Ruger’s adding to their popular AR-556 modern sporting rifle line with the new MPR or Multi-Purpose Rifle. Eighteen inch nitrided cold-hammer forged barrel, free-floated M-LOK hand guard and an MSRP of $899. Here’s their press release:
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is proud to announce the new AR-556® Multi-Purpose Rifle (“MPR”). This custom-built modern sporting rifle features an 18″ nitrided alloy barrel with rifle-length gas system, Ruger’s 15″ free-float handguard compatible with M-LOK® accessories, the Ruger® Elite 452™ AR-Trigger and ergonomic Magpul® furniture. The perfect rifle for a variety of uses, the AR-556 MPR is capable and versatile.
“We are very excited to add this model to our modern sporting rifle lineup,” said Ruger President and CEO Chris Killoy. “Our talented team of engineers worked carefully to develop the ideal custom package for the AR-556 platform that does it all, right out of the box. From plinking to competition shooting, the MPR is the perfect rifle for just about anything.”
The MPR’s cold-hammer forged 18″ alloy barrel with 5R rifling is salt bath nitrided for corrosion resistance and durability. The barrel is contoured to minimize weight without sacrificing rigidity, leaving a 0.75″ journal for the low-profile gas block. The soft-shooting, rifle-length gas system paired with a Ruger® muzzle brake provides smoother operation and softens recoil to keep every shot on target.
Ruger’s 15″ free-float handguard is light, stiff and versatile, with Magpul M-LOK accessory attachment slots along the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions. Additional slots on the angled surfaces near the muzzle are perfect for mounting a light, laser or QD sling cup. Compared to a typical quad-rail forend, the 1.50″ diameter handguard makes the MPR’s forend slim and controllable. M-LOK-compatible Picatinny rail sections can be easily added. The integral Picatinny rail at the 12:00 position is tightly controlled to the most current STANAG 4649 specification.
The crisp 4.5 pound trigger pull of the Elite 452 two-stage trigger is a great addition to the MPR. The lower receiver is fitted with Magpul’s MOE® grip and Mil-Spec MOE SL™ buttstock, making the rifle easy to handle, shoulder and shoot. The Mil-Spec compatible lower and upper receivers are CNC-machined from forgings and hard coat anodized. The MPR comes complete with dust cover, brass deflector and forward assist.
For more information on the AR-556 MPR or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. To find accessories for the AR-556 MPR and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com or your local independent retailer of Ruger firearms.
Friend, can I get that with a shorter handguard? 13″ is quite enough, 12″ is even better (provided it covers the gas block). I don’t hold onto an AR by the muzzle, that hold is ghey.
I reckon it’s just me but I prefer a classic look to an AR. Being able to hang a bunch of shit on one is appealing to some folks. I just don’t get it.
That type of rail is better than just about any clam shell design. More accurate and better shielding from barrel heat. And also it is not about hanging more stuff on the gun because you’ve got the room. It’s about having the option of putting what you have where you want it.
I prefer full length handguards. Gives the gun a nice look, and a better sight radius.
Even if you don’t hold it that far forward, the long hand guard means you can mount a light way out in front where it won’t interfere with your grip. Plus your backup front sight will be closer to the muzzle.
It’s an 18 inch barrel with rifle length gas. A shorter handguard and the gas block would be exposed.
“Do it all”?
Apparently Ruger’s imagination is more limited than mine.
Yeah. I was expecting multiple uppers or something.
Nice, good features / MSRP.
Piston systems are more expensive to make, and would add to the cost, but is nobody running them anymore???
Don’t tell me I’m old fashioned.
Homie,
I’m right there with you. I actually fell in love hard with the SR556E. I own it and love it. It is an ultra reliable firearm that I paid 899(!!!!!) for. I actually preferred the bare hand guard to the quad rails the regular 556 shipped with. It shoots around 1.5 moa with most ammunition, but you can get it down to under an inch with match grade ammo.i got one of the last models produced, so it came with a chrome BCG and back up sights, where as early ones did not.
My only complaints were that it’s pretty much impossible to change the barrel out without having Ruger or a very good gunsmith do it, the barrel is a 1 in 9 as 1 in 8 hadn’t quite come into vogue yet, and it has the stupid birdcage flash hider, though that’s easily fixed.
I was sad to see it discontinued. It very nicely filled the niche of an affordable and well made piston AR.
As for the above, sign me up. I’ve never been a fan of most Ruger semiauto pistols, but I love their rifles and revolvers.
It is a Ruger.
Shut up and buy 2 or 3.
You are not really worthy!
Yep. One more good reason to not buy a SAINT.
Is that their handguard, or did some one else make that for them?
Ruger manufactured everything on that rifle except for the springs, stock and grip.
Looks good…better than a saint😆
A friend bought the Ruger AR 556. I gotta say I was not impressed at all. The first thing people usually do is change those horrid front hand guards. Well he didn’t. I would not have suggested he buy an entry level AR and do NOTHING to it.
the longer the handguard the better for mounting the bipod
what else would you do with an 18″
its a mk 12 special purpose rifle starter kit
just add bipod scope and 75 grain otm and get to work
That’s my take on it as well. It”s an SPR/DMR platform that will probably also see use for 3-gun.
Where’s the lever?
Damn, I was thinking a future gun buy I’d do would be the AR-556 lower and build on that, but this is the type of AR I’d put together. You just want my money don’t you, Ruger.
Looks very ugly, and anorexic…..
How come no one makes a solid, entry level (cheao) AR that looks just like my old A2 that Uncles Sam’s Misguided Chilren loaned me all those years ago?
I’ll vouch for the new(ish) trigger on Ruger MSRs. They’re no geisselle, but they’re far and away better than a standard milspec unit.
This is actually very solid value. I think the 18″ rifle length is a great do all barrel config. I have that river trigger in one of my rifles and I have to say it’s pretty solid stuff.
For an msrp of that value (likely lower in store) this is a hard to beat buy. You’d be hard pressed to build one for less. It even has one of those obnoxious loud brakes that everyone thinks they need.
I’d love to know how the barrel does.
A moment of silence for the demise of the piston ARs. I mourn their passing. Glad I got one.
I saw “multi-purpose” and was like multi-purpose!!!….and then was like, oh, so not multi-purpose…
This Ruger has the pieces I was looking for when I pieced together (not built) a separate upper and lower from Palmetto State Armory last year that has an 18″ rifle length 1:7 twist SST barrel, free float 15″ Aluminum handguard, Magpul furniture, premium BCG, and Magpul M-bus sights last year for about $650. This year I think that same rifle could be made for under $600. I wanted the extra 2″ barrel length for the slight (~55-75 fps) velocity gain compared to a 16″ barrel with .223 Rem and [even more] from 5.56. 5.56 is designed for a 20″ barrel, so with an 18″ there’s not a lot of velocity loss. That said, I’m glad I didn’t wait for this Ruger (not knowing it was coming, of course I wouldn’t have waited), my PSA shoots sub-moa with iron sights when I do my part and the SST barrel looks pretty sweet.
Nice rifle, nice features, good price point. I wish it had irons, but I understand that would raise the price. I think Ruger has another winner on its hands.
Am I the only one thinking “I can build the same thing for half the price?”
although I agree with your assessment, I would be willing to pay the difference due to Ruger’s ridiculous level of customer service.
This Ruger MPR is currently available online for $559, free shipping included. So no, I don’t think you could build it for half the price. And if you account for the value of your time (which builders NEVER do, apparently disagreeing with the 100% of economists who will tell you that your time always has a monetary value attached to it), then I don’t think you could even build it for $559.
This is a solid buy at this price. The FN DMR, which is very similar, will set you back almost 3x as much. My guess is that Ruger will sell plenty of these.
You also have to account for the value of building the AR yourself. That’s often why builders don’t account for their time.
Yep, I think you are.
Local store got one for $640
thinking I might grab it, why not
Yep. I think you are.
I Plan On Purchasing One Of These Sometime In The Near Future, The Few Things I’d Change/Add/Upgrade To It Is The Following – Hogue Grip, Leupold VX-R Patrol Scope, Vortex Venom Red Dot, Burris P.E.P.R. Scope Mount, Daniel Defense 1 o’Clock Mount For The Red Dot, Troy Industries 2-Point Battle Sling, and some Daniel Defense 32rd Magazines and/or Lancer Systems 30rd Translucent Smoke Magazines…
I Really Would Rather Have Smith&Wesson’s M&P15 Performance Center AR-15 Rifle But The Specs On This Ruger Nearly Match It For Half The Price!!!
I Just Purchased Mine Today via Online Auction on Gun Broker dot com!!! Can’t Wait For It To Be Shipped To My FFL!!!
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