Some general AC556 questions

[Asmodeous]

I just traded for an AC556 and want to pick up some accessories for it before it turns up.

Best source for mags?

Does the Mini-14 ultiMAK fit?

Can I ship it to Ruger and have the 18" barrel swapped for a 13"?

What's the muzzle thread? I want to be able to use it with my existing 223 cans and that requires a flash hider mount.

Ceiner kit only 22LR choice?

Thanks.

[xm15e2s]

Best source for mags?

Now is a very BAD time to buy mags. IMO dont buy any mags for a while because of the following:
Ruger is changing its policy right now and 20round ruger mags will be available very soon. 20 round ruger mags can be had for around $40 right now but not from ruger. I would hold off buying 20s because ruger 20s may start appearing for $29 or less. Ruger sells them right now as a promotion but promotion rules apply. sit back and wait, I bet 20s will be sold by ruger soon.
Next reason is Thermold company is set to sell their original 30s within 30 days. Wait on them.
There is only 3 choices for Ruger mags. Dont waste your money on any others. i repeat, dont waste your time or money on any others.
1. Ruger 30s. not in production. very expensive
2. Ruger 20s. easy to find at $40 but wait and that may change to way less.
3. Thermold 30s
All others suck, PMI, Western, USA, Black warrior,Promag, suck,suck,suck.

Does the Mini-14 ultiMAK fit?

yes

Can I ship it to Ruger and have the 18" barrel swapped for a 13"?

NO

What's the muzzle thread? I want to be able to use it with my existing 223 cans and that requires a flash hider mount.

Ceiner kit only 22LR choice?

Ceiner is only choice, BUT dont send Ceiner money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
try to find a unit else where. Ceiners work good but dont buy direct from him. Ceiner mags are expensive, blackdog is making some, so hold off buying a bunch from Ciener till we find out what blackdog is doing.

[JasonAC556]

I just traded for an AC556 and want to pick up some accessories for it before it turns up.

Best source for mags?

Ruger factory 20's available everywhere.....VERY expensive. I would wait on Ruger to release them as they said they would. Otherwise, cruise Gunbroker for deals.

PMI's and Thermolds are the only reliable aftermarket's I have ever used. These are readily available on Gunbroker. Thermolds are supposed to be in production again.....so we will see.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ANYTHING ELSE!!!! You will be very disappointed with all other magazines.

Does the Mini-14 ultiMAK fit?

Yes.

Can I ship it to Ruger and have the 18" barrel swapped for a 13"?

No. Ruger will only install a barrel that was the same length as when it left the factory. You can chop it yourself or have a custom barrel installed, but Ruger will not help you here.

If you must have a short barrel then have one made from a blank and save your old one. It may come in handy one day.;)

What's the muzzle thread? I want to be able to use it with my existing 223 cans and that requires a flash hider mount.

Thread is 9/16x24 TPI RH pitch. You will need an adapter or have a custom flash hider made for your can. Or, you could have your muzzle rethreaded to accept a standard 1/2x28 TPI AR flash hider.

Ceiner kit only 22LR choice?

Yes, but your best bet is to try to find a used one. You will wait a LONG time if you order one from JAC.

[Asmodeous]

Thanks!

[garandman]

What's the muzzle thread? I want to be able to use it with my existing 223 cans and that requires a flash hider mount.



Thanks.


AAC makes a AC556 mount for their M4-2K can.

Not sure about any others.

[MarkV]

I just traded for an AC556 and want to pick up some accessories for it before it turns up.

Best source for mags?

Does the Mini-14 ultiMAK fit?

Can I ship it to Ruger and have the 18" barrel swapped for a 13"?

What's the muzzle thread? I want to be able to use it with my existing 223 cans and that requires a flash hider mount.

Ceiner kit only 22LR choice?

Thanks.

Thermolds are the best aftermarket mags for the AC/mini IMO.

Another option is Tros does make an adapter for AC's to use AR flashhiders. I looked into threading my mini to use an AR flash hider. http://www.trosusa.com/ Never followed through on my mini but shouldn't be to much of a hassle with AC though.

UltiMAK fits mini's and AC's. Side mounted front sling swivels found on oem folding stocks are a tight fight though.

[booger hooker]

I went shooting my AC556 today and used a Thermold from my stash that I've never used before...big mistake as I should have prepped the feed lips by inserting the mag and cycling the bolt a LOT of times to wear them down enough so the bolt won't drag on them. I plopped in a Ruger 20 round mag and a Black Warrior mag and never had a problem. I don't know why everyone hates the Black Warrior mags that CDNN sells as there are a lot of people that love those mags and swear by them as far as a cheaper alternative to factory Ruger mags. I've also got a bunch of stainless USA mags that I bought back in '95 that all worked fine in my Mini-14 factory-folders without a hiccup but have yet to try them in my AC556. Like anything else...YMMV.

[getnany]

Don't even consider sending Ceiner, money, you will never see product. The web is full of people that were ripped off.Myself included!




Best source for mags?

Now is a very BAD time to buy mags. IMO dont buy any mags for a while because of the following:
Ruger is changing its policy right now and 20round ruger mags will be available very soon. 20 round ruger mags can be had for around $40 right now but not from ruger. I would hold off buying 20s because ruger 20s may start appearing for $29 or less. Ruger sells them right now as a promotion but promotion rules apply. sit back and wait, I bet 20s will be sold by ruger soon.
Next reason is Thermold company is set to sell their original 30s within 30 days. Wait on them.
There is only 3 choices for Ruger mags. Dont waste your money on any others. i repeat, dont waste your time or money on any others.
1. Ruger 30s. not in production. very expensive
2. Ruger 20s. easy to find at $40 but wait and that may change to way less.
3. Thermold 30s
All others suck, PMI, Western, USA, Black warrior,Promag, suck,suck,suck.

Does the Mini-14 ultiMAK fit?

yes

Can I ship it to Ruger and have the 18" barrel swapped for a 13"?

NO

What's the muzzle thread? I want to be able to use it with my existing 223 cans and that requires a flash hider mount.

Ceiner kit only 22LR choice?

Ceiner is only choice, BUT dont send Ceiner money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
try to find a unit else where. Ceiners work good but dont buy direct from him. Ceiner mags are expensive, blackdog is making some, so hold off buying a bunch from Ciener till we find out what blackdog is doing.

[befu]

I just traded for an AC556 and want to pick up some accessories for it before it turns up.

Best source for mags?

Rugers are great, but I have had FANTASTIC luck with the black warrior mags from CDNN, 30 rounders. Worked so well I sold all of my factory 30's. Have tried these with two different AC's

What's the muzzle thread? I want to be able to use it with my existing 223 cans and that requires a flash hider mount.

As mentioned, the ruger is a 9/16 thread. I purchased the same A2 flash hider as my AR's have and just put them in the lathe. Bored it out and then threaded the A2 hider for the 9/16 with a tap. Now my cans can swap between my AR's, AC556, and the 10/22 easily.

Ceiner kit only 22LR choice?

Bought mine used, rebent the feed lips and runs great. 30 rounds goes REAL fast!

[ateamrob]

The Factory 20 and 30rd mags work the absolute best and will run flawlessly for sure. Expect to pay 100+ for the 30s though and around 50 for the 20rd mags.
The PMI (Precision Mag Industries) mags (30rounders the best) also work GREAT. I understand the Thermold mags work well too but I have not used them in my AC.

As stated before if your gun came with an 18inch barrel dont expect Ruger to replace it with anything other than an 18. If you go with a company like "Accuracy Systems" and speak to Carl, he will set you up with a nice 13 inch barrel for your AC but then Ruger wont work on it anymore since it was modified from its original configuration.

I would just keep the 18inch on there and that way Ruger will ALWAYS work on it and their customer service is very good. However it is an option.

Rob

[Asmodeous]

Anyone use an after market barrel and gas block and then swap back to the Ruger stock components before sending the gun off for service?