Rock River Arms Upper Questions

[GlockFu]

I have a couple questions on the differences between the uppers Rock River Arms offers.

1) What is the difference between these two uppers? http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=266 and http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=261 ... Why is the second one so much more expensive and is it worth the price difference?

2) I see the options to select light barrel, does anyone know if the two barrels look different (regular vs. light)? If they look different can anyone post pics of the differences?

Thanks for any help!

 

[JonB]

As far as I can tell the price difference is the tactical carry handle. Add that to the cheaper one and the price difference goes away (cheaper becomes more expensive - go figure)

 

[anthony-white]

Difference is the tactical carry handle and the sling mounting position.
BEAT ME TO IT!

 

[Glockman17366]

If you're going to mount optics, the tactical "carry" handle is nice. It kinda sucks as a carry handle though.

 

[DMK]

If you're going to mount optics, the tactical "carry" handle is nice.

Not really. It won't work with an Eotech or any standard AR optic mount. I believe the only thing it is good for is an Aimpoint. A standard BUIS is better because it gives you more flexibility as far as optic mounting options.

2) I see the options to select light barrel, does anyone know if the two barrels look different (regular vs. light)? If they look different can anyone post pics of the differences?

The different barrels are pictured here:

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=272

The lightweight looks like a Govt. profile that is also turned down between the front sight and muzzle device. It's like a pencil barrel but with a bigger gas block diameter. It should be much lighter and handle better.

I have an RRA chrome lined Govt. profile (custom machined) on one of my carbines. It's a nice barrel. Lightweight and shoots great.

 

[JonB]

The carry handle works with an Aimpoint and little else. My RRA came with one, but I went with a cheaper red dot (Vortex Strikefire) and had to take it off. If you plan to go optics, then you won't need it. But if you won't have optics to start with, the rear sight is built into the carry handle. I shot mine for a long time with just the irons and have no complaints on the carry handle (other than it isn't a handle and can't really carry the AR using it)

 

[GlockFu]

Thanks for answering all of my questions everyone. That really cleared everything up.

Does anyone know if they use F-marked front sight bases or standard?

 

[DMK]

If it's not specifically listed in the description or in a dropdown list then it's standard height.

If you have a problem, you can get a longer sight post.

 

[JonB]

Thanks for answering all of my questions everyone. That really cleared everything up.

Does anyone know if they use F-marked front sight bases or standard?

I bought a complete Elite CAR A4 rifle (midlength) and it has an F marked FSB even though RRA didn't specify that fact.

 

[DMK]

I bought a complete Elite CAR A4 rifle (midlength) and it has an F marked FSB even though RRA didn't specify that fact.

That is interesting. I guess they do it standard on some models. None of my RRA Midlength barrels came with it.

It's interesting too that the sell the Elite CAR with a midlength barrel. Usually a CAR and M4 have the short gas system.

I guess you never know what you might get in the AR world anymore unless you specifically ask them.

 

[JonB]

RRA has a ton of options and configs. The Elite CAR A4 is midlength, while the Tactical CAR A4 is the M4/short gas system. The TASC model is sold in either config....

Just proves that AR's are really the 'tinker toys' of the gun world.

None of my RRA Midlength barrels came with it

Might be a case of when you bought it, what they had in stock, etc, etc. I just looked through their online catalog and see that they now have a drop down to choose what kind of front sight you want. That wasn't there a couple of years ago when I got mine so I am thinking all bets are off on what you get 'standard'.

I believe they used to include the 'Elite' on rifles/configs that had the midlength system. I see now that they offer midlength on other models now as well.