We seem to be awash in a sea of 5.56-chambered AR-style rifles. Some are better than others… 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 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.
Specs
- Manufacturer: Ruger
- Harrier AR, Model 28600
- Caliber: 5.56mm/.223
- Semi-Automatic
- Barrel: 16.10”
- Overall Length: 35.87”
- Weight, Unloaded: 6.8 lbs.
- Materials: Upper and Lower receivers machined to mil-spec dimensions from 7075 forgings
- MSRP: $750 (Street price, $620 – $650)
- Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Live Inventory Price Checker
Updated Ergonomics
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’t catch your gloves. The trigger’s smoothness belies its 6-pound pull. Topping it off, you get a 30-round magazine, something that not all makers provide.
Here’s a shot of the rifle with its included Magpul PMag 30-rounder. I used a 20-round off the bench because it didn’t hang down as far and didn’t interfere with the shooting bench. The rifle wears a Burris Fullfield 3-12×42 scope, which takes some error and guesswork out of shooting for me. I love the adjustment turrets on this scope – no screwdriver needed, fingers will work.
Range Time
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’t 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.
I shot the following loads…
Why no 55-grain loads? I wanted to take advantage of the Ruger’s 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’d be a bit different and use the heavier-bullet loads.
Here are a few representative 5-shot target photos at a 50-yard distance:
As you can see, the rifle performed decently well. It evidently didn’t 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’m 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… I will craft some loads for this rifle the first chance I get. Also, I am looking forward to being able to “stretch its legs” 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.
Observations
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… I’ve seen them as low as $400. However, I don’t believe I’d want one. With this rifle, you are getting solid workmanship. The Ruger logo on it means something.
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’s just that Ruger fans now have an accurate, reliable rifle to add to their collection.
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’ve 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’ve had stocks on lesser-expensive ARs that don’t hold adjustment well. Sometimes they would collapse or not want to lock into every position. This one is easily adjusted and stays put.
What Else Is Out There?
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.
Another budget AR brand that comes to mind is Bear Creek Arsenal. I’ve 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… We’ll see what happens.
Other decent rifles around that price point are Diamondback Firearms’ relatively new offering, their DB-15. Listing at under $800, there are several models in both 5.56 and 7.62×39. I reviewed one a while back and found it to be a solid rifle. One other one I’ll mention that I’ve had my hands on is the S&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’ve seen it for around $760.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Good trigger with little take-up and a crisp break
- Third-party parts add value and functionality
- Accuracy and reliability were excellent
Cons:
- Nitrided BCG as opposed to a C158 phosphate chrome-lined BCG
- Some shooters have found poorly torqued or non-staked castle nuts, which can work loose
I can only speak about the one I reviewed, and it worked very well… it performed as expected.
Final Thoughts
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’d bet that Ruger will sell a lot of these. It’s a solid rifle at a good price and is backed by one of the best warranties in the industry. You could do worse.
Disclosure: This firearm was provided for evaluation. No compensation was provided, and all opinions are based on hands-on testing.
About Mike Hardesty
With experience spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has long enjoyed shooting and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a diverse array of firearms, each handled with long-practiced precision. Living in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a personal 100-yard range where he shares his love for guns to his four sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a recognized author, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Country, Bear Creek Arsenal Blog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing passion for firearms.
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