Your prediction proved true, as we were besieged with other requests to visit additional limbs on the AR family tree: New caliber performance match-ups, more accessories testing, and national-match gun comparisons were just a few of the suggestions that popped up. The gun shot 1 inch overall, but without the inconsistent Remington ammo (1.52 in. Users can access the storage compartment by depressing a button recessed into the ribbed rubber buttpad that slides it down and out of the way. Other accoutrements included a target-gray stainless barrel ($35), a tac-latch on the charging handle for easier access when a scope is used ($20), a pre-installed Harris bipod ($80), and a side-cocking module ($125). The bolt remains open after the last round is fired, but the shooter releases it by hitting the traditional bolt-release lever or tugging backward on the side-cocking module. Sights: folding front post attached to the gas block, Picatinny rail for attaching opticsTrigger: two-stage; 4-lb., 4-oz. For years, deer hunters in certain states and areas were limited in their firearm options due to regulations curtailing the use of high-powered centerfire rifle cartridges. I settled in on a steady concrete bench and set up my Caldwell The Rock rest. The pistol grip is a Hogue rubber unit and the synthetic buttstock is a fixed Rock River Arms Operator A2 stock. soft point; 5-shot string #2, Hornady American Whitetail, 170-gr. The result is a super-reliable, mid-level AR with clean lines and solid accuracy, to boot. Accurate to 1 MOA, or about one-inch at 100 yards. All three exceed the Rock River .75" factory accuracy guarantee. Gun Review: Dead Accurate Rock River Arms BT-3, AR Basics: Initial Diagnosis Of AR Gas System Issues, New AR: Springfields SAINT Pistol Goes .300 Blackout, Shadow Systems DR920 P And L Review: Full-Size Fun From The Factory, Smith & Wesson EQUALIZER Review: Crafted For Carry, Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical Review: Stretching Your Dollar Long, 8 On-Target Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2022), 10 Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun Options (2022), Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyers Guide (2022), Best Concealed Carry Handguns For Women (2022). Less obvious and more vexing, the FAL wont work with an AR-10-style bolt stop. I was impressed, its as simple as that. If youre already among the AR-cognoscenti then you probably already know general information about Rock River Arms and their line of LAR-15 rifles in particular. Rock River Arms ATH V2Type: Gas operated, direct impingement, semiautomaticCartridge: .223 WyldeCapacity: 20 or 30 rds.Barrel: 18 in., 1:8-in. I picked the SIG Optics Tango6 5-30X56mm riflescope with an illuminated MRAD/MOA reticle, and I mounted it on a SIG base and rings. Pointed Soft Point R223R1, $19/20 rounds), Winchester Supreme 55-gr. Rock River Arms All Terrain Hunter (ATH) Semi-Auto Hunting Rifle: New The Rock River Arms X-Series LAR-6.8 AR-15 is specifically designed for this bigger brother to the 5.56 NATO. Rock River Arms originally designed and patented the system back in 2005. Rock River Arms has been making their two-stage match trigger for more than a decade. In the world of .308 Win. See below for more information. Next, we researched scopes and settled on the Super Sniper 16X42 Model SS16X42, $300, a brand marketed and manufactured to the specifications of SWFA, a large distributor of most major brands of optics (www.riflescopes.com). The company has created a unique, so-called Star safety selector switch that is both fast and positive. The chamber is 5.56mm NATO, so it will work fine with .223 Remington ammo, too. Item Number Description Select Price. Our advicemake your decision and your move now. The new rifle is built on an aluminum billet chassis with carbon-fiber forend and cheek riser featuring V-block bedding. He loved his Rock River rifle. Rock River Arms has a reputation for making high quality AR-15s, but they also have a reputation for being expensive. The other guns were so strongly right-handed that having an available left-handed model is a big plus for southpaws, which we too-often forget in our evaluations. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. My buddy had a significant amount of experience on several of them, so I value his opinion of the platform. ROCK RIVER ARMS VARMINT A4 - Sniper Central One I especially like is the winter triggerguard; its oversized and creates an opening large enough for a gloved finger. SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, .505 Gibbs Rifle Brass 'H H' Headstamp: Maker and Quality Info Sought, SIG Sauer P322 .22 Rimfire Pistol: Full Review, How to Choose the Best Scope Reticle for Your Application, Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Optic-Ready Autoloading Shotgun: First Look, Shadow Systems Full-Size DR920P and Subcompact CR920 Handguns: Full Review, Instructional Tools for Modern Sight Alignment Training, Springfield Armory Hellion 5.56 NATO Bullpup Rifle: Tested. This year, H&R announced an expansion of its AR-15 lineup, bringing additional "retro" models to the market, including a 9 mm Luger-chambered Colt SMG clone, an M16A2-styled rifle and the carbine-size 723. http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Group_21.JPG, http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Group9.JPG, http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Group_3.JPG, Accuracy International 6.5 Creedmoor SA barrel, Ballistic advantage 18 inch fluted SPR barrel. Overall, we found its price (a little more than half that of the Fulton gun), the extras, and its performance at the range ranked it as a Best Buy. Once the barrels get to Colona, Illinois, Rock River finishes the chambering job and then cryogenically stress-relieves the barrel before mating it to an upper receiver. A big reason that these rifles shoot so well is the barrel. Select Trigger. Shooting the RRAGE was a pleasure it's lightweight, accurate, and it handles well. Gun shoots better than I do because for 5 I just to an inch and know it is me. Rock Rivers manufacturing experience, however, made that a non-issue. When I formed my frame of reference for hunting rifles in the early 1980s, there was something of a generational overlap going on. Their rifles are built to last and their customer service is second to none. However, on this rare occasion, I had some first hand experience with the question offered. The BT-3's furniture includes a Magpul PRS stock and Hogue rubber over-molded grip. It's outfitted with a 20-inch fluted and cryogenically treated stainless-steel barrel. (Photo by Mark Fingar) December 07, 2021 By Craig . Rock River Arms K-Mart Classics: Remingtons Nylon Rimfires Engineered To Last. The LAR-8 Standard Operator, reviewed here, also incorporates a number of ergonomic improvements, including an ambidextrous bolt stop and magazine release. Minuteman. Rock River Arms Reviews: The Best AR-15 Manufacturer? - YESTACTICAL The first time I bought one was in 2006 when one of my Special Forces teammates built an AR-15 for me. Nice. This gives the hammer considerable inertia. The .350 Legend cartridge introduced in 2019 falls under the latter. Many people believe that Rock River Arms is worth the money because of the quality of their products. The best grouping in testing at 100 yards was .935 inch with 155-grain Hornady TAP Precision. Its an aggressive little thing that, should you run out of ammo to fend off a charging beast, could be turned into a defensive tool in its own right. The new RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol from Rock Island Armory features a patented RVS Recoil system that maximizes barrel mass and linear movement to give shooters super soft recoil. Guys from my grandpas era (at least in my area of the Appalachians) seemed to cling to the classical deer rifle forms, led prominently by the Winchester model 94 lever action. Like 3/8 to 5/8 of and inch accuracy for three shots. It weighs 10.2 pounds empty and is 43.5 inches long. You are using an out of date browser. I use the term "good" loosely because it really is subjective. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Ammunition for the .350 Legend was available, but he couldnt find anything for his .270. How does a company that makes AR-15 platforms stand out in a market thats flooded with product? Of course, all of this comes at a price but if youre looking for an AR-15 that will serve you well for many years to come, then the Rock River Arms is definitely worth considering. Leading the charge is RRAs Operator muzzle brake. Federal Gold Medal Match delivered the . Review: Rock River Arms RRage Carbine - An Official Journal Of The NRA A four-pronged Smith Enterprise Vortex flash suppressor is threaded to the muzzle. Gun Review: Rock River Arms' LAR-15 Operator III But the Rock River Arms guns have a very solid reputation for reliability. Shot it for the first time today. Rock River warned us that the guns upper and lower fit tightly together, and that was indeed the case, requiring some extra force even with the supplied tool. Rob has a troublesome habit of pulling guns and things apart to see how they work; occasionally, he manages to get them back together With its plug-n-play simplicity, environmentally adaptive technology, and low-profile desi. In lieu of the standard charging handle, the side-cocking module replaces the bolt cover and fits into the side of the gun by machining away the brass deflector. The rear half of the fore-end is rounded and smooth for a comfortable hold, while the front half has four rails that provide plenty of space for mounting accessories. And the BT-3 didnt disappoint. When I dress Western, nothing beats the classic good looks of my Smith & Wesson (S&W) 586 .357 revolver. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Rock River seems to understand the hunter when they put together this gun. The side-cocking module deserves a little more explanation. The design was licensed to Bushmaster, and during the course of about three years, the company built and sold several thousand rifles. The rifles they were issued were manufactured by Rock River Arms, and were carbine variants in similar spec to the U.S. militarys M4. With the LAR-8, the choice of the FN-FAL magazine created the opportunity for a pair of significant ergonomic improvements. In parts of the South, varmint hunters are calling in foxes, coyotes, bobcats and other predators. The choice of the FN-FAL magazine offers some nice ergonomic touches, such as the ambidextrous bolt stop and magazine release, but it also makes for a significantly longer, bulkier and heavier .308 Win. AR-15 Review: Rock River Arms LAR-15 - Gun Digest This makes them some of the most accurate AR-15s on the market. Their AR-15s are made with forged aluminum receivers, chrome lined barrels, and MIL-SPEC parts. Their AR-15s are some of the most durable and reliable on the market, and they offer a lifetime warranty on their products. The LAR-8 will accept metric- or inch-pattern magazines as well as current-production Rock River magazines. Rock River Arms, Olympic Arms, MGI and Del-Ton (upper only). Kenau and Ripperda Monument - Tripadvisor accuracy in the Standard Operator, and our testing, at least with match ammunition, was consistent with that claim. We felt the Giessele trigger was the best out of all the guns tested, but was also the hardest name to pronounce. Winchester touts the .350 Legend as, The Worlds fastest straight-wall hunting cartridge, with energy exceeding that of the .30-30 Win, .300 BLK, and .223 Rem and 20% more penetration than the .243 Win. Accuracy: 1 MOA @ 100 yards Included: One magazine, RRA Case, Manual, Warranty MSRP: $1,480 www.rockriverarms.com. The .223 Wylde chamber has a tight .224-inch freebore that keeps bullets especially long 69- and 77-grain types from yawing in the chamber prior to engaging the rifling. The other gun barrels come lapped from the factory and do not require this break-in procedure. Loves Federal Premium 69g Match. As a result, we went underground. Although it eliminated the brass deflector, we had no problems with the ejection pattern. After installing and zeroing a TRUGLO Omnia 8a suitable optic for this firearm platformI set up for ballistic and group size evaluation. Besides helping with accuracy, the lapping makes it easier to clean the barrel. It broke cleanly at 4 pounds, 4 ounces and exhibited no creep or stacking. Rock River's LAR-15LH Pistol is accurate, compact and now left-handed. Review: Rock River Arms X-Series LAR-6.8 AR-15 Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer became famous for being intensively involved, along with many of Haarlem's women, with fighting the spanish, who laid siege to the city. So, if youre looking for a cheap AR-15, Rock River Arms probably isnt the best option. He was an agent with the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and a member of their tactical team. After our article on Compact AR Carbines (October 2007) and a related article on AR-15 Adjustable Stocks (March 2008), some of you warned us that we had opened Pandoras Box. Regardless, youll get a gun with a fit and finish better than most AR rifles available on the market right now, even at a significantly higher price. . Welcome to Shoot-On.com - The outdoor and shooting industry's premier source of up-to-date news, media, entertainment and new product information. The general idea was that high-velocity ammunition was deemed incompatible, for safety reasons, in areas of flat terrain and denser populations. Their rifles are backed by a lifetime warranty, so you can be sure that your investment will be protected. The Wylde chamber and tight freebore prevent that from occurring. On a grid target, accuracy lives up to the Rock River Arms' claim of 1.5 MOA at 100 yards. This makes them some of the most durable and reliable AR-15s on the market. Some reviewers have had negative experiences, but this is rare. The new 9mm suppressor can mount easily to any pistol barrel threaded x28 inches and doesn't compromise on sound suppression, gas blowback or recoil. The Rock River A4 won some points from us when we uncrated it to find a blue plastic breakdown case with foam storage areas for extras, like scopes. In this blog post, we will take a look at Rock River Arms reviews to see what people have to say about their products. You must log in or register to reply here. Having shot both cartridges in AR platform rifles, we must agree. Not everyone likes to shoot off both shoulders, but those who do are familiar with how difficult the selector struggle is. The fluted stainless-steel barrel pretty much proves that you dont need a bull barrel to achieve precision on a rifle. The case length hits the 1.71-inch mark with an overall cartridge length of 2.26 inches. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Get a fairly basic model as an introduction and rest assured that when you want to geek-out later, youll be starting with a quality platform. Rock River Arms' new Fred Eichler Series LAR-15 Predator joins a growing number of AR-platform rifles and carbines specifically configured for the serious coyote and bobcat hunter. Our testers said the Bushmaster was handsome and svelte at 8.84 pounds, due to its lighter-weight barrel, and a vented, free-floated forend that included a sling/bipod stud mounted. Let me put this out there right away: Im not a rifle shooter by trade. This one was the same. Two Stage Varmint Chrome Two Stage Varmint: +$35.00. It also had an owners manual, assembly tool and lock. The safety lever also sported a rounded knurled knob for easy activation. Once we began firing, we took the time to swab each barrel after each ammo change to ensure carbon build-up did not influence the guns accuracy with the new ammo. Give a Gift Several of our bolt-action shooters didnt have an issue with the Stags weight, since they lugged guns heavier than our test model. First, is an ambidextrous magazine release consisting of two fenced buttons mirrored on both sides of the lower receiver. Although inexpensive and reliable, the FAL magazine presented a number of design challenges, such as dimensions and feed angles that differ from AR-style magazines. Our friends at Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine, Texas, graciously granted us permission to use the stores 100-yard shooting tunnel. It seems almost every manufacturer out there is turning out some version of this genre. We knew from the moment we hoisted this bad boy out of its case where Stag Arms had invested its money. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gun Tests has been independently reviewing firearms since 1989. The gas block has a folding front sight assembly that can be locked down when not in use and three hinged sling loops, one on the bottom and one on each side. models. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. However, if youre looking for a cheap AR-15, there are better options out there. Knowing first-hand the accuracy reputation of RRA rifles through many weve tested for Shoot On and looking at the ballistic performance of the two cartridges tested for this evaluation, I must conclude that neither load hit this particular LAR-15s sweet spot, although the Hornady American Whitetails performance would absolutely get the job done. Accurate AR-15 Rifles: Buy the Fulton Armory, Rock River Guns But Im lucky. The handguard on the ATH V2 is ideal for a general-use rifle. One of the things that makes the Rock River Arms so accurate is its attention to detail and craftsmanship. I didnt know I was capable of shooting like that, and especially not after a mere dozen rounds. No other stainless barrel options are offered, although Bushmaster does have a 4150 chrome-moly vanadium steel version of this gun called the Bushmaster Varminter. LaRue has a huge following in the sniper community, and our experience reinforced why this is the case. Certainly not, considering the quality. And if youve ever waded into some of the online forums devoted to things-AR, you know just how bewildering it all can be. In fact, many experts believe that it is THE most accurate AR-15 on the market. My first task was to get acquainted with the rifle. As a result, Rock River rifles enjoy significantly improved reliability with all types of 5.56mm ammunition. Rock River cured a couple other standard AR failings with parts they developed in-house. This handguard is very comfortable in the hand while still leaving plenty of attachment options for any accessories the shooter might want to employ. Rock Rivers triggers not only have a lighter pull weight and crisper let-off, the hammer shape promotes excellent accuracy. It really comes down to personal preference. The guns manufactured for these uses also have this same variety in their construction. Not cheap, but not horribly expensive, either. Next, although fixed power (16x in this case), the Super Sniper had parallax adjustments for given distances present on a rotating indicator dial, along with a fast-focus eyepiece. Overall, the reviews are positive. The Fulton turned in the best overall grouping at 0.89 inch, despite some balky performance by the Remington ammo we used that none of the guns could group under 1 inch. Rock River Arms is known for being accurate due to the materials they use and the quality of their products. The trigger is an RRA two-stage unit that was very crisp and predictable. Their gun arrived in a plain cardboard box, with no gun case, just the gun sandwiched between two sheets of foam, along with a set of tools and directions for the Geissele trigger, and a modified version of their The AR-15 Complete Owners Guide.The FAR-15 inside was a striking gun, complete with a Magpul, PRS Precision adjustable sniper stock, $245, which provides exact cheek-weld and LOP adjustments. Recoil with any AR-style gun is pretty minimal, at least in the .223/5.56 configuration. We were somewhat constrained in our ammo choices due to a lack of enough rounds of ammo to run our tests properly. The accuracy increase gained by this hammer profile makes every other hammer shape irrelevant. The Varmint Special included a standard A2 stock with a trapdoor, and added two half-inch scope riser mounts attached to the receivers front Picatinny rail. A Cold War era classic with smooth lines, a legendary back story, and an exotic-sounding name, Beretta's Model 71 was definitely a mouse that roared. Although the particular model tested for this review was a few years old and had seen plenty of use, it was still as tight as any gun I have shot. The 16-inch barrel is certainly maneuverable in the brush, and with its 6.8-lb. They've been producing 5.56mm and 7.62mm models since the beginning of their AR-15 manufacturing, and that's pretty standard. At each temperature step, Rock River will let the barrels soak at that temp for a specific period of time. There is also a fundamental difference in the definition of the varmint hunter. The Coyote is available in a 16-inch barrel "carbine" model or 20-inch "rifle" model, but I chose the Coyote Carbine because it's easier to wield in the woods. The A4 also featured a Hogue-style grip, which received no negative comments. The RRA ATH comes with an. Rock River Arms uses barrels from a variety of manufacturers, including FN, Criterion, and Wilson. It is 11 inches long, so it covers the mid-length gas system and has sections of M-Lok cut into the sides and bottom. The 18-inch barrel that Rock River chose to install has a 1:8-inch twist and features a mid-length gas system. The dimensions of the barrel extension are different, and the bolt carrier and charging handle are both longer. Available for both RF and RM licensing. When asked about maintenance, he responded with, I like to shoot it, but I let the armorer take care of it. Each rifle he was issued was carried for about a year and typically saw 20,000 rounds before replacement with a new one. A few other features that lend the LAR-15M to hunting include the winter trigger guard, making the trigger more accessible when wearing cold-weather gloves; the Operator CAR stock, with its generous cheek weld and length-of-pull adjustability to accommodate clothing layers; and the overmolded A2 grip. At the time, both AR-10 and SR-25 magazines were scarce and expensive, so Rock River designed its own AR-10-style rifle around a more abundant and affordable magazine. However, the standard selector lever can be a struggle when a right-handed shooter moves the rifle to the left shoulder and tries to work the selector with the index finger. InterLock; 5-shot string #1, Hornady American Whitetail, 170-gr. It retains the original direct-gas-operating system, as well as the multi-lug rotating bolt and cylindrical bolt carrier of the original design, but the guns internal and external contours and dimensions have been extensively modified to accept FN-FAL-pattern magazines. The Standard Operator has a 20-inch, cryo-treated chrome-moly barrel. This website contains many older reviews. My experience with Rock River AR-pattern rifles hasnt involved round counts like my friends, but theyve been just as positive. AR-10-style rifles, the Rock River Arms LAR-8 stands alone. Rock River Arms (RRA) has a terrific reputation for turning out top-notch AR-15s and AR-10s chambered for a wide selection of cartridges, including the standard 5.56/.223, .204 Ruger, 7.62x39, 6.8 SPC, and the .458 SOCOM, a real thumper, if there ever was one. Rock River Arms RRAGE 5.56mm NATO Review - Shooting Times Best precision/Varmint/3-Gun Bravo Company (BCM) 18 Upper Decent quality, accurate, soft shooting $780 at Rainier Arms Jump to Details Best Budget Short Barrel Option Palmetto State Armory 10.5 Wallet friendly, decently reliable $329 at Palmetto State Armory Jump to Details Best Lightweight Upper Faxon ION Upper His best 100-yard group was .38 inch. VMAX ($40/50). The gun was termed a Sexy Beast by our female tester. Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin finish, presentation-grade wood grips, a brass rod front sight and an exceptional hand-tuned trigger. New For 2022: Rock River Arms All Terrain Hunter Review: Rock River Arms RRAGE - Guns and Ammo Billed as the LAR-15M, these rifles are familiar RRA fare, featuring the companys forged A4 upper and multi-caliber lower receivers, 13-inch extended free-float handguard, Operator CAR stock, and two-stage trigger. Putting a barrel through the cryogenic process at Rock River means the barrel is cooled down in steps until it reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. Bob Meinert, FN Marketing Director, introduces FN's first commercial pistol suppressor, the FN Rush 9Ti. However, we can say that Rock River Arms is a great option if you are looking for a high-quality AR-15. To start, the Stag sported an ambi-safety, and produced the same complaints from righties that it interfered with their grip. Either way, its clear that Rock River Arms is a reputable company with a history of providing quality products to law enforcement agencies. Anyway, I was lucky to have someone I could turn to for information. . The handguard is RRAs own design, and I like it for its smooth simplicity. With this in mind, we went to LaRue Tactical (www.laruetactical.com) for the exceptional LT104 30mm QD Lever Mount, $195. The company made its humble start in 1963in Gussago, Italywhen Giuseppe Pietta made a commitment to produce guns as authentic and true-to-original as possible. When we took the gun to the range, it was the first gun the testers reached for when the guns were laid out on a desk. The author grouped and chronographed Black Hills' 77-grain 5.56 OTM ammo with impressive results. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.