Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
Ruger AC-556
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1972–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · COLD WAR
31
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the assault rifles category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Production Year1972
- Service Entry Year1972
- Weight (Empty)3.12 kg
- Weight (Loaded)3.58 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
- Calibre5.56 mm
- Case Length45 mm
- Calibre Classintermediate
- Bullet Weight4 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation9MOD.9
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modessafe, semi-auto, burst, full-auto
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity30
- Cyclic Rate of Fire750
- Practical Rate of Fire100
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typeselector lever
◇Ballistics8MOD.8
- Muzzle Velocity945 m/s
- Muzzle Energy1,700
- Effective Range (point)460 m
- Effective Range (area)800 m
- Maximum Range3,300 m
- Sighting Range800 m
- Penetration300 mm
- Accuracy3
◆Barrel & Sights8MOD.8
- Barrel Length413 mm
- Rifling Twist1:12
- Rifling Grooves6
- Sight Typeadjustable iron sights
- Sight Radius527 mm
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialaluminum alloy
- Furniture Materialsynthetic
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitynone
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1972
- Variants1
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width76 mm
- Height235 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1972Production started
54
years in service
1
countries operating
05 / MASS Score
ASSAULT RIFLES RANKING Assault Rifles · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
133ASSAULT RIFLES31COLD WAR · ASSAULT RIFLES34POLAND · ALL WEAPONS66PERFORMANCE/PRICE · ASSAULT RIFLES
ⓘ Rankings are within theAssault Riflescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources