Outfit my new RRA AR

[Norton]

I've decided that I'm going to go with this as my next purchase:

RRA Tactical Entry

Here's your chance to help me outfit this new critter so that my dealer can order it from RRA.

Barrel: Chrome lined or no? Chambers are already chrome lined.

Front sites: I'm thinking of going with the Yankee Hill. Comments?

Detachable carry handle (as shown on the web site)?

These are just the options available from RRA. I will eventually add an AAC Omni and either an ACOG or Aimpoint down the road.

 

[Nhsport]

This type of post comes down to how you intend to use the rifle.
Since you have selected the entry/tactical I will assume that high power marches,service rifle matches,and serious varmit detail is out of the question. Therefore I suggest the full chrome lined barrel. I myself have used an AR for about every possible use and with almost every possible sight system and have yet to be bothered by the fixed front sight so I wouldn't bother spending the money on the YHM.I have an Eotech and have used aimpoints but have onlt slight experience with an ACOG. They are supposed to be fine but the several times I have considered one I just spent the money on a complete other AR. You could almost buy two complete uppers for the price of one ACOG.If you are going to be shooting on a two way range (LE/military) they might be something to consider but I don't see the use for the average guy.
Yes,get the removable rear sight,either the one pictured on the RR or the normal carry handle type.
I would suggest you purchase the Rock River National Match trigger at time of purchase as it is a great all around trigger that will improve any type of shooting you intend to do.
I would also suggest that you buy a Ceiner rimfire conversion,go to Brownells or better yet find someone who gets a discount there (dealer or C&R holder). I believe the current price is about $150 with one 10 round and about $120 with the discount. Rimfire out of the AR is a total and ammo is dirt cheep.
I also find for lots of uses a scope to be useful/fun. I perfer the quick detach B Square nount (goes right on the flatop). Try to steer clear of the cheep chain store scopes,they are pretty poor compared to what is available for 100-200 bucks.I like a Leupold 1.5-7 Rifleman which I bought at midway (again with my C&R Discount) for $199 (2005). This scope is so much better than the $89 chain store stuff that it makes them look like kids toys.
You see the problem here right ? once you buy an AR ther is a never ending list of "stuff" you need for it. Sights,scopes,Uppers, do dads,add ons and so forth. All of this is refered to by some as "Black Rifle Disease" (BRD)
Lots of fun !!

 

[Tim G.]

Chrome is almost always a good thing.

I opted for the detachable carry handle on my Bushy. In hindsight I should of went with a flattop (same thing but w/o actually getting the carry handle) and no front sight.

I have been told by many that:

This way I could have just used a low power scope or a red-dot directly on the flatop. In order to see "past" the front sight with a scope mounted on the flattop you need at least 2.5x power. A non magnified red-dot type scope, I would think, would not be very effective with the front sight in the way.

/tg

 

[Norton]

Nhsport,

My intened use for this rifle is, as you guessed, not to shoot matches. I'm looking at this rifle's purpose as being a little more businesslike, if you will, as well as the practicality of it being small enough to comfortably fit in the back of the Jeep for travels to my mountain land for plinking.

Optics are a ways down the road at this point, but you are correct in the price of the ACOG The flip down front site just seems like a nice value-added feature that would be good to have from the factory.

 

[Norton]

Oh, it also looks like the match trigger comes with the rifle already.

 

[possum]

first off that's a great choice for an ar, and i hope you let us know how it works out for you when you do pick it up.

As far as optics go i know you said an aimpoint is an option but you should also check out the eo-tech hws, that's what i got on mine and they are pretty darn sweet, and now they are making lens covers for them. my bushmaster came with the detachable carry handle, and though i have never used it, it is a good thing to have and a good option. I think you should definetly go with a chromed lined barrel. i also would go with the Houge grip option, or an after market grip by many of the other makers out there. i have the first samco on mine, i personally don't like the standard grip.

If you want a wealth of info about ar's and acessories check out ar15.com.

 

[Norton]

If you want a wealth of info about ar's and acessories check out ar15.com.

I poke around over there, particularly on the Hometown forum, but there's almost TOO much information over there if you know what I mean. Thanks for the heads up on the optics options.

 

[Trumpet]

Hey Norton,
Here's my thoughts.

Get the chrome.

If this is more of a "social" weapon, do NOT go with the NM trigger. I have a RRA NM that was tweaked by John Holliger in my match rifle and it's wonderful, BUT "match" triggers are much more finicky and have a tendency to go T.U. when you really don't want them to. If you have to have a two stage I'd go with the Geissele, hands down. Otherwise, the stock single stage is more than adequate. DO NOT GET A NM TRIGGER IN A "SOCIAL" CARBINE.

Get the carry handle.

For the FS, go with the stock A2. The front sight combined with the dot (provided you go with an Aimpoint or EOTech) is a desireable thing. Mounted in a proper mount (LaRue, ARMS, etc) they will "cowitness" (when looking through irons, the dot will float right on top of the FS post). Otherwise for fast type shooting (looking over the BUIS) all you're seeing is the dot. I had an ACOG on my A4-gery and the A2 front sight didn't get in the way at all. Each optic has it's high points. I have an Aimpoint, and EOTech, and an ACOG and I wouldn't part with any of them.

Other things:
Get a good sling.
If this is a HD/bump in the night rig, get a light on it. Also, if the Surefire set ups are too steep, Grant at G&R has some good quality, reasonably priced light packages he put together http://www.gandrtactical.com/grlights.htm


Later,

rich

 

[Norton]

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the advice. I went back over to the RRA site and it appears that the "match" trigger is their stock trigger as they also offer a "national match" trigger as an aftermarket. This is pretty much their entry level basic carbine style rifle so I can't imagine the NM trigger coming with it since it costs around $130 by itself.

I'm still waffling on the front sight.....maybe I'm already catching tacticalitis

You still working up in my neck o'the woods?

 

[Norton]

Forgot to add......so the non-chrome barrel is most often typical of a target/match/precision type rifle?

 

[trbon8r]

The chrome lined barrel will last longer than a non-chrome bore, and will clean up easier.

The reason why you don't see chrome bores on match rifles is because the chroming process by its very nature can create a bore surface that is not as "even" as its non-chrome counterpart. By this I'm referring to controlling the thickness of the chrome applied so that it is uniform throughout the barrel. This is a difficult and precise process. For this reason, in theory, non-chrome bores are more accurate. However, modern chroming methods have advanced to such a degree, I'm not sure there is much practical difference except maybe for benchrest type shooting.

I'd recommend a chrome bore for a general purpose AR.

 

[BrainOnSigs]

Sorry to hear that you have recently been infected with the BRD (Black Rifle Disease). There is no cure.

I love my RRAs:

 

[Trumpet]

Trbon8r's right. While chrome lined bores are thought to be for "blasters" and chrome moly and SS are thought to be for target, that is rapidly becoming untrue. Technology has grown in regards to plating and there are now several incredibly accurate chrome lined barrels out there (FN and Noveske come to mind) AND Stainless barrels are proving themselves with great success in the "sandbox". It used to be that chrome moly and stainless barrels were for "target/match only" (it was thought that they couldn't hold up to FA fire and lost their accuracy too quickly), but advances in metallurgy and manufacturing have made SS a very viable option in a combat rifle. Just look at all the SPR's, Noveskes, Liljas, etc being used by the .mil right now. Heck Damian from ADCO ran a stock RRA carbine with a stainless barrel through a Pat Rogers carbine class, and the thing ran like a top.


I believe RRA's "match" trigger is their standard, although I'm not sure. I DO know that their NM is their two stage.



Yep, I'm in the same place. Too bad I can't send you an EOTech in the "pony" to try it out


Rich

 

[Harry Tuttle]

the best accessory?

a case of ammo

 

[Norton]

the best accessory?

a case of ammo

Well....after that, naturally.

Notice that I'm not looking to have forward rails and all sorts of goodies beyond the optic. I want this to be a rifle......not a Swiss Army Knife with a barrel

 

[Norton]

Yep, I'm in the same place. Too bad I can't send you an EOTech in the "pony" to try it out

Well, you could stop by my school for the inservice on Monday.