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Need Opinion On Ruger AC 556

Spring Creek
My dealer found a nice Ruger AC 556 (Class III) .223 for me.
As I've been looking for one for some time.
I would like to know from any owners what they think of the gun.
I don't plan to do any massive amount of shooting with it, but I
just want a nice 223 full auto.
Would I be disappointed?
Are parts available if needed?
Mark C. or any other replies would be very much appreciated.
If It's the way to go, I'll pay for it and begin the Class III paperwork process tomorrow.
Thanks
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • select-fire
    It is a fine full auto ( especially since they are way cheaper than m-16's) Parts and barrels are available. There are a few on the market. Any class 3 stuff is a good investment. In fact I am going to a class 2 manufacturer tomorrow who also deals in c3 stuff.
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  • mark christian
    For a .223 full auto the AC-556 is probably the best buy currently available. I owned one many years ago and found it to be a fun little rifle, sort of a semi auto rifle with full auto availble when you wanted to play around. Frankly I feel that the barrel is much to thin for regular full auto shooting and the sight radious was too short. I was never able to interest and PD's in the Ruger (although I did a lot of demos with it) and soon dropped the AC-556 in favor of the Colts. Never the less, for a casual fun shooting machinegun I feel that the AC-556 is a good choice, but how many FACTORY magazines are included with the gun? These Ruger mags are hard to come by and pricey when you do locate them. The typical after market mags are not all that reliable with the semi's and are even worse with MG's. Very few Ruger products ever disappoint and I am sure that you'll enjoy the AC-556 when it arrives!

    Mark T. Christian
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  • gap1916
    You will not be disapointed in the AC556. Like Mark said how many and what type of mags are comming with the rifle? The are not many after market mags that work well with the Mini 14 and for a full auto AC556 mags are very important. My 2 cents. [8D]

    Greg
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  • Spring Creek
    Ah, Yes.......
    THE PRICE!!!!!
    I guess that's "relative".
    Price is $3500.
    And I'm trading a NIB HK SP89 straight across.
    I bought the SP89 new (Paid $995 +tax)in 1990.
    Many of my "Browning" buddies thought I should be committed, when I bought an "Ugly Black Gun".
    Funny, but although Black-I always thought it had a "Mystique" about it.
    I had planned for years to install a registered sear in the SP89.
    But, after buying an UZI SMG this summer, I decided I don't "really" need (Yes, that word "need" again) another 9mm SMG.
    So, although I'm paying a "high-end" price for the AC556-I'm utilizing the appreciation of the SP89.
    NOW, is that Rationalizing? I guess if I "REALLY" wanted to utilize the appreciation of the SP89-I'D SELL IT AND RUN WITH THE CASH. (Should have done that a couple years back, at the high $, when more sears were available)
    Regarding Ruger 30rd Factory mags.
    There again, I have about 10-12 New in White Factory Ruger Box.
    I put them away many moons ago also.
    So, here we go again.....Not much invested, but they're still a
    $100 item-whether I use them or sell them.
    I really do appreciate the input on the AC556, it does give me a better feel for the gun's reliability.
    I do concur with Mark though about the "thin" barrel.
    I talked to a dealer today who's seen more than one AC556, where the
    forearm wood was actually "Black" from burn of a "VERY-VERY" Hot barrel.
    Two other questions I'd like to ask, regarding the AC 556.
    Was it ever made in Stainless and was it offered with Factory Folder?
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  • gap1916
    Yes to both of your questions. You can always buy the folder. They do come up for sale from time to time. This is a true AC556 with the selector located on the back of the receiver and not an after market with the selector by the trigger guard right?

    Greg
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  • mark christian
    Spring creek. You have a dozen 30rd Ruger Mags NIB sitting around and you've hung onto them for all this time? Wow, those things are like gold! I'd say that you are all set for the AC-556. Ruger did indeed offer a factory folder for the AC-556 and it was known as the AC-556F (F for folding). There were also some stainless steel AC-556 rifles produced and these carried the designation KAC-556 or KAC-556F depending on the type of stock. Every AC-556F I have ever seen had the shortend 13" barrel, but other barrel lengths may well exist as I am not a Ruger expert. $3500 sounds like the fair market value to me and I see these Rugers only going up in price as M16 and AR-15 auto sear prices continue to soar to levels that ordinary folks simply cannot afford. A straight trade for your SP-89 is a good move because a registered sear for any HK in todays market place will cost more than the total price of the AC-556 and you'll have a lot more fun shooting the Ruger than you ever will shooting the SP-89.

    Mark T. Christian
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