Ruger AR-556?

[Armybrat]

Is $499.99 + tax & shipping a good price?

Ruger AR 556 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem 16.1" Barrel 30-Rounds

The Ruger AR-556 chambered in 5.56 NATO / .223 Rem is a rugged, high-performing AR 15 rifle that delivers superior balance, accuracy, and versatility. Featuring a 16.10-inch cold hammer-forged barrel and a 30+1 round magazine capacity, the Ruger AR-556 is engineered for reliability in a...

grabagun.com

I already have two low end Palmetto State Armory ARs, but was wondering if the Ruger is on the same level with them quality-wise.
Am not knowledgeable about ARs, but do know they are fun to shoot and from what I've read it is easiy to accumulate a few of them.
Eventually these will wind up being Christmas and birthday gifts to family members.
My PSAs:

 

[hittman]

Yes.

 

[RC44Mag]

I'll venture to say a couple steps up from Palmetto.

 

[Yaworski]

I have two PSA "blems" and I find them to be of decent quality. I'm not sure what goes into a "high quality" AR. Unless I was looking for a gun for actual shooting matches, I'd go for the name brand with the lowest price.

 

[WendyZXZ]

The one we have here is a fine little firearm!

 

[s4s4u]

I'll venture to say a couple steps up from Palmetto.

Meh, same parts, different label.

 

[peachhead]

Yep

 

[moparclan]

I have had both, Ruger's bolt was machined a little different, but everything worked fine. Even bought a stripped Ruger lower and built one with a Palmetto upper.
All my others are of Colt manufacture and just won a Colt HBAR upper to add to the collection.

 

[RC44Mag]

Meh, same parts, different label.

Nope, it's common knowledge that palmetto AR's are low rung on the quality ladder. For starters they don't use a cold hammer forged barrels when all the better makers do. There are other differences also. You get what you pay for.

AR-15 Match-up: Which Is the Best? Here Is the 10 Top AR-15 Rifles.

After you read this guide, you will have a pretty good idea how the AR-15 works and how different configurations make a big difference. This should help you make an informed decision on which AR-15 to purchase for your intended purpose. Below, you will find our recommendations. To note, we spent...

nationalinterest.org

 

[Mobuck]

A lot depends on individual expectations. I have several PSA 'uppers' and haven't noticed any glaring problems with them. Maybe they're not competition grade but the ones I've actually test fired did fine.
Is the Ruger version better? I dunno. Ruger hasn't sent me a test rifle to compare.

 

[KS25-06]

I have bought a lot of AR's over the years and built quite a few. You can spend a lot of money on high dollar AR's or parts for them. You can buy el cheapo's and cheap parts. They will all go bang, and I have never had any fails with any of them. Can not see spending several thousand on one when you can get very good ones for much less. The very best one was a DPMS I had them custom build for me when I had a dealership with them. Had a 24" heavy barrel and carbon fiber forearm. Installed a 2lb. trigger. It would shoot 5 shot groups at 100yds you could easily cover with a dime. My cost was a little under $1000.00 The one problem with almost all of them is the trigger. 99.9% of them feel like dragging a log chain thru a knot hole. $100.00 or so will buy a very nice 3-3&1/2 lb. trigger.