| Hell Freezes Over | Ruger Shocks Industry, Introduces AR-15 |
| Friday, 15 May 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Yep - it's a Ruger gas-piston AR-15. The firearm demonstrated exemplary performance during test-firing last week. (Photo: TacticalGunFan) Hours ago, the company publicly tossed its hat into the AR-15 ring with the debut of its new SR-556 rifle. TacticalGunFan had the chance to not only handle, but test-fire this interesting new rifle last week. A short-stroke gas-piston design, Ruger's new SR-556 is not only good-looking, but on the surface, appears well-designed. The rifle itself is built using a fairly heavy profile 16-inch chrome-lined barrel with a 1-9 inch twist. The barrel's free-floated via a Troy Industries railed handguard. Beneath the handguard is a short-stroke gas-piston system that was specifically designed with a patented high/low system to smooth the piston operation and reduce recoil. A multi-position gas regulator is fitted to ensure operation - even when the rifle's very dirty. The bolt-carrier assembly is chrome-plated and designed to prevent carrier tilt. Folding Troy Industries backup iron sights are also standard. Fitted to the muzzle is Ruger-esque flash suppressor. A collapsible M4-type stock is also fitted and the rifle comes with three 30-round polymer Magpul Industries magazines. Hands-On That's a look at the design and execution, but how does it shoot? Over the course of an afternoon, TacticalGunFan burned a few cases of ammunition through the SR-556. No problems of any kind were encountered. A few observations: > The rifle proved to be well-balanced and handled quickly. > Recoil impulse is both smooth and mild to allow rapid follow-up shots. > Practical accuracy is excellent. > Despite multiple shooters firing the rifle until smoke poured out from beneath the forend rail system, Ruger's new SR-556 never missed a bit. You either change with the times or get left behind. The man who infuriated so many shooters has passed away and his company has changed direction. Today Ruger's selling high-capacity pistol and rifle magazines freely to civilian shooters and offering tactical versions of its Mini-14. Ruger's latest designs have been geared toward personal protection, and the new SR-556 demonstrates just how dramatic this change in thinking has been. Suggested retail price will be right around $2,000. Comments (21)
Scott
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I have had mine for about 6 months now and put about 1000 rounds through it. I had my first failure the other day (or should I say few). The first problem started with the mags suddenly not seating properly ( all three that came with it). Then after getting it loaded it shot fine for one 10 rounder (30 rnd pinned to 10, Fn California). The I shot some wolf steel case through it and the bolt ripped the rim off the bullet case. This was the second time I shot the steel stuff through it and the first problem with steel. I have read others have had this problem with ripping the rim off the case but those were all brass ammo. I am still having a problem with the mags as of today's shoot. The mags are going in to far and sticking. The are in so far they bolt can not move forward far enough to strip a round all the way out of the mag. I have not had any other problems so far but I consider these significant issues. The rifle shoots very nice and seems to be quite accurate from what I can tell, and I'm not and expert. It seems to be on the heavy side of AR's but I guess that's pretty obvious from the specs. All in all I like the rifle but I do want the problems fixed by Ruger and soon seeing how this is my SHTF rifle. This is just my experience and I am just an average shooter, but getting better. |
Sixnine
said:
| I bought one a couple of days ago, and haven't shot it yet. I hadn't had an AR in at least 5 years, and was bewildered by the selection that's out there now. I hate cleaning so I wanted a piston and not DI. I choose the Ruger because with so many companies moonlighting in the piston market, Ididn't want to buy something that might be discontinued a few years down the road. I 'm certain that like the Mini 14, Ruger will keep the SR 556 around for many years to come. |
christopher gioe
said:
| I brought a ruger sr 556 ar-15 rifle. I open the receiver and noticed a deep scratch was in the upper receiver that was caused by the piston to scrape the meatal off. i read a few things on line from other customers about jams and returning the rifle for repairs. I am sending it back to get new one ore repare. I have not shot the damn thing yet. has anyone had this problem? |
Jerri W
said:
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I just bought a new SR-556 this weekend. $1,375 out-the-door, background check “et al”. Sighted in the BUIS and the scope at 25 yards with some inexpensive Bi-Mart ammo and got both sights in a nickel sized red dot stickie on used computer paper using a camera tripod with a rifle rest adapter and my boy friend, with a spotting scope called the placement so all I did was concentrate on shooting at the red dot. (I know - run on sentence). After that loaded up and used up the three Magpull mags full, 90 rounds total, shooting, changing mags as fast as possible, chasing around some old coffee cans filled with sand (at least until they wouldn’t hold anything but air). Pulled the bolt carrier out as soon as the last mag was empty and it was clean and cool. Next dry weekend, I taking the match ammo out and adjust the sights 200 yards. By the way…not one malfunction, Nada. The rifle comes with everything that I’ve read, plus the really nice carry case, as pictured in Gun Blast and others pages. As for revenge for Bill Ruger’s liberal stance. I’m not really old enough to have every known the man, but he’s dead and buried. Ruger is alive, and turning out a really nice AR with 3 30 round Magpul magazines. Bury the past, live for today. Love my new SR-556. |
Allen Phillips
said:
| I have owned a Ruger SR-556 for two weeks now. I installed a Leopold 3.5-10 power scope that I removed from my Mini 14 Ranch rifle. The only place I have had an opportunity to fire the gun was in the 25 yard rifle range at the store where I purchased the gun. The trigger pull is just right for home defense. Not too light and not too heavy. No slack to take up. the first six shots were in the X circle. There is very little recoil and the brass does not bounce back and hit you in the head like my Mini 14. The rifle is a little heavy due to the Picatinny rails mounted on four sides. But this cuts down on recoil so it is a trade off. My next firing session will be at the local firing range so I can sight it in at 100 yds. As for the price, the gun can be bought for a lot less than the MFSRP. I paid $1400 for my AR. By the way, this is the first time I have held or shot an AR. |
Devon
said:
| I think this gun looks to be a nice future for the ar growth.I like the 1/9 twist myself and with the barrel being cromed no one is going to be comp. shooting with it anyway.I have had better luck with 1/9 compared to 1/7 when you are using a veriety of ammo like .223,it is a good median and a good choice.I think years down the road all ar rifles will be piston but trying to keep the uppers mil.spec. height seems to create a mess of parts to line the piston up and keep a top rail.I like the idea of the gas block in front of the handguard like they did but it still seems like the design could be simplified some from what they have done,and as with all the piston systems I have seen they are exposed through the holes in the handguard allowing dirt to gum it up if you got in the mud.They should be totally inclosed in a solid tube like an ak before I would consider it perfect.As far as the mil.spec. ar goes this is about as good as they come for now.Expect better and more simple designs in the next few years though. |
Mike Wright
said:
| I handled one yesterday. Seemed nice, like the Troy gear instead of cheaper YHM stuff like a lot of manufacturers. I think it is likely to be an excellent first effort, and it's certainly not a gratuitous "me to" effort. Commercial or milspec receiver extension? Anyone know? The cold hammer forged barrel is nice but 1/9 - WHY would anyone do that on a $2000 rifle? Still I am impressed with their first AR overall. |
James Tarr
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| I took the above picture of Dave, at PASA Park. It is a two-stage piston design as is the HK 416, but it is much lighter than the HK. Ruger is making their own barrels, they are not Stags. If this was a direct-gas gun, the price would be high, but compared to other piston guns the price is competitive. |
Carlos S.
said:
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An bankrupting the current company that is Ruger is going to help how? All it will do is close down another American Arms Maker. I can understand if they still took the ignorant stance that Bill Ruger, Sr. took. Most of us who can think for ourselves have forgiven S&W for their HUD debacle and we should move past what someone who hass since moved on said. Kudos to Ruger for choosing a more gun-friendly direction and sticking their necks out on this rifle. |
Zeus
said:
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1/7 twist is what sells now as even though 55gr ammo is the most abundant for paper punching and plinking, people are going towards the heaver stuff as the real operators make it "in vogue". Also, Ruger will HAVE to come down on the price point to move them... they went the right way with the Troy/Pmags now they need to dip into the rest of the Magpul catalogue for proper furniture and sights. |
James Bond
said:
| I would buy one if it listed at $1199 and sold at the $1,000 mark.The black rifles are dropping in price now and they are starting high like S&W did with the M&15T two years ago now dropping in price as too high for what it is.You can parts build one for way less that does what this one will |
Phil
said:
| I'm optimistic. It looks like Ruger put a lot of thought into the design and didn't cut corners, at least on accessories. maybe this will be the one that makes piston ARs popular and obtainable. |
J. Chan
said:
| Bill Ruger has been dead quite a while, now. Time to move on. More AR manufacturers benefits us, so time to move on. |
Mr Fixit
said:
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Bill Ruger is dead and gone. Despite what we think he stood for, and despite the direction he led his company, he is no longer standing for or leading anything. The Ruger company now is making arms for all of us. AR's, and little pistols for mere civilians to carry concealed. Was Bill Ruger wrong? Likely in some ways. Is the company now responding to customer and supporting our rights and abilities to CCW and own black rifles? Absolutely! Why would we still hold a company responsible for the mistakes of the past? The company has changed. Just as the shooting community forgave and flocked back to Smith and Wesson after they changed management and stood up to the gun grabber crowd, so we should forgive Ruger now. I for one and very happy to see this mainstream gun manufacturer build this type of firearm. I wish I could afford one, but never the less, I am fully supportive of them. Mr Fixit |
A.Garcia
said:
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"no honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun…" and "I never meant for simple civilians to have my 20 and 30 round magazines…" - Bill Rugar There are PLENTY of AR makers who weren't founded by "10 round" Bill. Buy a gun from them instead. Rugar's Legacy should be the bankruptcy of his company. |
Dante
said:
| Guess they have done a COMPLETE turnaround from Billy boys failed attempt to support the high cap bans..... Never forget who your "real" friends are...(or are NOT) |
Keith Nubel
said:
| I would like see more test data on the rifle. It's nice to see Ruger change it's ways over the last couple of years. The rifle probably won't sell well at the MSRP, however only time will tell. |
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