50 State Legal AR-15 – Ares Defense SCR

AR-15 Rifles Sam Trisler Uncategorized

Somehow the ARES Defense SCR had passed under my radar until it showed up for review. When my editor handed it to me, I opened up the box and thought–yep its an AR…. Oh wait. Is this an AR? Yeah, but no?! I was taken aback for a moment while I stood there looking at the rifle, trying to wrap my head around it. It looks a bit like an AR crossed with a semiautomatic shotgun. And it’s damn cool.

To AR or Not To AR?

ARES SCR on the left.  It looks like an AR, but that stock?

ARES SCR on the left. It looks like an AR, but that stock?

Who wants an AR inspired rifle that’s not truly an AR-15? The answers to this vary. The SCR is 50 state legal. So there’s that. If you want a rifle with similar capabilities, but can’t own terror-inducing AR-15s, this will have some appeal. And then there are those who just don’t like pistol grips. They’ll find this gun compelling, too. So how close is it to an AR, really? I’ll come back to that in the end.

So what is the SCR? Lets get the specs out of the way first.

  • Caliber .223/5.56 and 7.62X39
  • Barrel 16.25” (carbine) 18” (rifle) 1/9 Twist
  • Length 37” carbine 39” Rifle
  • Stock Sporter, Short Sporter or Monte Carlo
  • Handguard Magpul MOE
  • Black Anodized Finish
  • 5.7 lbs

The above specs read like an AR, except for the stocks. The review gun has a Monte Carlo style stock and was the first thing I noticed that made me scratch my head. There’s no room in there for a buffer tube.

There are a few other obvious things that are typical on an AR platform rifle that missing: a shell defector,  forward assist, and muzzle break. The next thing that sticks out is the size and shape of the lower. It is smaller and shorter than Mil spec. The lower with the Monte Carlo style stock gives this rifle lines that are reminiscent of a Remington 742 or 750. The SCR also has a cross bolt style safety behind the trigger and not the lever found on most ARs.  And where is that buffer tube?

Then there are the “hey, I’m an AR” things. The upper looks like an AR upper. It should because it is. It has the charging handle like an AR, for example. The ARES SCR lower will take any standard AR upper as long as it has the cut out where the full auto sear would be. The SCR utilizes some of that space for its trigger group to help make the lower smaller. It also takes AR magazines and ships with a 5 round one. The handguard on the stock model is a Magpul MOE and can be swapped for another AR handguard of your choice.

The rod on the back of the bolt carrier.

The rod on the back of the bolt carrier.

How it Works

So how does this rifle work without a normal buffer tube? Well, if you have ever been inside a Remington 1100, Mossberg 900, or other similar gas operated shotguns, you can probably figure it out. The bolt carrier on the SCR has a hinged rod that pushes on a recoil spring in the stock just like the above-mentioned shotguns. A simple and yet ingenious idea that works amazingly well on the review gun. Getting the rod lined up in the retainer cup in the stock does take a little trial and error. It has the two pins that hold the upper and lower together, like on an AR, but it is a bit harder to put together because you have to position things perfectly.

No Bolt Hold Open

The stock SCR does not hold the bolt back when the magazine is empty. Actually, It doesn’t hold it back at all. AERS does have a solution for this. They sell what looks to be a very simple add-on bolt catch. This sells for around $30. Here is some text from AERS about it from their Facebook page:

Installation is accomplished by removing the magazine and clearing the rifle of all ammunition. Next, separate the upper and lower receivers by pushing out the two captive takedown pins. Next, remove the plug that is factory installed in the lower by sliding it out the left side of the receiver. Install the bolt catch assembly by sliding in into the receiver and seat it firmly into its slot. Reassemble the receiver halves by following the instructions in the User’s Manual. That’s it!

Fit and Finish

This is a part of the rifle that screams AR. The stock is synthetic and the upper and lower is black anodized. The finish is well applied and free of blemishes. There is a little bit of wiggle between the upper and lower. It is not a whole lot of movement, and didn’t seem to affect anything, but it was there and felt I should mention it.

Optics

The SCR has a section of rail on the top of the upper but does not come with sights. According to their Facebook page, ARES Defense is planning on offering some iron sights for the SCR in the near future.  Of course, with the rail, you can put just about anything you want to up top.  However, whatever you pick it should be low mount.  With the Monte Carlo stock I went with a couple of low mount options for an optic. The higher mounts would not let me get my cheek down on the stock.

I used an Aimpoint H1 and a Weaver Tactical. Both worked really well on the gun, though the low mounted scope wasn’t nearly as compact and maneuverable as the low mounted H1.

Function

I ran a plethora of brands of .223 and 5.56 ammo through the SCR without a single malfunction. It ate cheap steel cased Russian ammo and Hornady V-Max without problems. 30 round mag dumps from a P-mag and slow fire from the supplied 5 round all went smoothly.

I couldn’t really tell much difference in felt recoil versus a regular AR.  I was curious if the different angle of the stock would make it feel differently.  But since .223 is not exactly a heavy recoil round, I couldn’t tell much difference.  Nor did muzzle rise seem  exaggerated. With the AR hand guard, you can use whatever style grip you like to use with an AR.

Accuracy

100 ards and just under an inch.

100 yards and just under an inch.

The review gun was very impressive punching paper and ringing steel at the range. With the Weaver Tactical mounted, I took the SCR out to 100 yards. One group of 5 was just under an inch, though most were just over. It was also pretty windy (10-15 mph gusts) so I didn’t take it out any further on paper.

I did shoot some 10 inch steel plates at 200 and 300 yards with good consistency (especially considering the wind). Does the rifle have that kind of potential for long range work? I think so. It has at least as much potential for long range work as your typical AR in .223.

The above groups were all shot from a bench on a sled.  The groups opened up when fired from the shoulder of course, but the bench groups show what this rifle is capable of.

Room for Improvement

There are two things that I would really like to see changed on the SCR. There were three, but the bolt catch seems to have been addressed.

The trigger breaks a bit under 10 lbs.  It is smooth, but a lot of take up and a mushy reset too.

The trigger breaks a bit under 10 lbs. It is smooth, but a lot of take up and a mushy reset too.

The 1st one is pretty minor. I do not like the way the end of the muzzle is done. There is not really any crown to protect the muzzle. The barrel is not threaded, either. I understand the lack of the threaded barrel. They are trying to make this a 50 State legal rifle.

There is an angled cut at the muzzle like Ruger does on a lot of their revolvers, but it is not very deep.

The other is a bit bigger. The trigger on the SCR. It is rough. For one, the trigger is hard–around 10 pounds. There isn’t a ton of grit in it, but there is a lot of creep and a mushy feeling reset. This is another one of the places where this is not an AR. You couldn’t just drop in a new trigger in this rifle, like an AR Gold or the like. Because of the smaller lower, the best I can tell is that this is a proprietary trigger. It is easy to see how it works, and I am pretty sure I could get my files and stone out and make an improvement.  I would do this if it were my gun and not a review sample.

But look at the accuracy potential of this gun. Think what it would be if you had a much lighter, crisper trigger. I don’t think I’d have had so many group-killing random fliers.

Conclusion

Other than the trigger, the SCR is a good rifle and it would be great with a better trigger. I love the way it feels and shoulders. I cut my teeth shooting shotguns and hunting rifles and really prefer the way a Monte Carlo style stock feels. The rifle is very accurate and reliable as well.

The MSRP is around the $850 mark on the review rifle. Ares also offers a lower for around $500. That is for a complete lower and the bolt carrier group to use with the stock.

But let’s get back to the real question at hand. Is this an AR pattern rifle? Yes and no. If you want it to be a 50 state legal hunting rifle, it certainly can be. If you want it for home defense in places where idiot’s laws prevent one form owning an actual AR-15, the SCR will certainly provide you with that, too. I’m inclined to treat it like I would any AR. It runs almost as fast. The safety is fast enough. The magazine button requires a longer reach, though. And there may be just a bit more of a delay between shots (partly because of the clean muzzle and partly due to the trigger). The reality, though, is that these delays are hard to measure without a stopwatch. From my perspective, the SCR is a solid workingman’s rifle in its own right, and a fantastic option for those living under tyrannical rule.

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The SCR lower next to an "normal" AR.  Note how much smaller it is.  Also, the location of the trigger and safety.

The SCR lower next to an “normal” AR. Note how much smaller it is. Also, the location of the trigger and safety.

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The rod on the back of the bolt on the plunger/recoil spring in the stock.

The rod on the back of the bolt on the plunger/recoil spring in the stock.

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The bolt is a standard AR style, the carrier is the part that is different.

The bolt is a standard AR style, the carrier is the part that is different, and it gets dirty like an AR.

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The bolt carrier group with its tail showing.

The bolt carrier group with its tail showing.

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Punching paper.

Punching paper.

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Ready to have some close up fun with the Aimpro.  You can really tell that the mag well is shorter with the 30 rounder sticking out.

Ready to have some close up fun with the Aimpoint. You can really tell that the mag well is shorter with the 30 rounder sticking out.

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Looks like an AR from the business end.

Looks like an AR from the business end. Mostly

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I wish the muzzle was a bit more protected.

I wish the muzzle was a bit more protected.

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Cross bolt safety.

Cross bolt safety.

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Charging handle like an AR. This would be a good set up to use a side charging upper with.

Charging handle like an AR. This would be a good set up to use a side charging upper with.

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The SCR shoots a star. This was from 50 yards.

The SCR shoots a star. This was from 50 yards.

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100 yards.  Would have been under an inch if not for the floater up top.  Probably user error.

100 yards. Would have been under an inch if not for the floater up top. Probably user error. Remember that trigger issue I was talking about? 10 pounds is heavy.

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4 fast shots with the Aimpro from 25 yards.

4 fast shots with the Aimpoint from 25 yards.

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The grip area on the stock. A walnut stock with blued steel would look pretty slick.

The grip area on the stock. A walnut stock with blued steel would look pretty slick.

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If, like me, you have more trigger time behind a classic sporting rifle than an AR shouldering the SCR feels like home.

If, like me, you have more trigger time behind a classic sporting rifle than an AR shouldering the SCR feels like home. And notice the drop on the stock that puts your eye closer to the barrel. A high scope mount or a riser will make it impossible to get a cheek weld.

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The trigger insides.  I can't think of an aftermarket that would fit in here and the SCR would benefit from a better trigger.

The trigger insides. I can’t think of an aftermarket that would fit in here and the SCR would benefit from a better trigger. The hammer, though, is thin and rides between the struts of the BCG.

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  • Mr Hellfish June 1, 2015, 4:38 pm

    The comments on this article have the worst grammar, spelling and structure that i have ever seen. Some of you are a real embarrassment. Next time have a third grade kid proof read before you submit your post.

    • Hypocrit Detector June 30, 2016, 1:07 pm

      As always, grammar Nazis like you have even more mistakes. You don’t even know “I” is capitalized in English?

  • CarpNY May 30, 2015, 8:15 am

    Just an update for anyone reading this:
    1) The newest SCRs have a much improved 5 lbs trigger. Ares will also swap out that trigger for anyone that has the older 10 lbs trigger.
    2) Ares has come out with several add-on pieces and seems committed to developing more. They have the drop-in bolt catch (which it really could have come with originally), as well as new sights specifically designed to sit lower than traditional AR ones.
    3) The lowers are available for sale separately. They list at $499, which is a little steep, but in comparing to an AR lower, the kit includes the lower, lower parts kit, stock assembly and bolt carrier. So, if you think about most billet lowers costing $100-$250, lower parts kits cost $50-$80, buffer assemblies costing $40-$80, stocks costing $30-$100 and bolt carriers costing $50-$150, it’s not unreasonable.

    People have made SCRs with .458 Socom uppers, 6.8 SPC uppers, etc, and they have configured them as Designated Marksmen Rifles (DMRs), hog hunters, etc. It really is an interesting option, even if it is the result of unjust gun laws.

  • Doug March 16, 2015, 9:54 pm

    Can somebody explain to me why it doesn’t require a bullet button in California. I Argued with my gun dealer in favor of ownership. He stated it has the potential of excepting more than 10 rounds. I used the chart on Calguns.net. From what I see on the chart I still say it’s legal. He is calling the CA ATF to insure it is CA legal. I have one being delivered to him on Thursday. Thanks in advance.

    • Evan Lessuk August 21, 2016, 10:01 pm

      Ur gun dealer is not educated, competent. The law has to do with features not capacity or potential capacity.

  • Mikelasnicov February 14, 2015, 11:22 am

    This would be a cool little hunting rifle and also for those who want something like an AR but are not allowed to have it. But it seems like a rifle like this should have a fairly good trigger. I wonder how good you could tune it with a Dremel and some polishing compound? It should also be available chambered in a round that’s more suitable for larger game hunting and a nice wooden stock and front hand guard. I’m more into the evil looking black rifles but I can see the appeal for some.

  • Mahatma Muhjesbude February 4, 2015, 3:34 pm

    This rifle exemplifies the ‘enslavement’ mental illness sometimes even affecting 2/A Patriots. Maybe it’s integrated into our natural American tendencies to ‘beat the system’ or somehow ‘get around everything’ we don’t like. But it makes no sense at all.

    Because instead of ‘getting around it’ by making a suck hole compliant government smiley face rifle, now that we fired many legislative traitors and finally ‘hired’ a new bunch of lawmaking employees, why the FUCK are we not yet having them simply repeal the seditious anti-2/A laws like the 1934 NFA and especially the secret registration and disarmament ploy called the ’68 Gun Control Act and end this insanity once and for all? And then any States that cop an attitude, we just vote their governors and AGs out of office, forthwith?

    Other wise we’re ALL a bunch of morons who will eventually–but quite certainly–get what we deserve, and deserve what we get.

  • Rob62 January 29, 2015, 12:27 pm

    I like the concept and looks of this rifle. However I am saddened to know that some of these United States, do not allow the common AR15 style rifle as is and originally designed.

  • Benjamin Reynolds January 29, 2015, 1:34 am

    Why would anybody buy this rifle in “free-er” America? Well I would. I like the technological innovation. I think this rifle, while not as good as a traditional AR, represents a lot of research and development to make a square peg fit in a round hole, so to speak. I also would like the sales of these rifles to be good so they keep making them. This is to both support the good people stuck in bad states that need to have a good defensive rifle option and to support a company that is doing their best to support that need despite ignorant and incompetent legislation. I just need to save some pennies and decide if I want the total package or just the lower and BCG. Either way, I’m going to opt for the short stock.

  • george Bulger January 27, 2015, 9:30 am

    Your artificial does not mention the 50 states that the AR-15 is legal in. I think the readers and myself would like to know those states.

    Thank you
    George Bulger

    • Sam Trisler January 27, 2015, 9:52 am

      Well, have we added a state I wasn’t aware of?

      • james nagle February 4, 2016, 6:29 pm

        Lol. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe he has been to all 57 states with Obama.

  • Ringo Lapua January 27, 2015, 12:09 am

    The Feds must have lots of fun watching we stupid clowns dance to their music. They (ATF) say jump, we say “HOW HIGH MASTER — WE WILL OBEY and do your bidding CAUSE WE ARE SCARED TO DEATH OF YOUR GREAT POWER”. So we create silly hybrid rifles like you are gushing over in this article. Last year, it was the dumb strap on Sig brace rubber stabilizer which the Feds said were fine but a year later realized that they were being used as a buttstock and golly gee whiz the AR pistol owner just might hit the target rather than the guy standing beside him…. THE ANSWER is VOTE. VOTE FOR GUN FRIENDLY politicians who are brave enough to pass laws necessary to reduce the maniacal power of this ridiculous rule making Government wrong headed agency. The ATF thinks that they are above the law and can make us dance, stand on our heads and make the dumbest rifles on the planet… cause they say so. TIME FOR A CHANGE and NOT the CHANGE Obongo has been selling. The NRA and all of us need to DEMAND that the ATF can only deal with military automatic weapons and explosives and not pistols and semi auto rifles.

  • BIGDADDY January 26, 2015, 10:08 pm

    administrator, or who ever wrote the article i have a comment. i am an ffl dealer and i have a large personal collection of firearms ( shot guns, semi autos, revolvers, rifles, many ar’s, and custom built rifles that are programed to shoot well over half a mile). i enjoy shooting all year long with all of them. i reload all of my rounds to my specs, and contain a very small moa with all of them. my comment is, if you have any type of movement in a ar, or such type gun, place a accu wedge between the upper and the lower when you break it down for cleaning and you will get rid of the movement. it is made of a rubber content, and you can trim it to the desired length to make the upper and lower tight to fit. i got mine from dpms ( panther arms) when i puchcase ar’s from them. it increases the accruracy greatly. thanks for your review that you presented to all of us shooters.

    • Joe January 26, 2015, 11:28 pm

      I’ve seen them in advertisements but the exact placement is what I don’t comprehend. My bushmaster is pretty tight but some of them tend to loosen up with use.

  • Joe Mama January 26, 2015, 9:02 pm

    If the Remington 870 and the KELTEC SU16 had a baby this would be it. Looks like a POS……

  • Pappy January 26, 2015, 4:53 pm

    I have an M-1 and shoot a lot of CMP ammo,I sure would like to see this rifle offered in 30.06.

  • todd January 26, 2015, 2:07 pm

    great, put out a 50 state legal gun so the rest of us can be miserable too. quit making state compliant guns! maybe when these state citizens lose all their 2nd. amendment gun rights, they will stand up and do something about it. making a state compliant gun is like a pacifier to keep you quiet while they give you less and less choices. why would anyone not in ct,ny,ca or il. want to buy a crappy gun full of restrictions? it’s just sad that all my guns are legal in my state, but illegal in these piece of crap states. I feel sorry for those of you who live in states taken over or ran by liberals.I moved from one of them and now I try to avoid these states and never travel to or thru them if I can help it. By simply crossing the state line, I become a law breaker for merely carrying my legally obtained and concealed weapon? Sorry not buying it! my right to defend myself doesn’t end at the state line! and I will carry my weapon where ever I feel i need too. me being unarmed doesn’t help anybody but the criminals.

    • Pops January 26, 2015, 3:52 pm

      Good comment. This is the bastardized rifle we will all be shooting if we don’t step up our fight.

    • George H Winters January 26, 2015, 4:50 pm

      Well put.
      Time for 2nd. Amender’s to have our “gun rights” portable just as our drivers’ licenses are.

      • Bud January 27, 2015, 1:43 pm

        I live in California, I am a Viet Nam Vet, I’m 71 years old. I own several weaponss, and as you self righteous folks like to call bastardized weapons? I’m here to tell you I’ll stand beside your self righteous ass any day of the week and fight against anyone that would try to overthrow our country. All enemies foreign and domestic that would try and take your right to say what you and the few above your post wrote. Whether or not I agree with it, regardless of the State we live in and you will be glad to have me beside you shooting my bastardized rifle and killing the enemy trying to kill us. because it’s your constitutional right and mine. Every state has had a full time fight against gun laws, California happens to be one of the worst. So instead of sitting there putting people down maybe you should ask yourself is there something I can do outside my state to help others fighting the same battle?
        For several years now I have been US wide sending letters to state officials even tho I don’t live there to argue and fight for your right. Hearing from citizens out side their state let politicians know they are being watched judged.
        I am a member of NRA, California Gun Owners Association. I am also a very proud member of Oath Keepers. I am not real happy with people that jump on these posts putting people down when they have no idea at all the efforts others put into combating these unlawful attacks in the Constitution.
        What I would like to do is ask you to join in the battle, not just for your state but for all states because ‘they’ may be in your state after your rights next week.
        I currently don’t own any so called bastardized guns but if that’s all I could get I’d be damned glad to have it when the SHTF and we all know it’s coming sooner of later.
        So join me, start writing letters to your states senate, representatives get on sights like Oath Keepers, 2nd Amendtment.org, Go on youtube and look to KrisAnne Hall a Constitutional Attorney and listen to her speak on the Constitution if you haven’t already done so. I applaud you if you have been doing these things, and maybe have a little empathy for the ones in other states standing up as patriots and working to get these laws reversed.
        God Bless America

        3

  • lawrence January 26, 2015, 1:46 pm

    what prices on these

    • lawrence January 26, 2015, 1:47 pm

      prices on these modeis

    • Sam Trisler January 26, 2015, 4:28 pm

      The MSRP is listed in the article–$850 for the complete rifle and $500 for a complete lower with the bolt carrier group to use with the stock. Looks like the complete rifles are selling for around $750-800.

  • Dragginbutt January 26, 2015, 1:20 pm

    OK, so nothing here on weight. That is one thing I’d really like to know about it. I’d upgrade the front hand rest with something designed to carry accessories, and I want it in .308/.762. But 10 lbs trigger pull is a deal breaker for me. Need to get it somewhere in the ball park of 5 to 6 lbs. There are a lot of guns out there that shoot well, and don’t have all the baggage. It dosn;t make me want to run out and get rid of my Mini-30 yet. I think if I were looking at an AR, I’d still go for the Larue at this point unless they can get some of the inherent issues resolved. Even though I could buy 3 of these for the price of one Larue, when it comes to needing something I can trust my life to, $ isn’t the object.

    • Sam Trisler January 26, 2015, 2:14 pm

      Sorry about that. I will add it to the review. It weights 5.7 pounds.
      Thanks for reading.

      • Wes January 26, 2015, 4:03 pm

        It’s in the specs Sam !!!

  • VernH January 26, 2015, 12:42 pm

    Instead of pouring money into R&D to make a weapon legal, how bout using said monies to combat illegal gun laws. Every time the industry bends to accommodate politicians it’s the gun owners who suffer.

    • H.R. BEVIS January 26, 2015, 11:47 pm

      VernH January 26, 2015, 12:42 pm

      Instead of pouring money into R&D to make a weapon legal, how bout using said monies to combat illegal gun laws. Every time the industry bends to accommodate politicians it’s the gun owners who suffer.

      WE HAVE SOME POLITICIANS THAT DO NOT WANT ANY OF US TO HAVE GUNS OF ANY KIND. IT MOST CASES THEY GET OUT VOTED BUT DO AT TIMES GET THEIR WAY……….CASE’S IN POINT….: THE ANTI-GUN LAWS THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS ACROSS THE USA.

  • buster January 26, 2015, 12:39 pm

    i’ would like to have seen something on the 7.62×39 version

  • Brent January 26, 2015, 11:44 am

    Please send me one. I am a disabled American who just happens to love collecting and shooting guns. I live in California was born here and remember when I could drive around in the country side I grew up in with my Ruger 10/22 and my Model 94 Winchester in my rear window gun rack and never have to worry about any law enforcement professionals bothering me. Later after becoming disabled from some bad back surgeries I had to find something I could do that I didn’t have to drive far to do and was always proficient at shooting that is when coming back from a doctors appointment I saw the indoor shooting range about 4 years ago. Life is difficult enough for me and its too bad I am living where is makes owning nice guns very difficult so I’d love to try one of these “legal in 50 state weapons.” Let me know if its reasonably prices as I live on a fixed income, God Bless All you law abiding Gun Owners…….

    • WW2 January 27, 2015, 3:01 pm

      Turner’s Outdoorsman is the California dealer. Going for $859 at my local Turner’s.

      “http://www.turners.com/”

  • John Calkins January 26, 2015, 10:28 am

    Ok, so what are the names of the states where this is illegal? Might as well get this over with so readers will know whether or not to read the article.

  • Gene January 26, 2015, 9:59 am

    I like it. I have always liked a montecarlo style stock and the way it fits me better than my AR’s. I suppose this would feel like an AK or mini 14 which I have always enjoyed shooting. I don’t live in a restrictive state but I will definitely try to get one of these in my hands and try it out. A great idea! I want one.

  • David January 26, 2015, 8:28 am

    Curious, why this and not a Mini-14?

    • JRude January 26, 2015, 9:49 am

      Here, here … the unsung hero with the simpler Garand action. General complains on the Ruger minis are inherent accuracy, recoil, and brass launch, all of which are easily mitigated with buffers, struts, or ball cap applied on a Walmart purchased mini for well under $850. AR’s just have that modern look, appeal, and news coverage. Note, when the French Police finally armed up against the recent terrorist attacks and subsequent raids. they did so with Ruger minis.

      • Kivaari January 26, 2015, 4:32 pm

        The French police had rather simple Mini-14’s. No flash hider and a stock cut like an M1 carbine for sling attachment. Add a flash hider and LHS sling mounts and the newer Mini-14s are great rifles. An AR15-type rifle is better than a Mini-14 for minor issues. Either this rifle, an AR or Mini are wise choices. I wouldn’t feel under gunned with any of them.

      • Bo January 27, 2015, 3:04 pm

        The French police were trained by A-Team members “Face,” Hannibal Smith, B.A. Baracus and Howling Mad Murdock.

    • Dave Frost January 26, 2015, 1:00 pm

      Why this instead of a Mini-14? Accuracy, parts availability, modularity allowing the change of uppers and other parts quickly, magazine availability. There are a number of good reasons to consider this rifle over the Mini-14.

      • Penrod January 26, 2015, 7:56 pm

        Hi Dave, Good points. I see several upsides to the Mini-14.

        Political/cosmetics: it isn’t as scary as a big mean black assault rifle. It is available in stainless steel, which is a very big advantage in some climates or if kept aboard a boat. Magazines: 20 & 30 round mags are legal in states, like Hawaii, which ban mags over 10 rounds for which a handgun is available. AR mags over ten rounds are banned in Hawaii, and perhaps elsewhere, because there is a handgun which uses them. No such restriction on Mini-14 mags.

        Possession of a handgun mag over 10 rounds is a misdemeanor in Hawaii. It rises to a felony if it is inserted in a gun.

        • Winston January 27, 2015, 2:54 am

          Hawaii is victim of American made the arbitrary gun laws.

  • graphsmith January 26, 2015, 7:46 am

    It’s still illegal in MD. You CAN load more than 10 rounds with a larger clip.

    • Fran January 26, 2015, 12:10 pm

      Yes Aren’t we the lucky ones as on one knew what they were going to do when the Oct.1st 2013 Law went into effect not een the FFL dealers in Md.

    • G.E. January 26, 2015, 1:33 pm

      Nope, not illegal in Maryland. Go down to your local FFL and order one cash and carry just like the mini 14. I know of several dealers in the Rockville area that sell them.

    • Rick January 26, 2015, 5:18 pm

      You can buy AR-15 right over the counter in maryland read and understand your laws before making a comment we as gun owners have to be smarter than the anti gun people so know your laws and your terminology its not a CLIP its a magazine and we can purchase 10 rounders in our state but!, you can buy any capacity out of state own it, use it, and possess it at any range I shoot competition pistol rifle and shotgun known of which are weapons I own over 250 firearms / guns known of which again are weapons and should NEVER ever be referred to as weapons they are guns or firearms weapons are what police and military use. Know what they use may be what you own and or use but there roll in life is different just because you own a corvette doesn’t mean it’s a race car that’s a lot of our problems is we cause problems on ourselves by referring to our gun as weapons you don’t call a baseball bat a weapon but it has killed 175 times more people then all firearms for personal use or war use combined you don’t tell your son or daughter hey go to the garage and get your ball, glove and your weapon that’s a joke and you’d look like an idiot if that’s what you said, you look the same way when you say I’m getting my weapon and heading to the range or when your talking to someone and you say the word weapon most people look at you as an idiot so for those reading police yourself and the world will like us much better and just one last thing you CAN buy any AR in Maryland as long as the barrel is or has a full contour which means it stays the same size from the muzzle to the breach flare out which on a 16″ barrel is approximately 13″ of the barrel and it “can” have a bayonet cut out in the barrel as well as it can be fluted or twist fluted (LWRC) it does not have to be a so called HBAR which means heavy barrel like most people think once again it just has to be the same diameter from the muzzle devise what ever it may be to the flare out at the breach which is where the barrel gets bigger to allow for the cartridge to go into the barrel that is the rule as of now which is the same exact gun from LWRC that you had to do the same paper work for as a pistol a year ago you can now purchase that gun right over the counter same day why you wait and walk out with it the same day after you waited just bought one day after Christmas along with 2 other firearms beretta 1301 competition shotgun and a Kahr CW-9 which we do have to wait for 7+ days now here’s the bitching, that pistol was purchased for my wife as her back up gun for carring for her job as a police officer and yes she can walk in with her gun on her side and yet she has to still wait the wait for her gun she purchased some things make no sense but hopefully this cleared up a bunch of things for folks who do take the time to read it and that do care about keeping our guns/firearms. What scares the people that aren’t educated about firearms is not the black gun its the people that walk around using the wrong terminology when talking about them which brings up my last comment think about this you wouldn’t want someone to come to the range and talk about grocery store stuff or about the paper work at there job so don’t talk about shooting and guns around the grocery store or at your job know your audience before you perform for them or you may find yourself in a real mess and get ganged up on by every Libby in your community and actually do more harm than good when trying to educate the ignorant some people just can’t be educated look at the jails perfect examples for all enjoy shooting do it safe know your laws and educate yourself and use exceptable terminology and you find that people will come to you instead of running from you

      • Penrod January 26, 2015, 7:23 pm

        Hi Rick,

        >>should NEVER ever be referred to as weapons they are guns or firearms weapons are what police and military use….we cause problems on ourselves by referring to our gun as weapons<<

        You have a legitimate point, but I do disagree with it.

        My guns are weapons. Every last one of them, from a Belgian Browning 20 gauge A-5, through a Remington pump .22 Model 12A to Mini14s and S&W J-frames, and 1911s.

        The Constitution protects arms. Not goose guns, not air rifles, not deer guns, not target pistols, except at they contribute to use and familiarity with military grade weapons or can substitute for them. The Constitution protects militia grade arms precisely for the purpose of killing people. That is demonstrated without any doubt by the 2nd Amendment's explicit tying of the right to keep and bear arms to a well trained militia. The writings of the Founders, published concurrently with the ratification debates and available today, make explicit the role of arms which are protected: they are explicitly for killing tyrants, foreign or domestic.

        Anti-gunners freak at the idea, especially at the 'domestic' aspects as they inaccurately associate 'tyrants' with 'politicians', but weapons ownership, use, and the bearing of them should not be controversial in an age where domestic terrorists and ordinary criminals alike can strike anywhere, any time, and the police are incapable of being everywhere, all the time, to protect us.

        That it is controversial is in part our fault: For decades we let the anti-gunners frame the debate. It is time to frame that debate ourselves, and force them to respond to us instead of us to them. We can do so only by using terms like 'weapons' and 'shooting people who need shooting right now', and defending those concepts as good and proper. If more people than the LEO at the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris had been armed, more might well have survived: Killing murderous assailants is exactly what weapons are for, and that is a good thing. If the observer who videod the killing of the Paris LEO on the sidewalk had had a Mini-14 or AKM at hand instead of a video camera, the LEO might well have been killed anyway, but the murderers might have been stopped right there. They are exactly the kind of domestic tyrants the unorganized militia has a chance of stopping. By shooting them with weapons.

        The 2nd Amendment protects 'arms', not just guns, but arms, for the purpose of arming the militia, including the 'unorganized militia', which means us: civilians such as those brave passengers aboard United Flight 93, who gave their lives defending us against the Islamists on 9-11. That means that not only are guns protected, but so are all other militia usable weapons: knives, including bowies, bayonets, and switchblades, cudgels, including billy clubs, and metal or plastic knuckles. Laws prohibiting them are explicitly prohibited by the Constitution. That such laws exist and are widespread today is only evidence of our refusal to submit to the Constitution. Rather than submit, even by amending it, we have preferred to pretend that it does not mean what it clearly says. That is our shame.

        The Constitution protects weapons which carry a single round, like the Liberator .45 of the Second World War, and it protects AKMs, AR-15s, and M-16s and their 20 & 30 round magazines. It protects sniper rifles and target rifles which may be used by the unorganized militia as sniper rifles. It protects submachine guns and full auto rifles ie actual assault rifles. The Constitution protects all of them for the explicit purpose of shooting those who would do us and our country harm.

        Given that a number of the Founders owned ships with cannons, and given that the Constitution explicitly provides for issuing letters of marque and reprisal to privately owned ships, I expect that a plausible argument could be made that the Constitution also protects crew served weapons such as belt fed machine guns and at least light artillery.

        We are on firm ground when we say that the Constitution protects military grade arms, and great big scary ones at that. If we refuse to make that point, the other side is on the way to victory.

        Instead of allowing the anti-weapons crowd to cow us into refusing to defend weapons ownership, I prefer to make them confront our issue head on: The purpose of the 2nd Amendment is to protect our ability to arm ourselves against tyrants, foreign and domestic. Those tyrants may be common criminals or politically/religiously inspired criminals such as disciples of al Qaeda, ISIS/ISIL, AQAP, and others. In any case, when they strike, the police are almost sure not to be there. The victims are always there, and only armed victims, willing to shoot them with weapons they bear, are capable of shooting people who desperately need to be shot.

        • JimmyDelta January 27, 2015, 7:14 am

          Preach THAT, brother!

      • VFP January 27, 2015, 5:45 am

        The other term used that always raises the hair on the back of my neck, and my ire as well, is the term “assault weapon”. Living in MD is a serious challenge as regards their ill informed and stupid gun laws. SB281 remains an exercise in stupidity with a double dose of ignorance thrown in. If things continue, we will become Connecticut.

  • hmink January 26, 2015, 7:18 am

    Same configuration as my FN FAL

  • Joe January 26, 2015, 6:20 am

    If I lived in a gun control Totalitarian State I’d consider one of these guns, especially if they could make it in .308 caliber.

    • MichaelM January 27, 2015, 12:07 pm

      7.62 NATO is 3.08 Winchester round so you can go ahead and buy one if you like.

      • Dale January 27, 2015, 8:36 pm

        The article didn’t specify 7.62 NATO (.308). It said 7.62 x 39 – which is the AK and SKS round.

      • Dale January 27, 2015, 8:36 pm

        The article didn’t specify 7.62 NATO (.308). It said 7.62 x 39 – which is the AK and SKS round.

        • ed plow April 30, 2015, 4:45 pm

          save money and buy 7.62×39 ammo-the cal.does not matter.

    • ed plow April 30, 2015, 4:42 pm

      read the add twice and buy a complete 7.62x39mm upper

  • Joseph Gardner January 26, 2015, 6:15 am

    This would be an awesome gun to own scr because it probably has better accuracy than most rifles I’ve shoot because if you shoot a ar-15 it moves a little and loose focus of where you shoot with a slide stock but with the scr there probably more accuracy and won’t move as much and the recoil is probably different but different is good i would say let the best sniper try it out to see which is better this scr might not have a stock like the ar-15 but it saves from adjustment in the battlefield i guarantee.

    • Kivaari January 26, 2015, 4:27 pm

      This is an interesting rifle. If it is 50 state legal, that alone is a good reason have one. Fixing the heavy trigger would be a “must do” correction. Adjustable stocks make sense for those involved in combat, be it the sand box or the streets of LA. Changing the stock to fit the users wearing body armor. Without an adjustable stock the LOP is hard to deal with. Just keeping the scope at the proper space between the eye and the rear lens improves the “shootability”. Eye relief is important.

  • Rich January 26, 2015, 5:29 am

    Thanks for the article. I live in the dreaded state of Connecticut and the features of this gun are something that many shooters in my situation are definitely interested in. I hope they sell well and irritate the anti-gunners.

  • Evan January 26, 2015, 3:36 am

    What reason would anyone who doesn’t live in a ban state have to buy one of these?

    Also, the lack of a brass deflector and forward assist are reason enough not to buy this. Just get an M1 or something, I’m pretty sure they’re 50 state legal too.

    • Jayson January 26, 2015, 8:12 am

      M1’s are not fifty state legal.

      • Evan January 26, 2015, 9:19 am

        What state are they illegal in? They’re legal in New York even, the lack of a detachable magazine excludes them from the moronic laws there.

        • Jimbo January 26, 2015, 1:35 pm

          No, M1’s aren’t legal under the Safe act. Before you bring one into the state, you have to make arrangements to cut the bayonet lug off. You also ave to do away with the flash suppressor or muzzle brake. You’re going to have trouble finding 7 round or 5 round magazines. And since it is very similar to an M14, some DA’s would probably insist you register it as a assault weapon.

          • mikel January 26, 2015, 2:33 pm

            That’s not true what you said, An sks is legal even with the bayonet attached. If it has a fixed magazine, full stock and without any muzzle devices, which the M1 and the sks have its legal in NY. Go to the NY safe act website the sks and m1 are listed as not banned.

          • Carp January 27, 2015, 6:28 am

            You’re confusing the M1A, which is the civilian version of the M14, with the M1 Garand. The latter uses stripper clips to feed a fixed internal magazine from the top and, as such, is compliant under the SAFE Act, even with “evil” features. The M1A, on the other hand, is only legal if you get a special model without a bayonet lug or flash suppressor, and if you find 10-round (or less) magazines.

          • JimmyDelta January 27, 2015, 7:09 am

            I’m embarrassed to share a name with you. Stop spouting BS and go read the law.

          • Bo January 27, 2015, 2:56 pm

            M1’s are perfectly legal in NY. There’s even a picture of one on the NY SAFE Act website. Please go read the law first and acquaint yourself with it. The M1A is now illegal unless “moronified” to NY standards.

    • Clyde Mertz January 26, 2015, 9:41 am

      Evan-I bet you’re one of those who believes that in front of every silver lining is a cloud.

    • Clyde Mertz January 26, 2015, 9:53 am

      Evan-Sounds pretty good to me but I bet you’re one of those guys who believes that in front of every silver lining is a cloud.

      • GenEarly January 26, 2015, 11:26 am

        If this rifle is the “silver lining” and illegal gun control is the dark “cloud” then the tyranny will continue to proceed until there are no more adaptions available to your “muzzle loader” with a ceramic bullet. Ask the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto how “adapting” to the progreSSive Nazi regulations worked for them. Compromising with Tyranny always has One Result and only one result. Time is the variable, but not the result.

    • JT January 26, 2015, 7:59 pm

      I disagree with CA/NY state laws and feel sorry for my fellow enthusiasts that live there. In fact, I disagree so much that I WILL NEVER LIVE THERE, therefore I, much like the rest of us, DON’T WANT AN AR THAT’S LEGAL IN 50 STATES!! Why punish myself when I’m already buying a car that meets CA emission standards or products that contain carcinogens only known to man in CA? I’ll continue to reside in a state that’s more 2nd Amendment friendly. BUYING THESE GUNS THAT ARE LEGAL IN 50 STATES ONLY MEANS YOU’RE GIVING IN TO THOSE IDOTS WHO ARE IN CONTROL OF LIBERAL LEANING STATES LIKE NY & CA.

      • David Hetherington January 27, 2015, 12:10 am

        About NY and california you can now add the liberal State of Washington.. To bad

        • MichaelM January 27, 2015, 12:03 pm

          Well I live in WA state and they still sell AR 15 here with tactical stocks and if your lucky you may find 10 round clips. They also sell other assault rifles as well. So the tyranny cannot be that bad if this was a rifle that we could have in our procession. I guess its how you go about it to get one. That means not from the trunk of someone’s car. You still have to get a back ground check. No way of getting away with that unless that salesman sells you it out of his trunk of his car. Laws were placed so even gun shows have to do the same. All gun sales must be registered with the state so if that gun shows up in a robbery or murder somewhere they can find who it belongs too. You might have sold it but its how you went about selling it like not out of the trunk of your car.

    • John January 28, 2015, 4:11 am

      There is no need for a brass deflector if you a right handed and even in combat I have never forced my bolt into battery. The forward assist is a relic from weapons not made to designer spec to save money during the Vietnam war.

    • Michael March 21, 2015, 11:22 am

      Not all shooters, sportsman ,or gun people like the AR format. Some folks like the shotgun feel of the stock and the safety location. They are comfortable with these features. I for one do a lot of shotgunning, sporting clays trap etch, so I like the layout of the Aries SCR. I also live in NY state [ don’t tell me to move ] so the standard AR format is illegal. We are fighting in the courts for our gun rights. That is another subject. good luck & stay on target.

      • ed plow April 30, 2015, 4:39 pm

        the way around a legal 10 round ar is to pin the mag thru thr lowar and WELD the pin in plase no button crap WELD only-load thru the action.done

    • Jason November 17, 2015, 8:01 pm

      I am sure truck drivers NEED a decent rifle and what with the fact that they have to travel to liberal shitholes and dont usually have time to drop their rifle at home on the way to shitty pos commiefornia or new york…..this rifle could be good for them.

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