AC556 as a Weapon

[LittleJoe]

Greetings All,

Thinking of an AC556 as a possible 2ed C3 weapon ( comparing against a Sten, Sterling, Swedish K, Burgess 76, Reising). I want to spend between $5-8K, keeping spare parts kits and ammo in the consideration. I will reload ammo. Already have FS FA UZI.

I am weighing things like durability, reliability, funage, parts kits availability, serious parts group problems (eg trigger, bolt, extractor problems), serviceability.

I will NOT be using it in any sort of competition.

How good are the Ciener 22 conversion kits/magazines ( bought second hand, not from JAC or his distributers)

My preference would be for a 13" folding stock.

Thanks Ladies and Gentlemen

Regards LittleJoe

[JasonAC556]

I am weighing things like durability, reliability, funage, parts kits availability, serious parts group problems (eg trigger, bolt, extractor problems), serviceability.

1. Durability: Exceptional. These things can take all the abuse you can throw at them.
2. Reliability: The only weak link here is the magazine. Factory mags are the only surefire way to get 100% reliability. As long as you have good magazines these things run like a sewing machine even when exceptionally dirty.
3. Funage: Can't ask for more. It is full auto after all.
4. Parts Kits: Weak link. Parts kits are only available sporadicly from cut up posties. You really shouldn't need to worry about it as Ruger will fix nearly anything that goes wrong for free or for a very reasonable fee. Big plus is that it is the ONLY full auto that still has full factory support.
5. Parts group problems: Can't think of any failure prone parts. The one thing that does tend to wear fastest is the selector linkage. This gets lose if you constantly play with it.
6. Serviceability: It always goes bang when I want it too.

How good are the Ciener 22 conversion kits/magazines ( bought second hand, not from JAC or his distributers)


Ciener kits run extremely well with good ammo. They tend not to like cheaper bulk ammo. Also, the magazines are the weak link. The feed lips need to be tweaked every so often to maintain reliable feeding.

[LittleJoe]

Jason,

Looks like you may have written a few "Evaluations" and/or "Fit Reps" in your time. Regardless, your neat, concise, on point and informative style is very helpful. Your thoughts and observations speak well for the Ruger AC556. It is my preference and with the 22 kit makes good fiscal sense.

Any thoughts on barrel length v. accuracy ( at SG distances 25-75 yds ) --- full v. folding stock --- Stainless v. blue?

Thanks. LJ

[JasonAC556]

Any thoughts on barrel length v. accuracy ( at SG distances 25-75 yds ) --- full v. folding stock --- Stainless v. blue?


I find that accuracy is better from the 18 in barrel carbine, but not why you would think. The front sight on the short barrel folder leaves much to be desired. Also, the shorter sight radius doesn't help either. Having said that, if you use a forward rail with an optic you will get about the same accuracy at 50 yards from either (roughly 2 MOA). Also, with the Ciener kits you will run out of elevation on the rear sight with the shorty as the shorties tend to shoot .22 very low. This is mostly from that front sight on the shorties. Again, not an issue if you use an optic.

For actual range use, I find that the folding stock is much more controllable for auto fire than the full stock. However, I really would reccomend an aftermarket stock for maximum functionality. I made a custom stock by using a Choate pistol grip stock with the butt section cut off and and a collapseable AR15 stock mounted in its place. A bottom rail with a forward verticle grip and an Ultimak top rail rounds out the package. Much more controllable and I don't worry about marring my pretty wood.

As for stainless versus blue......I really don't have a preference. The blue finish is very durable on these rifles. The stainless will easily discolor after a few bursts anyway, and if you like mag dumps........there goes that corosion resistance anyway.

[BaldCarl]

I find that accuracy is better from the 18 in barrel carbine, but not why you would think. The front sight on the short barrel folder leaves much to be desired. Also, the shorter sight radius doesn't help either. Having said that, if you use a forward rail with an optic you will get about the same accuracy at 50 yards from either (roughly 2 MOA). Also, with the Ciener kits you will run out of elevation on the rear sight with the shorty as the shorties tend to shoot .22 very low. This is mostly from that front sight on the shorties. Again, not an issue if you use an optic.

For actual range use, I find that the folding stock is much more controllable for auto fire than the full stock. However, I really would reccomend an aftermarket stock for maximum functionality. I made a custom stock by using a Choate pistol grip stock with the butt section cut off and and a collapseable AR15 stock mounted in its place. A bottom rail with a forward verticle grip and an Ultimak top rail rounds out the package. Much more controllable and I don't worry about marring my pretty wood.

As for stainless versus blue......I really don't have a preference. The blue finish is very durable on these rifles. The stainless will easily discolor after a few bursts anyway, and if you like mag dumps........there goes that corosion resistance anyway.

I think we can't confuse SS oxidation with loss of corrosion resistance. It's a superficial heat oxidation that easily wipes off with SS polish like you find being used for SS kitchen sinks. For me I find my full stock 18" more controllable than the platform the folder provides, but that's just me and...

My. 02 worth,

BC

[LittleJoe]

Gentlemen, Thanks for the thoughtful printing of knowledge and insight. I'll keep it all in mind as I make my next C3 purchase. Regards LittleJoe