Ruger® Redefines the AR Platform with the New SR-556™ Autoloading Rifle

Business Wire ^ | May 15, 2009 | Press Release

[smokingfrog]

For when you run out of ammo - or can't buy it anymore.

Can also be used to deflect bullets.

[Who is John Galt?]

I was a Ruger guy until I met up with Ruger customer service. Slow and indifferent are the first two descriptors that come to mind.

Yeah, crappy customer service is something you never forget. (Which is why I will never do business with Bushmaster... ;>)

[Who is John Galt?]

They did, however, screw up the barrel on this one.

(Not going with a standard AR 1/2x28RH muzzle thread would definitely screw up the barrel... ;>)

[Charles Martel]

Smith and wesson is making one too.

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).

[Who is John Galt?]

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.

Interesting thought. Lots of hypothetical options: cast steel (or polymer, or steel & polymer) lowers, interchangeable mag wells, etc., etc., etc.

[Charles Martel]

Speaking of interchangeable mag wells and such, have a look at this:

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.

[Who is John Galt?]

Very nice!

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...

[Charles Martel]

Yes, MGI is the company with the interchangeable magazine well design. Expensive buggers, though -- $500 for a stripped lower (with any mag well), and close to $300 each for the other magwells. Neat idea, though.

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.

[mamelukesabre]

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.

[Who is John Galt?]

Seems like I remember an AR lower that was being marketed a few years back ("Tommy-15?"), that was designed to use the Finnish 9mm drums (and maybe 50 round 'coffin mags'). Looked like great fun, but they were a BIT pricey...

;>)

[Charles Martel]

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.

[Secret Agent Man]

Really? That is not good.

[mad_as_he$$]

lol I notice that the skilled swordsman was behind the firing lien!

[smokingfrog]

KT-15-B - The Franken-Stone AR Bolt-together KT-15 (.223 cal).

http://ktordnance.com/kto/products.php

[Atlas Sneezed]

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 think they went only to 308, and that was done by making the special “magwell” simply a fixed magazine, unable to accept a detachable magazine.

[Who is John Galt?]

I think they went only to 308, and that was done by making the special “magwell” simply a fixed magazine, unable to accept a detachable magazine.

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...

;>)