What’s your thoughts on RRA?

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Shootin Blanks

Shootin Blanks

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Back in about 2008-9 I heard a lot about rock river and since then I haven’t really heard much of them or really seen them around. What do you guys think about them (especially those who own one)?
 
I have a Rock River “Elite CAR A4” that I bought back in 2005 or 2006; at the time, that meant a 16” HBAR 1:9 5.56x45mm midlength flattop with an M4-style adjustable stock and Wilson barrel. Fit and finish is top notch and the upper/lower fit was tight, without even a hint of play. I did later have someone stake the gas key screws a bit more aggressively for me, and I staked the castle nut; I think they do more aggressive staking from the factory now. The buttstock tube is commercial diameter rather than milspec, if that matters to you. The 2-stage factory trigger was good enough that I’ve never upgraded it, but I probably will someday.

I shot a few thousand rounds through it in factory config and cannot recall ever having a single failure of any kind, even with the cheapest Tula steel-case stuff. I lubricate it with Mobil 1 EP 5W30 and only clean it when it gets very dirty; it doesn’t mind.

A year or so ago, I traded the original heavy-barrel upper for an Aero Precision pencil-barrel mid length upper and free float forend, but am still running the same lower. Be advised that if you’re going to mix and match uppers and lowers from different companies, RRA and Aero are apparently both at the extreme tight end of their spec dimensions (probably for accuracy or lack of wobble), so I had a heck of a time closing the upper receiver the first time.

I’d buy another if the price were right, since my experience has been good (and I’d stay with the midlength), but I wouldn’t necessarily pay a premium over a S&W/Ruger/Palmetto midlength.
 
I can't really comment on current production. But I have one from the late 90's or early 2000's that has been a very good rifle. It was an AWB purchase without the threaded barrel or bayonet lug, but the upper has since been replaced with a PSA upper with those features.
 
Do a search on “Rock River Arms Supports Gun Control” and get the facts. There’s definitely some misinformation out there on this.
 
I had a NMA4 that was made around 2010. Bought it used about 5 years ago when I decided I wanted an AR. It was a great rifle. Very accurate, great trigger, loved the peep sights. It was my tannerite killer. I loved it but the the match style was not really what I wanted in an AR. Traded it because I found a 4" S&W model 57 that I loved even more.
 
Politics aside, they make good products and shipping is decent. I’ve never had to use their customer service.

I am using a RRA 10.5” 9mm barrel on my Colt SMG clone and it has performed just fine with everything I have fed it so far. Accuracy is good for a pistol at 25 and 50 yards.
 
tbs said:
I made it to master class in NRA High Power 14 years ago running a rock river national match model. Great rifle back then, not sure they even make that one anymore.
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yep, i got my distinguished badge at shot at perry every year 06-09 with that same RRA NM. great rifle.

however, i probably wouldn't buy anything else from them. for practical stuff, i much prefer BCM, noveske, colt, etc
 
I’ll chime in as well to say mine was and still is a very accurate, trouble-free rifle after a decade or so. Do I give it my wholehearted recommendation? Depends.

The Wilson barrel is IMO worth a premium over say a PSA from DC Machine (and I have several of those too). The NM 2-stage is a very good general use trigger if you don’t need lighter than 4 lbs. Never much cared about commercial spec vs milspec until I started assembling more rifles and considered swapping stocks around.

The real complaint I have, and it took a decade to notice, would be in assembly. I swear on my life when I did what should have been a simple handguard swap that nothing in my possession could budge the barrel nut (YHM proprietary). I oiled, tapped, froze, heated, levered away multiple times without success. Finally I cut the darn thing in half.

So if you find what you want configuration wise and have no plans to change it, yes, they make a good rifle. If you’re gonna swap a part on the upper beside CH or BCG then look elsewhere.


Pictured below, RRA 16” mid length “Operator” with 1/2 Quad Rail.
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As it sat for several days while I threw the kitchen sink at that barrel nut.
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After updating furniture and controls.
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Politics aside - I know nothing good or bad, I’d own one. But then again I don’t know a lot about AR’s and have been happy with my DPMS and my son’s Stag. I’d own a Rock River.
 
RRA builds great quality parts and rifles. They were a standby house before the AR boom, and a lot of the neophyte AR enthusiasts largely assume anything old is lame, so they lost favor. They didn’t really chase the shifting AR fads, don’t offer a lot of models, but what they produce are all good products. It just became a world where your dad had a Rock River, so you were supposed to get something newer. Better or not...

I use and have used RRA carrier groups, triggers, and faux clamshell float tubes for a long time, never a hiccup.
 
RRA National match models are still well represented on the service rifle line. I have one purchased in 2014, and it still shoots where I aim it. Shot to master class OTC, flirted with HM in open matches with no dedicated SR class. One leg away from distinguished with that rifle, competing against some of the best younger shooters in the country with the WI Jr team present at most local EIC matches. These kids are insane, I've seen a couple of clean offhand scores from them, and many of them are shooting box stock RRA A4NM rifles. I'd say they are a heck of a good value at their price point.
 
Varminterror said:
RRA builds great quality parts and rifles. They were a standby house before the AR boom, and a lot of the neophyte AR enthusiasts largely assume anything old is lame, so they lost favor. They didn’t really chase the shifting AR fads, don’t offer a lot of models, but what they produce are all good products. It just became a world where your dad had a Rock River, so you were supposed to get something newer. Better or not...

I use and have used RRA carrier groups, triggers, and faux clamshell float tubes for a long time, never a hiccup.
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A better way to say it is after “the chart” most of the manufacturers started improving their quality and not taking as many short cuts. But not rock river. Their “national match” style guns stayed awesome but their “defensive” offerings never got out of the hobby class. So when bcm and dd and others came along the choice was clear. They were already niche by the time the market was flooded with all the new companies.
 
I rather meant RRA didn’t go chasing the fads like the Spikes specialty engravings, Aero builders’ kit cerakote options, black rain and their ilk of fantasy silliness, etc. which bought a lot of “new business”. It’s fair to say the RRA’s weren’t meant for the operators who operate operationally, but they also didn’t carry that particular price tag either like the DD, BCM, LMT, etc models.
 
I have two RRA uppers a 20” .223 and a 16” 458 socom both are better than average and maybe the two most used uppers I have besides the ones I use for gun games.
 
I own the Predator Pursuit RRA. Bought several years ago when they guaranteed 3/4 moa at 100. Mine does better than that at a 5 shot group of .680 using 75 grain Hornady BTHP with 23.5 grains of RL 15. Am getting ready to buy their 300 blackout upper.
 
I HAD a lar-8 standard with a factory free float tube. It was the most accurate rifle I’ve ever shot.
I’m looking to get another 308 ar this year and it will likely be the same thing.
 
They are Accurate and the triggers are better than milspec,

mine is heavy, heavier barrel and the quad rail is heavy and beefier than I’d like, one day I’ll swap things around, nice free float hand guard, low profile gas block and a new muzzle device, but that rifle shoots 55g Nosler varmint bullets les than 3/4” at 100 yds without a lot of load development
 
If you’ve ever participated on PAC/PAF or other lobbyist management committees within a company, or in any industry association of substantial size, you’d see the vast difference between a lobbyist PAF manager making contributions of your money and direct contribution to politicians. You’d also see the seedy dealings which happen to buy riders either added to or removed from bill and policy proposals, which happen at the lobbyist level often, and less so in any given company (aka, bribery is always against policy in house, but is nearly table fare for PAC’s).
 
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