The Ruger SFAR is so light it's ridiculous

Published on January 10, 2023
Duration: 13:38

This review of the Ruger SFAR, presented by Hop from TFB TV, highlights its exceptionally light weight for a .308 AR-pattern rifle, achieved through design choices like forged receivers and a skeletonized handguard. While praised for portability and potential as a hunting or utility rifle, the specific test unit exhibited significant reliability issues, appearing under-gassed, and minor quality control problems with the ejection port door. Accuracy was noted as approximately 2 MOA, considered adequate for its intended purpose.

Quick Summary

The Ruger SFAR is exceptionally light for a .308 AR-pattern rifle, weighing under 7 lbs for the 16-inch model, and follows the DPMS Gen 2 pattern for AR-15 size compatibility. While praised for portability, the tested unit had reliability issues, appearing under-gassed, and achieved ~2 MOA accuracy.

Chapters

  1. 00:16Introduction to Ruger SFAR
  2. 01:05Design and Pattern (DPMS Gen 2)
  3. 02:36Weight-Saving Features
  4. 04:59Gas System and Recoil Management
  5. 06:29Trigger and AR-15 Compatibility
  6. 06:58Reliability and QC Issues
  7. 10:49Accuracy Testing
  8. 11:53Final Verdict: Portability vs. Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Ruger SFAR unique among .308 rifles?

The Ruger SFAR (Small Frame Autoloading Rifle) is exceptionally light for a .308 AR-pattern rifle, weighing under 7 pounds for the 16-inch model. It achieves this through a design closer to an AR-15's size and weight, utilizing forged aluminum receivers and a skeletonized handguard.

What were the main reliability issues with the Ruger SFAR tested?

The specific Ruger SFAR test unit experienced significant reliability problems, appearing severely under-gassed even on its highest gas setting. This resulted in cycling failures, indicating potential issues with the gas system tuning or components on that particular rifle.

How does the Ruger SFAR's design differ from traditional AR-10s?

The SFAR follows the DPMS Gen 2 pattern, not the traditional AR-10 or DPMS LR-308. This 'Small Frame' approach allows it to use a receiver set much closer in size to an AR-15, and it also enables compatibility with many standard AR-15 parts, unlike proprietary AR-10 components.

What is the accuracy of the Ruger SFAR?

Accuracy testing with the Ruger SFAR resulted in approximately 2 MOA (Minute of Angle) groups. While not considered match-grade precision, this level of accuracy is deemed adequate for the rifle's intended purpose as a portable utility or hunting firearm.

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