Ruger AR-556 Pistol: The New Budget Baseline

Published on October 18, 2019
Duration: 10:36

This review of the Ruger AR-556 Pistol highlights its position as a budget baseline for AR pistols. The firearm features a 10.5-inch barrel, 1:8 twist, and an M-LOK handguard, but comes with a heavy trigger and potential reliability issues with steel-cased ammunition. Expert insights suggest upgrading the trigger and understanding its 'optics ready' status.

Quick Summary

The Ruger AR-556 Pistol is positioned as the 'budget baseline' in the AR pistol market, offering improved quality at a competitive price. Key features include a 10.5-inch barrel, 1:8 twist, M-LOK handguard, and an SB Tactical SBA3 brace. However, it is 'optics ready' and may require a trigger upgrade due to its heavy pull weight.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Ruger's Market Strategy
  2. 00:46Barrel and Handguard Specs
  3. 01:20Brace and Optics Status
  4. 01:48Internals and BCG
  5. 03:37Trigger and Handling
  6. 06:15Reliability and Ammo
  7. 07:21Conclusion and Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ruger AR-556 Pistol's main market positioning?

The Ruger AR-556 Pistol is positioned as the 'budget baseline,' aiming to offer a higher quality entry-level option in the AR pistol market and compete aggressively on price against brands like Palmetto State Armory and Taurus.

What are the key technical specifications of the Ruger AR-556 Pistol?

It features a 10.5-inch barrel with a 1:8 twist rate, a 9-inch M-LOK handguard, and comes equipped with an SB Tactical SBA3 adjustable brace. It is also 'optics ready'.

What are the reliability concerns with the Ruger AR-556 Pistol?

The pistol demonstrated reliability issues with steel-cased ammunition, requiring specific clearing techniques. It performed better with brass-cased 55-grain FMJ ammunition.

What upgrades are recommended for the Ruger AR-556 Pistol?

The factory trigger is heavy (around 9 lbs) and gritty, making an upgrade to a kit like the Ruger Elite 452 highly recommended for improved shooting dynamics.

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