certainly use better testing and materials than most entry level ARs. I'd still say it's a rifle for people who don't know about Palmetto though.
Can people around the country walk into their LGS and find PSA rifles sitting in the racks though?
henschman
Member
The kind of people who only buy at the LGS are the kind of people I'm talking about!
USBP379
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Here's another little video in slow motion. Note ejection with M193-type ball. I might mess around with buffer weights just a bit to see what that does.
Ruger AR-556 high speed video: http://youtu.be/Z3Z_VUin_OQ
Ruger AR-556 high speed video: http://youtu.be/Z3Z_VUin_OQ
USBP379
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Could very well be but I don't think Ruger has a specific LE price schedule. If GT can sell them at this price I'll bet Bud's will have them at or close to the same price.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mac66 View Post
"GT Distributors has 'em for $559.95. Crazy!"
I think that is the LEO price only, though I could be wrong.
Could very well be but I don't think Ruger has a specific LE price schedule. If GT can sell them at this price I'll bet Bud's will have them at or close to the same price."
From what I hear the dealer price is about $500. The difference between the LEO price and regular consumer price is the 11% excise tax they don't have to pay on the LEO guns. But I think you are right, the prices is likely to settle around $550 eventually barring any outside influences. I'd be real tempted at the price, though I can probably get the LEO price now.
Originally Posted by mac66 View Post
"GT Distributors has 'em for $559.95. Crazy!"
I think that is the LEO price only, though I could be wrong.
Could very well be but I don't think Ruger has a specific LE price schedule. If GT can sell them at this price I'll bet Bud's will have them at or close to the same price."
From what I hear the dealer price is about $500. The difference between the LEO price and regular consumer price is the 11% excise tax they don't have to pay on the LEO guns. But I think you are right, the prices is likely to settle around $550 eventually barring any outside influences. I'd be real tempted at the price, though I can probably get the LEO price now.
Stevie-Ray
Member
Hmmm.....if I ever decide I want another AR, well......
Armored farmer
Member
I own one AR. It's a Ruger 556. I've been very pleased with it. Super accurate and 100% reliable.
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