Sport II VS Ruger AR-556

Status
Not open for further replies.
AR556

AR556

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2016
Messages
33
Location
Louisiana
Lately, these 2 AR's are the one's most people are buying. I am seeing the AR-556 priced as low as $449 (PSA). For 1 day, GrabAGun.com had the S2 for $479, the lowest I have EVER seen it priced.
Did Ruger make too many AR-556's and is now passing the savings onto the consumer, or is it ACTUALLY a sub $500 AR-15? Is the S2 better than the AR-556?
 
The ar market is flooded I seen cabelas add yesterday dpms $399 after mail in rebate, they are not as valuable when the risk of banning them is low ,
 
I think the S2 is better than the AR-556 just for the fact that the Ruger has the proprietary parts. I have no idea why they would do that. The Ruger could very well be a great rifle, I dont know. But the whole proprietary thing just kills it for me.
 
FWIW, I recently had the same decision to make and ended up going with the sport II. Got it cleaned up and ran a 100 rounds through it with no hiccups. And it was spot on out of the box. Being primarily a blue steel and walnut kind of guy, the absence of character was fairly evident in the ar platform, but for what it is at the prices they're at now, you can't really go wrong with a smith and wesson. Plus, it really is pretty darn fun to shoot. Almost as fun as the m1 carbine, and lighter on the wallet;)
 
bersaguy said:
FWIW, I recently had the same decision to make and ended up going with the sport II. Got it cleaned up and ran a 100 rounds through it with no hiccups. And it was spot on out of the box. Being primarily a blue steel and walnut kind of guy, the absence of character was fairly evident in the ar platform, but for what it is at the prices they're at now, you can't really go wrong with a smith and wesson. Plus, it really is pretty darn fun to shoot. Almost as fun as the m1 carbine, and lighter on the wallet;)
Click to expand...
I bet you paid at least $100-$150 more for the S2 than the AR-556. Just think what you could have used that extra money on; ammo, towards a some great optics, MAGPUL furniture, a very nice carry case, etc.
I'm shooting circles around my S&W MP15 buddies, and I'm using iron sights compared to their red dots, scopes, etc.
 
At the time I bought mine, the Ruger was $550, the Smith shipped to my FFL for $499
Im sure the Ruger is a fantastic weapon, especially at the price they're at now. Glad you're enjoying it
 
I don't think either is really better than the other. I also think both are great firearms, and it makes me wonder why guns like Colts are priced so high. I'd say realistically both are mid $500 guns, but all the manufacturers took a gamble that Hillary would win the election and probably ran their factories 24/7 pumping out AR's in order to build up inventory for the eventual run on guns. Obviously that never happened, so now they are probably paying out the nose in warehousing for all of these guns that aren't selling like they had hoped. Now manufacturers need to unload their product, even if it's at a loss, before they lose even more money.
 
AR556 said:
I bet you paid at least $100-$150 more for the S2 than the AR-556. Just think what you could have used that extra money on; ammo, towards a some great optics, MAGPUL furniture, a very nice carry case, etc.
I'm shooting circles around my S&W MP15 buddies, and I'm using iron sights compared to their red dots, scopes, etc.
Click to expand...

They don't have any training would be my guess. I don't think it's the rifle.
 
I had the Ruger for a little over a year and just traded it off. It did everything asked of it. I used it pretty hard while hunting pigs on my place and it performed flawlessly and killed a lot of pork. What I really liked about it was the delta ring simply unscrews when you want to clean it or change out the hand guards. That feature is pretty cool. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one (or two at today's prices).
 
I have both the Ruger 556 & S&W sport 2 both are good entry rifles. As for the but I think Ruger did a good job much easier. The difference in twist doesnt make much different to the causual shooter. I load 55 gn fmj for both they shoot the same
 
Choctaw said:
I had the Ruger for a little over a year and just traded it off. It did everything asked of it. I used it pretty hard while hunting pigs on my place and it performed flawlessly and killed a lot of pork. What I really liked about it was the delta ring simply unscrews when you want to clean it or change out the hand guards. That feature is pretty cool. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one (or two at today's prices).
Click to expand...
to me there is no comparison between a Ruger and S&W. Rugers warranty is the best and they have been making rifles way longer then S&W if S&W actually makes the rifle. almost every arm Ruger makes is very strong
 
Doesn't S&W also have a life time warranty?
I have 2 of the S&W sport 1 models shoot well no issues at all
 
I've seen both as low as $400 around here, both at gun shows and in brick and mortar shops. They are both good guns.
 
Someone asked about S&W's warranty.

Smith & Wesson firearms are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship. Any such defects of which Smith & Wesson receives written notice within one year from the date of purchase by the original owner, will be remedied by Smith & Wesson without charge within a reasonable time after such notification and delivery of the firearm as provided below.
Click to expand...

https://www.smith-wesson.com/customer-service/warranty
 
C-grunt said:
Its more than a barrel nut. The front sight base is proprietary in the way it attaches to the barrel.
Click to expand...
I like the fact that Ruger CAN be different than every other AR built, and still lead the pack in the entry level AR. Remember, S&W didn't have the dust cover and forward assist on the S1, which I own one. To me, it's just trivial. But, those 2 items put the Ruger AR-556 on the map. S&W saw they were losing in the race, so they followed suit.
 
The early S&W sport 1 models had a better barrel and different twist rate not the same as the sport 2 , but between the two the OP Is asking about I think it's splitting hairs both will go bang , ford vs chevy kind of thing IMHO
 
JO JO said:
The early S&W sport 1 models had a better barrel and different twist rate not the same as the sport 2 , but between the two the OP Is asking about I think it's splitting hairs both will go bang , ford vs chevy kind of thing IMHO
Click to expand...
I own an original Sport I with the 5R 1:8 twist barrel, adjustable rear sight (looks like a chopped carry handle sight), no dust cover, no forward assist. And, I love it!
 
Honestly they are about equal. They are both entry level AR's and are both leaders in that category. I would give the edge to M&P sport due to the proprietary parts on the Ruger.

However if the OP is confident that the rifle will not modified then I would say just go with the best deal you can find.
 
They are about equal. I love my Ruger, and I'm sure the S&W is a fine rifle. I think if the "proprietary" parts bug you that much you are buying the wrong AR. Other than the front sight/gas block and the delta ring is it really a big deal ?

I've switched out the stock, handguard, etc and all standard Magpul stuff works.

-Jeff
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Del-Ton Sport or Ruger AR-556
Replies
22
Views
8K
Jackal
Jackal
Huntolive
  • Locked
Ruger 556 MPR vs BCM EAG: value for$?
Replies
13
Views
2K
BigBL87
BigBL87
P
  • Locked
Ruger AR-556 - conversion?
Replies
6
Views
1K
WardenWolf
W
bersaguy
  • Locked
Which budget AR 15
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
Joshboyfutre
Joshboyfutre
H
  • Locked
Looking to get my first AR-15, what's the best bang for buck, brand and model?
2
Replies
43
Views
2K
grampajack
grampajack
Back
Top