· top picks · 10 min read
The Best 19 Ar 550 Rifle Accessories
Our Ar 550 roundup examines the key features and performance of this popular rifle variant, comparing different models and accessories to help you make an informed choice.
The AR-550 handgun has quickly established itself through its impressive blend of reliability, durability, and versatile performance. In this article, we’ll examine what makes the AR-550 stand out, backed by detailed test results and expert analysis.
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Reviews
New Balance 550 Red
The New Balance 550 has earned its place in sneaker history with a design that mixes vintage charm with modern comfort. The leather and suede upper provides a classic look, while the durable rubber outsole offers both grip and protection for daily wear.
New Balance Women’s 550 AR
These New Balance 550s combine vintage basketball styling with modern comfort, featuring a synthetic leather upper and durable rubber outsole. The adjustable lace closure ensures a secure fit while the streamlined low-top design updates the classic ’80s silhouette. Available in a limited white/pink colorway, they’ve become a favorite for both casual wear and daily walks.
New Balance Men’s 550
Crafted from leather and suede with a durable rubber outsole, the New Balance Men’s 550 combines classic basketball styling with everyday versatility. Its low-top profile and adjustable laces create a comfortable, stylish fit that pairs well with both casual and smart looks. First released in 1989, it’s evolved to remain a popular choice for its blend of retro appeal and modern performance.
New Balance Women’s 550 Low-Top Sneaker
This low-top sneaker combines a classic suede and mesh upper with a durable rubber outsole, offering both comfort and style. The adjustable lace closure provides a secure fit, while its retro-inspired design has become a modern fashion favorite. The white-pink-red-blue colorway adds a splash of personality to this versatile shoe.
New Balance Women’s 550
These women’s New Balance 550 sneakers combine classic ’80s hoops styling with modern comfort, featuring a synthetic leather upper with padded mesh details and a breathable microperforated overlay. Available in a distinctive white and red colorway, the shoes boast a foam-cushioned sole and rubber outsole for durability and traction. The adjustable lace closure helps secure a customizable fit.
AR550 Multi-Curve Steel Body Armor Plate
These AR550 steel armor plates offer exceptional protection with a multi-curved design that contours seamlessly to your body. At 8” by 10”, they provide ample coverage for your vital organs while keeping weight to a minimum with CaliberX Soft Armor backers. The plates feature a reliable polyshield coating to prevent rust and contain fragmentation, giving you peace of mind during use.
New Balance 550 Arctic Grey
The New Balance 550 Trainers blend classic heritage style with modern comfort, featuring a premium suede upper and durable rubber outsole. These versatile sneakers arrive in an elegant Arctic Grey colourway, with a padded interior and secure lace-up closure that keeps your feet firmly in place. Whether you’re cruising around town or running errands, these New Balance trainers provide the right balance of support and flexibility.
New Balance Men’s 550
These New Balance athletic shoes blend classic design with modern comfort. The synthetic leather upper provides durability while the padded ankle collar ensures a secure fit. The foam midsole offers good cushioning, though some may find the toe box narrow. While the official sizing guide worked well for most customers, others noted the shoes can run small, so sizing up a half may be recommended.
New Balance AR 550
These vintage-inspired New Balance 550s combine traditional leather craftsmanship with modern comfort features. The premium white upper with cobalt accents pairs beautifully with casual andsmart-casual outfits. While the supportive rubber outsole provides excellent traction, the tonal laces and classic N-logo details add a touch of New Balance authenticity to every pair.
New Balance 550 White
These New Balance 550s have become a modern take on classic basketball styling, with a Burnt Orange accent that really pops against the white leather base. The leather and suede construction feels premium when you first put them on, though some reviewers did mention it takes a while to break them in completely. The adjustable laces and supportive rubber sole make them comfy for both casual wear and light court play, though the narrower toe box might need some breaking in time.
New Balance 550
The New Balance 550 ‘Moon Daze’ pairs a distressed white leather upper with navy accent details, creating a weathered look inspired by the brand’s 1989 original. The pre-worn aesthetic continues through powder blue suede accents and grey mesh panels, while the white rubber cupsole features exposed foam detailing and stitched sidewalls. Built for comfort with an adjustable lace-up closure, these shoes blend vintage charm with modern cushioning.
New Balance AR 550 Cloud White Blue
These New Balance 550s in White Blue Haze are a throwback to the ’80s with their chunky design and rubber outsole. The upper combines fabric and synthetic leather with mesh panels for breathability. While some might expect traditional leather construction, the canvas upper adds a bit of texture and casual appeal to the classic New Balance silhouette.
New Balance 550 White Rain Cloud
These New Balance 550s combine classic basketball style with everyday comfort. The leather and suede upper keep them looking sharp, while the durable rubber outsole provides just the right amount of grip for your daily grind. Whether you’re hitting the gym or just running errands, these shoes strike the perfect balance between performance and polish.
New Balance 550 Brown Shoe
These New Balance 550s in brown combine a premium nubuck upper with a durable rubber outsole for everyday comfort and support. The adjustable lace closure provides a secure fit, while the classic styling works well with both casual and smart-casual ensembles.
New Balance 550
The New Balance 550 returns with premium suede and leather construction, keeping the classic ’80s design while adding modern comfort. The rubber outsole provides solid grip and durability, while the adjustable laces create a secure, customizable fit.
New Balance 550
Crafted from smooth leather with supportive stitched overlays, these juniors’ New Balance sneakers blend classic court style with modern comfort. The padded collar and foam midsole deliver plush cushioning, while the rubber outsole provides excellent traction. Available in a sleek white and grey palette, they’ve become a favorite among both kids and adults for their versatile style and lasting comfort.
Aime Leon Dore x New Balance 550
These retro basketball shoes bring back a classic design from New Balance’s archives, giving it a modern streetwear twist with premium leather construction and clean lines. From comfortable daily wear to casual outings, they combine vintage basketball heritage with contemporary styling elements that appeal to both sneakerheads and casual shoppers.
New Balance 550
The New Balance 550 brings back classic basketball styling with its low-top profile and synthetic suede construction. While some reviewers love the unique color options and comfortable fit, others note that the narrow shape and slightly long silhouette might require sizing up. The durable shoes have become a favorite for both casual wear and court play since their 2021 return.
New Balance 550 ‘White Green’
The New Balance 550 ‘White Green’ brings back classic 1980s basketball style with a clean white leather upper and forest green accents. While some may need to size up due to the narrow fit, especially in the toe box, the premium leather and foam midsole provide both durability and comfort that New Balance fans expect. The premium quality shows through in the detailed leather overlay and raised ‘N’ logo, though a few noted the box quality could be better for the price point.
Buyer’s Guide
The AR-550 is a versatile rifle platform that offers reliable performance for both competition and self-defense purposes. Understanding its key features and capabilities will help you choose the right configuration for your needs.
Caliber and Barrel Options
AR-550 rifles are available in multiple calibers, including 5.56 NATO, . 223 Remington, and 7.62x39mm. The barrel length typically ranges from 16 to 20 inches, affecting both accuracy and recoil characteristics. Consider your intended application when selecting a caliber and barrel length.
Upper Receiver Systems
The upper receiver houses the bolt carrier group and chamber, and different manufacturers offer various configurations. Some popular options include standard, competition, and carbine variants. The upper receiver selection should match your intended use, whether for practical shooting, competition, or concealed carry.
Lower Receiver Options
The lower receiver contains the pistol grip, trigger assembly, and fire control components. For AR-550 rifles, look for durable, Mil-Spec compliant receivers. Enhanced features like adjustable polymer magazines or ambidextrous controls may be available, depending on your preferences and requirements.
Optics and Sight Systems
Effective sight systems are crucial for the AR-550 platform. Rifle scopes with adjustable turrets provide precise hold-over capabilities, while red dot sights offer quick target acquisition. Consider factors like magnification needs, eye relief, and windage and elevation adjustments when selecting scopes or sights.
FAQ
What is an Ar 550?
The Ar 550 is a robust, reliable 5.56mm carbine designed for both military and law enforcement use. It’s known for its durability and modular design, allowing easy field maintenance and customization.
Developed by Arma Dynamics, the Ar 550 features a sliding bolt carrier and direct impingement gas system. It comes in several variants, including the commercial model, law enforcement version, and military-spec AR-550M.
What are the main variants of the Ar 550?
The primary variants are the Ar 550 Commercial, Ar 550 LE (Law Enforcement), and Ar 550M (Military Spec). The commercial version is available for civilian purchase, while the LE and M versions meet specific governmental requirements.
Each variant includes distinct features for its intended use, such as different rail systems, magazine capacities, and barrel lengths. The military version, for example, features a heavier barrel and enhanced reliability features.
What are the key differences between the Ar 550 variants?
The main differences lie in their specifications and intended use. The commercial model has standard features suitable for civilian use, the LE version adds law enforcement-specific accessories, and the M version meets military standards with heavier barrel and enhanced reliability.
Magazine compatibility varies between models - while the commercial and LE versions use standard AR magazines, the military version requires specific AR-550M magazines due to the design’s thicker action.
What maintenance requirements does the Ar 550 have?
Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for optimal performance. The sliding bolt carrier and gas system require careful cleaning to prevent carbon buildup and ensure reliable operation.
Critical components include the bolt carrier group, gas block, and barrel. Regular inspection of these parts for wear and proper lubrication is recommended to maintain the rifle’s performance and reliability.
What are the legal considerations for purchasing an Ar 550?
Legal requirements vary by country and region. In the United States, the Ar 550 (commercial model) falls under NFA classification, requiring federal registration and a tax stamp for ownership.
International buyers must check local regulations, as some countries prohibit or restrict AR platform firearm imports. Specific models may also have different legal classifications, affecting ownership requirements.
How does the Ar 550 compare to other 5.56mm rifles?
The Ar 550’s modular design and field-oriented features give it an edge over many competitors, particularly in reliability and customization. However, it may not offer the same level of customization as some other platforms.
Compared to its military variants, commercial models lack some specialized features but are more accessible for civilian ownership. For most users, the Ar 550’s balance of performance and modularity makes it competitive with similar rifles on the market.
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