My buddy got a piston driven version. I looked at it. My opinion is that it is built out of rack grade parts. The only thing they did was design a piston. Horribly at that. It is made up of too many parts. It is nothing like a Sig or LWRCI piston, not even as nice as an Adams Arms unit. Like you, my buddy got his cheap.
Ruger is a name synonymous with cheap investment casting, low grade weapons. NOT operator grade weapons. Bill Ruger is rolling in his grave to know that his designs were in the end back burnered to the AR15 and 1911 designs that are at least keeping the company afloat.
The AR is a great design. Even hobby grade versions are worth $500!