Ruger AR-556: Best-Selling AR-15 of 2019

by
posted on March 19, 2020
ruger-ar-556-best-selling-rifle-2019-f.jpg
The hottest-selling semi-automatic rifle of 2019 on Gunbroker.com was the Ruger AR-556, which moved up from its fifth-place position in 2018. The steady performer placed third in 2017, fourth in 2015 and sixth in 2016. When it didn’t manage to reach medaling position it was one or more of the company’s newer introductions that nudged it off the podium.  

Ruger unveiled this direct-gas-impingement AR platform rifle to enthusiasts in 2014. There are three distinct groups in the line currently available, each with a variety of versions. The Standard, Free-Float Handguard and MPR families, if you will, have MSRPs that start at $799, $819 and $899, respectively. Combined with Ruger’s American-made quality and reliability it leaves little question as to why the rifle is a regular on the high-volume sales list each year.

Don’t let the “Standard” name fool you. All models in the group are chambered in 5.56 NATO and feature the company’s medium-contour, cold-hammer-forged 16.1-inch barrel. Ruger’s Rapid Deploy foldable rear sight comes standard. It’s windage adjustable and the A2-style sight up front allows owners to change elevation when required.  Gas block at the carbine-length location, glass-filled polymer handguard and more make it a budget-friendly option. State-compliant versions with reduced magazine capacity are also available.   

The Free-Float line is available in 5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout.  Each features a flattop upper receiver to ease optic installation and an 11-inch aluminum free-float handguard with M-LOK slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions. If that’s not enough to mount all your accessories, there are additional slots on the angled faces close to the muzzle.

MPRs add the two-stage, Ruger Elite 452 AR-Trigger with a crisp, 4.5-pound trigger let-off weight. You can choose between 5.56 NATO, .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster versions. Barrel lengths, depending on chambering, run from 16.1 to 18.63 inches. Each wear Ruger’s highly regarded muzzle brake design and free-float handguard.

There are even pistol versions of the AR-556, but that falls into a different category when it comes to 2019’s gun sales.

Latest

Taurus Tx22 Compact Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Tx22 Compact Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus TX22 Compact

A downsized version of Taurus USA's TX22 is available, giving folks a smaller, handier version of the full-size TX22 rimfire pistol that's become one of the company's most popular offerings.

New For 2025: Springfield Armory Saint Victor 9 mm Pistol

Recently, Springfield Armory added a large-format pistol variant of its Saint Victor 9 mm carbine, giving enthusiasts a compact PCC that feeds from Colt-pattern magazines.

The Rifleman Report: New Developments

Our official coverage of new products for the current year is set for next month, but we included two substantial new developments in this issue that have the potential to make significant ripples in the firearm business even before then.

Arkansas To Begin Mandatory Gun Safety Lessons In Schools

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law requiring public and open enrollment public charter schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction beginning during the 2025-2026 school year.

Adams Arms Set To Relaunch

Alexandria Pro-Fab, a contract machine shop based in Minnesota, announced that it has purchased the assets of Adams Arms, along with all of the company’s intellectual property, and it plans to relaunch the company in the second quarter of 2025.

I Have This Old Gun: Bayard Auto Pistol

The Herstal, Belgium, firm of Anciens Etablissements Pieper was apparently expecting big things when, in 1908, it named its new semi-automatic pocket pistol “Bayard.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.