Rock River Arms

[Don't Tread On Me]

Positive: 2-stage trigger is standard. Which makes it the best factory AR-15 trigger out there.

Negative: Chrome lined barrels are not standard. That's unfortunate, especially considering the quality rifle they are and they price they charge. That should be standard on all their rifles except for their varmint/accuracy uppers which is understandable. I can understand no chrome back when a RRA carbine used to be $599. But now they're up over $850.


I prefer Bushmaster over RRA (unless Colt is in the mix, then Colt is simply the best period). There's nothing about the RRA that's better than a Bushmaster other than the trigger. Nothing. They're on par in quality, but a Bushmaster has chrome lining as standard and you can get lightweight profile barrels with them. RRA is all HBAR nonsense. Chrome and the option for lightweight barrel trumps the trigger in my book.

It's just that RRA has the big bandwagon following going last few years....They used to be a great value because they were roughly equal to a Bushmaster (give or take, see above) for $200-$300 less. Not anymore. They cost just as much and more.

 

[for_hire]

I too am about to purchase a new AR-15

I have been looking at the Rock River CAR A2 and Bushmaster Carbine version.

This gun will be a Home Defense Rifle would Rock River be the way to go?

 

[mmike87]

Negative: Chrome lined barrels are not standard. That's unfortunate, especially considering the quality rifle they are and they price they charge. That should be standard on all their rifles except for their varmint/accuracy uppers which is understandable. I can understand no chrome back when a RRA carbine used to be $599. But now they're up over $850.

Chrome is only like a $40 option I think. But it is puzzling that this is not standard on a carbine from RRA when it's standard for everyone else.

Also worthy of note is that they use a lower grade of steel than many other manufacturers. Now, I am not a metalurgist but the 5150 steel most other manufacturers use us supposed to be "better" than the 5140 use by RRA. I think the general consensus is that for a semi-auto rifle it's probably "good enough" - and that's probably true. But other rifles in that price range do use 5150 steel.

But again - my RRA rifles run wonderfully. I have had no issues at all, including a carbine class that seems to be the de facto litmus test for AR reliability these days. So RRA must be doing something right. Even my "dremeled" feed ramps look good and seem to do what they are supposed to do.

 

[taliv]

hey for_hire, we should make a motion to change our state motto from volunteer state to patron state of shooting stuff.

i personally don't want a chrome lined barrel, and don't have one in any of my ARs (especially the two that have custom barrels)

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

1) Stake the castle nut - costs nothing if you own a spring loaded punch

Be careful about staking your castle nut. Some manufacturers have taken to using cheaper, fairly brittle metal for this part and the castle nut will shatter or break if you attempt to stake it. This is one of the reasons some manufacturers will loctite the castle nut instead of staking. I don't remember which manufacturers were doing this; but it has been discussed here before.

 

[jeepmor]

DHS is buying RRA for their folks.

I looked at several, but the RRA had the tightest fit between the upper and lower of all looked at, if that helps.

Take the gun, hold it by the pistol grip with one hand and wobble it, ALL manufacturers but Rock River had slop in them. This slop might be helpful in a dirty enviroment for fit, but it feels cheap to me.

 

[aloharover]

Not everyone offers standard chrome lining, and for many people it's not a requirement. I think too many people put too much emphasis on the problems the M16 encountered when it first came out. The CL solved the powder, lack of PM, heat, humidity issues.
But for the average user it is really needed?
I have run a case of ammo through a nonCL bbl in a day with out any problems what so ever.
But if you do want CL they are available...usually anywhere from 30-50$ more.

I have built 11 ARs so far using RRA parts. The are great functioning rifles. One defective part that RRA was extremely fast in replacing. Their customer service rocks.

I am not claiming that RRA is at the top of the pack, but they do make a good product for the price.

Regarding staking the stock castle nut, you actually stake the anti rotation ring. Moving metal from the ring into the notch on the castle nut. Hammer and punch or auto center punch do the trick.

Pete

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Unless your number one priority is accuracy, chrome lining is preferable in every other way...