We appear to be awash in a sea of 5.56-chambered AR-style rifles. Some are higher than others… you will discover rifles in all worth ranges. Ruger has upped its intro AR-15 recreation with the Harrier. That is an enchancment over their first mannequin, the AR556.
This rifle will probably be snapped up by starting shooters or these new to the AR platform. The Ruger Harrier fills a void on the decrease finish of the value spectrum. You get a well-built rifle for beneath $1000.
Specs
Producer: Ruger
Harrier AR, Mannequin 28600
Caliber: 5.56mm/.223
Semi-Computerized
Barrel: 16.10”
General Size: 35.87”
Weight, Unloaded: 6.8 lbs.
Supplies: Higher and Decrease receivers machined to mil-spec dimensions from 7075 forgings
MSRP: $750 (Avenue worth, $620 – $650)
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Stay Stock Value Checker
Up to date Ergonomics
This rifle may be very comfy to shoot. It makes use of the usual AR structure, nevertheless it has some customized touches, such because the grip being a Magpul MOE-K2 and a DT Carbine collapsible butt inventory. The free-floated M-LOK handguard is slim, with attachment slots at 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00. Added to it’s a full-length Pic rail on high. The M-LOK slots are clean and received’t catch your gloves. The set off’s smoothness belies its 6-pound pull. Topping it off, you get a 30-round journal, one thing that not all makers present.
Right here’s a shot of the rifle with its included Magpul PMag 30-rounder. I used a 20-round off the bench as a result of it didn’t cling down as far and didn’t intrude with the capturing bench. The rifle wears a Burris Fullfield 3-12×42 scope, which takes some error and guesswork out of capturing for me. I like the adjustment turrets on this scope – no screwdriver wanted, fingers will work.
Vary Time
I’m blessed to have my evaluate ammo supplied by Black Hills, so I grabbed an assortment and headed to my yard vary. We, like a lot of the nation, are recovering from a serious snowfall, so I couldn’t get to my regular 100-yard goal location, and I needed to make do with a snowy 50 yards. I set targets up at that vary.
I shot the next hundreds…
Why no 55-grain hundreds? I needed to reap the benefits of the Ruger’s 1:8 twist price. Many 5.56 shooters just like the heavier bullets for downrange stability and ballistics. I do know from earlier expertise with this rifle that it handles the 55-grain bullets simply effective, so I assumed I’d be a bit totally different and use the heavier-bullet hundreds.
Listed below are just a few consultant 5-shot goal pictures at a 50-yard distance:
As you may see, the rifle carried out decently nicely. It evidently didn’t just like the 62-grain Barnes load, since I obtained two teams for the value of 1 on this specific goal. The opposite two did higher. I’m positive that within the arms of a greater shooter, beneath higher situations, it might do even higher. I don’t doubt that this will probably be a 1-MOA shooter with the fitting manufacturing facility load or handload… I’ll craft some hundreds for this rifle the primary likelihood I get. Additionally, I’m trying ahead to with the ability to “stretch its legs” by transferring my goal stand out to 100 yards, however that will probably be some time. A minimum of we will see its accuracy potential. The Black Hills ammo carried out higher than I did, as normal.
Observations
Ruger has moved the intro-level AR bar up a notch with this rifle. It’s a particular enchancment over their first effort, the AR556. By using after-market components, they’ve produced a very first rate rifle at a base-level worth. Keep in mind that you could purchase ARs for lower than $750… I’ve seen them as little as $400. Nonetheless, I don’t imagine I’d need one. With this rifle, you’re getting stable workmanship. The Ruger emblem on it means one thing.
I might listing an entire lot of other-branded ARs that promote for round this worth level, and a few of them are very nicely made. It’s simply that Ruger followers now have an correct, dependable rifle so as to add to their assortment.
I actually preferred the graceful end of the M-LOK fore finish. Some finances rifles use the slots, however they’re left a bit tough and might catch in your gloves. I’ve even felt some tough edges with naked arms. Ruger has solved that drawback by smoothing issues out the place it counts. One other good contact is the DT Carbine butt inventory. I’ve had shares on lesser-expensive ARs that don’t maintain adjustment nicely. Generally they’d collapse or not wish to lock into each place. This one is well adjusted and stays put.
What Else Is Out There?
What different firms make an AR in 5.56 mm that you could purchase for beneath $800? Nicely, the primary one which involves thoughts is Palmetto State Armory. A tour of their web site will reveal a number of rifles, in several configurations and finishes, for beneath $800. They promote their house-brand rifles beginning at about $480, and likewise supply weapons by different producers for extra. They’re a very good choice.
One other finances AR model that involves thoughts is Bear Creek Arsenal. I’ve owned a few of their rifles and have had a usually good expertise with them. They’ve a number of rifles, chambered in each 5.56 mm and .223 Wylde, for beneath $400. I’ve requested one to evaluate… We’ll see what occurs.
Different first rate rifles round that worth level are Diamondback Firearms’ comparatively new providing, their DB-15. Listing at beneath $800, there are a number of fashions in each 5.56 and seven.62×39. I reviewed one some time again and located it to be a stable rifle. One different one I’ll point out that I’ve had my arms on is the S&W Sport II. This rifle makes use of a rounded, M-16-style handguard and entrance sight, with an adjustable buttstock. Distinctive amongst a few of these cut price weapons, it consists of an MBUS rear sight. I’ve seen it for round $760.
Professionals & Cons
Professionals:
Good set off with little take-up and a crisp break
Third-party components add worth and performance
Accuracy and reliability had been wonderful
Cons:
Nitrided BCG versus a C158 phosphate chrome-lined BCG
Some shooters have discovered poorly torqued or non-staked fortress nuts, which may work unfastened
I can solely communicate concerning the one I reviewed, and it labored very nicely… it carried out as anticipated.
Remaining Ideas
In case you are out there for a finances AR so as to add to your assortment (or to start out your assortment), you may want to check out the Harrier. It’s a particular enchancment over its AR556 predecessor and sports activities some options that different budget-friendly rifles would not have. There are many cut price ARs available on the market, however I’d guess that Ruger will promote a variety of these. It’s a stable rifle at a very good worth and is backed by the most effective warranties within the trade. You can do worse.
Disclosure: This firearm was supplied for analysis. No compensation was supplied, and all opinions are primarily based on hands-on testing.
PSA Guardsman-15 5.56 AR Pistol | Gun Evaluation
About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved capturing and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Residing in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged creator, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms.
A few of the hyperlinks on this web page are affiliate hyperlinks, that means at no further price to you, Ammoland will earn a fee if you happen to click on via and make a purchase order.
