Posted on 05/15/2009 7:21:23 PM PDT by smokingfrog
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.
Can also be used to deflect bullets.
Yeah, crappy customer service is something you never forget. (Which is why I will never do business with Bushmaster... ;>)
(Not going with a standard AR 1/2x28RH muzzle thread would definitely screw up the barrel... ;>)
Remington and High Standard, too. The more, the merrier - I wonder when Springfield Armory is going to jump in.
I think ruger has finally wised up and quit pretending the mini-14 is better than an AR. The AR is the best there is...with the right mods and accessories.
Ruger has the most "accessorized" rifle on the planet in the 10/22. You'd think they would've seen how people love to customize the AR and jumped at this long ago. Particularly since they've got the ability to cast or forge their own receivers, rather than contract it out like most of the other AR builders.
Note also that they're selling this rifle with three, count 'em, THREE 30-rd. MagPul PMAGS. That fact alone is a big departure for Ruger (and an added strain on the available MagPul magazine supply).
Interesting thought. Lots of hypothetical options: cast steel (or polymer, or steel & polymer) lowers, interchangeable mag wells, etc., etc., etc.
The "modular" AR-15 lower receiver is featured in a DVD available through DIYguns.com. Check out how the side plates are separate and the various components fit together. That simplifies the machine work and adds an interesting number of configuration options.
There was a company (MGI?) marketing ARs with interchangeable mag wells - even had one in .30-06, using military BAR mags. IIRC, Bushmaster bought them out...
I thought I'd seen where Bushmaster was using some MGI-designed buffers, but I wasn't aware that there was any larger merger between the two. MGI still has a website up with an online store that appears active.
I'll have to check out the manufacturer's forums on arfcom to see what's up. I'll admit, the idea of using Glock mags in a 9mm AR carbine, or real AK mags in a 7.62x39 AR - that's very appealing.
Holycrap that is AWESOME! That just gave me all kinds of ideas. They need to start making those parts out of carbon fiber instead of milled billet...and then figure out a way to make them snap together rather than secured by screws.
;>)
I just did a little more research on that DVD and found a link to it on Amazon as well - but they show it as "discontinued by source". The DIYguns site might be the only current vendor with 'em - have to look around some more.
As for materials, yeah, I could see a number of possibilities, maybe with a metal "drop-in" trigger pack, a~la H&K or the new Sig P250 handgun. It gets interesting with regard to the older rules for "80%" receivers, too. You could probably contract out some of the pieces without fear of those companies getting popped for unlicensed manufacture. Yeah, *lots* of ideas.
As for the fasteners, I don't mind the use of screws. The AK guys would probably insist on rivets, though. ;-) A "snap-together" AR sure would be cool, though. The rifle was mocked as a toy for years - now it could actually be assembled like one.
Really? That is not good.
There was a company (MGI?) marketing ARs with interchangeable mag wells - even had one in .30-06, using military BAR mags. IIRC, Bushmaster bought them out...
I'm pretty sure they made a limited run in .30-06 (not sure if the mag well was fixed or not), because I remember seeing one at an auction site, and the price ($1500-$2000, IIRC - it was some sort of special commemorative), and the military BAR mags that it used (I remember that part because I've got a BAR mag that I bought years ago for a 'project,' that I still have not started ;>).
But if I'm wrong, it wouldn't be the first time...
;>)
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