SR556 availability and popularity

[JasonH]

Is anyone else having trouble finding SR556's locally? I live in central NC and I have yet to see an SR556 in the flesh, except at gunshows. I know they can be found online, but I prefer to buy from an actual dealer in person if i can. I guess the fact that they are scarce either means that they are extremely popular, or they are not that popular at all. One of my biggest fears is purchasing an SR556 and then having Ruger discontinue it due to poor sales. Then you end up with a collectors item that is hard to find parts for. Does anyone on the forum work in a gunshop, and if so do you have any insight into the popularity of the SR556?

Perhaps one of the Quinn brothers could chime in here, as they seem to have an inside line at Ruger :wink:

 

[Geo]

The Ruger is an excellent weapon, of high quality, and reliable. It is, however, expensiver compared to AR-15-type entries in the field. Dealers will not have it on the shelf unless they have a market for the price range. There are some hidden features that drive the price up, I believe: real mil-spec, chromed bolt that really is slick, chromed chamber and bore, hard and slick-coated op-rod, stainless piston, etc.

Mine was special ordered and I cannot fault it, generally.

 

[JasonH]

Thanks Geo. I have read reviews both positive and negative, and I tend to agree with you that it is a very high quality AR. However, Im just afraid that too many "average" folks will be satisfied with a $700 Wal-Mart AR, and the hardcore AR guys will not even look at the Ruger and will go straight for the LWRC's and such. It seems like the SR556 might be in a "no-mans" land so to speak.Too expensive for the masses and ignored by the AR snobs. I guess only time will tell. It would really help if a few law enforcement agencies would adopt the SR556 IMHO.

 

[mattsbox99]

You're pretty much on target with 'too expensive for the masses and ignored by the AR snobs'. Its unfortunate because it really is a good gun.

Law enforcement is in two categories, satisfied with the cheapest gun or using select fire guns.

Like many things, if you hold one AR, you've held them all.

 

[clayflingythingy]

I've seen exactly one SR556. Right after it came out, the smaller of the two LGS got one. It sat on the shelf for months before he sold it. This dealer tends to have Bushmaster, S&W, & the occasional Double Star in stock.

The larger of the two LGS stocks Rock River and S&W AR's.

Locally, the SR556 seems to be a bust.

 

[Watergoat]

My neighbor got one last year. My impression was that it is heavy for an AR, and the trigger was awful. He put another trigger assy in it, was greatly better. At 40 yards, couldn't tell much about how the long range accuracy might be. When they finish the range improvements, I will take him down to the 200 yard range.

His was from The Gun Rack in Kernersville. If I wanted one, I would call or email Ed's Guns in Vass. He sells a huge amount of Rugers, and everything else. Seems to be able to get things others can't.

 

[Geo]

For years, I shot an M1-A; it was one of SA's very first guns and a NM rifle to boot. I shot it and shot it and shot it and it performed admirably. I guess that is why I picked a piston-type gun. I have never fired either an M-16 or an AR-15.

My M1-A had an excellent, crisp, 4.5-lb., match-legal trigger and that is why I replaced my SR-556 trigger with a Timney drop-in unit. Since I no longer shoot in competition, I picked my favorite weight of 3-lb., which is what I shot most often in 50 foot gallery shooting and use in my hunting rifles. The Timney is quite satisfactory

 

[dndodd]

They are hard to find but i just found one and haven't had a chance to shot it yet. Really wanted an FN-SCAR but out the door they are almost twice as much as what I paid for the 556FB.

The first thing I noticed when i picked it up is there is no play between the upper and the lower which I find in many new AR's.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I've seen maybe three of them in person here in central KY since they came out. From what I can tell most people who buy a complete AR off the shelf go with the cheapest one they can find, the afficionadoes build them from parts or order one. Agency/military use goes a long way toward convincing buyers to purchase a tacticool gun, the lack thereof prevents many buyers from taking it seriously.

I think that if Ruger wants to keep the SR-556 alive they are going to have to get the real world price below $1,000, preferably around $700.00. This could be done by coming out with a cheaper, non piston version to generate sales. Even if its just another M4 lookalike the Ruger name will cause alot of buyers to choose it over the myriad small AR makers.

 

[dndodd]

They are hard to find in AL. Dealers can't keep them in stock.

 

[tulsamal]

I've got one. I did my usual thing of replacing a bunch of parts before I was happy but I ended up with a really nice rifle. Each one of my AR's has its one good points and bad points but the Ruger really is a good one. I have no reason to suspect that it wouldn't hold up under really heavy sustained use. Solid construction. And the piston sure does make it a lot easier to clean. Much as I like AR's in general, I tend to steer away from picking one up when I just need to fire a couple of shots. Irritating to shoot that little for how much work it will be to clean it afterwards. But the Ruger? Hey, go ahead, I can wipe it down in just a few minutes.

Gregg

 

[FergusonTO35]

If Ruger made a CAR style carbine in 9mm I would probably buy it. It would be a dandy companion to my P95 and SR9c.

 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

One of Flagstaff's guns stores get them occasionally. They don't stay long but there are certainly available here.

How does the 556 address the problem of carrier tilt and how big a problem is it with the 556?

 

[SIGWatchman]

The SR556 is a good accurate gun. Owning one myself I can only say that if you fondled it and are happy with the fit and finish, and you can afford it, go for it.

With that said.. Here are some things to know about AR carbines and piston AR carbines.

Triggers are hit or miss on factory ARs. They either SUCK and your driven to replace asap, or they are ok. The trigger on my Ruger is good enough that I don't plan on replacing it. Just know that with just about any AR you are gonna want to budget in a trigger group just to be sure.

The Ruger is heavy. I would not want to carry it around for TEOTWAWKI but it is a fun range blaster and is more accurate than it needs to be. The 1-9 twist scares away the couch ninjas and those who need longer bullets but mine stabilizes m855 and 62gr match ammo just fine.

Carrier tilt.. All AR piston conversions will tilt a little and the Ruger is no exception. Yes the Ruger is a conversion, it is not something new. Severity of tilt seems to depend on tolerance stacking, some are worse than others. There are a few options for anti-tilt buffers out there if needed.

The SR556 was one of the first "affordable" factory piston guns available afaik. It has its flaws for sure though but nothing to loose sleep over if you have one. Piston accessibility and not being able to pull the push rod for starters. The carrier is unshrouded and the bolt is notched. This is old school Ruger talking there.. Full auto is out of the question without a custom carrier (I've seen custom carriers for the Ruger) and a different bolt but then again, I ain't got that kind of money..

If you're looking for options in the same price class, check out the SIG 516. Not a bad carbine if you can find one.