LaRue OBR in 5.56 is available

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G27RR

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I got an email yesterday that the LaRue Tactical OBR (optimized battle rifle) in 5.56 is now available. From the specs, this makes a good run at the ''ultimate AR'' title. Despite the $1,995 price I had to order the 18'' version. It goes to support a US company and in my case, a local one, too.

They are quoting a 2 week delivery time, which is awesome because I wa going to order a lower and Stealth complete upper and build my own, but that would have taken 6-8 weeks.

Here are some of the specs...

LaRue Tactical OBR 5.56
*
Overview:
Building off the success of our highly-accurate and reliable OBR 7.62, we set out to apply the same proven design features into a 5.56 rifle. The result is a lightweight, and reliable, tack driver that remains cool…even after high-rates of fire. The barrel and barrel nut does not touch the handguard at any point, so there is very little heat-transfer to your support hand. Like its 7.62mm sibling, both the upper and lower are CNC-machined from billet 7075-T6, for the optimum fit and consistency...translating into maximum accuracy. Even though this is a complete rifle, the upper will fit to any Mil-Spec AR15/M16 type lower.
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The continuous upper-rail provides plenty of room for weapon-mounted night-vision day/night combinations and provides correct ballistic orientation for all inline night-vision combinations. The 10 MOA cant gives users an added advantage when using magnified optics at longer distances. A step-down at the rear of the receiver creates zero MOA for use of BUIS’s at shorter distances.
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Each rifle ships with three, 3” long, MIL-STD-1913 detachable rail sections* that they can be configured anywhere along the entire length of the handguard (via threaded steel inserts), for the interface of MIL-STD-1913 equipped lights, lasers, bipods, grips, tripod mounts, etc.
*
Barrels:
The barrels are LW-50 stainless steel in 12”, 16.1", 18" & 20" lengths. They are Wylde chambered, and feature polygonal rifling in a 1/8 twist rate. We have used these barrels with great success for years in our popular and accurate Stealth uppers. LW-50 Stainless has proven itself for over 15 years, in military and civilian uses ranging from sniper, tactical, target, and other high-performance applications where long life and accuracy are critical.
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All barrels are threaded in ½ x 28, with an A2 flash hider attached (other muzzle devices can be added at an additional cost).
The 12” model have carbine-length gas systems, the 16” and 18” models has a mid-length, and the 20” has a rifle-length. All gas blocks will feature our unique Port Selector Technology (PST), a two-point adjustable gas selector that allows optimum function between suppressed, and unsuppressed operation at the flip of a switch.*
*
Internals:
The Bolts and Bolt Carriers are hand-polished hard-chrome with max-staked carrier keys. The carrier key contact areas are surface-ground flat for zero gas leakage. The trigger group is the same excellent Geissele SSA Combat Triggers we use in the OBR 7.62.The SSA provides an average 4.5lb pull weight.(2.5 lbs on the first stage and 2lb on the second stage).
*
Furniture:
The 12”, 16”, and 18” models come with a 6-position Magpul CTR and MOE Pistol Grip in LaRue UDE. The 20” Model Comes with an A2 Grip and A2 Stock, in black.
*
Features:
- Guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy (with Federal GMM, 77 grain ammo)

- Proprietary handguard design keeps the rifle cool, aids in accuracy and ease of handling

- Unique fully freefloating barrel and barrel-nut design, that does not touch the handguard at any point, aids in accuracy

- Upper, lower and rails are CNC-machined from 7075-T6, Type-III hard anodized

- 10 MOA built into a continuous, T-marked, 1-piece upper rail

- Drop-down at rear of rail, for zero MOA when using iron sights

- Lower is low-shelf, to accommodate RDIAS

- Flared magwell allows faster mag changes

- Large trigger opening, with integral trigger guard

- Bolts and bolt carriers are hand-polished hard-chrome, in M16 profile

- LW-50 stainless steel barrels in 12”, 16.1", 18" & 20" lengths

- Barrels are finished in black Manganese Phosphate

- Wylde chambered in 5.56mm NATO

- Polygonal rifling

- 1/8 twist-rate rifling.
- 10,000-round barrel life (approx)

- Muzzle threading: ½ x 28

- Direct gas-impingement: 12” is carbine-length, 16” and 18” are mid-length, and 20” is rifle-length

- Port Selector Technology (PST) gas block

- Max-staked carrier keys, with contact areas are surface-ground flat

- Geissele SSA Combat Triggers, two-stage, average 4.5lb pull weight.(2.5 lbs on the first stage and 2lb on the second stage)

- Mil-Spec receiver extensions on 12”, 16” and 18”

- Three, 3” long, MIL-STD-1913 detachable rail sections (and mounting hardware) included*

- Magpul CTR Stock, UDE colored, on 12”, 16”, and 18” models (The 20” comes with an A2 Stock, in black).

- Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, UDE colored, on 12”, 16”, and 18” models The (The 20” comes with an A2 Grip, in black).

- Weight of 16” model (with 30 round magazine): 8.79 lbs
 
Here is link I forgot to include...

http://larueosr.com/obr556.aspx

I am not a company rep in case anyone gets that impression - I just like their products and service. Besides, any weapon with a state of Texas outline stamped into it has got to be good, right? (on a related note the STI Shadow is my favorite 1911 for CCW)
 
I will definitely be posting pics and a range report ASAP after I get it.
 
I will definitely be posting pics and a range report ASAP after I get it.

Where where are the pics and range report? I ordered an OBR yesterday, was told 1-5 weeks. Would like to see some new reviews to help hold me over and pass the time.
 
Dang ky! Nice choice! When you going to bring it back to tn to show off?? 2-6 weeks I hope
 
Probably be just after Christmas before I get back, but I will shoot you a PM when I do. I would gladly trade for some trigger time behind your SR25. :)
 
I've been looking for info on the LW50 barrels. Probably a little too late as my coyote gun is already built with one as of a couple years ago, but I really haven't used it at all until this past month :)

Anyway, I thought I'd chip in here for (what it's worth) as it seems that accuracy info on these barrels is hard to find.

The gun is not a LaRue. It is a home-build.

The vitals:

Sun Devil billet upper and lower
DPMS Ti-coated carrier assembly
Rock River 2-stage trigger
16.1" LW-50 1/8 twist Wylde chambered stainless .936" bull barrel (carbine-length gas tube) from Greg Leaf at M16Clinic (Can no longer get ahold of him, not that I need to) free-floated with a steel low-profile gas block from CMMG
YHM 5M2 Compensator
Magpul PRS stock, MIAD grip
Burris XTR 1-4 scope mounted in a LaRue LT-104

When I ordered the barrel over the phone a couple years ago, Greg Leaf refered to it as their "Viper barrel", and said that many had been sent to Iraq for contractors' personal weapons, and that they (M16clinic) had been getting 2" groups with M855 at 100 yards on average out of an 8.5" barrel. I thought this sounded like a bit of "seller's artistic license", but it was basically what I was looking for at a great price, so I went for it.


The dirty:

I've messed around with the gun a little bit over the last year or two, but never more than messing around plinking with friends at 100 yards. Last week I decided to put it on the bench at 300 yards. I just wanted to get it "sort of sighted in" for coyote season, which just opened here. I have to say that I am absolutely astounded at the accuracy.

The ammo I used (for sighting in purposes) was ****ty Silver Bear 62gr HP just to make sure it was on paper. I pumped a 10-round mag downrange with the scope cranked up to 4x, drove down there to check it out, and 9 rounds were within 3 inches of eachother, and the one that wasn't was about 3" outside that (and I called that sucker, I was sure it didn't even make the paper plate). 3 of the 9 were touching! I don't consider myself to be anything more than "a decent shot plus extra range time", but the gun made me feel like a pro, especially only at 4x magnification.

I put about 150 more rounds through it (more silver bear 62 hp), and it just continued. The gun shot the exact same shot when it was blazing hot as it did on it's cold shot.

The only thing I don't like about the barrel, which, I don't know if it will be the same with the LaRue version, is that the threads are slightly too long to accept my muzzle device, even after a whole peel washer and a crush washer is placed under it (it bottoms out). This leaves me with the option of either drilling out the muzzle device (which I'll probably do) or order the exorbitantly priced one from D&L Sports at $213 (!!Nope). From what I understand, the Lothar barrels all have these extended threads. I haven't been able to find the reason why. At the end of the day, I only paid $215 for the barrel (including m4 cut extension), and had I known at the time that it would shoot like this, I would've ordered two of them. What a demon.

I don't know if this will help anyone in their pre-purchase decision making process, but with so little information on the internet about this barrel (so far as the AR15 is concerned) I figured I'd throw it out there just in case it comes in handy to someone.
 
I have the rifle but haven't been able to get to the range with it yet (kids and work suck up my free time lately). I will try to get some pics and more details up soon, but it's build quality is fantastic and I am eagerly awaiting a range trip.
 
"Barrel life aprox 10,000 rounds" How does that compare to a quality crome lined hammer forged barrel ?
 
It is a good bit of money, but you get many upgrades out of the box and sub-MOA accuracy verified by a 5 shot factory test target included with the rifle.

For example, the Geiselle trigger alone is around $200 or so, the stock and grip are somewhere in the $150 range, etc etc etc.

I believe the 10k barrel life is for the <1MOA rating. It should still be "combat accurate" longer than that.
 
This looks like about the nicest factory AR-15 yet made. It's pricey but doesn't look so bad if you add up all the features and figure what it would cost to build your own. The only downside I see is that 8.8lbs for the 16" model seems a bit heavy. But I might have to put this on my wish list anyway.
 
It is a good bit of money, but you get many upgrades out of the box and sub-MOA accuracy verified by a 5 shot factory test target included with the rifle.

For example, the Geiselle trigger alone is around $200 or so, the stock and grip are somewhere in the $150 range, etc etc etc.

I believe the 10k barrel life is for the <1MOA rating. It should still be "combat accurate" longer than that.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's built as good as it gets with the best parts. I just can't see it doing more for me than a rifle for about half that cost. I'm not abusive on rifles and I don't shoot 10k rounds very quickly so a lot of it's merits go unappreciated with me.

One question, how long have these sub-moa 10k round barrels been around? Has anyone pushed 10k rounds through it to confirm? I haven't paid much attention to the AR market of late and while sub moa rifles weren't uncommon, 10k round barrel life is.
 
This gun is for people who want top accuracy with reliability, not just one or the other.

The LW-50 barrels have been on the market for about 15 years in many different calibers. There is no speculation as to their quality or durability. The 10k rounds is for top accuracy, not for mere function. FWIW, some of the nitrided quality barrels may go 20-30k with acceptable accuracy, though not likely sub-MOA.
 
LaRueOBR556.jpg

I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but here's a picture to tide you over. More pics to follow. The factory 5 shot test group was 0.479 inches, so it looks like a good shooter.
 
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All the specs are in the first post. LaRue threw in some extras as usual, including their BBQ dry rub, LaRue hat (which doesn't have that hard thingy on top so ear muffs are comfortable), index clips, a couple of their low profile hand stops for the lower rail, and the LaRue sling.

The fit and finish are outstanding. The rifle balances well and I was already a fan of the Magpul products. The upper to lower fit is top notch.

I have a set of Troy BUIS. I will be mounting and I will be mounting a Weaver Tactical Grand Slam 3-10x or the new Falcon 1-5x CQB scope. I also am going to try out a Burris Fastfire on a 45 degree offset mount for quick transitions between distances, although it will probably wind up on a 16" AR at some point.
 
:eek:

VERY nice. I've been looking at getting an AR for HD purposes, but I'm also a sucker for extreme accuracy, this just might fit the bill.

it is kind of pricey, but I see where the money went. excellent.
 
I can definitely see where the money went, too. I have a pair of M&P15s, a Bushmaster and an Armalite AR-10, and the build quality easily surpasses them all. (and the Armalite and S&Ws are not exactly slouches)

I'd love to have an OBR in 7.62, but $3K is just too much for me. Plus, I already have a nice bolt action setup as a long range precision rifle in .308.
 
Based on build quality and handling it, I would say yes IF you are in themarket for a very accurate very well made AR, or if you just want something most people aren't going to show up at the range with - however, I haven't shot it yet so all I can go on is the factory target. Given LaRue's warranty/customer service and their sub-MOA with match ammo guarantee, I'm not worried though. I hope to get a chance to shoot it in the next week or two.

If you don't want or need those things, I would recommend the M&P15 or something along those lines. Part of the appeal for me was also supporting a local Texas company.
 
Review and Range Report - lengthy, but hopefully informative

LaRue OBR 5.56 (Model LT-15, Optimized Battle Rifle)

Background:

I was all set to build my own very accurate mid-range AR type rifle when I received an email from LaRue saying they were coming out with a 5.56mm version of the OBR. I took a look at the specs vs. what I wanted to put together, and they came out pretty close. I have been impressed with LaRue products in the past, and figured that for the specs I wanted and the price, I'd go ahead and pay a bit extra and get a complete rifle with factory warranty and all that.

So back when they first shipped them out a little while ago, I was one of the first to receive the new LaRue OBR 5.56 with a Wylde chamber and 1:8" twist rate. I went with the 18" barrel for a litte extra velocity and because I already have other 16" and 20" AR-15s and AR-10s.

Specs:

Wylde chambered with polygonal rifling in 1:8" twist rate
Guaranteed sub-MOA with Federal gold medal match 77 grain
Continuous upper rail with 10MOA cant
Lother Walther LW-50 stainless steel 18" barrel
CNC machined from billet 7075-T6
1/2 x 28 threaded barrel with A2 flash hider
Port selector for use with suppressors
Hand polished hard-chrome bolt / carrier with max staked keys
Geissele SSA combat trigger
Magpul CTR stock (comes in Urban Dark Earth (UDE) finish spec'd by LaRue - seems grey to me)
Magpul MOE grip
Fully floated barrel coated coated in black manganese phosphate
Flared magwell
LaRue tactical sling
LaRue picatinny handstops (2)

Additions I made to the standard configuration:

LaRue/Troy BUIS
Burris PEPR scope mount
Nikon Buckmaster 4-14x40 BDC scope (already had on hand)
Burris FastFire II reflex sight



First Impressions:

The fit and finish on this rifle is outstanding. The upper and lower fit together very, very snugly. Although there is a snug fit, the machining is very good, so there is nothing that hangs up when joining the receivers.

The barrel is well free-floated in the LaRue handguard, which is bolted to the upper to form a continuous optics rail. The rail also has a 10MOA cant built into it, which will give your scope a wider effective adjustment range for longer ranges.

You also get 3 short picatinny rail sections that you can bolt onto either the sides or bottom of the handguard. If you don't need them, it lets you shed some weight by leaving them off. They include some blue thread locking compound if you do decide to mount the rails.

The quality of the finish on all parts is very even and well done. I can't speak for durability yet, but see no reason it wouldn't be. The Geissele SSA trigger is a good compromise between target/precision shooting and "combat" shooting. For pure target work, I'd prefer a slightly wider trigger like my bolt guns.

The Magpul CTR locks up pretty tight for a collapsing stock, but it could use a cheek riser for scope work. The MOE grip is nice, too, but I would have preferred the adjustable MIAD grip. I don't think I will bother to switch, though.

The flared magwell helps with quick mag changes and is a nice touch. I also like the standard curved trigger guard in case you need to use it with gloves.

The hard chrome bolt is does clean up easier than many other finishes and kind of looks cool, although it is a shiny spot on an otherwise fairly matte rifle.

The LaRue sling is quite nice, but I don't plan to use it with this rifle as it is more of a tactical sling and I bought this rifle to use for precision work, mostly.


Range Report:

I forgot to grab anything from my ammo stash, so I had to buy some at the local 100yd indoor range. They were out of match ammo, so I bought some Blackhills remanufactured FMJ 55gr 5.56mm ammo that came in a blue box. I hadn't used this before, but with the reload label on it I figured I'd be looking at groups maybe in the 1-3" size at the 100yd targets.

All firing was done from a bench with the forend on a cheapo plastic range rest with the rear end unrested and stock firmly to my shoulder.

I had bore sighted the Nikon at home so I would be on paper, and the first two shots were right on top of each other but a bit left and high. They were overlapping enough that through the rifle scope I thought the second round had somehow missed the target.

I then dialed over to the right twice as much as I should have, but I wanted clear shot separation to help easily locate my next hit. I was able to pick that one out easily and then dialed in the second windage adjustment, which turned out to be right on and was also clearly visible.

With windage dialed in now (which is nice and simple at an indoor range), I then adjusted for elevation and shot a five round group at the upper left diamond. Not too bad, but strung out a bit due to trigger pull, I think. I moved over to the upper right diamond for another five round group and was really starting to get used to the feel of the rifle and trigger at that point.

Next, I shot five rounds at the lower left diamond, then ten rounds at the lower right and another ten rounds at the center. On the center target, I had a bad trigger pull or maybe a flier on the first shot, so I changed POA to that hole and fired the rest of the ten round group there instead of going for the bull. I figured I had a few nice groups on this target already, so why let a flier mess up my last one?


Post-firing Impressions:

Man, the accuracy for this rifle is pretty impressive and backs up the factory test target, which shot less than a half inch five round group with Federal 77gr match ammo. The Black Hills reloads I wound up using are apparently very consistent, too. I'm looking forward to trying out some match ammo and some longer ranges outdoors to see what she can really do.

Since this is primarily a bench rest/prone/improvised rest rifle for me, I am thinking about putting a Magpul PRS stock on here to help balance out the front to rear weight ratio, and would move the CTR to one of my other rifles. I have a PRS on an AR-10 and like it so we'll see.

Other than that, I don't plan to change anything about the rifle itself for now. I may add a LaRue quick release scope mount in place of the Burris, and I may mount the FastFire on a 45* offset at that point. If I do that, I might switch over to a scope with target/tactical turrets. I didn't mount one of those because the turrets would have been too tall to use the FastFire in its current location.

Pictures to follow.
 
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