Ruger AR-556 5.56 NATO M4 Flat-Top Autoloading Rifle

  • Item Number: 8500
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  • Condition: NEW
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Product Description

The Ruger AR-556 semi-automatic, M4-style, direct impingement Modern Sporting Rifle offers consumers an affordable, American-made Modern Sporting Rifle with the rugged reliability they have come to expect from Ruger. Extensively tested during its development, the AR-556 is constructed from top-quality components, including forged 7075-T6 aluminum upper and lower receivers and a cold hammer-forged chrome-moly steel barrel with M4 feed ramp cuts.

Chambered in 5.56 NATO, the AR-556’s carbine-length, flat-top, M4 design is fully configured with a Ruger Rapid Deploy folding rear sight, milled F-height gas block with post front sight, forward assist, dust cover, brass deflector, telescoping six-position stock, improved trigger-reach grip, enlarged trigger guard and one 30-round Magpul PMag. Standardized M4/AR components are utilized throughout, so the AR-556 can be customized easily.

AR-556 Features

Windage Adjustable Ruger Rapid Deploy Rear Sight: The Ruger Rapid Deploy folding rear sight provides windage adjustability, and is a solid, reliable aiming system when coupled with the elevation adjustable front sight. The rear sight can be folded out of the way to make room for optics but can be instantly redeployed if needed.
Forged 7075-T6 Aluminum Upper Receiver: Made from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum forging, the flattop upper receiver includes a forward assist, dust cover and brass deflector, and is Type III hard coat anodized for maximum durability.
Shot Peened, 9310 Alloy Steel Bolt: The bolt is machined from 9310 alloy steel and is shot peened and pressure (proof) tested to ensure strength, structural integrity and durability.
Patent Pending Barrel Nut and Delta Ring: The patent pending Barrel Nut and Delta Ring are designed for one person handguard removal and installation. The design accepts standard carbine length handguards. The barrel nut uses a standard wrench and can be swapped with a Mil-Spec barrel nut if desired.
Elevation Adjustable Front Sight: The front sight post is elevation adjustable, and a front sight tool is included. The A-2 Style F-Height allows co-witness with many optics.
Medium Contour Cold Hammer-Forged Barrel: The 16.10 inch medium contour barrel is cold hammer-forged providing ultra-precise rifling for exceptional accuracy, longevity and easy cleaning. The 1:8 twist rate stabilizes bullets from 35 to 77 grains, and the 5.56 NATO chamber allows the use of both 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. ammunition. M4 feed ramps provide improved operational reliability, and the matte black oxide finish reduces glare and provides corrosion resistance. A Ruger flash suppressor is provided, and the 1/2-28 threaded barrel allows for standard muzzle accessories to be installed.
Single Stage Trigger and Enlarged Trigger Guard: The single stage trigger provides durable and reliable fire control. The enlarged trigger guard is designed to allow for gloved shooting.
Matte Black Oxide Bolt Carrier with Staked Gas Key: The chrome-plated bolt carrier inside diameter and chrome-plated gas key inside diameter provide exceptional resistance to hot gases. The gas key is staked so that it will not loosen after extensive firing. A matte black oxide finish on the exterior of the bolt carrier provides corrosion resistance.
Serrated Face Milled Gas Block: The milled gas block is located at a carbine length (M4) position for improved balance and handling. Multiple attachment points include a QD socket and bayonet lug, for many sling and accessory mounting options. Serrations on the angled face of the gas block provide a low-glare surface.

Firearm Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Ruger
  • Model: AR-556
  • Model Number: 8500
  • Caliber: 5.56 NATO
  • Weight: 6.50 lbs.
  • Length: 32.25 - 35.50 in.
  • Length of Pull: 10.25 - 13.50 in.
  • Width: 2.50 in.
  • Height: 8.00 in. (Without Magazine)
  • Capacity: 30-Rounds
  • Buttstock: Six-Position Telescoping / Mil-Spec Buffer Tube
  • Handguards: Heat Resistant Glass-Filled Nylon
  • Grip: Ergonomic Improved Trigger Reach / Enlarged Trigger Guard Opening
  • Sights: Elevation Adjustable Front / Windage Adjustable Ruger® Rapid Deploy Folding Rear (Front Sight Tool Included)
  • Upper Receiver: Flat Top 7075-T6 Aluminum Forging / Forward Assist Dust Cover and Brass Deflector / Type III Hard Coat Anodized
  • Lower Receiver: 7075-T6 Aluminum Forging / Type III Hard Coat Anodized
  • Bolt Carrier Group: Staked Gas Key / Chrome Plated Bolt Carrier ID and Gas Key ID / Matte Black Oxide Finish
  • Bolt: 9310 Alloy Steel / Shoot Peened / PT Tested
  • Barrel:
    16.10 in. Medium Contour
    Cold Hammer-Forged 4140 Chrome-Moly Steel
    1:8 Twist Stabilizes Bullets from 35 to 77 Grain
    M4 Feed Ramp Cuts
    PT Tested
    Threaded ½ - 28 with Ruger Flash Suppressor
    Barrel Contour is .850 Under the Handguard .750 Under the Gas Block .700 Forward of the Gas Block
    Matte Black Oxide Finished
  • Gas Block:
    A-2 F-Height Pinned in Place
    Multiple Sling Attachment Points and with QD Port and Bayonet Lug
    Machined Low-Glare Serrations on Angled Face
  • Barrel Nut/Delta Ring:
    Patent Pending Design
    One Person Removal
    Accepts Standard Handguards
    Uses Standard Wrench Can be Swapped with a Mil-Spec Nut if Desired

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Customer Comments

Customer Reviews

(5 out of 5) My Buddy
by from Columbus, OH on

This was my first AR and, unless I become a more sharing or very wealthy person, the only one I will need. The price is perfect. I haven't had a single issue and the sight got me within 1.5 inches of x on the very first shot I took. I suppose it could have more amenities, but the great thing about an AR is that you can get all that yourself in pieces you pick out. That said, this is ready, right out of the box too. The sight attached was on point and you don't need to add anything to have a great rifle.