The Ruger AR-556 is a semiautomatic AR-15 style rifle manufactured by U.S. firearms company Sturm, Ruger & Co. Introduced in 2014 as an entry-level AR-15 using a direct impingement action, with variants since being released such as the upgraded AR-556 MPR (multi-purpose rifle) in 2017[1] and the AR-556 pistol in 2019.[2]
Overview
The standard model makes use of a traditional direct impingement with a 7 in (180 mm) carbine length gas system and has a cold hammer forged 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel with 1:8 in (200 mm) twist rifling and a birdcage style flash hider. The bolt is machined from 9310 alloy steel, and the furniture included is a CAR-15 style handguard without aluminum heatshields, an M4 buttstock, and a Ruger designed pistol grip. The included sights are a fixed front sight post and a Ruger Rapid Deploy rear flip-up sight. The gas block and sight post design is proprietary to Ruger and includes a quick detach sling swivel socket and bayonet lug.[3]
The MPR model uses a 9 in (230 mm) mid-length gas system and a radial port muzzle brake, and also includes a free-float handguard with M-LOK accessory slots and a continuous top picatinny rail, and either a Magpul or B5 Systems buttstock and pistol grip.[4]
The AR-556 Pistol has a 10.5 in (270 mm) barrel with a free float handguard with M-LOK slots and an SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace,[5] and is also available in .300 AAC Blackout and .350 Legend.[6]
All models include a standard 30 round Magpul PMAG in the box, except those sold in states with magazine capacity limits where a 10 round aluminum magazine is included.
Criminal use
There have been five recorded shootings involving the Ruger AR-556:
- On July 30, 2016, 19-year-old Allen Christopher Ivanov fatally shot three people with a Ruger AR-556 rifle during a house party held by students of the University of Washington and Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Washington, United States.[7]
- On November 5, 2017, 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley fatally shot 26 people and wounded 20 others with a Ruger AR-556 rifle at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, United States.[8]
- On March 15, 2019, 28-year-old Brenton Harrison Tarrant fatally shot 51 people and wounded 40 others at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, with several weapons. One of them was identified as a Ruger AR-556 rifle.[9]
- On March 22, 2021, 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Al-Issa fatally shot 10 people with a Ruger AR-556 pistol at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, United States.[10]
- On April 15, 2021, 19-year-old Brandon Scott Hole fatally shot eight people and wounded four others with a Ruger AR-556 rifle and another AR-15 style rifle at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.[11]
Marketing lawsuit
In 2021, after the Boulder shooting, families of five of the victims have sued Sturm, Ruger & Co. for "marketing its AR-556 pistol, which resembles a rifle, in a 'reckless' and 'immoral' way that promoted its killing capability and glorified lone gunmen." A 2005 law passed by primarily Republicans in Congress limits the legal liability of gun manufacturers. However, they can still be sued for their marketing practices.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "Ruger AR-556 MPR Review". Guns & Ammo. Outdoor Sportsman Group. 2019-04-30. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
- ^ Horner, Candice (2019-03-30). "Ruger Releases AR-556 Pistol". RECOIL. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
- ^ "Ruger® AR-556® Model 8500 Spec Sheet".
- ^ "Ruger® AR-556® MPR Spec Sheet".
- ^ "Ruger® AR-556® Pistol Model 8570 Spec Sheet".
- ^ Mann, Pete (2019-07-15). "Ruger Releases AR-556 Pistol". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
- ^ Osberg, Molly (2018-08-29). "The Story of a Gun". Jezebel. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ Smith, Aaron (2017-11-06). "What we know about the rifle used in the Texas church massacre". CNN Money. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ Pg. 39
- ^ Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas; Gross, Jenny; Pérez-Peña, Richard; Saul, Stephanie; Goldman, Adam (March 23, 2021). "Suspect Charged With 10 Counts of Murder in Boulder, Colo., Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ Robertson, Campbell (19 April 2021). "Authorities Did Not Try to Use 'Red Flag' Law for Indianapolis Gunman". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
- ^ The Colorado Sun, "More relatives of Boulder King Soopers shooting victims sue gun manufacturer Sturm Ruger", https://coloradosun.com/2023/03/27/victims-of-colorado-shooting-sue-sturm-ruger/