Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles ruger sr-556 opinions?

I am considering one of these. I like the features/price/name.

They have been out long enough there ought to be an opinion or two.

I did try a search. Only found a want add.

Probably not a bad move, but if I planned to spend that much on an AR, I'd get a 16in mid-length gas system LMT, Daniel Defense, or Bravo Company myself. I'm not sold on the need for a piston for a 16in barrel. M4 length? Maybe. 11.5in? Must have.

Gotten good reviews except for trigger. Don't know if good A/M triggers fit.
There are lighter ARs and more accurate ones but the name counts for a lot.
Waiting for the 6.7 version.

Review in 1/2010 Gun Tests
http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/22_1/features/Gas-Piston-AR-and-Prices5774-1.html
most honest "magazine" out there.

Certainly not a need as far as reliability. The pistons seem to run a lot cleaner/cooler. The main problem I have with AR pistons is that everyone has their own flavor. Part of the reason I think a big name might be a good idea a few years down the road.

I have one and I like it. It functions very well with no hiccups so far. It shoots fmj, vmax, and hp bullets well. The vmax bullets are the most accurate with 26 grains of TAC out of my rifle. Point of impact doesn't change when the barrel get's hot after 30 rounds. It's not a heavy rifle IMO.

Absurdly heavy and of questionable utility. I'm a DI fan, it's worked for 50 years, whereas piston systems have their own failings which in the AR platform are not yet fully understood.

I would ask that we can discuss the logic of an piston AR in a different thread . Assuming someone wants one, are there any other opinions on the Ruger?

They seem to be a good value for the sum of their parts but I wasn't particularly impressed with the couple I looked at. Pretty loose upper/lower fit. Average fit and finish elsewhere.

For the same or near the same money I'd much rather have a Colt 6940 (and do ).

I guess if you are convinced you must have a Piston AR the Ruger might be one of the better value models. LWRC's and LMT's ARE Nicer but also a good bit more expensive....................................DJ

The way that Ruger has always been wishy-washy about what they think civilians should be able to own, you might have an orphan down the road. Look how many years they wouldn't sell high-cap mags to Mini14 owners.

Mine has done just fine, need to clean it some day. Hits clays on a berm at 267 yards using surplus 55's. About all I need.

I wouldn't worry about Ruger not backing them up with parts or service. It's my understanding that you can still send an AC556 in for service and repairs as long as it's a Ruger factory rifle and you can legally own it.

It's not really my cup of tea, but I'm glad they're making them.

Terry

I'm glad you said that. Sometimes it's easy to forget that just because a gun isn't something that you personally want, it doesn't mean that it's not just the right thing for someone else...............................DJ

It would be nicer if you could order parts to keep on hand.

If a guy wants to try a piston gun then the Ruger seems like a good option based on price and reputation.

I would like to shoot one a bunch and see if I am missing anything but the as was stated above the DI system works so well in the 16 inch guns that I was always turned off by the extra weight and complexity of the pistons.

The quad rails are also a killer for me.

I also applaud Ruger for making the gun and again it does seem to be a great choice if a guy wants to see if a piston gun is for him.