Which mid-length AR?

[SDM]

I’ve been thinking about buying an AR, and I’ve pretty much settled on a Rock River. Either the Elite CAR A4 or the Mid-Length A4. I’m having troubling figuring out the difference between the two. The Elite has a Hogue grip and the tactical carry handle but that’s about the only differences I can find. I like the look of the mid-length handguard, but I don’t know if there are any real advantages or disadvantages. Any thoughts are appreciated. What should I expect as far as price? I haven’t seen many RRA rifles in shops or at shows. I would guess something like $100 - $150 less than the suggested price, if these are similar to other guns. Thanks folks.
http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=AR1294X&storeid=1&image=06mida24.gif&CFID=29432516&CFTOKEN=11169606
http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=AR1225X&storeid=1&image=06ela4.gif&CFID=29432516&CFTOKEN=11169606

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

The tactical handle on that one RRA is not something I see as useful. It tries to bridge the gap between A2 handles and flattops. If you're going to add a serious optic, like an EOtech or Aimpoint down the road, you're going to want a normal flattop, not bolt it ontop of this carry handle. It also makes the irons on it useless. I'm not sure of the height, but maybe, maybe an Aimpoint with the standard low ring it comes with might co-witness with this handle.

In any event, all you're paying for with that elite car A4 is the carry handle and the hogue grip. The hogue grip can be found on thet net for $13. I wouldn't pay the premium for that rifle just for the carry handle. I'd rather get a better barrel.

Most folks go for the A4 flattop instead which gives you more options and the use of a flip-up rear iron sight.

I'd do the Midlength A4. Add $15 for CAR stock. If you're happy shooting bullets up to 70gr...I'd choose the Chrome Lined option for sure. Make cleaning easier, adds barrel life, is less suceptable to rust or pitting.

If you're planning on shooting the heavies, like the 75's and 77's...get the 1/8 stainless option to guarantee that you'll be able to stabilize them.

With CAR stock and Chrome lined, it's $875 rifle, $15 stock, $40 chrome = $930. Cheaper than the Elite, and better in my opinion. With stainless 1/8 barrel, it would be $945.


The only drawback to the A4 flattop is that you'll need to spend money right away for some sort of sighting option, either an optic or a rear flip up iron sight like the Troy, ARMS, Yankee Hill etc....otherwise the rifle is useless. The Elite gives you the flattop and ironsight use until you can get an optic, but the ideal ways of mounting the optic will not allow you to keep the iron sighted carry handle unless you're happy with having the optic mounted up that high AND you plan on getting quick-detach mounts.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Looks like the main differences are the fixed stock v. telestock (you can get midlength A4 with telestock; but it costs more), the "tactical" carry handle on the Elite (no carry handle or mount on mid), the Hogue grip on Elite v. standard on mid (upgrade available for $), and the star safety selector on the Elite v. standard safety (another upgrade on the mid).

 

[BozemanMT]

What Don't tread on me said.

mid-length flatop
Get a regular carry handle (about $75) with teh front sight post and you have iron sights
You also have the ability to put optics on it later.
Get the 1/8 twist, lot more options and works fine on "normal" 55grain.

 

[SDM]

So, if I went with the mid-length A4 could I buy a flip up rear sight now, and then at some point put an EOTech on there and have them co-witness? I like that idea, but if I dish out $1000 for the rifle it may be a while before I buy the optic.

This is what I'm thinking -
Mid-Length A4
6 position stock
1:9 chrome lined barrel. I hadn't thought much about shooting the heavier bullets. I would shoot very little over 250 yds. Are the heavy bullets available in factory loads.
I'll probably get the ambi controls because I shoot backwards
From another source I'd have to get a rear sight

 

[MatthewVanitas]

You might want to shop around a bit, and particularly might want to buy the upper separate from the lower.

Last I check, Mooney's Firearms had a complete RRA lower with 6pos stock for $269, and had the A4 Middy chrome 1:9 complete upper for $469. Toss in $15 shipping for each half, and $25 FFL fee, and you're looking at under $800.

When you buy the entire rifle, you get smacked with excise tax.

Also, if you don't want the standard RRA stock, you could buy just the complete lower assembled for around $180 (from various dealers), and then buy a CAA 6pos ($69 w/ complete buffer system), or a VLTOR ($125, ditto) if you want to go deluxe.

I don't know much about detachable carry handles and the like though, some folks have 'em as low as $45, but don't know how the quality is. There are also some folks that have detachables with A1 sights, which is pretty cool.

-MV

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

If you go that route, I wouldn't get the carry handle. Use that $75 you'd spend on a carry handle, and get a rear flip up sight. You can use that as a regular iron sight forever if you want, or flip it down when/if you get an optic to have a clearer view. Then you have redundancy in sighting, which is a good thing in a survival situation.


Flip up sights vary in price.

(from RB Precision, a random vendor I picked)

The ARMS is $96
The Troy is $140
The Yankee Hill is $79


I have the Troy, it is really, really nice. But I felt like spending money at the time. Reality is, it is just a backup for me, almost never gets used...I'd go with the lowest cost rear flip up if I did it again. They all work fine and do what they're suppose to do.


Heavy .223 70gr+ is available commercially. Hornady, Blackhills, Federal offer heavy .223 loads. However, these are expensive. Much more than other .223 ammo. Most people use these as their defense loads or SHTF loads and use 55 and 62gr for plinking and practice. Unless you reload.


The advantage of the heavier .223 is increased effectiveness at all ranges, and extended fragmentation range over military ball.


Now, the 68gr hornady and 68gr sierra match king are much better performers than the 55gr or 62gr military bullets...and are considered heavier .223 - but are easily stabilized by a 1/9 twist. So there are choices no matter what you buy. Some folks make a big deal out of using heavier .223, others feel that it is splitting hairs. No matter what, with an AR, you're not undergunned unless you decide to use a 40gr varmint bullet.

 

[10-Ring]

I have a RRA middy that has just plain impressed me. I only have about 600 rounds through it but is has been amazingly accurate and reliable...great gun!

 

[possum]

since i don't use the carry handle on mine and most folks don't with the a4 models, i would go with the first one. i have no need for the highspeed carry handle in the second, pic and if you do decide to out an optic on there the sight is gonna be higher and you might or might not get a could cheak to stock weld, i don't know but i would go with the a4 falttop minus the carry handle.

 

[cheaptrick]

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1

These guys are squared away.

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/largerimage.php?prod_id=669
I like this weapon!