RRA vs. Stag

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I have a 20" BCM upper, a couple of their bolt carrier groups and charging handles.

The upper is OK. I haven't given it a serious accuracy test yet, I have only shot if for function checking, which was fine. My only comment so far is I would rather have the tigher headspacing of my RRAs. The BCM spits out brass that has stretched about .004" - .006" more than the brass coming out of any of my RRAs. The headspace must be at or near max on the BCM.... spent brass is show ~ + .008" on my RCBS Precision Mic and I assume there must be some spring back from the actually chamber dimensions. No check block for that on "the chart".

Simply not possible according to Azz. Get out of here with your objectivity, facts and reason. :D
 
Thanks for reminding me why I stopped coming here.
Because you don't like facts?

Of course if being Snarky is more important to you than objectivity that is fine.

2 things about the chamber.
1: RRA doesn't use a 5.56 chamber. I don't reload but I assume that could have something to do with it.
2: If you feel there is something wrong with the BCM did you contact them? I bet Paul would take care of it with a quickness.

What ammo were you using, 5.56 or .223?
 
1: RRA doesn't use a 5.56 chamber.
They do if you order a 5.56 chamber, but they also offer SAAMI .223 Remington and .223 Wylde chambers, and most of their match grade barrels are either regular .223 or Wylde. Chrome lining may also be available as an extra-cost option ($40 or so, IIRC).
 
Good enough is good enough?

For whom?

Reminds me of the old quote, "penny wise, pound foolish"
 
1: RRA doesn't use a 5.56 chamber.

Weird. My RRA has a 5.56 chamber. Must be a factory screw up, eh? :)

Either would be a fine choice. No need to consult the chart for a paper punchin' machine. Besides, last time I bothered to look at the chart it was for a 'standard' M4gery configuration.

RRA has a big catalog with a lot of options. Uppers/Lowers fit nice and tight and the finish is top notch. Some folks like to point out that the RRA isn't staked as well as it could be - so what? Do a search and you'll find plenty of examples of all brands that need a better stake job.
 
JonB did you order it with a 5.56 chamber. Except for their match guns, RRA usually ships with a Wylde chamber.
 
JonB did you order it with a 5.56 chamber. Except for their match guns, RRA usually ships with a Wylde chamber.
RRA ships however it is ordered by the distributor, but the default for their tactical/defensive-style rifles is a 5.56 NATO chamber, with Wylde and (AFAIK) SAAMI .223 available as options.


For example, the default page for the Elite CAR A4 (16" midlength):

ela410.gif

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=219


The Entry Tactical:

entry10.gif

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=217


Mid-Length A2/A4:

mida2410.gif

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=224



All of the above come standard with the 5.56mm NATO chamber. On the other hand, the rifles aimed at Camp Perry style shooting, varmint hunting, etc. typically come standard with a Wylde chamber, though you can get 5.56mm NATO if you want it:

Standard A2/A4:

stda2410.gif

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=225


Predator Pursuit Rifle:

predp10m.gif

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=229


Et cetera.
 
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Ahh they have changed it then. Back when I used to be a distributor for them they shipped with Wylde chambers by default. I stand corrected.
 
I am guessing the Wylde chamber is an option you have to order now. I picked my RRA up at a local Sportsmans Warehouse. Found this info out on the web (RRA Barrel codes):

All 16" moly barrels have a NATO chamber, while the 20" moly and all stainless barrels have a Wylde chamber.

200 =moly CAR
200CL =Chrome-lined CAR
202 =moly R4
204 =Chrome-lined R4
205 =Chrome-lined light-weight R4, 1:7
206 =Stainless CAR
208 =16" varmint
210 =moly Mid
212 =Chrome-lined Mid
215 =Stainless Mid
218 =18" varmint
219 =Chrome-lined light-weight R4, 1:9
220 =moly Std (rifle)
221 =Chrome-lined Std (rifle)
222 =Stainless NM(rifle)
223 =Stainless NM (rifle), unthreaded
226 =20" varmint
228 =24" varmint (1:8)
229 =24" varmint (1:12)

There may be "S" & "C" after the numbers. The "S" is for stainless and the "C" is for chrome-lined.
 
You might want to look at the S&W. I remember seeing one company selling a model for $799 and it also had a bunch of mags with it and a rebate for some free pmags too. That's pretty hard to beat and the quality is really the same as the Stag or RRA. I'd pick Stag over RRA myself but I don't think there's a massive difference between the 2.

If you want to spend a bit more I'd probably go with the BCM. Or you could assemble one as you go with whatever parts you particularly like. Some parts matter more than others. I'd be pickier about the BCG than say which brand my stripped lower was (as long as it's made properly to spec of course).
 
It is hard to keep up with all of the changes at each manufacturer. I'd basically consider these two manufacturers to be about equal - maybe a slight edge to Stag just because that is the rifle I've had direct experience with most recently and it was well built (carrier key staked, castle nut staked, good parts).

Double Naught Spy posted a thread at TFL with an RRA that had the cam slot in the bolt carrier milled .025" too short. The result was that the cam pin doesn't move far enough back that you can remove it from the bolt carrier. That strikes me as a really obvious manufacturing defect that should have been caught by the factory; but I don't think it represents the typical product RRA puts out.

My general advice is not to get too caught up in the brand name. Decide what features you want and then buy from the manufacturer who gives you the best combination of price and service for those features.
 
That's debatable. Better gun? Possibly? Same money or even close? I highly doubt it.

Not everybody needs top o the line, or even middle of the line. Local availability could also be an issue. Shipping an already higher-priced weapon just makes the cost go up that much higher when, in some cases, good enough is good enough.

In the case of Stag arms, the price is about the same. But in terms of quality, BCM and DD and Spikes are much better. The bolts are HP tested, MP tested, and shot-peened. Also the barrels are made with 4150 CMV steel, unlike the 4140 CM steel used on the Stag and Rock River models. Oh, and the twist rate on most of the BCM, DD, and Spikes rifles are 1/7, not 1/9 unlike Stag and RRA.

Oh, and Spikes costs way less than Rock River.
 
there all the same lol.

I have a DPMS, an RRA, and an Armalite(Eagle). All set up a little different but all great. If your buying to shoot, have fun, modifiy to your likings, etc... I'd buy the cheaper one. They're all mil-spec and I have handled some stags, they seem just as good as the rest.


My DPMS was the cheapest and is my favorite M4A2 setup. I use it with a cmmg 22lr conversion and my Coastal Passport.
My RRA is a post ban(bought in 99') without bayo lug and non threaded, Standard A2 HBar.
The armalite is a build that I recently sold the upper. Was an M4A4 setup. I plan on a 20" flat top next.
 
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I own both a Stag and an RRA. Never had an issue with either rifle, or customer service from either company. Both are fine rifles and I'd deal with either again in a heartbeat. In fact I'm thinking of a 6.8 SPC upper. I'd be hard pressed to pick between the two. The Stag is a piston gun and the RRA a DI. The RRA trigger is a nm whereas the Stag is their plain Jane. I hunt with the Stag and use the RRA for personal defense. It could have been the other way around as far as I'm concerned. Pricing is pretty close on both so money isn't a factor. You can't go wrong with either one. JMHO
 
Regarding the BCM chamber, I don't think there is anything wrong with it, it just appears that the head space is pretty generous.... not something I like in a rifle. I reload and won't reuse brass that is getting stretch excessively when fired.

I shoot mostly Federal XM193 for plinking, and Hornady .223 75 grain TAP or Match for precision shooting.
 
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