AR-556

[ErrandRunner]

As a Christmas present to myself I ordered an AR-556 Model 8503. When it arrived at the store I examined it and found something that didn't seem right so I put it on layaway instead of the outright purchase.

During the inspection I noticed the safety switch was very stiff, almost gummed up and the body of the weapon didn't look... well, clean. Here's my question; to anyone's knowledge, does Ruger ship their weapons from the factory to stores with a protective coating on/in them? I've always cleaned and lubed my new weapons prior to shooting them as instructed in Owners Manuals but the AR-556 Manual doesn't address that issue.

So, what do you think? Is it something I should be conserned with or does it just need lto be cleaned and lubed? Any help. Would be appreciated. B.

 

[pleadthe2nd]

When I bought my ar -556, it was very greasy on the inside, outside was fairly clean, after a good cleaning I took it to the range and could smell the grease as the rifle got hot so I cleaned it again, totally stripping it down, taking the bolt assembly apart and everything, lubed it with liberty lube, and back to the range, this has been a great rifle with no malfunctions, have had it about two years now and a couple thousand rounds through it.
Yes, just break it down and thoroughly clean and re-lube, you should be fine, I found most of the grease under the handgaurd around the barrel nut

 

[ditto1958]

OP, the answer is yes, they tend to come covered in Ruger's modern day gloppy version of cosmoline. You need to clean it all out of the gun before you shoot it.

 

[Aqualung]

Welcome to the forum!

Another report here that my AR556 came slathered in their preservative.

This is not lube

My cats liked the smell of the stuff, but they're certified "gun-kitties":


Don't be afraid of the goop, it does come off fairly easy with solvent, but be sure to do a full breakdown according to the manual (even the Bolt Carrier Group [BCG]) and re-lube with something like CLP, Hoppes oil or RemOil.

And have fun shooting it.

Aqualung

 

[ErrandRunner]

Thanks for all the responses. As for your Gun-Kitties Aqualung, my cat goes by the name Pepper the Prepper. She gave me a box of .380 ammo and a Titanium Camillus Knife for Christmas. What a cat!

I have a friend who is a SSGT in the USMC who I've ask to check the weapon out for me and give me some training on the AR since during my days in the Navy we used the M-14 and the .45.

Any additional information/in-site ya'll may have would be greatly appreciated.

 

[modrifle3]

Most Rugers are very greasy . . . usually a thick heavy oil. Not unusual for the safety to feel that way. If you pull the safety selector and look at the channel the detent rides in, most are not cast very smooth. I built a rifle using a PSA lower kit and the safety was very rough and didn't engage in a very positive way. I replaced it with a DMPS lever from Brownells for $9.99.

Nothing to worry about at all, clean the detent hole and maybe replace the selector and you should be fine. With the deals I saw on AR556 right before Christmas, I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker.