Ruger's AR 556
- Thread starter TarDevil
- Start date
- Status
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I'm sure it is a good rifle. My thing with AR pattern rifles is there is a huge knowledge base around the normal direct-impingement version, so I don't like to stray too far from that. I'm likely biased as I already have a lot of experience with that version and I don't have much interest in proprietary parts or learning how the Ruger version is different from the standard.
Gtscotty
Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 3,635
http://www.gunsandammo.com/first-look/first-look-ruger-ar-556/
I believe this is a DI rifle. It doesn't look ground breaking, but at an expected street price of $599, it should be a good value.
I believe this is a DI rifle. It doesn't look ground breaking, but at an expected street price of $599, it should be a good value.
Jason_W
Member
Does the gun world really need yet another AR?
My thoughts.
MachIVshooter
Member
That is a goofy looking front sight gas block.
Great to see that Ruger is still busy ripping other designs off. I guess it was Magpul's turn.
Great to see that Ruger is still busy ripping other designs off. I guess it was Magpul's turn.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
My bad. I looked at that funky gas block/FSB and figured it was a piston like the SR-556. At $599, it looks like a good value. As far as cheap blaster barrels go, I think the slightly lighter than HBAR profile and the 1:8 twist are both smart choices on Ruger's part.
At the same time, PSA is bringing the heat when it comes to budget rifles. You can now get chrome-lined 1:7 midlengths with Magpul furniture for around the same pricepoint with a little careful shopping (and if you don't mind waiting a bit).
Of course, if the MSRP is $599, then the AR-556 might hit the market at an even lower price, which would make it extremely competitive. Whoever thought we'd see AR15s cheaper than Glocks?
What have they ripped off from magpul?
ClickClickD'oh
Member
Oh look, Ruger is yet again late to a worn out market with a lackluster product. They were last into the poly striker market and now they are last into the budget AR market.
Wake me up when Ruger gets innovative again.
Wake me up when Ruger gets innovative again.
The pistol grip and rear sight do look a lot like Magpul's, can't really tell where they are different in the pictures.
Jason_W
Member
As disappointing as yet another AR is, I'll be the devil's advocate here: Manufacturers produce boring because the gun buying public buys boring. Doing something new and innovative is a huge risk for a company, especially given how resistant gun buyers actually are when it comes to new products.
In some ways, it's a no win situation for a manufacturer. If a manufacturer comes up with a new round or platform, the gun buying public bellyaches that said new product does nothing that existing products X, Y, and Z already do and that the new product is just a marketing gimmick to boost sales. On the other hand, if they go the boring route, doing nothing really new, we'll whine about how boring it is, but we will buy those boring products as long as we can get the, for a few dollars cheaper than the same product made by their competitors.
I would wager that everyone who posts to this board has at least half a dozen cool new gun ideas that ultimately wouldn't sell if they were brought into existence.
That was going to be my response. The rear sight is almost without a doubt produced by magpul and rebranded by Ruger, with Magpul's consent. They sell P-mags in Ruger packaging as well.
The grip however doesn't look like a 100% copy of anything magpul sells.
edit: maybe a cross between a MOE and a MOE SL grip
No one seems to be bashing S&W for bringing out polymer striker fired guns after most everyone else, or the M&P 15.
Ruger is going to make what sells, and Rugers sell very well.
Last edited:
That's the rifle and price point they should have entered the market with.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
On a related note as to value, PSA is selling the Bushmaster Optics Ready Carbine for $549 with a $100 discount (until tomorrow), for a before shipping price of $449 for a new flattop 16" AR.
Personally, I like the AR556 better than the ORC, especially if it comes in under the MSRP; but it does go to show that there is a great buyer's market for AR15s right now.
Personally, I like the AR556 better than the ORC, especially if it comes in under the MSRP; but it does go to show that there is a great buyer's market for AR15s right now.
HoosierQ
Member
I predicted this. Tuh Duh!
Ruger is loosing their hind-quarters to S&W with their M&P15 lineup. This is their entry to grab that business. The SR556 is a niche due to the piston. Not really an AR, just very AR-like in the controls and sights and mags.
This is a real AR, thus the nomenclature. Ruger is a business, this make business sense.
Ruger is loosing their hind-quarters to S&W with their M&P15 lineup. This is their entry to grab that business. The SR556 is a niche due to the piston. Not really an AR, just very AR-like in the controls and sights and mags.
This is a real AR, thus the nomenclature. Ruger is a business, this make business sense.
I think it is a good move to get into the AR game what with prices falling. The S&W Sporter isn't competition to the SR556, those are two different price points and different markets. What this new Ruger AR will do it get them into the budget AR game. It will compete with the Sporter and the PSAs, and DPMSs etc. etc. People will buy it over the others simply because it is a Ruger. I think this is a brilliant move,
BTW, the MSPR of the Ruger AR is $750 which means the street price will be around $600 give or take.
BTW, the MSPR of the Ruger AR is $750 which means the street price will be around $600 give or take.
RustyShackelford
member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2006
- Messages
- 4,018
Ruger AR/.300AAC Blackout.....
To answer the post ? about "needing" another AR series rifle, Id say;
I guess they need new models to put on the cover of Guns & Weapons For Law Enforcement,
.
Really in the late 2000s, I think they put cover photos of ARs or M4s from different makers about 8/9 months straight.
We get it, people like M4s & AR15s/M16s.
If Ruger wants to roll out yet another AR 5.56x45mm battle rifle, then God Bless em.
Id break with the same old blah & give US shooters a .300AAC Blackout.
S&W and Stag Arms now has .300AAC Blackout. It's a great rifle round in my opine & should get more support.
The 5.56mm & 7.62mm are the old stand-bys.
To answer the post ? about "needing" another AR series rifle, Id say;
I guess they need new models to put on the cover of Guns & Weapons For Law Enforcement,
.Really in the late 2000s, I think they put cover photos of ARs or M4s from different makers about 8/9 months straight.
We get it, people like M4s & AR15s/M16s.
If Ruger wants to roll out yet another AR 5.56x45mm battle rifle, then God Bless em.
Id break with the same old blah & give US shooters a .300AAC Blackout.
S&W and Stag Arms now has .300AAC Blackout. It's a great rifle round in my opine & should get more support.
The 5.56mm & 7.62mm are the old stand-bys.
Panzerschwein
member
I like it, might have to get this over the S&W M&P-15 for a budget AR.
The spec sheet doesn't say anything about chrome lined barrel. Also, it states barrel finish as "matte black oxide"
MachIVshooter
Member
Difference is, the other manufacturers specifically state Magpul MOE, MBUS, etc., just as they give credit when using Troy, MI, DD or any other name brand part. I seriously doubt that's a genuine Magpul rear MBUS, seeing as they did credit Magpul for the magazine. I also doubt that Ruger obtained permission to copy it. Just not their MO the last few years.
Maybe because their poly pistols aren't a knock-off of another design. As for the M&P rifle series, I don't fault any manufacturer from jumping into that market. Not even Ruger, although I agree that they are definitely a bit tardy to the market here. PSA, DSA, DTI, DPMS, S&W and Bushmaster had the $500-$600 AR market well covered.
umm...Glock sued them over the Sigma and they had to pay royalties to Glock and redesign it
Kynoch
member
A nice commodity AR it would appear. I think Ruger realizes the limited interest and value in their SR-556/762 line and understand they need to have products in the commodity AR market.
I suspect the sales of the SR-556/762 line are so limited that they not worrying about the obvious cannibalization -- they NEED to get into the huge, commodity-priced AR market.
This pricing will also place pressure on their Mini lines and on other AR makers. Tough price competition is coming -- finally!
I suspect the sales of the SR-556/762 line are so limited that they not worrying about the obvious cannibalization -- they NEED to get into the huge, commodity-priced AR market.
This pricing will also place pressure on their Mini lines and on other AR makers. Tough price competition is coming -- finally!
- Status
