Shadow · Rifle
Shadow Systems U526
Gas-operated · 5.56x45mm NATO · introduced 2026
Also known as Shadow Systems U526 Rifle
About the Shadow Systems U526
The Shadow Systems U526 is the company's first 5.56 NATO AR-15 rifle, debuted at SHOT Show 2026. Best known for its premium Glock-pattern pistols, Shadow Systems built the U526 around an in-house ecosystem: a two-stage duty trigger, configurable ambidextrous safety, M7-style ambidextrous bolt release, proprietary furniture, and a bronze-coated bolt carrier group. It uses a 16-inch chrome-lined, spiral-fluted 4150 CMV barrel on an intermediate gas system.
Shadow Systems made its name building premium Glock-pattern pistols, so the U526 - its first-ever rifle - arrived in 2026 with nearly every component, from the trigger to the charging handle to the bolt carrier, designed in-house rather than sourced from the usual AR parts bin.
Shadow Systems U526 specifications
General
- Type
- Rifle
- Action
- Gas-operated
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Two stage
- Trigger pull
- 1.6 kg (3.6 lb)
- Calibres
- 5.56x45mm NATO
- Magazine capacity
- 30 rounds
- Magazine
- Detachable box magazine
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 406 mm (16.0 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 2.81 kg (6.20 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling twist
- 1:7 in (178 mm)
- Rifling
- Right hand
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Aluminum
- Stock
- Polymer
- Finish
- anodized
Performance
- Effective range
- 500 m
History
- Introduced
- 2026
- Production status
- In production
- Country of origin
- US
Features
- Intermediate gas system
- Chrome lined barrel
- Spiral fluted barrel
- Hybrid barrel profile
- Maelstrom flash hider
- Plan b suppressor interface
- Two stage duty trigger
- Ambidextrous controls
- M7 style bolt release
- Bronze premium coated bcg
- M lok handguard
- Pinned gas block
Safety
- Ambidextrous manual safety
- Configurable safety throw
Shadow Systems' first AR rifle platform, launched alongside the 11.5-inch E526 pistol. Rated 1-1.5 MOA; 3.7 lb two-stage trigger break; configurable 60-degree or 90-degree safety throw; Maelstrom flash hider with Plan B suppressor interface. Offered in Black and Flat Dark Earth. MSRP from $2,199.
