The FrankenGun;
Upgrades:
Ruger AR 556 Upper & Lower
Magpul Adjustable Stock
CMMG Buffer and Spring
Magpul MIAD Pistol Grip
Geissele Automatics G2S Trigger
Spikes Tactical Bolt Carrier Group
BCM Ambidextrous Charging Handle
Strike Industries Polymer Dust Cover
Magpul Slimline Carbine Hand Guard
CMMG SV Muzzle Device
Commentary:
I bought this rifle kind of on a whim, I had seen and heard a lot about this gun and its competition with the Smith & Wesson Sport II when the brands were kind of going head to head in the affordable "mil spec" rifle market. I wasn't sure what I was going to use this rifle for but I knew that with the 2016 election coming up, the more guns one has the better. I picked this rifle over the S&W based on the 1:8 barrel twist over the Smiths 1:9. I got the gun home and took it apart, that's when I understood why this rifle was only $600. The Bolt Carrier Group was gritty and unrefined, it was almost impossible to put back together as the firing retaining pin was not properly made. This is what prompted the replacement and installation of the Spikes Tactical Bolt Carrier Group. Clearly this is a huge improvement, however now we are putting a $200 BCG in a $600 gun...but it doesn't end there.
After upgrading the bolt I went back to the range and obviously noticed a difference in the overall action and smooth running of the rifle, but it still seemed inconsistent with shot placement. Now let me preface by saying that ALL shots were in target and all considered A zone kill shots, even when the factory bone stock, but at this point I'm trying to push the smallest MOA grouping I can get out of a budget rifle. Compared to the Daniel Defense we had at the range that day also, it could not keep up (expectedly.)
Back to the drawing board, at this point for me money is no object. I've challenged myself to put this $600 base gun up against a Daniel Defense. This is when the CMMG SV Muzzle Device gets installed to help stabilize the barrel more then the factory A2 Birdcage Flash hider. This is a nice muzzle break, but I always get complaints at the range from the people next to me (Sorry for you) but it does what it says it does and does it well. I also decided that the low cost mil spec trigger with inconsistent primer strikes has to go. I shell out another $175 on a Geissele G2S 2 stage trigger which is an absolute DREAM to pull, literally, I could dream about it. I would never be able to own a gun without a high quality trigger after this. Even shooting the previously mentioned Daniel Defense has a garbage trigger compared to this Ruger AR556.
Back to the range we go, in my first firing rotation I notice another improvement with the new upgrades. A tighter shot group and much smoother overall gun, as one would obviously expect. The problem however is the barrel can not compete with a true battle spec rifle. While the barrel is very nice quality and the 1:8 twist allows you to stabilize a wide variety of bullets, it is not as consistent as higher quality rifles. At this point I'm tapped out on upgrades, I can't invest another $300-500 on a barrel and upper. Don't get me wrong, the gun is still very accurate and nice to shoot, and as I said in one of the YouTube videos I posted on this rifle, I would feel comfortable using it in an overseas Private Military Contractor environment. There are just obviously more accurate rifles out there, however they are also paired with a much higher price tag.
The final verdict; I would still buy this rifle again, as well as recommending it to a person looking to get an entry level AR15. As I said, I went a little overboard with upgrades just to see what I could get out of this rifle. 95% of buyers won't require this level of perfection and this rifle will be great for you out of the box and I'm sure you will have a great time with it. This Ruger still has a place in my heart as it has become my FrankenGUN and I will still highly enjoy to shoot it as part of my collection.
Factory Specifications:
Chambered in 5.56 NATO/.223
7075-T6 Aluminum Forged & Type III hard coat anodized for maximum durability.
Screw off delta ring allows easy one handed manipulation.
Cold hammer-forged 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel with ultra-precise rifling provides 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.
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