Ruger AR-556 Gas-Impingement 5.56mm Semi-Automatic Rifle

by Jeff Quinn

photography by Jeff Quinn & Boge Quinn

September 29th, 2014

 

Click pictures for a larger version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruger has had great success with their SR-556 gas-piston semi-automatic rifle. While it is an excellent rifle, many shooters prefer the lighter weight and affordability of a direct-impingement gun, and with their new AR-556, Ruger has delivered. 

Made at Ruger’s new Mayodan, North Carolina facility, the AR-556 is what an AR-15 should be. It has a 16.1 inch cold hammer-forged chrome-moly steel barrel, forged 7075-T6 hard-coat anodized upper and lower receivers machined to tight tolerances, and a machined billet A-2 gas block with sling stud attachment point and a bayonet lug. The rear sight is a folding adjustable unit attached to the flattop upper. Even at a low price point, the AR-556 is a full-featured AR, having an ejection port dust cover, forward assist, and empty case deflector. The barrel is threaded 1/2x28 TPI with a birdcage flash suppressor attached. The heavy-profile barrel is rifled one turn in eight inches, and stabilizes bullets up to the 77 grain class. The trigger is a single-stage military type, and the bolt carrier group is black-oxide finished, with a chrome-plated internal finish on the carrier and gas key, which is staked on to the BCG. The six-position buttstock rides on a mil-spec buffer tube, and is quickly adjustable to fit most any shooter. The pistol grip fills in behind the receiver for a more-comfortable hold. The patented barrel nut is easy to remove, and will accommodate any standard handguard. 

The AR-556 ships with one thirty-round PMag, and has a suggested retail price of $749 US, with an expected street price of just under $600 US, as of the date of this review. The AR-556 has endured extensive testing before entered into production, and the one reviewed here proved to be one hundred percent reliable, and very accurate. The AR-556 is in the distribution pipeline now. Check out the extensive line of Ruger firearms and accessories online at www.ruger.com.

For the location of a Ruger dealer near you, click on the DEALER FINDER at www.lipseys.com.

To order the AR-556 online, click on the GUN GENIE at www.galleryofguns.com.

Jeff Quinn

Got something to say about this article? Want to agree (or disagree) with it? Click the following link to go to the GUNBlast Feedback Page.

Click pictures for a larger version.