LAW ENFORCEMENT
2011 RugeR
The new Ruger SR-556C is a carbine-length version of its standard SR-556. Chambered for 5.56mm/.223, the 16.1-inch barrel features an integrally machined flash suppressor that meets all ATF regulations for civilian and commercial sales, but trims 1.75 inches from the overall length. It maintains the mid-length gaspiston system and heavy contour, .850-inch barrel, but the barrel is fluted under the handguard to help reduce weight. The shorter, fluted barrel results in a carbine a half pound lighter than the standard model. The SR-556C is supplied with all the standard features and accessories of the original rifle. SRP: $1,995. Those looking for more power than the 5.56mm/.223 Rem. will find it in the new SR-556/6.8. The 6.8 Special Purpose Cartridge (SPC) was originally developed for military consideration, using a .277-caliber bullet in a cartridge case providing the same overall length as the 5.56mm, to allow it to work in existing AR-15 actions. The new Ruger SR-556/6.8 features a 16 ¹⁄8-inch barrel with a 1-in10 twist rate and the standard SAAMI 6.8 SPC spec chamber. The muzzle is threaded for standard 5⁄8-24 accessories and is capped with Ruger’s Mini-14/SR-556 flash
Gunsite Scout Rifle (above) is built on the M77 platform. The SR-556C (right) is chambered for 5.56mm; the SR-556/6.8 (far right) utilizes the more powerful 6.8 Special Purpose Cartridge. suppressor. The rifle offers all the standard features of the original SR-556, including a chrome-lined, hammer-forged .850 contour barrel, a four-position gas regulator, a one-piece bolt carrier, a midlength two-stage gas-piston system, a six-position adjustable buttstock, Troy Industries Folding Battlesights, a quad rail, rail covers and a Hogue Monogrip. The rifle ships with one 5-round magazine and two 25-round magazines in a padded carrying case. Empty weight is 7.75 pounds. SRP: $1,995. Shooters who presently own a mil-spec AR-15 lower unit can now upgrade to Ruger’s two-stage piston system simply by buying the upper assembly. All three Ruger versions are offered. The standard SR-556 (5.56mm/.223) upper features a 16.1-inch .850 contour barrel in the same chrome-lined, hammerforged configuration as the standard SR-556. All features found on the complete SR-556 are included with the upper unit. The carbine-length version (SR-556C, 5.56mm/.223) is also available with all standard features. Those wanting a power increase can now purchase the SR-556/6.8 upper unit.
Each upper unit includes the Troy Industries quad rail, rail covers, folding battlesights and a fourposition gas regulator, and is shipped in a padded case with Velcro fasteners and internal magazine pockets. The 5.56mm versions are shipped with three 30-round Magpul magazines, while the 6.8 SPC version is supplied with one 5-round magazine and two 25-round mags. SRP: $1,449. Although the AR-15 is the most popular Patrol Rifle platform, there are a number of shooters who favor a compact majorcaliber bolt-action carbine along the lines of the Jeff Cooper– inspired Scout Rifle. This year, Ruger offers the Gunsite Scout Rifle, developed in conjunction with Gunsite instructor Ed Head. Built upon the Ruger M77 controlled-feed bolt-action platform, the Gunsite Scout Rifle is chambered for .308 Win. It features a 16.5-inch cold-hammer-forged steel-alloy barrel and is equipped with a Mini-14 protected, nonglare post front sight and a receiver-mounted adjustable rear Ghost Ring sight for out-of-thebox usability. Integral scopemount bases are located forward of the receiver to allow the use of
38 ❚ ShOT BuSiNESS ❚ june/july 2011
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