Ruger's AR 556

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I picked up one during an Oktoberfest sale last fall for $599. Have only had it out a few times but it is a blast. I have been shooting it standing up at mainly 50-100 yards and I am impressed. I have been shooting it for function testing and familiarization. So far the only thing I have bought for it are a couple more mags. All I plan to add to it is probably a scope and maybe a sling. The one thing I am not real happy with is the rear sight. I like the one on my SR-762 better. Fortunately the sight is an easy change out. Also need to buy several different types of ammo for it before I bench it. Anyway a picture with my SR-762.

TTR2_zpsdd73cf59.jpg
 
Well, just to add some context, I came to this thread as someone new to the AR world and curious about the lower-cost options from a name-brand U.S. manufacturer. The number of small and specialized manufacturers offering AR complete rifles and components is pretty bewildering. Like a lot of potential newbies to the AR world, I would want a solid, reliable rifle that is complete and ready to shoot right out of the box. I would want a top rail for easy optics installation, but don't need a bunch of other rails and would like factory iron sights. I have learned enough to know that I want something pretty close to mil-spec so I can switch components later if needed.

All in all, that seems to leave the well-established S&W M&P15 Sport or the relatively new Ruger AR-556. Do any of the AR-556 owners in this thread also own an M&P15 Sport? Can anyone speak to the pros and cons of the two?

Thanks!
 
cluttonfred said:
Hmmm, let me try again, can anyone speak from personal experience to the pros and cons of the Ruger AR-556 vs. the S&W M&P15 Sport?
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Sir, do NOT but a M&P 15 sport -- it has a "sporting" upper, as opposed to the "fully-featured" upper on the Ruger -- That means a "sport" comes missing three parts, parts that were added after the start of the Vietnam war, the "sport" is missing: 1.) a dust-cover 2.) brass deflector and 3.) a forward assist.
 
Thanks for the reply, though I suspect you are going to spark some debate with that comment. Also, the current M&P15 Sport does appear to have a case deflector and a scallop in the bolt in lieu of separate forward assist but no dust cover.
 
Sport has a shell deflector, and the forward assist/dust cover debate has been beat to death... hardly worth getting into. Here's the quick of it... The scallop on the carrier does everything the forward assist does, and for a civilian, a strip of painter's tape does everything a dust cover does...

I have a Sport with 1200 trouble-free rounds through it. It's fine for what it is, and I would rather have it than the Ruger for the simple fact that it's proven to be a budget performer.
 
I will add that neither my M1 Carbine nor my M1 Garand has a dust cover, in fact, their bolts are quite exposed, and both seem to have done just fine for 70+ years. The presence or absence of a dust cover or forward assist would not be the deciding factor for me.
 
cluttonfred said:
I will add that neither my M1 Carbine nor my M1 Garand has a dust cover, in fact, their bolts are quite exposed, and both seem to have done just fine for 70+ years. The presence or absence of a dust cover or forward assist would not be the deciding factor for me.
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They also have reciprocating bolts.
 
What the ruger seems to offer is something unique.

First off it gives you a flat top with back up sights installed. sure, this family of sight is not the greatest in my opinion. The reveiws ive seen online in general are "good enough to get you back to base for when the scope dies".
what ive seen on SW rifles "eh, better then iron sights on a 10/22"

the ruger has a typical street price of 600. The typical sw mp 15 rifle that comes with a folding rear back up sight is 859.99 ON SALE at my only dealer in 80 miles that has any in stock.
NOT a major issue if you intend to through on a scope right off. But the price difference between the rifles will buy you a REALLY decent scope.


Compared to entry level bushmaster. Well street price to street price, Ruger saves you 5-7 hundred dollars depending on dealer.

ARs are like plasma/led/hdtvs currently made. They all contain around 90% of identical components. made on the same equipement, by the same operators, in the same 3 plants.
Its like debating if paying 200.00 for us gi unissued rear peepsight for a 1903a3 rifle will give better accuracy then paying 120 dollars for a modern reproduction made to original military prints.
 
Bezoar said:
First off it gives you a flat top with back up sights installed. sure, this family of sight is not the greatest in my opinion. The reveiws ive seen online in general are "good enough to get you back to base for when the scope dies".
what ive seen on SW rifles "eh, better then iron sights on a 10/22"
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The sights are literally the same... An A2 front and Magpul rear on the S&W, an A2-esque and Magpul knock-off on the Ruger.

Bezoar said:
the ruger has a typical street price of 600. The typical sw mp 15 rifle that comes with a folding rear back up sight is 859.99 ON SALE at my only dealer in 80 miles that has any in stock.
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Uh, no.
M&P Sport: $539
Ruger AR556: $649
 
at the only place inside what an hours drive to have one. and that price is a SALE price. I believe the store knocked 100 off it.

Just like the Bushmaster carbon 15 on sale for 890.00.

or patrolman carbine on sale for 1198.99
 
at the only place inside what an hours drive to have one. and that price is a SALE price. I believe the store knocked 100 off it.

Just like the Bushmaster carbon 15 on sale for 890.00.

or patrolman carbine on sale for 1198.99
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Someone should let that shop know the panic is over, and theres no shortage of AR's in the market anymore. Those prices are absurd, especially in a market flooded with product. its a buyer's market, and I doubt that shop is selling many guns at those prices. $900 for a Carbon 15? Thats about $400 too much in today's world. Earlier, you posted a price for the Ruger. IS that MSRP, or is the shop in question actually selling them for the price you quoted? You mention the Ruger has a "typical" price around $600. SO DOES THE S&W, with identical sights. WHat your one example of a gun shop sells them for is largely irrelevant. A sample size of one does not make fr an accurate survey. You can't talk about hypothetical prices for the Ruger, then compare them to an obviously overpriced gin store, and expect to have any sot of valid comparison. The fact of the matter is, the Ruger and the S&W Sport are nearly identical in price (retail, with the Sport often coming in slightly lower), and other than a FA and dust cover, the Ruger doesn't offer anything that puts it leaps and bounds ahead of the Smith. I don't mean this to be insulting, but you seem to do an awful lot of "reading" and not much actual "handling" when it comes to AR's. If you were actually familiar with the rifles in question, you'd know the sighting set-ups for both are nearly identical, and if you did much shopping, you'd realize your prices...or the gunshop you frequent prices..........are not typical, are somewhat outrageous, and not what the vast majority of other posters here see typically. Whats worse, is that you seem to argue or get a bit defensive when called out. The fact of the matter is, just because your shop only stocks one S&W AR with a retail of over $800 doesn't mean thats what the SW Sport tpyically retails for or that using that price is a fair comparison to the Ruger's street price elsewhere.
 
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its hard for something to be hypothetical when internet retailers are charging a rough average typical price of 600 for it. And every review ive seen online gives that as a rough typical average for it.


thats the only smith and wesson ar in the store i looked at. not interested in buying a gun that doesnt come shootable from the store. Everything else they had was up to 100 dollars over SW MSRP.


Sure is quite defensive of you sir to get angry and irrational when someone can realize that buying a ruger ar online plus shipping and transfer fees will SAVE money. Its irrational to think every store will sell it at the price of your store. That is perhaps giving you a nice little discount because you are cousin to the owner or buy 2,000 rounds of ammuntion every year.
 
What gun are we discussing that "doesnt come shootable from the store"? AS explained previous, the Ruger and Smith have pretty much interchangable sights....both are perfectly shootable "from the store"....and the reality is, your choice of gunshop notwithstanding, the Smith Sport and the Ruger AR 556 are priced very closely, with the Smith usually found cheaper.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/71969

http://grabagun.com/smith-and-wesson-m-p-15-sport-811036-rifle-5-56-nato-16-inch-30rd-black.html

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=8500

and guess what? You can get that price just like I can....no need to be related, or to buy a case or two of ammo or anything else you suggested I had to do to find a good deal on the rifle ;) Not defensive in the least, just trying to wrap my head around what it is you are trying to say :)
 
Someone should let that shop know the panic is over...
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Ya...you got that right. I had to laugh when I saw those prices .

Our local shop had the Ruger for $569 (and I'm waiting for the price to come down a bit more), and I think they may have had the carbon Bushmaster for $500 or so recently - think there was a $50 rebate to get it to / just under $500?

Don't really need another AR, but if the street price of $569 for the Ruger comes down a little bit more, one may follow me home.
 
ARs are like plasma/led/hdtvs currently made. They all contain around 90% of identical components. made on the same equipment, by the same operators, in the same 3 plants.
Click to expand...

People still believe that?
 
Compared to entry level bushmaster. Well street price to street price, Ruger saves you 5-7 hundred dollars depending on dealer.
Click to expand...

Bezoar:
What planet are you pulling these price quotes from? They, in no way, reflect the reality of what I see in sporting goods stores, gun shops, or online dealers.
I really don't know where it is you come up with these prices. An "entry level" Bushmaster can be had for $628 if you don't mind the "Carbon 15" and under $800 for a perfectly serviceable standard carbine. Picking the Ruger over a Bushmaster, while a choice I'd readily make myself, saves you closer to $200--$250, not the $500-700 you claim. You cannot buy TWO Rugers for the price of a basic bushmaster, which would be true if basic BM's were anywhere in the neighborhood of your claims. Again, I'm using Buds as a price guide, somewhere we are all free to shop from and we'll all get the same deals......
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_60/Bushmaster/

Just because your local shop seems to quote you insane prices, doesn't mean those prices are in any way reflected elsewhere. No one is forcing you to be ripped off by shopping there. You certainly can't quote their prices and use them as any sort of average, as they are over 25% higher than other prices I've seen identical guns priced elsewhere. Just because that is where you choose to shop doesn't mean their prices are comparable to other establishments, and from what you've quoted, I cannt understand why anyone would choose to do business there. Paying more JUST to pay more certainly isn't smart consumerism.
 
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I can't speak on the sport. I've fondled one before but that's it.
All I can say is the Ruger has not been a disappointment. It has performed as tasked thus far. I did throw down to due better than the standard combat trigger and spent $75 on ALG's ACT trigger.
Ruger now makes a 2 stage trigger for it but the act has performed great at half the price.

If your undecided at this point then you'll have to get both and let em duke it out. Sell off the one that under performs and call the loss a price of experience.
 
I just bought a new S&W M&P 15 Sport. Tax included I paid $676.00 OTD. I did a lot of research on this rifle before I bought it. 95% of the reviews praised it as a great AR at a great price. The only negative comments were it doesn't have a forward assist or a dust cover. In my opinion the forward assist is a left over Mil Spec feature that is no longer needed and hardly ever used on modern AR-15's. As for the dust cover all it does is cover the bolt when the rifle is not in use. Neither one of these are important, must have features, nor does their absence effect the performance of the rifle in any way. I think I got a great AR-15 at a very good price!
 
Sir, do NOT but a M&P 15 sport -- it has a "sporting" upper, as opposed to the "fully-featured" upper on the Ruger -- That means a "sport" comes missing three parts, parts that were added after the start of the Vietnam war, the "sport" is missing: 1.) a dust-cover 2.) brass deflector and 3.) a forward assist.
Click to expand...

The "fully-featured" Ruger upper is missing a few parts as well - namely the standard delta ring/weld spring, forward sling loop, correct carbine handguards, and standard A2 flash hider.

Bottom line - both of these commercial-grade rifles are intended for the hobbyist. And there is nothing wrong with that.

If you want a military-grade rifle that you will be using for serious self-defense, go get a Colt or BCM.
 
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