Man, I've got to stay out of the gun shops. Going to do some gun swapping and get my first AR. What are your thoughts on Bushmaster versus Rock River. Looking for reliability and accuracy input. Handled a bunch today and kind of overwhelmed. Thanks for the help!!
AR15 Bushmaster or Rock River
- Thread starter kthomk
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RNB65
Member
I have lowers by both Bushy and RRA. The only difference is the name on the side of the receiver. Other than that, they look and handle identically.
El Tejon
Member
Throw them in a bag, shake them up and pull one out. You'll be fine.
Some guys get all antsy in the pantsy about Bushmaster not pegging bolts, but who shoots enough to notice, maybe 1 in 100 shooters? If I was worried about that, I'd just buy more spare parts.
Lots of good makers out today, CMT, RRA, Sun Devil, Stag. Don't get all wrapped around the axle about which one. Find a good rack grade 20" weapon by _________, buy a rail car full of mags, get a class or two and learn to use it.
Once you acquire the software, your knowledge will allow you to choose your hardware.
Some guys get all antsy in the pantsy about Bushmaster not pegging bolts, but who shoots enough to notice, maybe 1 in 100 shooters? If I was worried about that, I'd just buy more spare parts.
Lots of good makers out today, CMT, RRA, Sun Devil, Stag. Don't get all wrapped around the axle about which one. Find a good rack grade 20" weapon by _________, buy a rail car full of mags, get a class or two and learn to use it.
Once you acquire the software, your knowledge will allow you to choose your hardware.
BrainOnSigs
Member
I have owned and shot Bushmasters, Colts and RRAs.
I now only own RRAs (yeah...I know Colt lovers will scream "Heretic").
The fit (very tight) and finish plus the RRA's 2 stage trigger were what sold me on them.
This is all my personal, humble opinion. Everyone else's experiences/rifles may be different.
It is the old Ford vs Chevy argument.
I now only own RRAs (yeah...I know Colt lovers will scream "Heretic").
The fit (very tight) and finish plus the RRA's 2 stage trigger were what sold me on them.
This is all my personal, humble opinion. Everyone else's experiences/rifles may be different.
It is the old Ford vs Chevy argument.
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okiebuckout
Member
Well all know that Chevy is better
MrAcheson
Member
I would lean towards the Rock River. I have the RRA 2-stage trigger on my gun and I like it. You might want to look into the barrel profile you want. RRA tends to use a heavy barrel on a lot of their stuff. If you want something lighter you might be able to find a government profile easier with a Bushie.
Oh and RRA also sells proper mid-length carbines. Bushmaster only uses two gas system lengths: rifle and carbine. They fake the middies with a carbine length system under the handguards and a non-functioning (in gas system terms) front sight base.
Oh and RRA also sells proper mid-length carbines. Bushmaster only uses two gas system lengths: rifle and carbine. They fake the middies with a carbine length system under the handguards and a non-functioning (in gas system terms) front sight base.
ServiceSoon
Member
I decided to get the Rock River because I got a 2 stage trigger as a bonus for the same price as the Bushmaster. Both are dependable/reliable weapons.
TheGrouch
Member
I'm in the same boat and will order a 20in a2 soon.
RRA - 2 stage trigger and lifetime warranty
Bushmaster - standard trigger and 1 year warranty
DPMS - 3 year warranty (many unfounded complaints regarding quality)
The RRA can be had for ~$800 and the 2 stage trigger w/ the lifetime warranty seals the deal.
RRA - 2 stage trigger and lifetime warranty
Bushmaster - standard trigger and 1 year warranty
DPMS - 3 year warranty (many unfounded complaints regarding quality)
The RRA can be had for ~$800 and the 2 stage trigger w/ the lifetime warranty seals the deal.
Mike Faires
Member
Bushmaster vs. RRA
"Bushmaster only uses two gas system lengths: rifle and carbine. They fake the middies with a carbine length system under the handguards and a non-functioning (in gas system terms) front sight base."
Interesting, and since I wasn't sure I just went to the safe and pulled my Bushmaster XM15E2. I removed the handguard and discovered that the gas tube goes all the way into the front sigght base, just like my Colts and Stag , so tell me how does this faking the middies work again?
"Bushmaster only uses two gas system lengths: rifle and carbine. They fake the middies with a carbine length system under the handguards and a non-functioning (in gas system terms) front sight base."
Interesting, and since I wasn't sure I just went to the safe and pulled my Bushmaster XM15E2. I removed the handguard and discovered that the gas tube goes all the way into the front sigght base, just like my Colts and Stag , so tell me how does this faking the middies work again?
ocabj
Member
The RRA 2-stage has mixed reviews. They are problematic after the round count gets high. People in highpower that used to use them noticed that the second stage would no longer be there and the result is one long soft pull with no discernable 2nd stage stop. RRA will fix this for free, but this is definitely not something you want happening on a competition gun. White Oak sells the RRA that they tuned to stop this problem from happening. If you do get the RRA with the 2-stage trigger, you may want to pull it out and send it to White Oak to have it tuned.
That said, I have no personal experience with the RRA trigger. I use a Geissele on my highpower service rifle.
That said, I have no personal experience with the RRA trigger. I use a Geissele on my highpower service rifle.
Don't Tread On Me
Member
Hmmm....
Bushmaster has the biggest name recognition. When I tried to sell a kit-gun at a gunshow last year, of the 150 different people that came up to me or handled it, 149 asked if it was a Bushmaster! (not exact numbers, but it was truly, totally overwhelming)
So, if you plan on easy resale and decent value, the Bushmaster is king. Most people interested equate AR-15's with Bushmaster.
RRA is better from a different perspective. Their 2-stage trigger is absolutely worth it. RRA is gaining a huge following and is growing in name recognition. The word on the street is that RRA is associated with "tight" or "accurate" or "quality" AR's. That's all I hear outside of the web, and the web is crawling with RRA lovers.
Armalite has a very interesting lineup these days with midlengths. Armalite is also very high quality. They don't seem to be getting much of the spotlight due to RRA, but they're a good choice too.
Bushmaster has the biggest name recognition. When I tried to sell a kit-gun at a gunshow last year, of the 150 different people that came up to me or handled it, 149 asked if it was a Bushmaster! (not exact numbers, but it was truly, totally overwhelming)
So, if you plan on easy resale and decent value, the Bushmaster is king. Most people interested equate AR-15's with Bushmaster.
RRA is better from a different perspective. Their 2-stage trigger is absolutely worth it. RRA is gaining a huge following and is growing in name recognition. The word on the street is that RRA is associated with "tight" or "accurate" or "quality" AR's. That's all I hear outside of the web, and the web is crawling with RRA lovers.
Armalite has a very interesting lineup these days with midlengths. Armalite is also very high quality. They don't seem to be getting much of the spotlight due to RRA, but they're a good choice too.
Seven High
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- Dec 7, 2004
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- 755
If you are going to use Wolf ammo at any time in your AR 15, I suggest that you get a Bushmaster. The RRA has a tighter chamber that a Bushmaster, which will cause extraction problems with steel case ammo.
10-Ring
Member
I have a RRA and it's been awesome! I'm very happy w/ it. I have a shooting buddy that has a BM & it is a nice shooter too.
The only difference I've noticed is that the RRA's tend to be a bit less expensive
I'm very happy w/ it. I have a shooting buddy that has a BM & it is a nice shooter too. The only difference I've noticed is that the RRA's tend to be a bit less expensive
SamTuckerMTNMAN
Member
RRA
elite car 4 stainless 16" barrel wylde chamber 2 stage trigger
free floated 1-8" luv the rifle, very nice so far.....still breakin er in, very fun and accurate, reasonably priced also.
st
elite car 4 stainless 16" barrel wylde chamber 2 stage trigger
free floated 1-8" luv the rifle, very nice so far.....still breakin er in, very fun and accurate, reasonably priced also.
st
Bazooka Joe71
Member
I was just faced with this decision....I went with the RRA, due to the overwhelming #'s of people telling me to...Plus I started a thread asking which manufacturers's don't use MIM parts in there guns, RRA was one of them...Don't know if its a fact, but it was good enough for me .
My buddy has a Bushmaster, its a great gun as well, but when I was faced with the decision, I picked RRA.
Slightly cheaper, and +100 on the Two stage trigger.
.My buddy has a Bushmaster, its a great gun as well, but when I was faced with the decision, I picked RRA.
Slightly cheaper, and +100 on the Two stage trigger.
soul_rapier
Member
It's just the name
i cant the difference in my colt or my RRA ar's and i have shot 1000's of rounds threw mine no problems (i use cheap Wolf ammo only )
i cant the difference in my colt or my RRA ar's and i have shot 1000's of rounds threw mine no problems (i use cheap Wolf ammo only )
another vote for RRA , the bushmaster is nice but not as well built in my opinion. As for resale I see no big deal as time goes on more and more people are finding out about the RRA. Right now at a show here if you wanted to sell a Ar 149 out of 150 would ask is that a Colt.
Kaylee
Member
Once upon a time I compared my factory-assembled Bushmaster lower with a friend's factory-assembled RRA. The Bushmaster had noticably more upper/lower receiver wobble (the RRA had none), and the Bushmaster had probably the worst trigger of any AR I've ever fired.
While I couldn't say that was necessarily representative of each company's best work, if I was forced to choose between the two based on name rather than individual examination, I'd go RRA.
While I couldn't say that was necessarily representative of each company's best work, if I was forced to choose between the two based on name rather than individual examination, I'd go RRA.
MrAcheson
Member
Actually we may both be wrong. After some checking, I'm not finding very many Bushy midlengths (or Colts or Stags for that matter). Is your gun a carbine or a middy (7 or 9 inch gas system)? Last I checked the Dissipator was definitely a carbine with longer handguards and an additional non-functioning gas block to act as the front sight. I assumed that they faked their middies the same way, but it looks like they just don't make them in the first place.
IronSightRot671
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- 221
I'll choose Bushmaster, or go with any forged lower reciever, and purchase a LMT/BCM upper and your good too go.
DT!
DT!
mons meg
Member
My first experience with a Colt platform trigger was in 1988 at Camp Pendleton. My stock Bushy trigger from 2002 is about a zillion times better than that old "rack grade" M16.
So it's all relative. Last I checked, you can get a match trigger from Bushmaster. A friend of mine has a V-match that scares me.
Edit: Not that I don't think RRA is an awesome product...but Bushmaster barrels are chrome lined standard, right? Does RRA offer a chrome lined barrel in 20"?
Kaylee
Member
I'm fairy certain that it was a luck of the draw on that point. I've felt better Bushmaster triggers. Come to think of it though, I haven't felt worse Rock River triggers.. when it came time to order a lower parts kit, they're who I went to.
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