Rock river ar question

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Archangel14

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Guys:

Help me out here. What's the general consensus on RR AR's? I'm thinking about buying a complete AR for Christmas (God willing), and somehow got my mind set on a RR. How does RR's stuff stack up to other "higher end" AR builders like Daniel Defense and BCM?

Thanks for your input!
 
RRAs seem to be the rifle everyone loves to hate (except those that have them).

I've been impressed with their fit, finish, and accuracy.
Got a relative that's a competitive bench rest shooter - back when the AWB expired, I asked him what was popular - way back then he said it seemed RRA seemed to be the AR of choice for those looking for accuracy. Since then, I've always flipped to the back of various comparison tests of ARs in all the rags, and over the years it seems RRA consistently has the smallest groups.

They also are pretty out front with their accuracy guarantees - some other makers guarantee accuracy, but you have to dig to find it buried in the small print.

Accuracy aside, I've never had a malfunction out of either of my RRAs - I have a couple of Colts and a couple of RRAs.

I don't really need another AR, but I'm sure giving the new Ruger AR-556 a hard look!
 
Archangel14 said:
Guys:

Help me out here. What's the general consensus on RR AR's? I'm thinking about buying a complete AR for Christmas (God willing), and somehow got my mind set on a RR. How does RR's stuff stack up to other "higher end" AR builders like Daniel Defense and BCM?

Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...

RR isn't a "higher" end like DD or BCM. If you want the higher end like that you're basically looking at (major players with decent volume) Daniel Defense, Bravo Company, Noveske, LaRue, Colt, KAC, LMT, and maybe add Spikes Tactical to that as well. I wouldn't complain about a S&W M&P 15 either.

You can do better, without spending more money.

BCM is still doing the thing where you get a free BCG with every 'complete' upper, and you simply cannot beat that deal.

If in doubt either get a <$1,000 Colt 6920 from grab a gun or get a complete BCM upper, assemble yourself a lower (or buy a complete lower from a reputable manufacturer, such as the $260 complete Spikes Tactical lower from Aim Surplus), and you're all set as far as the base rifle is concerned.


My dad got an RRA when he didn't know much of anything, as his first AR. Didn't take but a couple trips to the range before there was a light strike failure to fire with 5.56 ammo, which is a not-uncommon thing for them (put the round in my rifle after failing 3x in the RRA and it fired perfectly)
 
Inebriated said:
"I loosened it for ya." :D
Click to expand...

I've done that exact same trick to three different people who had three different manufacturers of rifles now. :cool:

The rounds in question were Federal XM193, Federal XM855, and Prvi Partizan M193.

The failure rifles were DPMS, RRA, and I actually forget what the third one was I'd have to do some digging to find it as I didn't witness their rifle/failures first hand as with the first two, they actually shipped me the failed rounds to try.

I started a thread after the RRA incident (on Glock Talk, in Black Rifle forum) and somebody vehemently argued that it was operator error because RRA rifles are not intended to reliably ignite hard military primers on much 5.56 ammo so it was our fault for using the wrong ammo in the rifle. Or so they claimed.
 
Well, the Black Rifle forum isn't necessarily GT's most helpful forum.

Did the thread eventually turn into Colt vs. FN like they all do now?

Oh, and OP, I don't want to sound like I'm off topic here. I'm in 100% agreement with Warp. Better rifles out there for what you'd pay for an RRA. You're essentially talking about the $1k mark, and for that it's hard to beat a BCM or DD. Heck, looking at Slickguns, they have some DD's listed for a few bucks LESS than the RRA. There's also Colt, FN, Stag, Spike's, S&W, etc. But BCM and DD are both companies I wouldn't mind throwing dollars towards.
 
I've got a BCM upper on a RRA NM lower with the 2 stage trigger. Love the 2 stage trigger, and love my upper. Only speaking for their lower receivers, but theyre built well. The fit/finish is great. I wish they used a Mil spec buffer tube, but I'm still rockin the rattle stock and commercial spec tube pretty hard with no issues.

I was looking at a RRA rifle, too, but went with a BCM.
I'm not hearing any complaints from the RRA guys about the wheels falling off, so must be pretty legit. Not sure how it goes when you run 'em hard, tho.

If you're gonna sink a chunk of cash on a rifle you might as well throw in a few more bucks and get something that will let you rest at night. Think of all the hours of your life you'd save not asking internet strangers on forums if your rifle is really up to snuff, and good to go.

lol, wish this was more helpful. good luck in your search of an AR
 
I have a RR lower with the varmint trigger coupled to a DPMS heavy 16" varmint upper. No issues with lower, and really like the trigger.
 
If your looking for accuracy for paper punching or varmint hunting RRA is great. I believe they even give a 1 moa guarantee. If your looking for something that will last a lifetime of hard abuse then RRA is not it. Bcm or DD with their CHF barrels are going to be the way to go.
 
I have a 20" free-floated RRA with an aftermarket trigger group. In my hands, it is the most accurate and consistent rifle in my safe - it shoots better than dedicated varmint bolt actions... like my Sako heavy barreled .243. The RRA has never malfunctioned in the 4 years I've owned it. With hand loads I can pretty much make ragged holes at 100 yards. Generally. Seems to be a good rifle, but of course others are good too.
 
I've owned my RRA 4 or 5 years now with zero failures and this same topic has been covered numerous times with members chiming in about hard use without failure. We don't have a true definition of what "hard use" constitutes but responses ranged from a decade of 3-gun competition to basic and advanced carbine courses to guys like me who occasionally run 2 or 3 hundred rounds through in an afternoon.

Mine is accurate, reliable, very well fit and finished and comes with a lifetime warranty. There are cheaper, there are more expensive, there are less accurate and I'm sure there are more accurate ARs out there but few are more maligned by Internet commandos than RRA.
 
...few are more maligned by Internet commandos than RRA.
Click to expand...
I often tell folks RRA is the Microsoft of guns - somewhere along the line it became cool to hate on 'em (maybe because they were so popular?), but when time comes to get a little work done, they just seem to work, usually with much more accuracy than others.

I have both Colt and RRA - iff'n I could only hang onto one brand (based on performance, fit, finish), the Colts would be gone.
 
Totally agree with basicblur. I have "at least" 3 ARs, and taking into account fit, finish, accuracy and performance... they go in this order: 1) RRA, 2) S&W, 3) Colt. (I'd say the RRA snd S&W are about equal)
 
Random thought: I tend to give more credence to people who specify the round count through their 'never malfunctioned' rifle than the people who tell us about years of ownership. I have a rifle that I have owned for about 6 or 7 years. Never a single malfunction. I've never fired it. But I've had it 6-7 years and it's never had a single malfunction!

Just something to think about.
 
6,000 give or take since new. I'm a 4-season guy with my shooting, Mike and Peggy, the caretakers at my range, know me by name and recognize my vehicle. They tease me for plowing through the drifts when no other members bother to brave sub-freezing temps. week after week.

What credence that buys me I don't know, I am an RRA owner though, with firsthand knowledge of the brand in question...maybe that counts for something or maybe we'll move on to the sample size of 1 argument next or my favorite, the inherent strength of milspec buffer tubes vs. commercial tubes used by manufacturers aka assemblers who have no pride in their product.

OP, it's your money and your decision. I would recommend RRA to friends, family and strangers alike. Heck, buy a Windham or S&W and save yourself some money if they suit you but know that my rifle works, it's seen milsurp, factory and a lot of reloads, Troy, Magpul and D&H magazines, the standard trigger is great, the accuracy better than I hoped for and I'm happy with my purchase.
 
rr

i like rockriver enough that i now have 4 ! it's all personal preference .:)
 
I own a Colt A/2 (selective fire conversion) I picked up new in '86 & papered just prior to the NFA registration change. I also own a RR midlength with a Wilson 1/8" stainless HB that I built.

Both are good and reliable firearms, in truth tho, the RR IS the better finished and fitted of the pair. It also tends to group somewhat tighter than the Colt.

Frankly I see very little, if any, difference in any of the major players products. I most certainly would NOT pay any premium for an AR simply because it carried Colt's logo........like I said, the RR actually evidences more attention to detail as sold as parts than that Colt I bought new!!

You want to pay for name then go ahead............I prefer performance!

It occurs to me that I should have mentioned that of the several AR variants I've owned and built, that the Colt was the ONLY one I really had any issues with......mostly failure to feed as new. The singular issue I've had with the RR is that with a Wilde chamber it doesn't quite fit my old Attichson .22 sub cal. device.........it'l work, but the chamber insert fit is a bit off. I cannot recall a failure to either feed or fire.
 
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Random thought: I tend to give more credence to people who specify the round count through their 'never malfunctioned' rifle than the people who tell us about years of ownership. I have a rifle that I have owned for about 6 or 7 years. Never a single malfunction. I've never fired it. But I've had it 6-7 years and it's never had a single malfunction!

Just something to think about.
Click to expand...

I bought my RRA in February of 2012 got it in April of 2012 and in that time frame I have about 9500 rds through it. The most I have shot through it in a one week period was 1000rds. I have hauled it all over creation here in ID and MT. I fire it in all weather, mountains, desert (alot of desert), windy, sunny, snow, hot/cold blah blah. Never a single failure to fire, feed or eject. The only "issue" is I broke the stock handgaurd on it. I guess I got a bad one :(
 
dogrunner said:
I own a Colt A/2 (selective fire conversion) I picked up new in '86 & papered just prior to the NFA registration change. I also own a RR midlength with a Wilson 1/8" stainless HB that I built.

Both are good and reliable firearms, in truth tho, the RR IS the better finished and fitted of the pair. It also tends to group somewhat tighter than the Colt.

Frankly I see very little, if any, difference in any of the major players products. I most certainly would NOT pay any premium for an AR simply because it carried Colt's logo........like I said, the RR actually evidences more attention to detail as sold as parts than that Colt I bought new!!

You want to pay for name then go ahead............I prefer performance!
Click to expand...

$900 for the complete rifle is not paying a premium for a logo.

It is a nearly unbeatable intersection of price vs quality, of course
 
RR is my choice for a host of reasons... not the least of which is reliability, craftsmanship and 1.35" groups with reloads and scope at 300yds all day long.

There are many fine AR's out there and now is a good time to shop. I carried and used various Colts for more than 25 years. I find the craftsmanship and reliability of the RR, BCM and DD to be the best of the many good ones offered today.
 
I bought a Rock River Elite Operator 2 on a whim during the "panic". I didn't know they suck. I installed a Geissele National Match - Match trigger and started developing loads. The rifle shoots under 1 MOA with a variety of bullets and powder. It is incredibly accurate and I have shot hundreds of prarie dogs with the rifle. It has proved to be reliable and it runs like the Energizer Bunny.

Somewhere along the line the tacticool crowd convinced me the RR is good enough for plinking p-dogs, but it would be bound to fail in a self defense roll when I needed it most. I bought a Lewis Machine and Tool MRP and stoked it up with 69 grain OTM rounds. Now I sleep much better at night.:uhoh:
 
Do you want a varmint/target AR, a plinking AR, a Duty/SD/HD/go take defensive carbine classes AR, or something else? Your intended end use matters.
 
I put about 4,000 through mine. Never a malf of any kind other than due to one totally fouled up C-Products magazine.
 
To the OP...

If you haven't seen this article (or are not that familiar with RRA), you might find this article interesting?
http://www.rockriverarms.com/images/pdfs/gm_oct04.pdf

I often refer folks to it and then sit back and watch certain folks' duct tape their head before it explodes (especially worshippers of THE CHART).

Of course, RRA haters immediately whined the gun supplied to the government is not the same as you can buy - RRA says not so - they say what you buy is the same thing they sell Uncle Sam.

I see this thread is trending like all previous ones - some folks dislike them, but over a period of time, those that actually own them tend to tilt the scales heavily in their favor.

I can't recall anyone at the local gun shop being anything other than extremely pleased with theirs, and our local store tends to sell a number of them.
 
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