Rheinmetall / Steyr RS556

[SamM]

While I think steyr makes some great stuff I just don't see the appeal of this. I would much rather spend money on other items in their lineup.

I don't view a QCB as a important feature on a rifle of this type. If I was a unit armorer with hundreds to maintain I might change my tune. However, as it sits, it has a monolithic upper with short handguards and a large exposed gas block that will undoubtedly get very hot. The Colt 6940 is a non starter for the same reason. We moved past this 10 years ago. I just find the HK 416 to be a much more thought out and mature looking system as long as you don't require a QCB. And the HK will no doubt have a Barrel that is on par with the Steyr and a decade long service history with some of the worlds most elite units. As far as king of the hill of the piston AR15 world, there is a clear stand out.

But the rifle will not compete with the 416. Rather the 433 is probably the heavy favorite to win considering it is a clean sheet design tailored specifically to the German desires for their rifle and due to the way it is made, it is more than likely cheaper to produce.

The appeal is that there is another AR manufacturer in the game. How is that a bad thing? I don't think anyone believes that this rifle will replace the HK416. Steyr is a quality manufacturer. Some of us have Steyr weapons and personally, I would add a Steyr made AR to my list of must have Steyr products. Will it replace my AUG, no. But I would probably use it in a carbine course, as most are taught on the AR system. I will not own another AR type rifle unless Steyr brings the STM556 or RS556 (whatever they name it) to market. I have it on good authority that this rifle is coming to market. I plan to have one of the first.

The Steyr AUG and .308 Scout rifles are already in my safe. This one will be beside them.

SamM

[RetroRevolver77]

While I think steyr makes some great stuff I just don't see the appeal of this. I would much rather spend money on other items in their lineup.

I don't view a QCB as a important feature on a rifle of this type. If I was a unit armorer with hundreds to maintain I might change my tune. However, as it sits, it has a monolithic upper with short handguards and a large exposed gas block that will undoubtedly get very hot. The Colt 6940 is a non starter for the same reason. We moved past this 10 years ago. I just find the HK 416 to be a much more thought out and mature looking system as long as you don't require a QCB. And the HK will no doubt have a Barrel that is on par with the Steyr and a decade long service history with some of the worlds most elite units. As far as king of the hill of the piston AR15 world, there is a clear stand out.

But the rifle will not compete with the 416. Rather the 433 is probably the heavy favorite to win considering it is a clean sheet design tailored specifically to the German desires for their rifle and due to the way it is made, it is more than likely cheaper to produce.

On the civilian side of the market in the US, I'd say the Steyr, would be a better option than the MR556. The reason, the better barrel.


7n6

[call_me_ski]

Fair point regarding the MR556 barrel vis-a-vis the 416. I hope that HK will realize that they would have more success with a chrome lined barrel in their civilian offerings in the future and figure out a way to get it to market. I have a factory 10.4 with a German chrome lined barrel so I tend to forget this.

[RetroRevolver77]

Fair point regarding the MR556 barrel vis-a-vis the 416. I hope that HK will realize that they would have more success with a chrome lined barrel in their civilian offerings in the future and figure out a way to get it to market. I have a factory 10.4 with a German chrome lined barrel so I tend to forget this.

Case and point, Battlefield Las Vegas ran FN SCAR 16's up to 80K-100K rounds with factory FN barrels. That FN barrel is made on the same machinery that Steyr subs out for their barrels because they are not set up here to produce barrels stateside. They didn't go into to many details but I remember something about the MR556 barrel only making it to 10K rounds- which is crap considering how much the rifle costs. So that being said, either FN SCAR or an AUG or this new Steyr AR variant for a long lasting rifle.

[SamM]

Steyr is gearing up to fix their US barrel making problem.

SamM

[JoshNC]

Steyr is gearing up to fix their US barrel making problem.

SamM

As in they are bring CHF machines to make barrels in-house? If so, that is fantastic news.

[SamM]

They are moving a good portion of manufacturing in-house and plan to make more products that Americans want.

SamM

[STG77]

You know what would be neat? Steyr importing these as pistols...

[STG77]

As in they are bring CHF machines to make barrels in-house? If so, that is fantastic news.

As in AUG barrels will be hammer forged in Austria, then imported to the USA, profiled, coated, gas block installed, gas port drilled, and lugs cut in Alabama.

[SteyrAUG]

As in AUG barrels will be hammer forged in Austria, then imported to the USA, profiled, coated, gas block installed, gas port drilled, and lugs cut in Alabama.

Works for me, I'll need 6.