Ruger is attempting to fill the void left by the discontinuation of their SR-762 rifle with the introduction of their new SFAR or Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle. This new .308 AR-pattern rifle is a heavy-hitting option that manages to fit into similar dimensions as conventional AR-556 rifles as well as bringing the total weight of the entire package down to just 6.8 lbs for the 16″ version. With this announcement, Ruger has confirmed that the new Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle is not only being produced as we speak, but units have already begun shipping to their distributors meaning you’ll be able to pick up this hot new rifle from your local Ruger dealer soon. Full product release details are below.

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The 20″ Configuration of the SFAR

Ruger Introduces the New 308 Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle (SFAR)

There’s been a hole in Ruger’s AR offering since SR-762 was discontinued.  Ruger® SFAR™, or Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle, is a sub-7lb, 16” 308 AR.  Not an AR-10.  The barrel and bolt are the same overall size as a conventional AR-556® and the upper/lower receivers were stretched and massaged to fit the bigger magazine and cartridge into the AR-556 envelope.  Ergonomics, manual of arms, and most mil-spec AR bits and bobbles are all compatible too.

The Ruger Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle will come standard with a Ruger 2-port Boomer muzzle brake (removable), 15″ Lite aluminum free-floated and docked handguard with M-LOK slots, integrated QD swivels, a mid-length gas system for the 16″ version and rifle-length system for the 20″ version. Both the 16″ and 20″ versions will come equipped with a Ruger Elite 452 2-stage trigger which has an advertised pull weight of just 4.5 pounds. Both rifles will come standard with one 20-round Magpul PMAG and will also be compatible with other SR25/AR10 308 Win/7.62 NATO magazines.

The SFAR fills the gap left by the discontinuation of the SR-762 (pictured above) and also updates the design to add new features. Photo Source: TFBTV

As was stated earlier, the Ruger SFAR should already be in the process of being delivered to local distributors and retailers and the rifle is being sent out with a suggested retail price of just $1,229 for both configurations. Both Hop (TFBTV) and I already have rifles on the way for review and we should be putting them head to head. According to Ruger representatives, the 20″ version should net you about 150-FPS more of velocity but they have also said that both rifles have been evenly matched in terms of accuracy at the 100-yard mark. For more details or to check out the new Ruger SFAR, you can visit http://ruger.com/.