I know some of the members here have had the opportunity to put some lead through these things, and I’m curious to see what the perception was, in terms of performance increases, to make the system more reliable.
So far, the first thing I can determine that is a necessary upgrade is one of Seth Harness’ anti-carrier-tilt buffers. The question is, which weight? H2 or H3?
The Hogue grip has got to take a hike.
Probably an end-plate change to accommodate an SP sling.
The selector seems pretty wonky, and I might take it to the 'smith to see what can be done.
Other than that, I’m not sure. I’d like to get it right, before tearing it up.
I have noticed that a couple of posters have stated that their 556’s are not exhibiting signs of the dreaded “carrier tilt” wear in the reciever extension. I also noticed in some other poster’s pictures that Ruger is radiusing the back edge of the carrier (so much for my million dollar idea!). I am curious if those with the radiused BCG are the ones who are not seeing the tilt wear. Ruger owners, speak up!
I don’t like the Hogue grip and would rather see something like the Tango Down battle grip. But that’s easily changed.
I’ve got two of these rifles and both have been reliable so far. One had about 1,500-1,600 rounds through it and it showed some rather severe carrier tilt. I sent this one back to Ruger for inspection. I talked to Mark Gurney about my returned “badly tilted” carbine on Wednesday of last week. He told me that the tilt issues were related to tolerance stack, as I had guessed. The problem comes from the height of the takedown pin lugs/holes in relation to the height of the bore over the buffer tube. Mark told me that they’d measured my gun against one of theirs that shows almost no wear. As a result, they’re creating some gauges to identify the high tolerances in future guns.
I bought Carbine #2 used. It was too good a deal to pass up. It has about 800 rounds through it and it shows only a teeny tiny spot of carrier tilt wear. This little mark hasn’t changed in the 400 or so rounds I’ve put through the gun.
I should mention that Carbine #1 didn’t seem to like WOLF 55gr ammo. I had a number of stuck cases using that ammo. The same gun seemed to run fine with Hornady practice ammo and WOLF 75gr steel cased stuff. Maybe it was that particular lot of WOLF and had nothing to do with the gun. I shot all that batch of ammo up before I bought Carbine #2 so I’ve not been able to see how they both run with the same stuff.
Both guns have been surprisingly accurate.
I’ve not messed with changing any springs or buffers. Gotm4 recommends the H2 weight. He says he’s shot a number of piston guns and the H2 weight smooths out the recoil impulse.
Long time since we spoke last… Please keep us posted with your exp involving your SR 556. I was thinking of going that way myself but havent took the plunge as Im still collecting intel on the Ruger. Also, Im wondering about the weight and balance of the rifle–can you provide some insight into that area please?
Ummm… wait for the LCP and SR9 recalls to be completed so they can start the SR556 recall?
Just kidding, seems like they built a pretty nice rifle, though I have yet to put my hands on one.
As far as swapping the grip out, I can highly recommend an Ergo. I ordered one several months ago when my normal shop didn’t have any MIADs in the color I wanted. Personally I like it better than the TD Battlegrip.
FWIW, this rifle isn’t as weighty, as I had expected. Considering what it replaced, (A Bushmaster with a YHM Rail, M910A, and Trijicon Tripower + Bobro Mount, and a Magpul UBR), this thing is a featherweight.
Since a weight penalty is given straight out of the box, at least in comparison to others, the best way to offset it is to go small and light on the optics and illumination kit.
It feels really good. For some reason, possibly the length of the rail vs. standard carbine-length rails, etc, It doesn’t feel “right” to me with a VFG. I suppose that since this is the first weapon with a longer-than-7" handguard I’ve used, coupled the amount of rail-estate freed up, doesn’t force one into a VFG. I believe that the capability to go further out than I’m accustomed to, is what makes it seem less weighty than it is.
Overall, I’m impressed. I’m surprised at the fact that this thing’s got more chrome than a V-Rod, comes with the PMAGs and Troy hardware, and the overall “feel” of the weapon is very very solid.
One thing I noticed both in the shop, and at the homestead: This has to be the blackest rifle I’ve ever seen. I suppose Ruger contracted with LM for some radar-absorbing anodisation. It is blacker than pitch, nay, it’s like looking into the eyes of the Devil himself, it’s so black. Seriously, I’d love to know what the colour name is for Ruger’s finish.
I’ll eventually get around to getting a RR online. First I want to get one of Seth’s buffers, it’s just a matter of which weight. As well, the endplate needs something to accommodate a single-point sling. Possible replacement of the stock, and definite replacement of the Hogue grip, most likely TangoDown.
This will be my first M4/AR-type weapon to NOT be using a VFG, which should be interesting. Something about this thing is begging to be kept-simple. RDS+Illuminator=GTG.
I know GotM4 had a thread about his around here some where, but can’t find it. Have you have a chance to put some rounds down range and try different mags to check reliability? I saw one in my fun store last weekend, but I’ll wait a while to see what the verdict is.
If the SR is as black as you say Im thinking a call to LaRue for his UDE kit would be in order. Also, I wonder how the heavier type rounds shoot in the Ruger seeing as how it ships sporting a 1/9 brl? Okay, I know that doesnt matter for some folks but the advantages of a 1/7 (or, better yet 1/8 are more real than fantasy…at least for me.
I have some mags that are crying to be emptied, as soon as I get a chance to go to the range.
I have a hiking trip that will be preempting my range-outing, but after my woodland adventure, I’ll get out to get some sighting-in/lead spewing going on.
Tomorrow I’m placing an order with Grant to get some much needed upgrades for the SR-556’s lack of Magpul hardware.
I’m waiting on Trijicon or ADM to release a mount for the RMR I’ve had sitting around for over a month, with no way to mount it short of 90-mph tape and glue…
Once G&R’s package arrives, I’ll get some picture-thread action going on.
I handled one of these for the first time today; it is indeed heavy due to the barrel, but I can see why it is attractive to a lot of people. It just feels - subjectively - like it would be fun; it also feels solid.
I wouldn’t buy one for the money, but I wouldn’t sell it, either, if I won one in a drawing or something. I would see if I could get the barrel turned down, though.
