S INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR CALIBER 5.56mm NATO .223 Remington RUGER SR-556 ® TM AUTOLOADING RIFLE This Manual Applies to SR-556 Rifles, Serial No.’s 590-00001 and Above READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM For Product Service on This Model Please Call: (603) 865-2442 (See p. 33) THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
State-By-State Warnings Certain states require by law that their own specified warning notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms sold in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because our products may be sold in these states, we include the following: California: WARNING ADVERTENCIA “A los niños los atraen las armas de fuego y las pueden hacer funcionar.
Maine: “ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SEPARATE. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE TRIGGER LOCKS.” Maryland: “WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause death or serious injury.
New Jersey: “IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.” New York City: “THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE FIREARM STORAGE. FOR INCREASED SAFETY, FIREARMS SHOULD BE STORED UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.
LOCKING DEVICE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WARNING – USE OF LOCKING DEVICES • Always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction, including when you are installing or removing your locking device. • Always verify that your firearm is completely unloaded before installing your locking device. • Do not install locking devices in the trigger guard; always keep your fingers and locking device outside the trigger guard during device installation and removal.
4. Apply the lock by placing the clamp into the ejector port and through the magazine well as shown below. 5. Close the lock by pressing the shackle through the hole in the clamp into the body of the lock (the part that receives the key) as tightly together as possible. 6. Once the lock is securely closed, remove the key and pull firmly on the lock to test the connection and be sure it is locked.
FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION. This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care for your RUGER® SR-556TM rifle properly. Please contact us if you have any questions about it. Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly carry out its instructions should you practice loading, etc. with live ammunition.
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES: Locking Devices Alterations Manual Safety Ammunition Lead Exposure Firing Handling Sustained Firing 5 8 10 11 12 14 15 16 Unloading Bore Obstructions Malfunctions Disassembly Lubrication Storage Shipping Parts Purchasers 16 19 22 23 29 30 33 34 OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL. FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS– READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
NOMENCLATURE BRASS DEFLECTOR EJECTION PORT COVER FORWARD ASSIST PIVOT PIN TAKEDOWN PIN BARREL REGULATOR DETENT REGULATOR DETENT PIN MAGAZINE CATCH BUTTON FRONT SIGHT UPPER RECEIVER REGULATOR FLASH SUPPRESSOR REAR SIGHT BUTT STOCK BOLT CATCH UPPER RECEIVER HANDGUARD SAFETY SELECTOR SWITCH MAGAZINE CATCH TRIGGER PISTOL GRIP MAGAZINE Figure 1. In these illustrations the frequently used operating components are identified.
WARNING – MANUAL SAFETY Keep the safety on unless actually firing. Always move the safety fully to its intended position and check it. The safety is not “ON” unless it is completely “ON”. Never depend on a safety mechanism or any other mechanical device to justify careless handling or permitting the rifle to point in an unsafe direction. The only “safe” rifle is one in which the bolt is open, the chamber is empty, and there is no magazine in the gun.
To release the bolt carrier (which allows the bolt to move forward) keep selector on “SAFE” and either: 1. Remove the magazine, draw the charging handle to the rear and release. Allow the handle to spring forward freely. Do not “ride” the charging handle or otherwise retard the forward motion. 2. Push the top part of the bolt catch toward the lower receiver and the bolt carrier will release. (See Figure 4.
WARNING – LEAD EXPOSURE Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to the state of California to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure. SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD MAGAZINES RUGER® SR-556TM magazines are 30-round, 5.
INSERTING THE MAGAZINE See Figure 5. The magazine may be inserted with the bolt carrier either in the closed or open position (see “Bolt Catch” section p. 10), although significantly more force will be necessary to insert the magazine with the bolt in the closed position. 1. Hold the magazine as shown and insert it all the way up into the magazine well. 2. Check to be sure that the magazine is securely latched into place.
TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITH MAGAZINE) Practice this important aspect of gun handling (with an unloaded rifle) until you can perform each of the steps - described below - with skill and confidence. But before you do anything with the rifle, please first read completely through this manual. This procedure begins with an empty rifle with its magazine out. 1. Be certain the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction. (See Rule 2, p. 42.) 2. The gas regulator should initially be set on setting #2.
8. The rifle will fire one shot each time the trigger is pulled until the magazine is empty. Some of the gas produced by the combustion of the powder in the cartridge is used to drive the piston rearward. The piston drives the transfer rod rearward which, in turn, cycles the bolt carrier. This process ejects the fired cartridge case, recocks the gun, and loads a new cartridge from the magazine into the firing chamber. 9.
WARNING – SUSTAINED FIRING The SR-556 rifle fires from a closed bolt. Sustained firing can create excessive heat in the barrel and can cause “cook-off” of ammunition (heat-firing of the cartridge in the chamber). This “cook-off” can occur a substantial period of time after firing has ceased. Always unload the firearm and unload the chamber immediately after you have finished shooting.
2. Remove the magazine. REMEMBER that even though the magazine has been removed, a cartridge remaining in the chamber can still be fired! 3. Pull the charging handle all the way to the rear, extracting and ejecting the cartridge in the chamber. 4. When the bolt carrier is fully retracted, push down on the bottom pad of the bolt catch and then allow the bolt carrier to move forward until it comes to rest against the bolt catch. 5. Always visually double check the chamber to be certain it is empty. 6.
TO RELOAD THE RIFLE 1. Firing all cartridges in the magazine and the chamber will cause the bolt carrier to automatically lock open. Keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction. Put the safety in the “SAFE” position. Removal of the magazine can be accomplished by pressing inward on the magazine catch with the thumb or forefinger. The magazine will fall free of the rifle of its own weight. To avoid the possibility of damage to the magazine, do not let it fall to the ground. 2. Insert a loaded magazine.
exposed to humid conditions which could cause condensation, or to rain or snow which might have entered the bore, open the bolt carrier and clean out the barrel. Inspect the bore visually to be sure that it is perfectly clear. (See “Warning - Ammunition,” p. 11 and “Care and Cleaning” section p. 28.) WARNING –BORE OBSTRUCTIONS Before loading or shooting the SR-556, be certain the bore is unobstructed.
c) Retract the charging handle and lock it in the open position by pressing on the bottom pad of the bolt catch in the lower receiver. Retracting the charging handle should remove the cartridge case. Be certain the safety is in the “SAFE” position. d) Check the chamber to be certain there is no cartridge case in it – if there is, extract it before proceeding with steps (e) and (f).
2. When attempting to free a jammed cartridge, do not use any type of tool that is likely to act as a “firing pin” and discharge the cartridge should the tool impact on the primer. Never use a cartridge as a “tool.” 3. After clearing a jam, inspect the gun mechanism to determine if dirt or debris might be the cause of the problem. Excess lubricant or grease can cause cartridges to feed sluggishly. An accumulation of grease, dirt or powder grains in the magazine can contribute to cartridge feeding problems.
3. If the mechanism shows signs of not functioning correctly, or if a part is damaged or broken -- don’t use the gun. Have it inspected, and repaired. (See “Warning - Malfunctions,” below.) 4. Use only high-quality AR-style magazines and carefully load the magazine. Do not exceed the stated magazine capacity. (See “Loading the Magazine,” p. 12.) 5. Do not ‘ride’ the charging handle when chambering a cartridge from the magazine.
WARNING – DISASSEMBLY 3 Always unload a firearm before cleaning, lubrication, disassembly or assembly. 4 2 1 Safety “ON” 5 UNLOAD BEFORE CLEANING DISASSEMBLY Be Sure Rifle Is Unloaded! Although the SR-556 Rifle can be disassembled, reassembled, and cleaned in almost any surrounding, it is preferrable to carry out these procedures on a workbench or table which has a covered top. A piece of shallow nap rug or an old blanket is an ideal covering.
3. On the left-hand side of the lower receiver push the rear take down pin to the right. From the right side of the rifle, pull the pin outward until the detent stops any additional travel. (See Figs. 9 & 10.) Figure 10 Figure 9 4. Tip the upper receiver forward on the front pivot pin, remove the bolt carrier and charging handle from the upper receiver (see Figs. 11, 12, 13, & 14). Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 5.
6. Lift the upper receiver off of the lower receiver. 7. Push the regulator cam pin from left to right until the detent stops any additional travel. Remove the regulator, regulator detent, and piston by rotating the regulator until the flat lines up with the hook on the gas block. (See Figs. 17 - 22). Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 20 Figure 19 Figure 22 Figure 21 Removal of the gas block assembly and the handguard is not advisable. The gas block assembly is factory fitted using special fixtures and tools.
REASSEMBLY Again Be Sure Rifle and Magazines are Completely Unloaded! 1. Reassemble the charging handle and bolt carier into the upper receiver: a. Turn the upper receiver upside down so that the top of the rifle is pointing toward the ground. Install the charging handle with the pick up lug pointing toward you. Slip the charging handle guides into the cut out in the upper receiver and leave the charging handle sticking out of the rear of the upper receiver. (See Figure 14, pg. 24.) b.
Push the regulator pin all the way in and set the regulator position to the desired setting. (See Figures 21 - 17, pg. 25.) 4. Pull back the charging handle fully to the rear. The bolt carrier should lock the bolt open automatically. STOCK ADJUSTMENT The SR-556TM comes with a 6-position adjustable stock. There are locking holes on the underside of the extension tube and there is a spring loaded pin inside the butt stock.
A “late” ejection pattern, in which the brass ejects to the rear of the shooter, may be modified by increasing the gas port size, turning the regulator to a larger setting. An “early” ejection pattern, in which the brass ejects to the front of the shooter, may be modified by reducing the gas port size, turning the regulator to a smaller setting. Figure 28 Figure 27 Figure 29 To adjust the regulator, turn the knurled section by hand.
CARE AND CLEANING BEFORE CLEANING, BE CERTAIN THE RIFLE AND ITS MAGAZINE CONTAIN NO CARTRIDGES. After each shooting session, at regular intervals, or whenever the rifle has been exposed to sand, dust, extreme humidity, condensation, immersion in water, or other adverse conditions, disassemble, clean and oil it. Proper periodic maintenance is essential to the reliable functioning of any firearm. To clean the rifle, proceed as follows: 1.
STORAGE GUNS SHOULD NOT BE STORED LOADED! USE THE LOCKING DEVICE SUPPLIED WITH THE RIFLE FOR STORAGE. (SEE PAGE 5) Sturm, Ruger also offers gun safes for sale as a means to secure more than one firearm. Please call the Heritage Safe Company at 1-800-515-7233 for details and ordering information. Do not store the rifle in a leather case or scabbard. Leather attracts moisture, even though it may appear to be dry. WARNING – STORAGE Never place or store any firearm in such a manner that it may be dislodged.
SIGHT INSTALLATION FRONT SIGHT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Remove magazine and ensure the chamber is empty. 2. Unscrew clamp assembly and place sight so as to allow the clamp screw to rest in the forward gas block cross slot. Sight should be orientated to fold to the rear. (See Figure 30.) Depress button to fold sight back. Figure 30 Figure 31 3. Apply one drop of thread locking compound on the exposed threads and replace clamp and tighten while pushing sight forward against cross slot.
REAR SIGHT INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Remove magazine and ensure the chamber is empty. 2. Unscrew clamp assembly and place sight so as to allow the clamp screw to rest in the rear most rail cross-slot of the flat top receiver. Sight should be orientated to fold to the rear (see Fig. 32). 3. Apply one drop of thread locking compound on exposed threads and replace clamp and tighten while pushing sight forward against cross slot (see Fig. 33). Figure 32 Figure 33 Depress button to fold sight back. OPERATION 1.
SERVICE AND PARTS POLICY If you have any question with regard to the performance of your RUGER® SR-556TM rifle please write or call (603-865-2442) our Product Service Department in Newport, New Hampshire 03773, fully describing all circumstances and conditions involved.
WARNING –PARTS PURCHASERS It is the purchaser’s responsibility to be absolutely certain that any parts ordered from the factory are correctly fitted and installed. Firearms are complicated mechanisms and IMPROPER FITTING OF PARTS MAY RESULT IN A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION, DAMAGE TO THE FIREARM, AND SERIOUS INJURY TO THE SHOOTER AND OTHER PERSONS. The purchaser and installer of parts must accept full responsibility for the correct adjustment and functioning of the rifle after such installation.
RUGER® SR-556 TM PARTS LIST Design, prices and specifications subject to change without notice. (See Exploded Views on Pages 39, 40, and 41) 35 Key No.
Key No. Part No.
Key No. Part No.
Key No. Part No.
RUGER® SR-556TM LOWER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY
RUGER® SR-556TM UPPER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY
RUGER® SR-556TM BOLT CARRIER ASSEMBLY
THE BASIC RULES OF SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING We believe that Americans have a right to purchase and use firearms for lawful purposes. The private ownership of firearms in America is traditional, but that ownership imposes the responsibility on the gun owner to use his firearms in a way which will ensure his own safety and that of others. When firearms are used in a safe and responsible manner, they are a great source of pleasure and satisfaction, and represent a fundamental part of our personal liberty.
A safe direction must take into account the fact that a bullet may penetrate a wall, ceiling, floor, window, etc., and strike a person or damage property. Make it a habit to know exactly where the muzzle of your gun is pointing whenever you handle it, and be sure that you are always in control of the direction in which the muzzle is pointing, even if you fall or stumble. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. 3. FIREARMS SHOULD BE UNLOADED WHEN NOT IN USE.
5. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET BEFORE YOU SHOOT. Don’t shoot unless you know exactly where your bullet is going to strike. Be sure of the bullet stop behind your target, even when dry-firing with an unloaded gun. If you are in the field hunting, do not fire at a movement or noise. Take the time to be absolutely certain of your target before you pull the trigger. 6. WEAR SHOOTING GLASSES AND HEARING PROTECTORS WHEN YOU SHOOT.
8. DON’T SHOOT AT A HARD SURFACE, OR AT WATER. Bullets can glance off many surfaces like rocks or the surface of water and travel in unpredictable directions with considerable velocity. 9. NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM. Firearms should always be unloaded before being placed in a vehicle. A suitable carrying case or scabbard should be used to carry an unloaded firearm to and from the shooting area. 10. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHEN SHOOTING. Don’t drink until the day’s shooting is over.
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT: RUGER FIREARMS Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., had its beginning in a small machine shop occupying a rented frame building in Southport, Connecticut. In January, 1949, with an initial investment of only $50,000 and an idea, William B. Ruger and Alexander M. Sturm started production of a .
NOTES
WHY NO WARRANTY CARD HAS BEEN PACKED WITH THIS NEW RUGER FIREARM The Magnuson-Moss Act (Public Law 93-637) does not require any seller or manufacturer of a consumer product to give a written warranty. It does provide that if a written warranty is given, it must be designated as “limited” or as “full” and sets minimum standards for a “full” warranty. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
