Ruger AR-556 Direct Impingement Rifle

[usbp379]

Ruger has recently announced their newest MSR dubbed the AR-556. This rifle uses the conventional gas tube gas system and should appeal to those looking for a traditional AR. Probably the most notable thing about this firearm is its suggested retail price of $749. Ruger always sets the MSRP a bit higher than actual price. These rifles are already selling for under $600 with several online retailers.

I have had one of these rifles for several weeks, being one of Ruger's jury testers prior to launch. I have primarily been running the rifle with inexpensive Tula and have yet to have an issue.

Here I am playing around on the range. We're running rifle with frangible. The target is twenty yards downrange.

Movement Drill with Ruger AR-556: http://youtu.be/Uahy_BFZtkA

[Nathan_Mack]

MSRP may be $749, but I bet shelf price will be about $699.

[usbp379]

MSRP may be $749, but I bet shelf price will be about $699.
Many people are seeing these at their local shops at $575 or thereabouts according to other forums.

[usbp379]

Copy of Partial Mag Dump Ruger AR-556: http://youtu.be/cCCj1Z9jcbA

Here's a short video I slowed down using YouTube's website. Pretty neat that we can pick up a few sounds that aren't noticeable at normal speed.

[Nathan_Mack]

Many people are seeing these at their local shops at $575 or thereabouts according to other forums.

Jesus...I should go buy 2.

[usbp379]

I'm hoping Ruger will produce this same model in 300 Blackout. I really think a $600 300BLK would help propel the cartridge into the main stream.

[usbp379]

I think I'm having just as much fun--maybe more--playing around with YouTube as I am with this new rifle!


http://youtu.be/oU8eZgynH28



http://youtu.be/cCCj1Z9jcbA

[Eric]

It's odd that Ruger released this during a time when the market is saturated. With that said, I think this will be a good seller for Ruger due to their name recognition, low price-point and established distribution. Leave it to Ruger to use a semi-auto carrier with an exposed firing pin and notched hammer. The QD on the front sight base shows promise, but the location on the bottom could be better. Ruger is one of the few manufacturers that actuals has the ability to make CHF barrels and the 1/8 twist is a decent compromise and should cover just about all of the more common loads. With the lack of chrome lining, I'm surprised they did not take the Melonite route; perhaps cost was more of an issue.
http://www.ruger.com/products/ar556/specSheets/8500.html

[Pyzik]

Local shop is selling them for $620 OTD.
Pretty darn good price for what your getting.

And I know a lot of Ruger fanboys that will get one.

[Eric]

I'm tempted to picked one up just to test out, but I'm wondering if they will release other variants soon. A mid-length would be nice.

[Thompson]

Leave it to Ruger to use a semi-auto carrier with an exposed firing pin and notched hammer.
Forgive my lack of knowledge - but how is this bad? Or am I misinterpreting your tone?

[UWone77]

Forgive my lack of knowledge - but how is this bad? Or am I misinterpreting your tone?

It's not bad perse, but why not just throw in a M16 carrier?

I'm sure this rifle will be decent but to me, this is just cost cutting and cheapness I have no interest in.

[usbp379]

It's odd that Ruger released this during a time when the market is saturated. With that said, I think this will be a good seller for Ruger due to their name recognition, low price-point and established distribution. Leave it to Ruger to use a semi-auto carrier with an exposed firing pin and notched hammer. The QD on the front sight base shows promise, but the location on the bottom could be better. Ruger is one of the few manufacturers that actuals has the ability to make CHF barrels and the 1/8 twist is a decent compromise and should cover just about all of the more common loads. With the lack of chrome lining, I'm surprised they did not take the Melonite route; perhaps cost was more of an issue.
http://www.ruger.com/products/ar556/specSheets/8500.html
The QD sling swivel is certainly a neat and novel idea but its location on the bottom of the front sight base demonstrates Ruger's hunting rifle roots. Ideally Ruger would have included sockets at 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 to satisfy all users but probably anyone wanting to run a tactical sling will be adding some type of railed handguard with its own sling sockets.

I do wish Ruger would have nitrided or chromed the bore and chamber and I believe the decision was made not to add any coating strictly as a cost-saving measure. Maybe we'll see a more "professional" grade rifle in the future.

[usbp379]

I'm tempted to picked one up just to test out, but I'm wondering if they will release other variants soon. A mid-length would be nice.
I've actually been quite pleased with mine. It has been awhile since I've messed with a bare bones AR. It is kind of fun and I've been pleasantly surprised.

My plan now is to add a Troy Delta forend and add a sling. I had initially thought about changing out a bunch of parts but will just stick with the Troy forend for the time being. I'm not crazy about the furniture but it works fine so no need to replace it just because.

[usbp379]

Forgive my lack of knowledge - but how is this bad? Or am I misinterpreting your tone?
The idea with the notched hammer and bolt carrier is to keep someone from removing the disconnector with the intent of making a machinegun. The notch in the carrier will snag on the hammer if the hammer isn't held by either the sear or the disconnector.

The notch in the carrier removed metal so the hammer is cocked partially by the firing pin. This causes wear and tear to both the firing pin and its retainer. It doesn't happen often but the wear can lead to broken firing pin retainers.

Colt used the notches for years but finally went away from them. As far as I know, Ruger is the only company using the notches now.

[usbp379]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/P1000745_zps4d187215.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/P1000745_zps4d187215.jpg.html)

[usbp379]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/P1000746_zps5d547b15.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/P1000746_zps5d547b15.jpg.html)

[usbp379]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_165337_zps1ba6116e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_165337_zps1ba6116e.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_165501_zps65b7535f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_165501_zps65b7535f.jpg.html)

[usbp379]

Ruger's threaded delta ring.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_165831_zps950df38d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_165831_zps950df38d.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_165930_zpsfa7fc4ea.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_165930_zpsfa7fc4ea.jpg.html)

[usbp379]

Troy drop-in railed handguard fits fine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20141001_154904_zps2dce47cf.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20141001_154904_zps2dce47cf.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20141001_154818_zps9d5c8776.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20141001_154818_zps9d5c8776.jpg.html)

[Thompson]

The idea with the notched hammer and bolt carrier is to keep someone from removing the disconnector with the intent of making a machinegun. The notch in the carrier will snag on the hammer if the hammer isn't held by either the sear or the disconnector.

The notch in the carrier removed metal so the hammer is cocked partially by the firing pin. This causes wear and tear to both the firing pin and its retainer. It doesn't happen often but the wear can lead to broken firing pin retainers.

Colt used the notches for years but finally went away from them. As far as I know, Ruger is the only company using the notches now.
Ah ok ... I think I get it ... kinda haha (more of a visual learner). So then you're saying Ruger uses an AR-15 BCG for this rifle?


It's not bad perse, but why not just throw in a M16 carrier?

I'm sure this rifle will be decent but to me, this is just cost cutting and cheapness I have no interest in.
Yep, I know what you mean. My guess is that this particular rifle is to cater more towards people who aren't into higher end stuff like us. Curious, is there a notable price difference to manufacture an AR-15 BCG vs M-16 BCG?

For the most part, a lot of the complete factory rifles I've looked at all had M-16 BCGs (granted I've only looked at higher end companies).

[DutyUse]

I'm sure this rifle will be decent but to me, this is just cost cutting and cheapness I have no interest in.

Agree. I'd pony up the extra 150$ and get a proven Colt...

[usbp379]

Here is the "Colt notch" on the bottom of the bolt carrier. Note the exposed firing pin.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_170421_zps505cf4fb.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_170421_zps505cf4fb.jpg.html)

And here is the corresponding notch on the hammer that is designed to catch the carrier.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_170218_zpseb0c96c1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/Mobile%20Uploads/PSX_20140930_170218_zpseb0c96c1.jpg.html)

[UWone77]

Ah ok ... I think I get it ... kinda haha (more of a visual learner). So then you're saying Ruger uses an AR-15 BCG for this rifle?


Yep, I know what you mean. My guess is that this particular rifle is to cater more towards people who aren't into higher end stuff like us. Curious, is there a notable price difference to manufacture an AR-15 BCG vs M-16 BCG?

For the most part, a lot of the complete factory rifles I've looked at all had M-16 BCGs (granted I've only looked at higher end companies).

I don't think the rifle will disintegrate in your hands or anything because of the AR15 carrier. It will still function just fine.

I do believe, Ruger is catering to a certain market, and because they were trying to keep costs down as much as possible, had to cut some corners. Might be a great starter AR15 for someone's kid.

[Thompson]

Here is the "Colt notch" on the bottom of the bolt carrier. Note the exposed firing pin.
I'm sorry, I'm lost as to where on the carrier you're speaking of. I know what notched hammers look like; just not the corresponding section on the carrier.


I do believe, Ruger is catering to a certain market, and because they were trying to keep costs down as much as possible, had to cut some corners. Might be a great starter AR15 for someone's kid.
At just under $600, I couldn't agree more.

[usbp379]

This should help with your question.

http://weaponsman.com/?p=11263

[Thompson]

This should help with your question.

http://weaponsman.com/?p=11263
Makes sense! Thanks!

[Eric]

This is an old crappy pic, but it shows a Colt carrier with the exposed firing pin. This was from a 6721 that had A LOT of rounds through it and it kept working, despite the wear and bent firing pin retaining pins. The M16 style BCG is essentially the industry standard and while not necessarily a deal killer for most, it was a stupid move by Ruger.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Colt%20AR15/P1010114.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/AR15forme/media/Colt%20AR15/P1010114.jpg.html)

[Thompson]

Oh ok. All starting to make more sense now. Thanks!

[DutyUse]

I'm sure it's a fine rifle and that Ruger will stand behind their products but for some reason I just can't get excited about any of their ARs.

Which is weird bc my first pistol as a kid was a Ruger Mk1 .22 that I'm quite sentimental over

[usbp379]

Here's another little video in slow motion. Note ejection with M193-type ball. I might mess around with buffer weights just a bit to see what that does.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Z3Z_VUin_OQ

[UWone77]

Nice video usbp, and good choice of music. I'm interested to see how this rifle does with one of your usual long-term testing. I wish I was on the ball as you are with the long-term projects.

[usbp379]

Nice video usbp, and good choice of music. I'm interested to see how this rifle does with one of your usual long-term testing. I wish I was on the ball as you are with the long-term projects.
On the ball? Ha!

I have too many long-term projects. If it was just one or two it wouldn't be a big deal...

[usbp379]

Scratch the Troy/VTAC Delta rail off the list. The rail would have fit-and looked quite nice on the rifle-had Ruger used a traditional AR front sight base.

What happens is the Troy has an internal flange on the bottom length of handguard that fits into the space between the standard GI sling swivel and the bayonet lug. There is no space on the bottom of the Ruger gas black since they chose to use a machined-in QD swivel socket.

I don't know how the Daniel Defense would work. It might clear the area on the bottom of Ruger's front base just fine. But unless things have changed, the FSB has to be removed to install the DD. If I'm going to pull the front sight base I'd just replace it with a low profile gas block and use a BCM forend.

Looks like the 7" non free float rails might be the only option without making some mods. :mad:

[usbp379]

I had been planning on cutting off the QD sling swivel socket with a Dremel followed by dressing up with a file. There isn't much room to work around the handguard cap. I tried knocking out the taper pins in order to pull the front sight block to make it easier to work on but I can only get one taper pin out. The second pin is stuck fast and I cannot get it to budge for the life of me.

I pulled the barrel this morning and dropped it in the mail to Marvin Pitts. I'm sure he'll be able to pop out the taper pin and mill the QD socket off no problem. I also tossed a GI barrel nut and delta ring in the box so he can replace the proprietary Ruger nut while he has the front sight off.

Hopefully all this will allow me to correctly and easily install the VTAC Delta. I'll be sure to post again when I get the barrel back from Marvin.

[usbp379]

New Direct-Impingement R…: http://youtu.be/UTw3-zIwndQ