Ruger SFAR
Sturm, Ruger & Company · Battle Rifle · In Production · 2022
Also known as: Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle, SFAR 5610, SFAR 5611
Overview
The Ruger SFAR (Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle) is a gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle introduced in September 2022 that delivers .308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO ballistics in a package sized and weighted like a standard AR-15 rather than a conventional AR-10. By engineering a proprietary bolt carrier group and receiver set scaled to small-frame dimensions, Ruger produced a .308-class rifle weighing just 6.8 pounds (about 3,084g) in the 16.1-inch barrel configuration, roughly two pounds lighter than typical AR-10 pattern rifles. The cold-hammer-forged chrome-moly steel barrel features ultra-precise 5R rifling with a 1:10 inch right-hand twist and a black nitride finish, and is threaded 5/8-24 for muzzle devices and suppressors. A signature feature is the 0.750-inch four-position rotary-regulator adjustable gas block, tuned with an included ball-end wrench to reliably cycle a wide range of ammunition and suppressed configurations. The rifle ships with a 15-inch Ruger Lite free-float M-LOK handguard, Magpul MOE SL collapsible stock, Magpul MOE grip, and one 20-round Magpul PMAG. The initial lineup comprised the 16.1-inch mid-length-gas Model 5610 and the 20-inch rifle-length-gas Model 5611, later joined by 6.5 Creedmoor chamberings.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3084 g (108.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 902 mm (35.51") |
| Barrel Length | 409 mm (16.10") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 838 m/s (2749 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3304 J (2437 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3700 m (4046 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Moly Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Black Nitride |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62 NATO
- 6.5mm Creedmoor — also known as 6.5 CM, 6.5 Creedmoor
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Mid Length Gas System, Adjustable Gas Block, 4 Position Rotary Gas Regulator, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, 5r Rifling, Free Float Handguard, M Lok Handguard, Ruger Lite Handguard, Magpul Moe Sl Stock, Magpul Moe Grip, Ar Pattern Charging Handle, 5-8x24 Muzzle Threads, Ruger Proprietary Bolt Carrier, Ambidextrous Controls Capable
Variants
- Ruger SFAR Model 5610 (16.1-inch) — Standard
- Ruger SFAR Model 5611 (20-inch) — Rifle Length
- Ruger SFAR Model 5612 (6.5 Creedmoor) — Caliber
Service history
Operators
- U.S. Civilian Sport Shooters · adopted 2022 · as SFAR
Production
Production years: 2022-present
High-volume continuous production
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
MSRP at launch was $1,229. Model 5610 has a 16.1-inch barrel with a mid-length gas system and 15-inch Ruger Lite free-float handguard; Model 5611 has a 20-inch barrel with rifle-length gas system and a handguard with full-length Picatinny top rail. The four-position adjustable gas block lets shooters tune cycling for unsuppressed, suppressed, and varied ammunition. The SFAR's small-frame architecture means it uses AR-15-size furniture and many AR-15 components while still chambering full-power .308/7.62 NATO. Magazine compatibility is with SR-25/DPMS-pattern .308 magazines. 6.5 Creedmoor variants were added to the line after the initial .308 launch.
Background
Ruger's SFAR cracked a long-standing design problem: shrinking a .308 autoloader down to AR-15 proportions. By scaling the receivers and engineering a proprietary bolt carrier, Ruger let shooters run full-power 7.62 NATO ballistics in a rifle that carries like a 5.56 carbine, a feat that drew immediate attention across the modern sporting rifle market.