NRA Gun of the Week: ARES Defense SCR Rifle

by
posted on December 12, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
The ARES Defense Sport Configurable Rifle (SCR) is a semi-automatic rifle that employs many of the virtues of the AR-15 platform and takes AR-pattern magazines, but does not have any of the "features" that are frequently singled out by anti-gunners. That means the SCR is legal in all 50 states.

In essence, ARES took the front half of the AR bolt and mated it with a tail, as is commonly used in self-loading shotgun designs. Instead of an AR buffer tube, the tail on the back of the firing pin matches up with a recoil-spring and cup assembly that would be familiar to any semi-auto shotgun owner. Also, the lower receiver has been reconfigured to match up with the standard rifle stock. The fore-end is a slim and svelte Magpul, available for both carbine and rifle lengths. The upper reciever has a standard Picatinny rail. The SCR ships with a 5-round magazine, but higher capacity aftermarket magazines are available.

For more information on ARES Defense and the SCR, visit aresdefense.com.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: ARES Defense
Model: SCR
Action: gas-operated, semi-automatic, center-fire rifle
Caliber: .223 Rem./5.56 mm
Upper Receiver: flat-top, aluminum
Lower Receiver: aluminum
Barrel:18”
Handguard: Magpul MOE
Stock: synthetic, sporter-contour
Trigger: 6-lbs., 2-ozs.
Sights: none
Overall Length: 39”
Weight: 5.7 lbs.
Twist: 1:9” RH
Accessories: owner’s manual, 5-round detachable magazine
MSRP: $989

To learn more about the SCR, please enjoy the following:
ARES Defense SCR: Legal in All 50 States 
ARES Defense Mission Configurable Rifle

Latest

Belt1 1911 Timer
Belt1 1911 Timer

Tactical Belts For The Rest Of Us

Most shooters don’t need a "war belt." While enthusiasts like the idea of preparing for every contingency, the vast majority of us need a reliable platform for a range session, a training class or a local club match.

18 New Shotguns for 2026

Among today's firearm platforms, the shotgun remains one of the most time-tested, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Today's new crop of shotguns runs the gamut, giving modern shotgunners new options in nearly every conceivable category.

Derya Arms RAN Series: A New Take on the Lever-Action

Derya Arms' latest entry in the lever-action market, the RAN series of rifles and pistols, seeks to “reimagine” the modern lever gun.

Gun of the Week: Robinson Armament XCR-L

One man, Alex Robinson, took it upon himself to address what he saw as several shortcomings in the AR-15 design. He consulted with special forces operators and asked what they wanted in a rifle platform. The result was the Robinson Armament XCR.

Maryland Bans Glocks and the NRA Responds

Legislation recently signed into law by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore essentially bans nearly every Glock and Glock-style pistol on the market from being sold within the state.

The Armed Citizen® May 29, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.