AR-15 help

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zpo

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Just got my first AR pattern rifle, and could use some info. The lower says Rock River Arms, but there isn't anyting on the upper. How do I know the upper isn't some pos slapped on the lower? The muzzle brake is attached by a set screw, and its a DTA. Anyone recognize that? It is a bit different than the regular muzzle brakes I see. It also is suprisingly heavy, my dad said his was lighter, but that was back in Vietnam, so I don't really know how realiable that assesment is. All the weight is in the upper, I don't know if that will help, hasn't been shot much (barely) and I got it for 550. How'd I do? Thanks for the help.

Edited to add: The upper has a bayonet lug.
 
What's the barrel length?

If it's a typical post-ban upper, then yes, it is considerably heavier than your dad's M16A1. See, the M16A1 had a thin, light barrel.

When the M16A2 rolled around in the 80s, they increased the barrel thickness some, but the rifle was still light and handy.

However, the sporter rifles of the mid to late 90s have full heavy barrels, for reasons that I have not yet figured out. Basically, a 20" HBAR-15 clone weighs about 8.5lbs empty, compared to 6.5lbs empty for a 20" M16A1.

*shrug*
 
Okay, problem.

Somebody put a pre-ban upper on your Rock River post-ban lower. Basically, that rifle in that configuration is illegal. Whoever sold it to you sold you an illegally-configured gun. (See, in order for the rifle to legally have that evil bayonet lug, it would've had to have been in that configuration before September 1994, and I don't think Rock River was in business back then.)

But, don't sweat! You have two options. One, you can buy a legal post-ban upper and put that on your lower.

Or, you can wait until September, when the "Assault Weapons" ban is going to sunset, and then re-assemble your rifle. (Assuming, of course, no replacement law is passed.)

Don't buy anything from whoever sold you that again.
 
If it is a RR upper, then this is the standard a2, which has a .223 Wylde Chamber. Whats that mean? Better for .223 and 5.56, or better for one?
 
Well, if you wait, you are technically committing a felony. The right thing to do would be to either have the bayo lug cut off OR sell the upper and buy another one, or try to find someone that will trade. That's the right thing to do.


Yup, that's the right thing.
 
Is there any writing on the barrel, like twist rates and such? Remove the guards and tell us everything that is stammped on the barrel. also, you can keep the upper, especially if it is a shooter, you just have to cust that baynet lug off and posibley have the flash suppresor replaced with a permanent attatched muzzle break.
 
I'm having trouble getting the hand guards off, is it just these roll pins?
 
Getting the hand guards off is easy. Getting them back on (by yourself)... that's a different matter. Still doable though, and I'm not the strongest or most coordinated guy in the world. It's not something I do to my rifle often.

Looks like you got sold an illegal upper w/ that bayonet lug. Why in the world it's got a muzzle break w/ a set screw instead of a proper threaded barrel is beyond me. I'm guessing that the person who sold it to you didn't know they were breaking the law -- else they'd just have threaded the darned thing.

Given that the draconian HR 2038 doesn't even mention bayonet lugs anymore I'd hold onto it and hope the BATFE doesn't show up at your door looking for it.... actually I'd give it to a relative that doesn't even have an AR-15 lower to put it on so they can give it back to you after the law changes.

Or, sell it and get an upper that you like and is currently legal. Depends on your current funds I guess.
 
I like the suggestion another member had. If you have a signifigant other, sell it to them for a dollar. Then have them lock it in a container you don't have access to. Then buy yourself a "post ban" upper or don't buy an upper at all and work like hell to get the AWB to sunset. The problem with just talking it off of the lower is the BATFE considers anyone who has possession of a preban upper whether it is attached or not to be violating the law. Whatever you do, do it quick because many a member feel this isn't the safest place to brag about violating the law. (I know you aren't bragging).
 
Did you buy this from a gun shop or dealer? If so I would politely inform the owner that he sold you an illegal rifle and request a replacement post ban upper. If he or she gives you any crap about it threaten to call the BATFE about the situation. Be sure to keep any paperwork you got when you purchased the gun to show the feds if need be. No reason you should put yourself at risk of prosecution because of some non ethical dealer. If you bought from a private party you could ask for your $$ back, they may not have known they had an illegal rifle, but I doubt it.

Shabo
 
I look at things a little more practical than selling the upper or hiding it until the ban might or might not go away. Are you planning on using a bayonet lug?? Personally I could care less and if your anything like me and want to enjoy your rifle without worrying about getting in trouble I would cut it off. As long as your "muzzle brake" is not a flash hider and is pinned on then your rockin'. This is just another option to think about. If you really want to add a bayonet lug after the ban "might" go away then your looking at about $20 for a front sight tower with lug and say $2 for taper pins if you destroy the old ones coming out. In the case that your really into all the preban evil features then it sounds as if your barrel doesn't have a flash hider anyway so you will probably want that also. Enjoy what you got...

Cheers
 
I've got a post ban front sight coming, and the barrels threaded also, so I'm gonna have a gunsmith put a target crown on it. Thanks for your help all.
 
El Rojo: clarification please.

You said, the BATFE would find a violation in simply possessing a pre-ban upper. . . do you mean in the same general vicinity of a post ban lower?

Couldn't someone have a preban complete rifle, say with a 20" HBAR barrel, buy a post-ban upper, say a 16" unit, put that on the pre-ban lower, and still keep the pre ban upper for use based on it's length, configuration, etc.?
 
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