{"id":115777,"date":"2026-03-21T11:54:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T16:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/?p=115777"},"modified":"2026-03-21T11:54:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T16:54:51","slug":"115777","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/?p=115777","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/2026\/03\/ruger-harrier-ar-15-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ruger Harrier AR Review: Ruger\u2019s New Entry-Level AR-15<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/title-600x291.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-title\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We seem to be awash in a sea of 5.56-chambered AR-style rifles. Some are better than others\u2026 you can find rifles in all price ranges. Ruger has upped its intro AR-15 game with the Harrier. This is an improvement over their first model, the AR556.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>This rifle will be snapped up by beginning shooters or those new to the AR platform. The Ruger Harrier fills a void at the lower end of the price spectrum. You get a well-built rifle for under $1000.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amolnd.us\/b38\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ruger Harrier Semi-Auto Rifle<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Specs<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Manufacturer: Ruger<\/li>\n<li>Harrier AR, Model 28600<\/li>\n<li>Caliber: 5.56mm\/.223<\/li>\n<li>Semi-Automatic<\/li>\n<li>Barrel: 16.10\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Overall Length: 35.87\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Weight, Unloaded: 6.8 lbs.<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Upper and Lower receivers machined to mil-spec dimensions from 7075 forgings<\/li>\n<li>MSRP:\u00a0$750 (Street price, $620 \u2013 $650)<\/li>\n<li>Country of Manufacture: U.S.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h3>Updated Ergonomics<\/h3>\n<p>This rifle is very comfortable to shoot. It uses the standard AR layout, but it has some custom touches, such as the grip being a Magpul MOE-K2 and a DT Carbine collapsible butt stock. The free-floated M-LOK handguard is slim, with attachment slots at 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00. Added to it is a full-length Pic rail on top. The M-LOK slots are smooth and won\u2019t catch your gloves. The trigger\u2019s smoothness belies its 6-pound pull. Topping it off, you get a 30-round magazine, something that not all makers provide.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/buttstock-2-600x377.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-buttstock2\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/buttstock-1-600x439.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-buttstock1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rec-rt-600x491.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-rec-rt\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rec-lt-600x528.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-rec-left\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/flash-hider-600x439.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-flash-hider\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/logos-600x352.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-logos\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/included-mag-600x520.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-full-mag\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a shot of the rifle with its included Magpul PMag 30-rounder. I used a 20-round off the bench because it didn\u2019t hang down as far and didn\u2019t interfere with the shooting bench. The rifle wears a Burris Fullfield\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.burrisoptics.com\/riflescopes\/fullfield-3-12x42\">3-12\u00d742 scope<\/a>, which takes some error and guesswork out of shooting for me. I love the adjustment turrets on this scope \u2013 no screwdriver needed, fingers will work.<\/p>\n<h3>Range Time<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ammo-box-600x316.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-ammo-box\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I am blessed to have my review ammo provided by Black Hills, so I grabbed an assortment and headed to my backyard range. We, like much of the country, are recovering from a major snowfall, so I couldn\u2019t get to my normal 100-yard target location, and I had to make do with a snowy 50 yards. I set targets up at that range.<\/p>\n<p>I shot the following loads\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ammo-237x600.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-ammo\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Why no 55-grain loads? I wanted to take advantage of the Ruger\u2019s 1:8 twist rate. Many 5.56 shooters like the heavier bullets for downrange stability and ballistics. I know from previous experience with this rifle that it handles the 55-grain bullets just fine, so I thought I\u2019d be a bit different and use the heavier-bullet loads.<\/p>\n<h3>Here are a few representative 5-shot target photos at a 50-yard distance:<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-Barnes-450x469.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-target1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62-dual-450x454.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-target2\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammoland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/77-tipped-450x449.jpg\" alt=\"Ruger-Harrier-review-target3\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As you can see, the rifle performed decently well. It evidently didn\u2019t like the 62-grain Barnes load, since I got two groups for the price of one on this particular target. The other two did better. I\u2019m sure that in the hands of a better shooter, under better conditions, it would do even better. I do not doubt that this will be a 1-MOA shooter with the right factory load or handload\u2026 I will craft some loads for this rifle the first chance I get. Also,\u00a0 I am looking forward to being able to \u201cstretch its legs\u201d by moving my target stand out to 100 yards, but that will be a while. At least we can see its accuracy potential. The Black Hills ammo performed better than I did, as usual.<\/p>\n<h3>Observations<\/h3>\n<p>Ruger has moved the intro-level AR bar up a notch with this rifle. It is a definite improvement over their first effort, the AR556. By utilizing after-market parts, they have produced a really decent rifle at a base-level price. Bear in mind that you can buy ARs for less than $750\u2026 I\u2019ve seen them as low as $400. However, I don\u2019t believe I\u2019d want one. With this rifle, you are getting solid workmanship. The Ruger logo on it means something.<\/p>\n<p>I could list a whole lot of other-branded ARs that sell for around this price point, and some of them are very well made. It\u2019s just that Ruger fans now have an accurate, reliable rifle to add to their collection.<\/p>\n<p>I really liked the smooth finish of the M-LOK fore end. Some budget rifles use the slots, but they are left a bit rough and can catch on your gloves. I\u2019ve even felt some rough edges with bare hands. Ruger has solved that problem by smoothing things out where it counts. Another nice touch is the DT Carbine butt stock. I\u2019ve had stocks on lesser-expensive ARs that don\u2019t hold adjustment well. Sometimes they would collapse or not want to lock into every position. This one is easily adjusted and stays put.<\/p>\n<h3>What Else Is Out There?<\/h3>\n<p>What other companies make an AR in 5.56 mm that you can buy for under $800? Well, the first one that comes to mind is Palmetto State Armory. A tour of their website will reveal several rifles, in different configurations and finishes, for under $800. They sell their house-brand rifles starting at about $480, and also offer guns by other manufacturers for more. They are a good option.<\/p>\n<p>Another budget AR brand that comes to mind is Bear Creek Arsenal. I\u2019ve owned some of their rifles and have had a generally good experience with them. They have several rifles, chambered in both 5.56 mm and .223 Wylde, for under $400. I have requested one to review\u2026 We\u2019ll see what happens.<\/p>\n<p>Other decent rifles around that price point are Diamondback Firearms\u2019 relatively new offering, their DB-15. Listing at under $800, there are several models in both 5.56 and 7.62\u00d739. I reviewed one a while back and found it to be a solid rifle. One other one I\u2019ll mention that I\u2019ve had my hands on is the S&amp;W Sport II. This rifle uses a rounded, M-16-style handguard and front sight, with an adjustable buttstock. Unique among some of these bargain guns, it includes an MBUS rear sight. I\u2019ve seen it for around $760.<\/p>\n<h3>Pros &amp; Cons<\/h3>\n<p><b>Pros:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good trigger with little take-up and a crisp break<\/li>\n<li>Third-party parts add value and functionality<\/li>\n<li>Accuracy and reliability were excellent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Cons:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nitrided BCG as opposed to a C158 phosphate chrome-lined BCG<\/li>\n<li>Some shooters have found poorly torqued or non-staked castle nuts, which can work loose<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I can only speak about the one I reviewed, and it worked very well\u2026 it performed as expected.<\/p>\n<h3>Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>If you are in the market for a budget AR to add to your collection (or to start your collection), you might want to take a look at the Harrier. It is a definite improvement over its AR556 predecessor and sports some features that other budget-friendly rifles do not have. There are plenty of bargain ARs on the market, but I\u2019d bet that Ruger will sell a lot of these. It\u2019s a solid rifle at a good price and is backed by one of the best warranties in the industry. You could do worse.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong>Disclosure:<\/strong> This firearm was provided for evaluation. No compensation was provided, and all opinions are based on hands-on testing.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ruger Harrier AR Review: Ruger\u2019s New Entry-Level AR-15 We seem to be awash in a sea of 5.56-chambered AR-style rifles. Some are better than others\u2026 you can find rifles in all price ranges. Ruger has upped its intro AR-15 game with the Harrier. This is an improvement over their first model, the AR556. This rifle &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/?p=115777\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-115777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gun-schtuff"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=115777"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":115778,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115777\/revisions\/115778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=115777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=115777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/milesfortis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=115777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}