Seeking Ruger SR 556 Reviews

[DAdams]

Hi there, I am seeking reviews the following:

SR-556C 5905 5.56mm NATO/.223 Rem. 30 Black Synthetic, Collapsible 31.00" - 34.25" 7.40 lbs.

I did a Ruger search on THR didn't find anything to speak of. I did the perfunctory Google search.
If you know of any good link reviews that would be helpful.

Particularly I am seeking user reviews for the shorter and lighter 556C.
I am holding it up against the S&W M&P SPX. both are piston rifles.
Prices are similar once you add the sights to the S&W.

Anyone own and shoot one?

Website:

http://www.ruger.com/products/sr556/specSheets/5905.html

 

[gf1723]

Have you tried Youtube? Whenever I wanted reviews on AR-15s I would always go there and look at some reviews. It may not be the EXACT rifle, but I'm sure there are some on there that are pretty close.

 

[franconialocal]

I'm no expert, and I don't have any personal exposure to the 556 but during my police qualifications this year a fellow patrolman from a neighboring town brought one (PD issued/new patrol rifle) to the range to get certified. The rifle seemed to be very reliable and accurate but the main problem was the plastic/polymer magazines. He had several fail-to-feed issues over and over again no matter which polymer mag he was using. I'm referring to the ones that come with the rifle...not after-market like Magpul or others. As soon as he switched to traditional AR mags (Colt) the issue went away.

I've heard this sentiment about the magazines mirrored here on THR as well as other avenues of information.

This was essentially a NIB fully cleaned, lubed, and inspected rifle. The piston system seemed tuned well for the intended use. I'm not sure what type of ammo/grain this particular PD is using or if it made any difference.

Just something to chew on for now.

 

[wldwsel]

Sr 556

I bought my SR in June of 2010. I have used the mags that came with it, additional Magpuls, and an original steel M16 mag and have had no feed issues in about 1500 round since June.

The weapon runs very clean, other than the piston in the gas block, which is understandable. After 100 rounds, the carrier is not even dirty and usually has a VERY small bit of residue on the bolt carrier face. Pretty much run a patch through the barrel and wipe it down.

I did find out early that if you don't pay attention and install the piston in backwards, you have a single shot rifle. Not good to find if the zombies are coming for you.

The SR is very accurate, and consistantly shoots 1 AOM @ 100 yds with cheap optics and a rest.

The single failure I have had was last week. I'd put about 20 rnds through, and my son was shooting, when he had a missfire. I re-cycled for him, but didn't see anything wrong. His next shot was also a missfire. One miss is an anomoly, 2 in a row is a symptom.

I went to the bench and popped the pivot pin. when I opened the carbine, the buffer spring went across the garage! That had never happened before, and then I noticed the buffer spring retaining plunger was missing. I shook out the buffer tube and several pieces of small spring fell out, pretty well mangled.

Took forever to find the plunger in the garage, but upon examination, the plunger pin was bent about 10 degrees and it was also mangled.

Got replacement parts the next day, but on the second test shot, the plunger popped out again, mangling the spring again. During a second inspection, the lower part of the buffer tube has a small wear pattern (minor carrier tilt?) After replacing the spring again, I re-assembled the buffer, but this time screwed in the tube one more turm. I know Ruger says there is no carrier tilt on their weapons, but I would disagree.

The original tube spacing JUST covered the aft edge of the plunger, and the subsequent wear allowed the plunger to escape. In turning the buffer tubeinto the lower one more turn, it now covers about 40% of the aft edge of the plunger, but it doesnt impede the movement (up/down) of the plunger.

I'll have to monitor the area for more wear and if it gets worse, send the weapon back to Ruger.

Having said the above, I am very happy with this gun. I have fired Colts and Daniels Defence weapons, and like the Ruger over them.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

The SR-556 is a great gun. However, at the end of the day it is still just an expensive AR. You can get a similar setup for much less.

 

[tmr612]

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SR556c.htm

 

[Tirod]

The plunger problem could exist with any AR, chalk that up to improper assembly. If there are chafing marks in the tube, that could indicate carrier tilt.

Tilt occurs because the "operating rod" strikes the upper lump screwed in where the gas tube used to be, and forces the carrier back and down at the rear.

Direct Impingement AR's don't tilt, as the chamber and piston (bolt) in the carrier force the carrier straight back. It's the primary design intent - it put the piston IN the carrier, not out on the barrel.

Piston refits just inactivate the piston and chamber already there and move it forward, adding weight and more parts. There are no documented advantages in reliability, just some folks who think being cleaner will be better. That fallacy has been proved false for years, all the AR needs is lube, and well made ones not even that.

Of course, they fire full power military ammo, no cheap white underpowered plinker. The gun and ammo are matched to work together. Milspec ammo is loaded to provide sufficient gas - not like bolt gun ammo that doesn't need to meet a specific spec. It's just one difference of self loading operation.

There are many happy piston owners, they are Americans and get to spend their money on what they want. The concept of piston guns isn't wrong, but it's no guarantee it's better. Changing the M2 .50 BMG to piston would likely be equally inefficient - it's recoil operated, not gas. Tinkering with gun designs and changing the major way they work hasn't seemed to be very successful in the past. Too many cooks spoiling the broth, so to speak.

 

[wldwsel]

Cal Gun-Fan

I paid 1400 for my SR. All the other ARs I looked at with similar/the same features would have been the same or higher. I really didn't want to "roll my own" since this was my first AR.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Huh, for some reason I thought it was higher, nevermind. I thought it was closer to 1800.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I'm referring to the ones that come with the rifle...not after-market like Magpul or others. As soon as he switched to traditional AR mags (Colt) the issue went away.

It is my understanding that the gun comes with Magpul P Mags

 

[jpwilly]

Guy I shoot with from work has the Ruger SSR. I was there first day he had it to the range. We shot Federal American Eagle 55gr loads worked fine with no hiccups or accuracy issues. It did feel muzzle heavy comparied to my DI AR's my only complaint. But it shot well and was 100% reliable with the PMags that came with it. He did change to the 6 position stock for the Magpul CTX and pistol grip. Good package, nice rifle.

 

[wally]

I'm referring to the ones that come with the rifle...not after-market like Magpul or others

My SR-556 came straignt from Ruger with three Mag-Pul 30 round mags. His should have too unless his dealer pulled a fast one and substituted ProMags. It should work fine with any standard AR mag. Mine sure does, including 30 year old GI surplus mags with maybe 10% finish left.

My SR-556 also does fine with steel cased ammo which makes for relatively inexpensive fun shooting steel plates.

The SR-556 is a great gun. However, at the end of the day it is still just an expensive AR. You can get a similar setup for much less

Not really if you want the quad rail hand guards it comes with. If you can live with standard handguards you can put together a nice CMMG piston gun for under $1000 depending on how much you want to spend on the lower.

 

[unwise11]

Send me a Ruger SR 556 and I'll make a review for you

 

[OneMini]

Interesting. I just got an email from Ruger pushing an SR-556 upper receiver "upgrade" with a "piston-driven two-stage operating system", 3 X 30 round mags, soft case and some other doo-dads. On sale at $1195.00. I have zero interest in the gun, but why would anyone shell out that much if they already have an SR-556?

Details are at:

http://shopruger.com/SR-556UFB-Upper-_-30RD-Mag/productinfo/90356/

 

[wally]

One of the "upgrade" options is 6.8SPC chambering, it and the 5.56 uppers should work on any standard lower according to the promo E-mail I got.

All in all not too bad if you want a piston upper with quad rail.

 

[Hanzo581]

If you are interested in the S&W it can be had for $999. I know the Ruger will run you a few hundred more from what I have seen.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/1723.php

 

[DAdams]

I saw that. 1495 on sale for 1195.
They do have a 6.8 upper someone might bite on. Pretty well equipped.

Since I started this thread and after much research, and reading; after much anguishing and gnashing of teeth this is what I settled on.

Bravo Company Upper and Lower. The lower is in but I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet.



BCM® 14.5" Mid Length Gas BFH/EAG (Cold Hammer Forged) Barrel (w/ perm A2X™ Flash Hider)
BCM® HPT/MPI Bolt Carrier Group (auto profile)
BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Mod 3 Charging Handle
LaRue Tactical 9" Tactical Free Float Handguards
TangoDown SCAR Panel Covers (qty 3)
Troy Ind/BCM Rear Folding Battle Sight



I swapped out the standard stock for a Vltor.

http://www.bravocompanymfg.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/filthy14_oct10.pdf
This article on the BCM rifles is a testimony to both DI technology and BCM.

When all is said and done I may have gone $200 over what was truly necessary and this is attributable to the purported barrel quality....I may have bought the hype?
All the components seem to what many individuals selected for their mid price range builds.

 

[Quentin]

Excellent, excellent choice, DAdams!

I know this was a tough decision especially since you were leaning toward a piston AR but you done good and won't be sorry. The hammer forged barrel is expensive but is supposed to last longer. Don't know if it's really worth the upgrade but not a bad choice at all. Really there's nothing to nit pick in your build.

Just curious, did reading about "Filthy 14" at BCM sway your decision?

 

[DAdams]

Quentin

Just curious, did reading about "Filthy 14" at BCM sway your decision?

No, I ran into the article when it was linked in an AR thread somewhere along the line. It certainly made me feel better more about DI longevity than anything else. Somewhere in the article it was mentioned that the cold forged barrels were "stupidly accurate" IIRC. If accuracy and longevity are increased with the process, then it was worth the premium...for my Son. As I won't live long enough to shoot out the barrel.

 

[Bromey]

So are the Bravo Co. rifles piston or impingement tube gas systems. Nice new toy there DAdams!

 

[DAdams]

Stoner's DI

So are the Bravo Co. rifles piston or impingement tube gas systems. Nice new toy there DAdams!

The BCM carbines and midlengths are DI. I researched like heck and I tried to talk myself into a piston system, but kept coming back to the DI technology.
For me it is the proven technology, parts availability, standard parts/more price competition although there are more pistons by the day and lastly lighter weight.

Here is a beating the dead horse thread opionions on DI vs Piston.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291416

I am not saying I would never do a piston and in fact I may someday do a 6.8 spc upper. I would review the pros and cons again when that day comes. Something compelling in that caliber or operating system might convince me to give it a run.

A comment by wjkuleck.....

The choice is going to be ideosyncratic; look at your application, consider the pros & cons, and whatever you select is right—for you. Remember that you can always put an upper receiver assembly of the other persuasion onto your lower receiver assembly at any time in the future.

That's what I did.

 

[ARMOR]

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/review_ruger_sr-556c_p1.php

 

[GuysModel94]

My buddy just purchased one and i got to fire last weekend, it is an impressive AR. He put the $500.- AimPoint redsights (or is it red-dot) on it and it was really accurate. But as stated above, very pricey. My first AR will likely be a Del-Ton, at less than half of what he paid. If you got the cash the SR-556 is a quality purchase.