TL;DR: I have a new favorite AR.

Alright, the first thing to address is that the ‘MPR’ is kind of a ‘package’ for Ruger’s AR556 carbine. You can do a little comparison between the AR556 and the MPR by looking at the spec sheets, but, basically, the AR556 are M4-clones whereas the MPR seem to be a bit more refined with slightly longer barrels, freefloat handguards (which some AR556 models have), the very nice 452 Elite trigger, a non-birdcage brake/flash suppressor and Magpul furniture.

I liked the idea of something longer than 16″ but shorter than 20″, wanted the freefloat handguards, no front sight tower, and Magpul furniture. The trigger was icing on the cake and I really, really like it. Not so heavy as to preclude making good shots at distance, but not so light that you’d be unsafe running around Katrinaville.

My impressions from shooting about a hundred rounds downrange is very favorable. I don’t know if its the brake, the rifle-length gas system, or both, but the felt recoil and muzzle rise was the easiest of any AR I’ve ever shot. If you’re into fast followups this seems to be the rifle for you.

Other than that, its an AR. Ergonomics, control layout, etc, are all the same as every other one of the millions of AR’s floating around the planet. The nontypical barrel length, rifle-length gas system, and snazzy trigger are Ruger’s personal touches and they really are what separates this rifle from the others.

I dropped a set of Magpul Pro BUIS on there to keep handy in case the Leupold VX-R Patrol optic (1.25×4 30mm tube) craps out. The cheaper plastic Magpul BUIS would probably have worked just fine but they are a tad bulky and I couldn’t be sure they’d fit under the eyepiece end of the scope. The Magpul Pro, while spendy, fit perfectly with a little room to spare.

Added a sling because. Only other thing to add would be a tactical light and then that’s it. Done. What sorta crap you hang off your AR is your business, but I like to keep it neat and minimal. No VFG, no offset sights, no short range red dot, no monopod, etc.

The Leupold scope was my compromise to avoid spending $1300 on an ACOG. (Although I see nothing wrong with dropping an ACOG on this thing if you have the money.) I’d spent a lot of time fondling the two different Leupold AR scopes, one a 1″ tube and the other a 30mm, and decided to spend the extra money for the illuminated dot and the 30mm tube. Worth it. Dialed down to 1.25x and with the dot lit up this thing makes fast target acquisition possible and for longer shots I can dial it out to 4x. The dot, by the way, shuts itself off after five minutes of inactivity and then turns itself back on when it detects motion. Thats just freakin’ handy.

How does it shoot? Between the rifle-length gas system and the brake/comp on the end, this is the softest shooting AR I’ve ever handled. There’s negligible muzzle rise and barely any recoil. If you see yourself in a world where fast followup shots are called for, this is the gun for you. Ruger’s trigger is really nice and it fits the bill in terms of practicality…not too light, not too heavy. It’s got some take up and then -bang-… like a very very nice two-stage trigger.

Overall, I’m very pleased. The MPR version of the AR556 usually comes in around $150-200 more than the regular version but, in my opinion, it’s worth it. Just the trigger alone would be an upgrade of almost that value.

If you get a chance, go play with one. Especially try the trigger.

MSRP on the MPR is $899, but I’ve seen them on sale in the mid $500’s, and dealer prices usually run in the $650-700 range, which, to me, is a very reasonable price for such a neat gun. Zero recommends.