The Ruger Harrier is Ruger’s newest AR-15, and after spending time shooting it, testing accuracy, and comparing it to other budget rifles, we think Ruger may have finally built a truly competitive option. With upgraded furniture, a better rail system, improved features, and a lower price than previous Ruger AR-15s, the Harrier enters one of the most crowded categories in the firearms market.
In this review, we cover the Ruger Harrier’s accuracy, reliability, features, value, and how it compares to rifles like the PSA Guardsman, Radical Firearms, and other budget AR-15 options. If you’re looking for your first AR-15 or a budget-friendly rifle that still delivers solid performance, this video should help.
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They have a $500 one also just cheaper furniture
Take a shot every time you hear "over-saturated" or "lacking"
Looks like the timing could use some fixing based on brass ejections
Still looking for my first Ar15. Should I get the harrier or save a couple hundred more and get a sabre 15 forged nitride? If I do get the harrier I would definitely upgrade the trigger so it would be just under $100 compared to the sabre
Ruger has fantastic customer service if you need it. Looks great. Hopefully your 8lb trigger is not the normal.
I think you guys are a little too hung up on "features." What makes the price higher on a rifle like the Ruger AR 5.56 is the quality control compared to other rifles on the market with the same features. Anyone can put an MLOK slot on a hand guard
On some other video about it, I heard to save cost it's actually a carbine length instead of a mid length gas system. But maybe they were wrong.
bought it the day it hit the shelf at basspro….2000 rounds and still running great. Change the butt, grip and the buffer spring and the charging handle….accurate and fun as hell.
My first (and currently only) AR-15 is the Ruger 556. I think the Harrier is a good choice for the price. I ended up changing the handguard, grip, and stock on my 556. This saves time and money by having good furniture out of the box. The Ruger 556 has a cold hammer forged barrel. Ruger won't state what the Harrier barrel is made of for some reason. Hopefully it holds up for those who buy one.
RUGER, DIAMONDBACK OR RADICAL which one has the better starting point for an AR Build? 😅
Is this gun good for an frt?
Worth the purchase.
I got the same one from Anderson before the Ruger merge and I put a Radian drop in trigger and nickel bcg and works great
Great video. Love you guys for your work! Do you think is it worth to pay more for IWI Zion or take this one, for the first AR?
Yeah only problem is cheap bolt cheap parts not made to take abise
I would like to see you compare that Ruger to the old Anderson and also to a One Horse.
Waiting for Fourth of July to come around and buy it. Already got the SIG Tango MSR LPVO for it and a Steamlight Protac light ready to mount, also the Midwest Industries quad rail for this. Really seems like a good entry-level AR15 and super excited to own it in a month! Goos review guys, love how you guys do reviews on budget friendly ARs all the time!
Was gonna wait until later this year to get my 1st rifle. But, because of incoming laws in VA, I went ahead & put the Harrier in layaway (I'll get it out in about a week). Not gonna do anything fancy to it. Just gonna add an optic, sling, & short vertical grip. Something fun to PROPERLY learn about & enjoy at the range. Good vid. Spent too much time advertising though…SMH.
I’ve had mine for like two months now and I love it, my first AR. I got the cheaper one and put all magpul stuff on it anyway I got a gold dot holosun ARO on it and back up sights and I put the radian ambi charging handle and saftey switch
Lost me a government profile barrel. That Ruger probably wouldn’t make it past 350 rounds in a real firefight
This vs psa guardsman?
Awesome Video . Would love to see you guys upgrade this for more of a budget AR Video Guide 🙂
This rifle has been reviewed many times over the last few months…all reviews have shown the rifle to be worth the cost…these guys are a little behind on this rifle/review…there are better…
The amount of this video thats a commercial is quite comical.
Good work guys
i bought one of these about 3 months ago and love it. i have the 3x vortex scope on it and run 1-1.25MOA at 100 yards with PMC x-tac 55gr. one reason i got this is for the 1/8 twist. wanted to run lighter projectiles and the 1/8 is better than the 1/7 for that. Paid 579 for mine.
I just subscribed to your channel because I appreciate the fact that you test more than just high dollar guns. And it seems not everybody gives an objective review when a company sends them a ‘top tier” AR like for instance an SOLGW mk1.
How would you compare that to the M&P Sport 3?
My first rifle was a Zion 16" that I caught on sale for 699$. If I could find it again for the same price I would run it back just for the furniture alone.
govt profile, carbine gas, mystery meat barrel in 2026……. yeah, no thanks. ( edit) they have 2 versions, one with carbine and one with midelngth. ( this one is $750( MSRP) and the other carbine gas one with basic furniture is $699 MSRP… idk i'd rather build my own with that money
It is an anderson rifle. They came out a month after that purchased anderson.
Oh by the way a few people from Anderson came together and created anther company.
Solid video. I've seen it for under $600 (same model), of course not counting any FFL costs. I know shooting all kinds of ammo is challenging, but given the Hornady Frontier 75gr BTHP was not working, maybe consider their Frontier 68gr BTHP, along with the Superformance 75gr BTHP for the test. I know its 1:8, but I am wondering if this particular rifle is having a problem with heavier bullets generally.
I Love my harrier so far, I’ve had it almost 2 months and put a few hundred rounds through it
Bought mine a month ago from Colion Noir's recommendation, runs great, accurate, i cant wait to upgrade more parts!
How does it compare to the Diamondback DB 15?
Very nice review. Thank you!
Gaurdsman is better 🤙
I think it's excellent, especially for the price. Looks like they took some notes from Springfield Armory too, like with the tension system in the grip. If I needed or wanted a budget AR this would be my top pick. Also I think they should just simplify and get rid of the non-magpul version, for $50-100 more the stock, grip, and gas system is 100% worth it.
I like pancakes. Pancakes make me happy.
Why is the PSA blem MOA so good????
What do y’all think of BKF?
nice! 😎👍