Ruger SR-556: Ruger’s New Piston Driven AR-15
By
The new Ruger SR-556 rifle.
Ruger announced a new piston driven AR-15 rifle: the Ruger SR-556. Announced at the NRA convention, the SR-556 is a completely new line for Ruger, and part of an obvious effort to redefine the company.
The SR-556 has a host of quality features, the most significant of which is the two-stage piston system. But, in a market that seems to have an overwhelming number of AR-15 makers, will the SR-556 be interesting enough to survive?
The “black rifle” market is clearly hot, as AR-15’s have been selling extremely well throughout the United States. Some manufacturers have stated that orders are backlogged six months or more. Bringing a new AR-style gun into the market now, may be good timing for Ruger, as a scarcity of all AR rifles may push more customers into their rifles.
Let’s take a look at some of the features of the SR-556.
The Good
I know this is entirely subjective, but I think the SR-556 is a good looking gun. Obviously a gun that functions flawlessly beats a gun that only works some of the time. But, all other things being equal, I’d rather have a good looking gun than an ugly one.
The piston system promises enhanced reliability because you are not sending all of the by-products of a fired cartridge right back into your bolt. While good weapon maintenance is still the best way to guarantee a functioning firearm, a piston system does, in theory, make sense.
The SR-556 features a hammer forged, chrome lined barrel, and is chambered for 5.56 ammunition (and will shoot .223 also). The barrel is just over 16″, and has a 1:9 twist, helping to ensure the stabilization of heavier bullets.
Sighting is handled by flip up/down iron sights from Troy Industries. This is the same style sights that I have on my own AR. I much prefer a front and rear I can flip down, rather than the more common AR sights. However, the SR-556 is a true flat top rifle, so adding a EO Tech or other optic is extremely easy.
Unlike the Mini-14, the SR-556 accepts all standard AR-15 magazines. Plus, the SR-556 ships with three, 30-round Magpul PMAG magazines. I have found the PMAG to be an extremely good AR-15 magazine, and I think this was a great choice by Ruger.
The SR-556 also offers a number of other nice add-ons. For example, the rifle comes standard with a quad rail from Troy Industries and a Hogue grip.
The Bad
Retail is set at $1995. While there are some nice features on this rifle, even in the currently inflated market, I don’t think this is a terribly aggressive price point for Ruger. First, there are already a lot of AR-15 manufacturers on the market, with a great number of them selling rifles that are half as expensive.
Second, Ruger is not known as a “tactical gun” manufacturer. The closest thing Ruger has in their line is the Mini-14. While the Mini-14 does fill a niche, it is not known for great accuracy, especially when stacked up against a lot of standard AR-15’s. While I suspect the SR-556 will prove to be very accurate, Ruger will have to overcome the accuracy shortcomings of the Mini-14 in some peoples’ minds.
Another negative for me on the SR-556 is the plain M-4 style buttstock. I’ve never been a fan of the six position, collapsible buttstock found on the majority of AR’s out there. I much prefer the Magpul CTR-style buttstock. As Ruger is already working with Magpul on this rifle, the CTR seems to be the no-brainer addition to the SR-556. And, at almost $2000, having a nice buttstock would be more likely to get my wallet out of my pocket.
My overall, initial impression of the SR-556 is that it has a lot of nice features, including a piston system, which will make it attractive to a lot of potential buyers. I just don’t know if a $2000 price tag on a new, untested firearm will scare off most of the buyers.
From Ruger’s press release:
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is pleased to introduce the new Ruger® SR-556 autoloading rifle - an innovative two-stage piston driven rifle. The SR-556 offers Ruger’s legendary rugged reliability, redefining the AR platform with piston driven performance. The piston driven SR-556 runs cleaner, cooler, and is easier to maintain than gas driven rifles, offering significantly improved reliability.
The patent pending two-stage piston driven operating system in the Ruger SR-556 provides a smooth power delivery stroke to the action and vents combustion residue out of the bottom of the gas block. The four-position adjustable gas regulator allows the operator to tune the rifle to specific ammunition and rifle conditions, minimizing recoil and maximizing reliability and long-term endurance. Reliability is further enhanced by a one-piece bolt carrier with an integral transfer key.
Designed for long-lasting accuracy, the heavy contour, 16-1/8″ chrome lined barrel is cold hammer forged from Mil-Spec 41V45 Chrome-Moly-Vanadium Steel. The barrel has a 1:9 twist rate and is capped with an AC-556 flash suppressor. Chambered in 5.56mm NATO, the Ruger SR-556 also fires .223 Rem. ammunition.
A one-piece, ten-inch Troy Industries Quad Rail Handguard provides ample room for mounting sights, optics and accessories. Made exclusively for Ruger, this SR-556-specific handguard is pinned to the upper receiver and provides a rigid mount for the piston driven transfer rod.
The SR-556 is equipped with Troy Industries Folding BattleSights™. These rugged, high-quality sights co-witness with Mil-Spec optics, and are easily removed or replaced. The sights can be folded down with the push of a button, or quickly flipped up with your thumbs. The windage adjustable rear sight includes an instantly converted short and long range aperture, and the protected front sight is elevation adjustable.
The Ruger SR-556 is equipped with a six-position telescoping M4-style buttstock that houses a Mil-Spec buffer and spring. A Hogue® Monogrip® pistol grip and three Troy Industries Rail Covers provide a comfortable ergonomic hold when carrying or shooting.
Durability and performance of the SR-556 is enhanced with the use of high-performance finishes: The barrel and gas block are chrome lined, while the bolt, bolt carrier, and extractor are chrome plated. The piston driven transfer rod is electroless nickel/Teflon coated. The flash hider and the exterior of the barrel, gas block, and regulator are manganese phosphate coated. All aluminum parts are Mil-Spec hard coat anodized.
The SR-556 is supplied with three, thirty-round Magpul PMAG™ magazines. These lightweight magazines feature a storage/dust cover, a stainless steel spring, and a self-lubricating, anti-tilt follower.
The flat top upper receiver and barrel assembly is specific to the Ruger SR-556. The standard lower receiver is built with Mil-Spec components, including a single stage trigger. The lower receiver is compatible with AR-style magazines, grips, buttstocks, and fire control components.
The 7 lb., 15 oz. (without magazine) Ruger SR-556 autoloading rifle is shipped in a padded carry case that features the Ruger logo, hook-and-loop fasteners to stabilize the rifle within the case, and internal magazine pockets.
Ruger’s new SR-556 is in production now.
19 Comments
May 16th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Yes the price will knock off many considering that most others have the same style rifle at about half the cost. Even a Colt is less and I have an original Colt Government Carbine that I bought in 1988 at $640.00.A green label at serial number 1094 at that! This will never go big at that price no matter the field. I would love to have one but for that price the SIG-556 looks better!
Ruger needs to get the cost down to a realistic level big time.
May 17th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
This gun will go for less than the MSRP. So the price will be a little better than what Ruger is saying.
I own a Mini-14 and it is way more accurate then any AR I have ever shot. Not sure what the author is talking about on this one.
May 18th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Why not just buy an Adams Arms Retrofit Gas Piston System? Save $1500.00 and get the same reliability!
May 19th, 2009 at 10:26 am
The basic idea of a piston-driven gas system is good. In my opinion (and yep - everybody has one!), the biggest weakness in the AR system was the direct gas system. Good for Ruger - now they just need to get the price point more realistic! I agree with Wayne - the Adams gas piston retrofit sounds like the way to go.
May 20th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Note there is a significant accuracy difference between old Mini14’s and the new 580 line of Mini14’s.
Also, I agree, Rugers usually sell for a bit under MSRP. And I wager this will go for around $1,695. Which is NOT all that bad a price when base generic ARs are going for $1,100.
May 24th, 2009 at 12:22 am
The Mini-14 is a piece of crap. Get a real gun. Hope Ruger will make a 308 version. If so, I will take two.
May 25th, 2009 at 7:57 am
nice rifle, however the prices are out of hand. for about a third of the cost you can purchase an ar15 and add a gas piston conversion kit for $249.00 and achieve the same results for less money. if ruger and any other manufacturer wants to make a serious ” bounce back ” then they should make their products more affordable for purchase by the general public. after all the second ammendment is guaranteed to all american citizens who can legally own a firearm , not just the wealthy who can afford them. the message the firearms manufacturers are putting out there is you have to be able to afford your freedom to have your freedom. well i’m sorry to say, i’d rather build my own firearm than shell out thousands of dollars to protect myself and family. in an economy like ours when the unemployment rate is high and jobs are so few and far between , it truly is an insult to the american public to have to pay outrageous prices for safety and freedom. you would think by now an american company would do right by the american people, but apparently freedom still has a price tag. funny i don’t recall the federal government bailing out the gun makers, what i do remember is they tried to sue them and hold them responsible for crimes committed using their firearms. does anyone know whose side they are on? the cost should tell us!
May 31st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Hmmm….
The new ruger looks interesting. As far as the mini-14 goes, it is hardly a “piece of crap”. While it lacks a bit in accuracy, it is far more reliable than ANY standard AR. In dirty, dusty environments the mini will continue to fire long after the AR quits.
June 18th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
When the gun companies get suid it cost them money, win or lose. In effect our costs go up to purchase those same guns. Before the last elections I payed $749.99 for an Ar 15. I went to buy the same one for my father from the same place and it cost me $1089 for the exact same thing. So I order it on 11/3/08 and it still hasn’t come. I called the manufactor and the said that I won’t see it before the end of August based on my order date. So I ordered the Ruger SR 556 for $1437 out the door. I like the price considering the cromed parts, quad rail and sights. Know the question is how long until it gets here? I excited but that’s just me. Just enjoy the shooting sports!
June 21st, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I got excited for a minute, then I saw the price… c’mon Ruger - seriously? $2K for this thing? WTF…
June 27th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Who pays retail? I got mine for 1499.00. Add up all the standard features, compare to the competitors and they loose. Ruger wins.
June 28th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
i got a chance to look at the new sr-556 this weekend at the local gunshow. i agree with the review that all things being even on reliability…i will take good looking gun also. it has a nice heft to it and a great choice of components and features. its not just your entry level ar rifle like most companies start with . piston uppers are a drastic improvement…in my opinion. owning a standard ar15 first is something to consider as parts availability and commonality are very important! the sr556 was $1399 at the show…and i thought it was a great deal…and i am very frugal, but i came home and started looking for what i wanted to sell to pay for one. i like everything about it. as far as the mini-14 goes…ruger has improved them over the older ones. the accracy was horrible. mags were hard to come by and expensive that were functional and dependable. to me, the mini 14 is over priced with what you get & for old technology. isn’t it great to have choices though?
July 24th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Been in law enforcement since 1976 and have been a Ruger fan a little over half that. Just when I think they are about to disappoint me with not being current with their product line, Ruger has come out of the factory with nice surprises. By the way, I used the mini-14 in the field as an agent on the state drug task force and as being part of a federal task force. The gun never let me down in the field; reliable, accurate, intimidating. Plinking is one thing, having a firearm your life depends on is another. Though not a field officer now, I would love to get my hands on one to put it through a few paces. By the way, I haven’t yet bought any AR type. I still have my mini-14.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Been looking and price checking this rifle for the past couple weeks. Most are charging $1350 - $1600. Nowhere near the $2k people are complaining about. When you figure that the Troy BUIS alone will run around $250, $1400 for this gun starts looking like a pretty sweet deal.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
Agreed. $1350 is much better deal than $2k. At $2k, the gun doesn’t appeal to me, but at $1350 it does.
August 8th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
$1499 here too…. the rifle is sweet.
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 am
Just bought the Sig-556 for $1199 out the door. Much better deal.
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:22 am
I just purchased one, i think the price is reasonable, first because what you see from the factory is SUGGESTED RETAIL, they are going for around 1500. Also the rail does not cost the $29 for plastic handguards they cost around $200 or more. Now dont forget to subtract the cost of the front and rear flip up sights, cost about $250 so far subtract $450 from $1500 and you have the cost of a piston gun for a little over a thousand dollars.
PS i purchased one and love it.
Good luck mates
peter
October 18th, 2009 at 10:49 am
I was seriousy looking at the Sig and picked up the Ruger at a gun show. Love at first touch. I paid 1470.00 out the door and love the thing. I have a Colt SBR gas gun and have owned several other para guns this one is my favorite. My son and I ran 300 rounds through it right out of the gate. The bolt had just a skiff of black on it but the gas piston had all of the crud from the Mylasian ammo caked to it. It cleaned up real easy and we were off and running. Buy it, you’ll like it!!!