The Rock River A4 won some points from us when we uncrated it to find a blue plastic breakdown case with foam storage areas for extras, like scopes. Another feature I really liked was the sealed battery storage area . This gives the hammer considerable inertia. Sporting a medium-weight 16-inch stainless steel barrel, it represents the top of Rock River's current four-model line of ARs specifically configured for coyote pursuit. We also found the left ejection pattern did not bother righties. Thats one of the nice things about the platform. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, New for 2020: Rock River Arms BT-9 4.5" Pistol, New for 2020: Rock River Arms LAR-15M 350 Legend, NRA Gun of the Week: Rock River Arms BT9 R9 Competition, NRA Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms Assurance-C, Product Preview: Rock River Arms M1911 Mainspring Housings, 7 Simple Follow-Through Tips to Improve Your Accuracy (Right Now!) Certainly not, considering the quality. If youre looking for a good, dependable AR at a reasonable price, I dont think you could go wrong with a Rock River Arms product. This means that they will fit with most other AR-15 parts on the market. With this in mind, we went to LaRue Tactical (www.laruetactical.com) for the exceptional LT104 30mm QD Lever Mount, $195. Select Barrel. Those of our fathers generation, on the other hand, usually gravitated toward bolt action hunting rifles of the Remington 700 or Winchester model 70 flavor. This eliminates all stress risers in the barrel that can cause a barrel to shift point of impact as it heats when shot. Then again, this is the beauty of the MSR its a completely modular system as long as the foundation is there, and the BT-3 is one heck of a foundation upon which to personalize a precision rifle build. The handle was a palm swell adjustable pistol grip, which featured a large base that can be adjusted via a hex wrench to set the proper trigger pull angle. Given that the .350 Legend cartridge is intended for hunting applications out to 250 yards, the LAR-15M is ideally suited to the task. Regardless, youll get a gun with a fit and finish better than most AR rifles available on the market right now, even at a significantly higher price. In parts of the South, varmint hunters are calling in foxes, coyotes, bobcats and other predators. The ATH V2 comes with an 18-inch, stainless steel, heavy match barrel. The rifles they were issued were manufactured by Rock River Arms, and were carbine variants in similar spec to the U.S. militarys M4. Rock River Arms ATH V2Type: Gas operated, direct impingement, semiautomaticCartridge: .223 WyldeCapacity: 20 or 30 rds.Barrel: 18 in., 1:8-in. Leader of the Pack: Rock River Arms Fred Eichler Predator Review The A4 had a winter trigger guard, which allowed gloves to be used with the gun. Since we had so many choices, we decided to narrow the field by setting the following parameters: a barrel length between 20 and 24 inches long, constructed of stainless steel, and capable of shooting the most popular ammo weight of 50 to 55 grains. AR-10-style rifles, the Rock River Arms LAR-8 stands alone. The company made its humble start in 1963in Gussago, Italywhen Giuseppe Pietta made a commitment to produce guns as authentic and true-to-original as possible. All of these options bring the gun to a wallet-emptying $1994 retail price. My first task was to get acquainted with the rifle. So, if youre looking for a cheap AR-15, Rock River Arms probably isnt the best option. Its Rock River Arms business model and today Guns.com reviews the Rock River Arms LAR-15. Gun Review: Rock River Arms LAR-8 Elite Operator - Gun Digest An important accuracy check you can run on any AR without even firing the rifle is to separate the receivers and remove the charging handle and bolt. Overall, Rock River Arms is a good brand that makes high quality AR-15s. I was impressed, its as simple as that. The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. This will cause the occasional flyer when shooting groups because the other end of that gas tube is attached directly to the barrel. While dimensional specs play to the geek intrigue, the real value of the .350 Legend is its ballistic performance and shooter experience. Rock River Arms produces their own bolt carrier group (BCG), which is made from 8620 steel and features a nitride finish. One of my Ballistics By The Inch buddies is very knowledgeable about ARs. For that purpose, it chose the 20-round box magazine used in the FN-FAL, which was readily available and priced as low as $5 each. Shot it for the first time today. Besides helping with accuracy, the lapping makes it easier to clean the barrel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Fulton turned in the best overall grouping at 0.89 inch, despite some balky performance by the Remington ammo we used that none of the guns could group under 1 inch. There is also a fundamental difference in the definition of the varmint hunter. InterLock; 5-shot string #1, Hornady American Whitetail, 170-gr. AR-15s tend not to fit standard gun cases when set up with the high mounts required to clear the charging handle, and still provide a solid sight picture. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. As I write this, a quick Internet search reveals .350 Legend is among the few cartridges still available from online retailers. AR-15 Review: Rock River Arms LAR-15 - Gun Digest But Im lucky. You might wonder why we listed the prices of each option at the beginning of this review. RRA's R3 Competition Rifle is a Versatile & Accurate AR Are you in the market for a new AR-15? This makes them some of the most durable and reliable AR-15s on the market. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. REVIEW: Rock River Arms R3 Competition Rifle | Shoot On This makes them some of the most accurate AR-15s on the market. It seems almost every manufacturer out there is turning out some version of this genre. The bare shelves at Bass Pro were a shocking sight, and a testament to how difficult it can be to find ammunition these days. The majority of Rock River Arms parts are mil-spec, including the receivers, barrels, handguards, and more. The fire control is Rock River's 2-stage trigger. Being M-LOK compatible, you can fit whatever railed accessories you like or keep it clean. We felt the Giessele trigger was the best out of all the guns tested, but was also the hardest name to pronounce. Lots of groups under an inch. Anyway, I was lucky to have someone I could turn to for information. Billed as the LAR-15M . Although it eliminated the brass deflector, we had no problems with the ejection pattern. This rifle is fed by a 10-round AICS-pattern detachable box magazine. The case length hits the 1.71-inch mark with an overall cartridge length of 2.26 inches. AR Accuracy with 7.62x39 mm | An Official Journal Of The NRA But the chances are if youre in that group, this will be a refresher. Top accuracy honors came from three flyweight varmint loads. If youre already among the AR-cognoscenti then you probably already know general information about Rock River Arms and their line of LAR-15 rifles in particular. The rear half of the fore-end is rounded and smooth for a comfortable hold, while the front half has four rails that provide plenty of space for mounting accessories. Of course, all of this comes at a price but if youre looking for an AR-15 that will serve you well for many years to come, then the Rock River Arms is definitely worth considering. Our advicemake your decision and your move now. Several have stepped up to the .350 Legend plate, and one of the most recent is Rock River Arms. Sights: folding front post attached to the gas block, Picatinny rail for attaching opticsTrigger: two-stage; 4-lb., 4-oz. The tight adherence to exacting tolerances of their chamber dimensions and the stress-relieving effort are two of the big contributors that I credit for this brands reputation for accuracy. The Rock River Arms BT-3 is a .308 modern sporting rifle, featuring Rock River Arms billet upper and lower receivers, fluted 20-inch cryogenically treated stainless-steel barrel, Rock River Arms .308 A2 flash hider, Magpul PRS stock, Hogue rubber over-molded grip, new lightweight M-LOK compatible 17-inch aluminum floated handguard with MS1913 top rail and a Rock River Arms 2-stage trigger. Rock River cured a couple other standard AR failings with parts they developed in-house. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In particular, they liked the Magpul stock, side-charging handle, and target handle. Not everyone likes to shoot off both shoulders, but those who do are familiar with how difficult the selector struggle is. Like 3/8 to 5/8 of and inch accuracy for three shots. Loves Federal Premium 69g Match. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. To fix this issue, Rock River has given its Star selector a nipple that sits at the end of the lever, and it protrudes away from the receiver. The rifle weighs in at approximately 12 pounds and is fairly easy to carry but heavy enough to absorb recoil from the .308 Win. The Smith flash hider worked very well and the 1:10 twist ratio seemed perfect for the 165-grain Hornady TAP ammo. One Magazine, RRA Case, Manual and Warranty Information. Overall, Rock River Arms rifles are known for being high quality and reliable. As a result, we went underground. Their rifles are built to military specifications, which means they are tough enough to withstand the rigors of combat. The 18-inch barrel that Rock River chose to install has a 1:8-inch twist and features a mid-length gas system. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Nice. The Varmint Special included a standard A2 stock with a trapdoor, and added two half-inch scope riser mounts attached to the receivers front Picatinny rail. I am by no means an expert on ARs, but I do know a bit about quality firearms. Head to the range this week with American Rifleman staff as they discuss a trim little repeater from Savage Arms that comes chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge. The gun shot 1 inch overall, but without the inconsistent Remington ammo (1.52 in. Review: Rock River Arms Predator HP LAR-8M - Shooting Times My best group this go-around was 1.443 inches. The other guns were so strongly right-handed that having an available left-handed model is a big plus for southpaws, which we too-often forget in our evaluations. The two-stage trigger allows for perfect control and a clean break. Most of our testers were competitive shooters, and they were very picky about what they liked, and didnt, on the gunsexactly what we wanted. Here's a full review. Stags first entry into the varminter category sported an extra heavy 24-inch 416SS Shaw barrel that made the gun extremely front heavy, and a rifle you definitely want to shoot off the bench. Accurate AR-15 Rifles: Buy the Fulton Armory, Rock River Guns Feel free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy. It felt comfortable to the shooters, settled in nicely for repeat shots, and turned in a second best 0.940-inch overall average group. Rock River goes the extra steps of cryogenically treating the barrel to relieve stressan accuracy robbing characteristicand then lapping each barrel before shipping to the customer. Get a fairly basic model as an introduction and rest assured that when you want to geek-out later, youll be starting with a quality platform. One of the challenges of introducing an all-new cartridge is getting rifle manufacturers to chamber for the new round. His best 100-yard group was .38 inch. Our lone exception to this mounting protocol was the Bushmaster, which came with two riser blocks already installed on the gun. Firearms dont get much more iconic than John Moses Brownings legendary Auto-5 semi-auto shotgun, affectionately called the Humpback for its distinctive drop at the rear of the receiver. While I was pleased to see the new rifle perform well, I like to know all the reasons why. Rock River Arms also offers a lifetime warranty on their products, which is another reason why they are considered to be high end. The Coyote is available in a 16-inch barrel "carbine" model or 20-inch "rifle" model, but I chose the Coyote Carbine because it's easier to wield in the woods. Gun shoots better than I do because for 5 I just to an inch and know it is me. Not cheap, but not horribly expensive, either. Gun Review: Rock River Arms LAR-15 :: Guns.com However, on this rare occasion, I had some first hand experience with the question offered. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. Even the two lefties in were impressed with this feature. One tester felt the handle should be black to reduce glare, because his ADD caused him to focus on the neat little handle running back and forth. Rock River, like Fulton, also offers many options to customize your gun, and even offers four different models if the A4 isnt your cup of tea. The Judge has been promoted! However, its unclear if the FBI currently uses Rock River Arms rifles or not. This attention to accuracy is especially evident in Rock Rivers new model, the Advanced Tactical Hunter V2 (ATH V2). The rifled features billet aluminum upper and lower receivers. No other stainless barrel options are offered, although Bushmaster does have a 4150 chrome-moly vanadium steel version of this gun called the Bushmaster Varminter. The rifle I tested was chambered in .223 Wylde, meaning that it can shoot both .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm (NATO) ammunition. Presidential Competitor: Rock River Arms LAR-15 NM Review twist, stainless steelOverall Length: 36.5 in.Weight: 7 lbs., 14 oz.Stock: Rock River Operator A2Grip: Ergo SuregripLength of Pull: 13.5 in.Finish: Type III, hard coat, anodizedTrigger: RRA MatchSights: Adjustable, flip-upSafety: Selector, two positionMSRP: $1,370Manufacturer: Rock River Arms,309-792-5780, rockriverarms.com. If you are looking for a high-quality AR-15, then Rock River Arms is a great option. The barrels Rock River use come from the Connecticut-based company, Wilson Arms (wilsonarms.com). As young hunters, those were the rifles we aspired to own as soon as our apprenticeship time was up working with the hand-me-down lever actions. A pair of horizontally opposed internal tunnels for holding spare batteries creates a full contour buttstock that is compatible with a solid cheek weld. The .223 Wylde chamber has a tight .224-inch freebore that keeps bullets especially long 69- and 77-grain types from yawing in the chamber prior to engaging the rifling. This is a difficult question to answer. Stay in the know. The Rock River Arms X-Series LAR-6.8 AR-15 is specifically designed for this bigger brother to the 5.56 NATO. He was an agent with the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and a member of their tactical team. The top rail runs the full-length of the fore-end and mates with the flat-top upper receiver. The barrels on all the RBGs are from Wilson Combat and are stainless steel and air-gauged for precision. People appreciate the quality of their products and the fact that they offer a lifetime warranty. Their gun arrived in a plain cardboard box, with no gun case, just the gun sandwiched between two sheets of foam, along with a set of tools and directions for the Geissele trigger, and a modified version of their The AR-15 Complete Owners Guide.The FAR-15 inside was a striking gun, complete with a Magpul, PRS Precision adjustable sniper stock, $245, which provides exact cheek-weld and LOP adjustments. For years, deer hunters in certain states and areas were limited in their firearm options due to regulations curtailing the use of high-powered centerfire rifle cartridges. All that was left was to hit the range. Rock River Arms is a popular option, but is it the right one for you? Newer models are sporting a more robust Hogue grip. While they may be on the higher end price-wise, many feel that they are worth the investment. Next, we researched scopes and settled on the Super Sniper 16X42 Model SS16X42, $300, a brand marketed and manufactured to the specifications of SWFA, a large distributor of most major brands of optics (www.riflescopes.com). The overmold means minimal hand-slip when wearing gloves, and it makes the A2 grip more comfortable when shooting bare-handed. The barrel's twist rate is one turn in nine inches. Select Trigger. Good value. Of course, lefties complained it was in their way. The reason is that the base price for the FAR15 is $900, and every gun is bench built, so each shooter can pick and choose the options he can afford. No matter what load we tried, it lagged behind the guns in our test. We will also compare them to other top manufacturers to help you make an informed decision. Sadly, Nguyen was killed in action in Iraq later that year, so the rifle is particularly special to me and will always remain in my possession. InterLock, Burris Veracity PH Rifle Scope: Drop Compensation for the Masses, Why You (Yes, You) Need Next-Level Firearm Training. Overall, we found its price (a little more than half that of the Fulton gun), the extras, and its performance at the range ranked it as a Best Buy. We had planned on getting 10X scopes, but SWFA had shipped all they had to the Army for their Designated Marksman Program. He has also authored and co-authored several DIY gun building books. K-Mart Classics: Remingtons Nylon Rimfires Engineered To Last. In this blog post, we will take a look at Rock River Arms reviews to see what people have to say about their products. The 1:10-inch twist rate will stabilize both the 168- and 175-grain bullets used in long-range loads. I like shooting rifles its fun and its challenging but I certainly dont feel as though Im capable of producing the level of accuracy todays precision rifles are capable of delivering. Each company has its own strengths and weaknesses. Our Sitemap. The RRA LAR-15 is a quality gun, in just about any configuration you can come up with. OK. Im not a big AR-geek. Well it's me and I cheaped out on a scope and have a $200 Nikon on an expensive gun. Rock River has been around for a long time and they maintain a devoted following because they continue to use quality components while giving attention to the details. Aside from being a superb cartridge for deer, hogs, and bear, the .350 Legend and rifles so-chambered, such as the Rock River Arms LAR-15M, may be among the few firearm/ammo matchups in stock this seasonat least for the next month or so. JavaScript is disabled. My ultimate conclusion is that the Rock River Arms BT-3 is a winner for both novice and experienced precision shooters, though I would change a couple of the accessories. His shooting and hunting passions cover everything from traditional archery and big-game bowhunting to the latest in handguns, rifles, and reloading. ROCK RIVER ARMS VARMINT A4 - Sniper Central The .350 Legend offers a totally new cartridge case (not based on a parent case) that features the same rim diameter as the .223 Rem, allowing Winchester to employ existing equipment and some processes to control manufacturing costs. Rock Rivers triggers not only have a lighter pull weight and crisper let-off, the hammer shape promotes excellent accuracy. In 2003 they got a big government contract to supply the Drug Enforcement Administration with a bunch of AR-15 style guns. This often requires carrying guns through thickets of brush, and a rest, if available, is a handy tree branch. Rock River Arms earned their reputation by manufacturing some of the most accurate and reliable semi-auto rifles for the law enforcement and civilian markets. . Although the particular model tested for this review was a few years old and had seen plenty of use, it was still as tight as any gun I have shot. If you are looking for an AR-15 that is built to last, then Rock River Arms is a great choice. Unlock the Benefits of Knowing Your Winchester Serial Number, Complete Buyers Guide to the Sig Sauer P228. Other accoutrements included a target-gray stainless barrel ($35), a tac-latch on the charging handle for easier access when a scope is used ($20), a pre-installed Harris bipod ($80), and a side-cocking module ($125). However, if youre willing to spend a little extra money on your rifle, Rock River Arms is definitely worth considering. The rest of the ATH V2 compliments the barrel work. The rifle follows the AR-pattern designed by Eugene Stoner and Jim Sullivan very closely.