Ruger 556 malfunctions?

[Kenneth L. Walters]

I was looking at a Ruger 556 in a large local gunstore the other day and asked the clerk how well they were selling. He said that they were no longer recommending purchase because some had come back. Something to do with the piston system causing wear and malfunctions. I have no clue what is going on here. Does this sound credable?

 

[mattsbox99]

Not really, but even if you do have problems, Ruger will take care of it at no charge.

Pulling the trigger causes wear.

 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Good point. Hadn't thought of that but of course you are right. Thanks!

 

[hpman66]

I am not pro or con but just Google "AR Carrier Tilt" for more information. My understanding is that all pistol action AR's have this problem from one degree to another.


http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&t...ar+carrier+tilt+&gs_rfai=&fp=e028a1e21e3138d8

 

[deadduck357]

any creditable proof ? or gun shop BS

 

[hpman66]

any creditable proof ? or gun shop BS

This is something YOU will have to research and decide for yourself. It's your money and what you want. The first link is a specific link and the second link is more research for you. One thing to consider is that these guns(all brands) are new and spare parts may not be available on demand as with the DGI guns. Until these guns are used/abused/tested over an extended period of tilme, no one will really know how good they are over the DGI's. Look how long it took to get the original M-16 or AR-15 to the point it is at today.

http://www.defensereview.com/ruger-...rbine-ruger-enters-the-piston-driven-ar-fray/


http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&t...=&oq=carrier+til&gs_rfai=&fp=a335da520842d287

 

[blume357]

I suspect it's B.S. to a degree. I've seen something about this over on the Firingline forum and can't quite remember the outcome but it seems the solution and final determination was not a big deal.... lot of huey over a little poot.

The rifle has been out long enough that, as with unfortunately many new Ruger products, if there was a serious problem there would have been the dreaded recall by now.

then again if it's a potential problem the big box store should be giving you a discount for buying what they have in stock from them.

 

[BearHawk 357]

The two main "issues" that SR-556 owners are experiencing with thier rifles are: slight wear on the inside of the buffer tube due to the bolt carrier group rubbing againts it during the action cycle and some folks have had an "issue" with the safety selector falling out of it's detent when being manipulated in a normal fashion (the lever pushes past it's normal stopping position with minimal effort).

Buffer tube wear fix = after 10,000 rounds just spend $10 on a new mil-spec buffer tube. Replace it at your kitchen table in 5 minutes. Repeat.

Safety selector fix (if yours even has an issue....most work as advertised) = buy a new safety selector for $10 and install it at your kitchen table in less than 10 minutes. If you call Ruger about an issue like this then they will tell you to send the rifle back to them so they can replace the selector lever. However, they are only looking at it from a CYA/legal standpoint. They are "forced" to give that response. Anybody with two brain cells could swap out that lever, at home, if needed. No biggie.

Here's how I see it. Most AR's have a few tiny little bugs that need to be worked out for them to run smoothly. Most AR owners can R&R just about any part of the rifle in little time flat if needed/wanted. I wouldn't send a gun back to the factory for something as minor as needing a new buffer tube or safety selector. That would be like sending your car back to the manufacturer because you need to wash it or because the tires need rotated.

I would highly recommend this rifle to anybody looking to pick one up. Like others have mentioned, most piston driven AR's show some BCG wear againts the buffer tube after XXXXX amount of rounds down range. It's just a nature of this beast.

Some say, "why do I have to spend another $20 on parts that SHOULD work for me right out of the box. Heck I just spent $1500 on this rifle." I say......who cares. I mean if I spend $1500 on a rifle and another $1500 in mounts, optics, buttstocks etc then what is a few dollars here and there to maintain the weapon? I think that some of the the diehard DI sytem guys just needed something to pick apart when Ruger came out with their new AR. Thus, we hear rumors about the very slim number of "kinks" that may or may not be present in this system. Kind of like the Hyundai owner who pokes fun of those who buy Ferraris because they have no cup holders in them.

However, this is just my take on the situation. YMMV.

 

[deadduck357]

any creditable proof ? or gun shop BS

This is something YOU will have to research and decide for yourself. It's your money and what you want. The first link is a specific link and the second link is more research for you. One thing to consider is that these guns(all brands) are new and spare parts may not be available on demand as with the DGI guns. Until these guns are used/abused/tested over an extended period of tilme, no one will really know how good they are over the DGI's. Look how long it took to get the original M-16 or AR-15 to the point it is at today.

http://www.defensereview.com/ruger-...rbine-ruger-enters-the-piston-driven-ar-fray/


http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&t...=&oq=carrier+til&gs_rfai=&fp=a335da520842d287

Oh I have had one for about a year now and am 100% pleased and its been 100% reliable through about 1,000 rounds now.

 

[CATTLEDAWG]

Yeah, this does sound like gun shop B.S....carrier tilt happens with ALL piston systems...my question is...SO WHAT?...it's not that big of a deal...

 

[paul24]

I sent it back last week due to a terminal failure due to carrier tilt. The buffer retaining pin fell out after the buffer tube wore down far enough to fail holding the retaining pin. This is in six months. I am waiting to hear what Ruger has to say. I personally love this weapon but am very disappointed as it has been so well advertised by them that they have corrected this problem. If there is a way to post pic's here I will show them to you.
How can the 6.8 not fail with more power if it is the same system???

 

[surly]

FYI

Ruger has a video discussing "limited carrier tilt" on their SR-556. Maybe worth a view. Seems they took this carrier tilt issue into consideration when they were designing the rifle. Look under SR-556 and they have several videos discussing the rifle.

http://www.ruger.com/resources/videos.html

 

[Richbaker]

I sent it back last week due to a terminal failure due to carrier tilt. The buffer retaining pin fell out after the buffer tube wore down far enough to fail holding the retaining pin. This is in six months. I am waiting to hear what Ruger has to say. I personally love this weapon but am very disappointed as it has been so well advertised by them that they have corrected this problem. If there is a way to post pic's here I will show them to you.
How can the 6.8 not fail with more power if it is the same system???

This is not a "terminal" failure, the gun will still run fine, you just have to use a little care when opening the upper for cleaning. I have 2 CavArms poly lowers and don't run the buffer retainer in either of them, per Cav's recommendation.
Just make sure the hammer is up (pull trigger before disassembly, AFTER confirming nothing in the chamber) and it will catch the buffer when you open it...

 

[paul24]

I sent it back last week due to a terminal failure due to carrier tilt. The buffer retaining pin fell out after the buffer tube wore down far enough to fail holding the retaining pin. This is in six months. I am waiting to hear what Ruger has to say. I personally love this weapon but am very disappointed as it has been so well advertised by them that they have corrected this problem. If there is a way to post pic's here I will show them to you.
How can the 6.8 not fail with more power if it is the same system???

This is not a "terminal" failure, the gun will still run fine, you just have to use a little care when opening the upper for cleaning. I have 2 CavArms poly lowers and don't run the buffer retainer in either of them, per Cav's recommendation.
Just make sure the hammer is up (pull trigger before disassembly, AFTER confirming nothing in the chamber) and it will catch the buffer when you open it...

Negative... Once this happened the spring became jacked up and the bufffer tube was damaged to the point it would not cycle backwards...
Terminal in my mind until repaired.

 

[Richbaker]

Oh... in that case it is "terminal".... Replace the tube, spring and buffer. Don't replace OR reinstall the retainer, shoot the crap out of it the rest of its life....

How many rounds had it had thru it?

 

[paul24]

Hey Rich. sorry but I just got back from vacation. If I had to guess it had approx 2-3 K thru it b4 it gave way.