Ruger Harrier - Can We Call It a "Rugerson"

[jds holler]

I've been wondering what would be the mission of the Anderson Arms facility that was acquired by Ruger, and asked Chat about it. Here's some of what I received.

Already Confirmed Production: Ruger Harrier AR-15 Rifles​

The first new Ruger firearms being produced at the former Anderson plant are Ruger Harrier rifles — a brand-new AR-15 series introduced for 2026:

• These are modern sporting rifles chambered in 5.56 NATO and are described as completely re-engineered AR-pattern rifles.
• Ruger lists two initial Harrier models for 2026 with slightly different configurations (mid-length vs. carbine-length gas systems, different furniture, etc.).
• Importantly, Ruger explicitly states these rifles are manufactured at the recently acquired Hebron, Kentucky facility (the old Anderson plant).

The Harrier line appears to function — at least initially — as Ruger’s replacement for the outgoing AR-556 series, using the new factory and tooling to produce its modern ARs.

Brand and product lineup​

• Ruger is not continuing the Anderson brand or selling firearms under that name going forward; any complete guns or parts formerly marketed as Anderson are discontinued.
• Instead, the tooling, workforce, and infrastructure are being put toward Ruger’s own product lines, including the expansion into newer or re-designed models (like the Harrier) and potentially other accessories or parts.

jd

 

[nbkky71]

Ruger®

ruger.com

 

[shoot4fun]

Just wondering how they are going to “reinvent the AR-15”.
It will be interesting to see.
Remember when piston was going to revolutionize them?
Seen anything there lately?

 

[shoot4fun]

As a side note, they appear to be doing some chest pounding about that tensioning screw between upper and lower. Nothing new, as S&W did a tensioner in the M&P10 upper/lower several years ago.

 

[jds holler]

I'd guess that if they build them at least as well as Anderson did, without getting crazy about the price, they'll do pretty well with them.
It sounds like they may have kept the basic Anderson crew on board, and that's a good thing in my opinion.
I've been told that Anderson manufactured parts for many of the AR's sold under other company names.? can't verefy that.

 

[ebb]

I am assuming that these will be gas impinged rifles? I was interested in the Ruger ARs that were built with an op rod back when they came out but have never heard anything good or bad about them.

 

[GotRDid]

I am elated that my skilled Fellow Kentuckians are still employed.

 

[shoot4fun]

I am assuming that these will be gas impinged rifles? I was interested in the Ruger ARs that were built with an op rod back when they came out but have never heard anything good or bad about them.

From all I gather from the video on Ruger's website these rifles are gas impinged and really have no shout-out characteristics that other AR rifles on the market possess.

I am assuming that these will be gas impinged rifles? I was interested in the Ruger ARs that were built with an op rod back when they came out but have never heard anything good or bad about them.

I worked for one of the firearm manufacturers that made AR rifles. We tried the piston system and, as you suspect, it was not an overall success. Not for us or for any other manufacturer who offered one.

 

[ebb]

The problem I saw most was a piece added to the bolt carrier for the op rod to hit and push open, most were bolted on and failed. The Ruger system was cast into or forged into the carrier and looked like it would go the distance.