ARES Defense is proud to introduce the ARES-15 MCR; our newest platform for professional shooters who demand performance and mission flexibility from their weapons!
The semi-automatic ARES-15 MCR (Mission Configurable Rifle) is identical in virtually every way to our select-fire ARES-16 MCR Military/Law Enforcement rifle, but can be readily purchased through your local Federal Firearms Dealer.

Key features include reliable mid-length gas-piston operation, a (3 second) quick-change barrel, extreme-duty breech bolt, vented high performance barrel extension, and 10-second upgrade to dual-feed operation with optional user installed belt-feed module.

The entire weapon field strips in seconds with a cartridge as the only tool necessary. Ergonomic and intuitive, the ARES-15 MCR is readily stored in an optional, high-impact Pelican briefcase for security and low profile missions.

ARES-15 MCR Details

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

Barrel: Our MCR & Shrike 5.56 Quick-Change barrels are turned and chambered in-house on precision MAZAK CNC turning centers from high quality 4140 and 4150V barrel blanks. Muzzle threads are cut to ½ x 28 TPI to accept most common muzzle devices and silencer mounts. Each high-strength and vented proprietary barrel extension is then carefully assembled to a barrel and torqued to exact specifications, and each barrel assembly is then individually checked to ensure proper head spacing. Once they are cleaned and inspected, the chambers and bores are hard-chrome lined for durability and corrosion resistance by an outside plating company that specializes in processing military rifle and machine gun barrels. Upon return to our facility, each barrel is subjected to additional quality control measures before being completed with a rich dark manganese phosphate finish prior to installation of the gas block. Gas blocks are secured with twin 2/0 taper pins and barrels are then fitted with a crush washer and A2 flash hider. All MCR and Shrike 5.56 barrels are fully interchangeable.

Upper: Our MCR and Shrike 5.56 upper receiver bodies are precision machined in-house from 7075-T651 billet and are Type III, Class II hard coat anodized black in accordance with MIL-Spec MIL-A-8625 for maximum durability and corrosion resistance.

Bolt: Our premium bolts are precision machined in-house from a proprietary aerospace alloy and heat treated to exacting specifications. Our proprietary 6-lug design provides more shear strength than traditional AR type bolts, and also features tangential radii at the tips and root of each lug to minimize the stresses that cause premature failures in the “square-cut” legacy design. The MCR/Shrike 5.56 bolt design was developed for sustained fire applications and is considered overbuilt by most rifle standards, providing a level of safety that is absent in most other rifle designs.

Barrel Extension: Our specially engineered barrel extensions are at the heart of our quick-change barrel design and are precision machined in-house from a proprietary aerospace alloy and heat treated to exacting specifications. Our proprietary design provides more shear strength than traditional AR type barrel extensions, and also features radii at the tips and root of each lug to minimize the stresses that cause premature failures in “square-cut” legacy barrel extensions. The MCR/Shrike 5.56 barrel extension was developed for sustained fire applications and features a special “blowout” relief in the event of a catastrophic bore obstruction, providing a level of safety that is absent in most other weapon designs.

Bolt Carrier: Each high-performance MCR bolt carrier is precision machined in-house from aerospace materials and heat treated to our exact specifications. The increased mass of the MCR carrier and increased dwell section of the bolt cam slot ensure a longer lockup time prior to extracting the cartridge case. This robust component was developed for sustained fire applications and features a shrouded firing pin area to protect the firing pin head from potential transverse loading by the hammer.













ARES-16 MCR Brochure Front

ARES-16 MCR Brochure Back

Introductory ARES-15 MCR Package Features:
•  ARES-15 MCR 16.25" Quick-Change (3-seconds) Tapered Barrel
•  Mid-Length, Self-Regulating Gas-Piston Operation
•  ARES Defense MIL-STD-1913 Co-Planar Rail Handguard
•  (3) QD Swivel Mount Locations in Front Handguard Bulkhead
•  ARES Defense MIL-STD-1913 Receiver Top-Cover
•  LMT telescoping MIL-SPEC butt stock (waffle pattern)
•  Magpul P-Mag 30 round magazine (where permitted)
•  ARES Defense Windage & Elevation Adjustable Front Sight
•  ARES Defense Windage Adjustable Peep Aperture Rear Sight
•  Heavy Texture ERGO Pistol Grip
•  ARES Defense MCR/Shrike 5.56 Operator’s Manual
•  Black Padded Protective Rifle Case

Please Note: Optics, GripPod, Bayonet lug, Belt Feed Module, Spare Barrels, linked ammunition, ammo pouch, and Pelican Case are optional equipment that is shown for illustrative purposes only and must be purchased separately.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is $2,795. and we’ll pay UPS or FED-EX ground shipping and handling charges!

We accept all valid forms of payment to include check, money order or MasterCard, Visa or Discover credit cards.

To place your order:
Call the ARES Defense Sales Department at (321) 242-8410, ext. 1
or fax your order to: (321) 242-8411
or email your request to: [email protected]

ARES Defense Systems, Inc.
PO Box 120789
Melbourne, FL 32912 USA

ARES Defense’ commitment to quality and innovation is second to none in the small arms industry. Watch this video of quality assurance probing to 4-decimal place (0.0001) accuracy performed on every ARES receiver! Thank you for your business!

Thanks for your inquiry's.

Price for the belt feed module starts at $2,795. and they are presently in stock and ready to ship.

The ARES-15 MCR upper receiver assembly is available separately for installation on your MIL-Spec quality lower receiver. These are designed to work on properly manufactured NFA registered lower receivers and are rearward compatible to the very first AR15 and M16 rifles and carbines. Price for the ARES-15 MCR Upper Receiver Assembly is $2495 and they are presently in stock and ready to ship.

For items purchased with a personal or company check; ARES Defense will hold shipments until check clears. Items ordered with US Postal Money Order ship when funds are deposited. Credit card orders are not charged until product ships.

Dealer and Distributor inquiries are welcomed. Thank you for your business!


PS: So you'll have an idea of the reliability and controllability of our belt-feed system; here's a video of an ARES belt-fed upper fitted to our ARES-16 AMG-1 lower receiver assembly firing a 200 round belt.

The ARES-15 MCR's are currently in stock and ready to ship to your FFL. Thank you for your business!

The main difference is that the ARES-15 MCR rifle is magazine feed only, but it can be upgraded to dual-feed (magazine and belt-feed) with the addition of the optional Shrike 5.56 belt-feed module. The Shrike 5.56 on the other hand is a dual-feed upper receiver assembly that the customer adds to their existing lower receiver and it provides for both magazine and belt-feed.

Both provide the customer with extremely reliable gas-piston operation and a true quick-change (3 seconds) barrel capability. The Shrike 5.56 is an extension of the ARES-15 Small Arms Family and the internal parts and barrels are completely interchangeable between the various family models. -Hope this helps!

Yes, to clarify it is $2,795 for the ARES-15 MCR rifle in a hard rifle case, delivered. The Shrike 5.56 belt feed module is an additional $2,795. The total price is $5,990 which is the same as the price for a Shrike 5.56 upper receiver assembly.

But, when you purchase the rifle and then the belt-feed module for the same price as a Shrike 5.56 upper receiver assembly, you actually gain a lower receiver assembly, ARES-15 MCR bolt carrier and MCR top cover for free, because those parts do not come with the Shrike 5.56 upper receiver assembly.

Ooops, we forgot to post our new video here. Enjoy!

Here's the direct link to our Facebook tab with new video.

Or for mobile users, view it directly here.

I just want to point out that your belt is in upside down. Remember, "Brass to the grass"! Enjoy your new upper & thank you for joining Team Shrike!

It looks kinda like this!