Proof Positive Ruger Makes An Excellent AR

01/29/2023 – So, another day in Maine, another snow storm. Not bad… a little bit like playing Pacman with a snowblower. Today was a break. A day to reflect, stop whining and get the right mindset for tomorrow’s storm, which should dump another 14″ of snow.

Funny how snow on the ground can double, yet I remain essentially the same, an old guy with ever dissipating muscle mass and continuing pissy attitude toward nature’s… gifts. Yet, I have become a neighborhood source of entertainment.

When at the end of the driveway, trying not to succumb to fast moving traffic, the gravitational pull of a 35% frontage road grade or snow plow slush monster wakes, kids and the driver of the local school bus, smile and wave. Young families stand in the street with their respective broods and smile and wave. A lot of smiling, a lot of waving.

I would advance the theory that little kids are fascinated by loud machines throwing snow through the air, as are young parents.

Yes, I do often mention Skippy. Yes, I do post its picture occasionally. Yes, I did buy it a winter seat cover for Christmas. Yes, I am meticulous about service and maintenance. The appeal and consideration does not stem from its jaunty John Deere presence, but rather from how much its operational reliability plays to my survival as a necessity. Not unlike a good firearm that is there when needed.

Ruger’s AR-556® MPR – PROOF® Research carbon fiber wrapped barrel edition

It’s not all about the barrel, but it is a good part of it

The Ruger AR-556^® MPR, regardless chamber and configuration, is a high quality AR: well made, accurate, nicely finished, reliable, durable. So the presence of the Proof Research barrel is a configuration extension of the product line.

There are currently ten versions of the MPR, seven catalogue and three distributor exclusive. Cartridges: 5.56 NATO/223 Remington, 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster. The subject version is only available with a Wylde chamber to accommodate 5.56 NATO and 223 Remington cartridges.

The Proof Research barrel is made of 416R stainless steel, turned undersized fore and after, then brought to full diameter again by wrapping in epoxy saturated aerospace grade carbon fiber. The result is a barrel that diffuses heat and draws heat away from the stainless barrel.

The Proof Research barrel is considerably lighter than a traditional stainless barrel of the same profile; 0.740 muzzle, 0.975″ ahead of the barrel nut. An all 416R barrel of the same length and profile weighs 2 lbs 15 oz, while this carbon fiber wrapped equivalent weighs 1 lb 15 oz.

The gas journal diameter is 0.750″ the gas port is 0.093″. The gas system is rifle length, which softens recoil and is less prone to fouling, without sacrificing reliability. No, shoulder thumping recoil is not something the 223 Rem cartridge will generate, but softening recoil makes it easier to stay on target when multiple shots are fired.

Behind the barrel extension, the MPR bolt is tool steel, machined, shot peened and proof tested. The carrier and gas key are inside chrome-plated and the gas key is staked.

Upper and lower controls. The great redundancies in writing

The left side sports the typical bolt catch and safety selector switch. The trigger and safety done in red. They look nice, stand out and play to the AR nuance owners’ market. The grip is Magpul MOE-K2 with a covered compartment to put… valuable stuff in.

The right side is home base to quality firearm expectations: forward assist, brass deflector, ejection port door, magazine release. The floating handguard is securely… secured with two fasteners, making removal and reinstall easy. The included 30 round magazine is a Magpul PMAG.

As noted on the spec table, the subject model Ruger MPR is supplied with a full run Picatinny rail, but no sights to allow sight system of their choice. I mounted a set of pop up sights, which took an entire minute.

Magpul® PRS Lite

The Magpul® PRS Lite stock provides 0.8″ of comb adjustment travel and 1.4″ LOP adjustment. Additionally, the butt pad offers height and cant adjustment. Tradeoffs. Where the PRS® GEN3 does not require tools to make adjustments, the Lite weights 10 ounces less and retails for approximately $150 less, which keeps the firearm MSRP down.

The PRS Lite is very stable, regardless adjusted position. However, I have grown use to a fast adjusting stock that does not require tools. The PRS Lite requires an 1/8″ hex wrench to adjust comb height and butt pad. A 5/16″ hex wrench is required to adjust length of pull.

From hunting and personal defense standpoints, an on-the-fly adjustable stock is beneficial for anyone who changes shooting positions to suit varying circumstances. Small, grumble, grumble, grumble…

Okay, for most an adjustable stock will be like an adjustable trigger; you play with settings when you first get a firearm and then never touch them again. Yes, debating the issue with myself. Cabin fever. No, it’s not. Yes, it is, and repeat.

True to form… No, not a clever subtitle

The Ruger AR556 MPR is a comfortable carry in the crook of the arm and it has an overall compact feel. I like the smallish diameter handguard. It is hand filling, but not overly so. Some handguards are giant in anticipation of accessories that could, but never would be mounted.

Set up for the range… don’t mock me

For bench work, the buttstock was kept tucked in, medium scope mounts were used to keep the optics as close to bore centerline as possible and mounted forward of the charging handle latch. The MPR was shot open and suppressed with no noticeable difference performance difference.

Sunday… Yes, I know I am running late. Thanks for reminding me.

That was exciting; having to brush snow off of the chronograph between shots and wading through thigh deep snow drifts to place and recover targets. Have no idea what I was thinking.

OK. log in the fireplace, hands alternating between keyboard and cup of coffee and a backdrop of “King Dinosaur”, a 1955 Sci-fi thriller with a cast no one has heard of since. Thumbnail sketch; Someone discovered an Earth like planet adjacent to the moon.

Assuming it would have resources similar to Earth, within 6 months a rocket ship was invented, space travel commenced, and two wacky guys and gals made the trip. Once landed, the guys carried scoped Winchester Model 70s and carried backpacks.

The little ladies wore tailored shirts and sensible culottes, followed the men and sought out every opportunity to cook and nurture… like when one of the guys got into a punch  up with a clearly stuffed alligator. Black and white Sci-fi. Sometimes the mind goes off on an adventure and forgets to bring me along… or return.

Factory fodder performance

I don’t shoot a great deal of factory ammo. Prices are ridiculous for premium ammo and handloads can meet or exceed that level of performance at a fraction of the cost. But, for the sake of comparison and context…

The frequently shot handload is an assembly of a 55 grain JHP Remington bulk bullet, 26.5 grains of Win 748, CCI 400 primer, 2.185″ COL. Fast enough for targets and run of the mill pests. Easy on auto loaders and bores.

Overall?

Well, as would be expected, the Ruger AR-556 PROOF Research rifle functions reliably, puts forth excellent accuracy and looks good. The rail and the M-Lok mount points accommodate any accessories I might mount.

Really like the Ruger Elite 452, two stage trigger. Enough so that they are installed even on AR types I assemble. Light pull, crisp and preparatory take up makes for accurate shooting.

I like the barrel. It does perform well, it delivers heavy barrel accuracy without adding weight and it dissipates heat. The silencer seemed to run cooler. But, between low ambient temperatures and my unwillingness to trek through the snow to the shop to get an IR thermometer,  I cannot say for certain.

Good product.