Ruger AR-556
The Ruger AR-556 is a semi-automatic 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 in 2017 and the AR-556 pistol in 2019. On December 31, 2025, Ruger announced the new Harrier rifle as a replacement for the AR-556.
Overview
The standard model makes use of a traditional direct impingement with a carbine length gas system and has a cold hammer forged 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel with 1: 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 consists of a quick detach sling swivel socket and bayonet lug.The MPR model uses a 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.
The AR-556 Pistol has a barrel with a free float handguard with M-LOK slots and an SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace, and is also available in.300 AAC Blackout and.350 Legend.
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.
- 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.
- 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 one of his weapons identified as a Ruger AR-556 rifle.
- 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.
- 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.
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