Why is RRA (AR 15) so bad?

[Z-Michigan]

What are AK receivers made of?

As already noted, steel. Probably something comparable to 4130 or 4140. US-made AKM stamped receivers are typically one of those two grades.

But 4140/4150 in the AR15 context has nothing to do with the aluminum receiver, instead with the barrel material. And as I already stated, if you don't have the happy switch, it's unlikely to matter in the real world. Notably S&W uses 4140 in their AR15 barrels.

 

[benzy2]

I don't think you can get more rifle for the money, at least not in my uses. I shoot ?aper and the rare groundhog. For me accuracy is first priority, and everything else comes after that. For me, I avoid chrome lining. I don't care if a bolt or barrel is mip tested. I don't care about a lot of the checks on the list and have a few to specifically avolid. Sure, rra doesn't do everything to make the absolute most reliable rifle. They do things to make a darn accurfate rifle and make it as reliable as possible from there. To me, that makes it a great buy.

If all you want is a riflwe built to run 2000 without any cleaning, go with something else. If you want a rifle that will shoot the lights out and function well also, grab the rra.

 

[MinnMooney]

1st off - "Wow!"

I didn't know that RRA had a bad reputation.

My son and I have several RRA AR-15s and absolutely love them. They are flawless in performance and more accurate than my Bushmaster "Varmint Special" or several bolt action rifles that I own.

You didn't quote any "bad-mouth" references so I'm not sure where you're coming from.

 

[BushyGuy]

I plan on buying a RRA "16 inch M4 in the future there are 4 AR15s on my must buy list,

RRA
LMT
Daniel Defense
Stag

i currently own a Bushmaster -its a great rifle i have over 1500 rounds thru it and it hasnt had a single hiccup yet and its a 11.5" with 5.5" flash hider it gives me superb accuracy for a short barrel!

 

[redbullitt]

My rra carbine can hit what I need it to and runs well. Not the best of the best, but quite workable for what I paid for it.

 

[TonyAngel]

Oh, I forgot to mention this, but if you're interested in a Rock River rifle, look up a place called legal transfers, LLC. Back when I had the hots for RRA stuff, I believe they had the best prices.

 

[Mags]

Their CS sucks! I am still waiting for a response on emails and phone calls I made through last November to January. I eventually got rid of the RRA I had. The rifle is accurate but that is all that can be said. The castle nut and ejector cover hinge pin both broke on my RRA, and their CS was nonexistent. I just replaced the parts myself and got rid of the damn thing, but at least it was accurate.

 

[12131]

Bad? Sure, absolutely. According to the mil-spec fans and "The Chart" worshippers, that is.

 

[TonyAngel]

As far as their customer service goes, I can't comment. One thing that I try to do when I buy anything is to buy from someone that believes in and will stand behind what they sell. It helps to make things a bit less painful when things do go wrong.

I also forgot to mention adco firearms. I've bought RRA stuff from them and the service is good.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

one of my favorite ARs I own is the RRA Car15, accurate, handy, helluva weapon

 

[RP88]

Also, is 4140 so much poorer than 4150 or 'milspec'?

in certain areas, yes.

Although, even with a happy switch, a 4140 barrel is still unlikely to die on you like people make it out to be.

The main differences between the higher steel count is a bit more stiffness and a better resiliency to adverse temperature change (i.e. extremely high temperatures and extremely adverse temperature changes that can cause "quenching" that will ruin or warp a barrel), as well as quicker heat dissipation. The stiffness and heat dissipation is important because it can lead to more consistent (note: not better, just more consistent) accuracy over longer firing periods.

However, even with a 4140 barrel, you'd have to do some very unholy things in some very unholy environments to your AR (things that would make your handguards melt, your bolt sheer its lugs off, and put the gun at risk of cook-off of newly chambered rounds assuming that the gun doesn't start locking up by time those things happen) to get the barrel to break, assuming it is of quality manufacture.

 

[Zerodefect]

I've heard good things about RR national match rifles and the varmit rifles. But I haven't shot those.

All the more combat oriented RRA rifles I have shot kinda fell short.



I'd happily pay $600-700 for the above flattop. But not a penny more, and I'll bet it's more than that.

When Carbines get in the $1000+ range I want a BCM, Colt, Noveske, or something I build myself with top shelf stuff.

So the biggest thing I have against RRA, is IMO, it's a waste of money that could be put towards are far better weapon for a little bit more money.

The other thing I don't like, no Recce RRA's.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I don't hear too many folks saying they are bad, there are just better deals to be had. As previously mentioned Spikes and BCM take more care in assembling uppers and bcg's correctly. It is more about reducing the likelihood of a malfunction down the road, and less about better accuracy.

 

[TheGrimReaper]

RRA bad??? I have had 2( only 1 now) and they both were/are awsome!!!

 

[Slamfire]

I've heard good things about RR national match rifles and the varmit rifles. But I haven't shot those.

Maybe it is due to the sort of person attracted to the different sports.

If you shoot XTC you only shoot 88 rounds in a day. (assuming no alibis). Each and every shot has to be perfect. Malfunctions ruin your score, ruin your day. And it is an eight hour day, might be a 16 hour day. Many people drive hundreds of miles to shoot in a XTC match and pay a match fee. You would expect they are going to be extremely particular in ensuring that their guns are clean and lubricated and that their ammunition is perfect.

You will find that many experienced Highpower shooters use gages, special tools, expensive sizing and seating dies, often weigh charges, and they make ammunition to a extremely high level of precision. Many of these guys have the skills to build rifles.

Given this expertise, care and detail to attention, I would expect less malfunctions in their rifles than in the rifles of rock busters who are shooting the highest volume of the cheapest darn stuff they can find, in the shortest time possible and who only occasionally clean their rifles.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Funny the thread started on how "bad" RRA is and about all anyone has actually mentioned that's "bad" is price.

 

[Zerodefect]

Funny the thread started on how "bad" RRA is and about all anyone has actually mentioned that's "bad" is price.

Egg-zactly!

If they were half the price of a like equipped LMt/BCM/Colt, then I'm cool with that. But I have had some issues with RRA carriers and stocks.

Thier prebuilt .gov models with the optic and everthing, show how out of touch the bigger older Ar makers have become. I can spot a dozen things that need help just by the picture. And either of those are serious $$$.

BCM's quality is insane. Way better than my Colt and LMT. Not a scratch, not a mark anywhere. And thats on my Mk12 SPR Mod3x with a 14" DD Lite rail. Building an upper with a DD lite rail on and timed perfectly without so much as a knick anywhere.......is something I've never been able to do myself.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

dont believe everything you read, you know what they say bout opinons. I own Armalites, Bushmasters and RRAs, and they are all good, my opinon, now make your own. llike I said dont belive everything you read, most of these guys have very little experience but opine on what little they know. me, served 38 years ago, used so many combat rifles and still shoot lots, I know a little...like I said make your own opinon, you can always sell it...

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

dont believe everything you read, you know what they say bout opinons. I own Armalites, Bushmasters and RRAs, and they are all good, my opinon, now make your own. llike I said dont belive everything you read, most of these guys have very little experience but opine on what little they know. me, served 38 years ago, used so many combat rifles and still shoot lots, I know a little...like I said make your own opinon, you can always sell it...

 

[mrnkc130]

never had any problems with any of mine, I dont think the prices are that bad either.

I have emailed them a few times and they always responded by the next day. Called a few times too, website said several month wait on complete uppers, CS rep said it would only be a few weeks for a 10.5 inch since there is not as big of a demand. Got it 2 and a half weeks later.

I plan on getting a 20inch A2 upper soon and it will probably be a RRA too...

 

[briang2ad]

I started this, because I got little feedback on them and what little I got was negative - this from a post here and on another forum, and from comments I've seen on still other forums. Of course the context was "the chart" and such. They are commercial. But, sounds like they are good guns. I do think the ones they have on sale right now are very decent deals. Thanks all.

 

[carbine85]

Two thumbs up from me for both of my RRA's. For that matter two thumbs up on my Bushmaster. The RRA's have a perfect matching finish and the uppers and lowers fit tight.
IMHO RRA claim to fame is the Varmit and Preditor series. My Varmit can shoot the balls off a tick at 100 yards.

 

[Art Eatman]

And that's a good closing statement...