We should all get a little more practice shooting off our weak shoulder. (Photo by Mark Fingar) December 07, 2021 By Craig . Last edited: Dec 29, 2021. We selected this scope for several reasons. Be it new tactics for hunting or customizing your firearm - we cover it all! 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. This website contains many older reviews. But the Rock River Arms guns have a very solid reputation for reliability. The two lefties in the test felt they might have improved their performance, but for the handle that felt it was installed backwards, or as another tester described it like trying to hold a prickly pear. Southpaws should order any handle but this one if they decide on the FAR15. Select Trigger. We encourage you to also support these organizations as we continue to fight for our fundamental rights. One Magazine, RRA Case, Manual and Warranty Information. A pair of horizontally opposed internal tunnels for holding spare batteries creates a full contour buttstock that is compatible with a solid cheek weld. Wilson makes the barrel, contours it and starts the chambering process. Review: Rock River Arms ATH V2 - Guns and Ammo Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups from a rest at 100 yards. 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. So got a brand new Rock River Arms Predator Pursuit in .223. The company has created a unique, so-called Star safety selector switch that is both fast and positive. Here's a full review. Shot it for the first time today. This handle received mostly positive reviews, although our female tester found it a little too large. The match grade trigger (what RRA calls their two-stage) was very smooth and crisp. We found it an excellent choice for extreme accuracy testing, plus it was a designated tornado shelter to boot. This eliminates all stress risers in the barrel that can cause a barrel to shift point of impact as it heats when shot. One of the challenges of introducing an all-new cartridge is getting rifle manufacturers to chamber for the new round. Best AR-15 Complete Upper Receivers - Pew Pew Tactical Available for both RF and RM licensing. Although it eliminated the brass deflector, we had no problems with the ejection pattern. 49865 Leupold QRW 30mm Quick Detach Mounts for a robust, portable mount. Premium AR-15 Manufacturer Jumps into the Entry-Level Game: Rock River While they may be on the higher end price-wise, many feel that they are worth the investment. Once we began firing, we took the time to swab each barrel after each ammo change to ensure carbon build-up did not influence the guns accuracy with the new ammo.          Email *, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Shoot On. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. . This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Rock River Arms (RRA) has a terrific reputation for turning out top-notch AR-15s and AR-10s chambered for a wide selection of cartridges, including the standard 5.56/.223, .204 Ruger, 7.62x39, 6.8 SPC, and the .458 SOCOM, a real thumper, if there ever was one. Federal Gold Medal Match delivered the best group, which measured 0.81 inches. 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. Re: Reasonable Accuracy from LAR-15 Predator Pursuit, Re: Reasonable Accuracy from LAR-15 Predator Pursu, Would love to see paper from a RRPP shooting .5 groups at 400yds. Unlock the Benefits of Knowing Your Winchester Serial Number, Complete Buyers Guide to the Sig Sauer P228. The ATH V2 will continue that proud tradition. It made all the difference in my performance. So, if youre looking for a cheap AR-15, Rock River Arms probably isnt the best option. 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. Also included were an owners manual, two-stage trigger assembly and adjustment procedures, lock, maintenance instructions, 25-meter zeroing target, and break-in instructions for the stainless barrel. InterLock, Burris Veracity PH Rifle Scope: Drop Compensation for the Masses, Why You (Yes, You) Need Next-Level Firearm Training. Well, not any more of an idiot than I usually feel like, I suppose I should say. Remington 700 accuracy international AX chassis package. R3 Competition - Rock River Arms (You can unsubscribe anytime), Life is full of twists and turns good and bad and when you get a bad one, its a, Modification and customization are honored traditions among dedicated AR-15 fans. K-Mart Classics: Remingtons Nylon Rimfires Engineered To Last. At one . The second part of our testing took place under blue skies at the Arlington Sportsmans Club, one the largest private gun clubs in Texas with over 1300 members and offering a full range of shooting opportunities (www.arlingtonsportsman.com). 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 majority of Rock River Arms parts are mil-spec, including the receivers, barrels, handguards, and more. Their AR-15s are made with forged aluminum receivers, chrome lined barrels, and MIL-SPEC parts. Keep in mind that, although I dont shoot a lot of long guns, Im a professional firearms photographer and I recognize quality and attention to detail when I see it. SAAMI Accepts 30 Super Carry As New Standardized Cartridge, SHOT 2022: Federal Premium Announces 30 Super Carry Cartridge, Remington Introduces New Model 597 Rifles. 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. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The Rock River Arms Advanced Half Quad fore-end leaves the barrel free-floating for improved accuracy. I picked the SIG Optics Tango6 5-30X56mm riflescope with an illuminated MRAD/MOA reticle, and I mounted it on a SIG base and rings. This is topped off with Rock River's .308 A2 flash hider. The A4 also featured a Hogue-style grip, which received no negative comments. . Sights: folding front post attached to the gas block, Picatinny rail for attaching opticsTrigger: two-stage; 4-lb., 4-oz. Taurus Marketing Manager Caleb Giddings highlights the features of the new Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum, a purpose-built revolver with a 10.5-inch barrel and an effective recoil-taming brake, with Guns & Ammo Executive Editor Joe Kurtenbach. For testing, we fitted the rifle with a Leupold 1.1-8X 24 mm CQBSS using steel 34 mm rings. Get Guns.com offers and news!! Velocity is the average of 10 shots recorded by a Shooting Chrony chronograph 10 feet from the muzzle. This might sound ridiculous, but not to the keen ears of a 'yote. So, when I was tasked to review the new Rock River Arms BT-3 .308 Modern Sporting Rifle, I decided to meet the challenge head-on. Shot it for the first time today. All Rights Reserved. In fact, they even have a testimonial from an FBI agent on their website. Take any AR with this trigger and watch what happens to the crosshairs of a magnified optic during dry fire. However, we can say that Rock River Arms is a great option if you are looking for a high-quality AR-15. The average velocity of the load from the Rock River was 2,728 fps. There is also a fundamental difference in the definition of the varmint hunter. Its Rock River Arms business model and today Guns.com reviews the Rock River Arms LAR-15. The Magpul PRS Stock is one of the best stocks in the market for any precision rifle build; it was easy to set up and, after being set up, nothing moves and it retains its settings after a long day of shooting. But the chances are if youre in that group, this will be a refresher. soft point; 5-shot string #2, Hornady American Whitetail, 170-gr. All Rights Reserved. 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. No matter what load we tried, it lagged behind the guns in our test. Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. It is 11 inches long, so it covers the mid-length gas system and has sections of M-Lok cut into the sides and bottom. However, if youre looking for a cheap AR-15, there are better options out there. Rock Rivers triggers not only have a lighter pull weight and crisper let-off, the hammer shape promotes excellent accuracy. Rock River started this trend long before it became mainstream. Fulton Armory is one of the top providers of M1, M1a, and M14, competition guns, and Clint McKee (the owner) and Walt Kuleck (sales manager) have also written books on firearms, including The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide, The M14 Complete Assembly Guide, and The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide. Classic Browning Light Twelve Auto-5 Review: Busting Clays With the Old Humpback Shotgun. The Hornady. Are Rock River Arms worth the money? While dimensional specs play to the geek intrigue, the real value of the .350 Legend is its ballistic performance and shooter experience. Since the freebore area only surrounds the bullet when a cartridge is chambered, variation in brass thickness causes no trouble. Many people believe that Rock River Arms is worth the money because of the quality of their products. The Rock River also turned in the tightest group in our test at 0.57 inch with the Black Hills Ammo. The new rifle is built on an aluminum billet chassis with carbon-fiber forend and cheek riser featuring V-block bedding. 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 testers preference for the Fulton gun was further enhanced when rounds started being sent downrange. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our lone exception to this mounting protocol was the Bushmaster, which came with two riser blocks already installed on the gun. 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. As I said, this was a well-used gun and I knew the owner wouldnt tolerate any problems. My buddy had a significant amount of experience on several of them, so I value his opinion of the platform. Shooting the RRAGE was a pleasure it's lightweight, accurate, and it handles well. 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. Rock River Arms RRAGE 5.56mm NATO Review - Shooting Times Rob has a troublesome habit of pulling guns and things apart to see how they work; occasionally, he manages to get them back together With its plug-n-play simplicity, environmentally adaptive technology, and low-profile desi. Rock River seems to understand the hunter when they put together this gun. The Freedom RDS is a fixed, 1X sight that includes a dual-ring, 34mm cantilever mount; $300. Their AR-15s are made with forged aluminum receivers, chrome lined barrels, and MIL-SPEC parts. Welcome to Shoot-On.com - The outdoor and shooting industry's premier source of up-to-date news, media, entertainment and new product information. The 1:10-inch twist rate will stabilize both the 168- and 175-grain bullets used in long-range loads. resulting in 1.5-MOA accuracy at 100 yards. Chris Johnson, FN Senior Product Manager, walks us through two new FN striker-fired pistols at SHOT Show 2023: the FN 510 Tactical, chambered in 10mm Auto, and the FN 545 Tactical, chambered in .45 ACP. The 16-inch barrel is certainly maneuverable in the brush, and with its 6.8-lb. Well it's me and I cheaped out on a scope and have a $200 Nikon on an expensive gun. Rock River Arms is considered to be high end because of the materials they use and the quality of their products. Rock River Arms LAR-8 Standard Operator - An Official Journal Of The NRA The last couple decades have seen a veritable explosion of new, modified, and hybrid platforms designed to meet just about any objective you can think of that involves propelling a projectile downrange. It also had an owners manual, assembly tool and lock. Subscriber Services. Rock River Arms has a reputation for making high quality AR-15s, but they also have a reputation for being expensive. It's absolutely sufficient for . We felt the Giessele trigger was the best out of all the guns tested, but was also the hardest name to pronounce. The best grouping in testing at 100 yards was .935 inch with 155-grain Hornady TAP Precision. Putting a barrel through the cryogenic process at Rock River means the barrel is cooled down in steps until it reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. We knew from the moment we hoisted this bad boy out of its case where Stag Arms had invested its money. But Im lucky. A big reason that these rifles shoot so well is the barrel. About the only thing someone might complain about is having to wait for a few weeks to get a custom gun they order from RRA. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gun Tests has been independently reviewing firearms since 1989. While you might not associate the AK-47's cartridge with accuracy, out of an AR-15 the 7.62x39 mm can produce tiny groups. http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Group_21.JPG, http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Group9.JPG, http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Group_3.JPG, Accuracy International 6.5 Creedmoor SA barrel, Ballistic advantage 18 inch fluted SPR barrel. Pointed Soft Point R223R1, $19/20 rounds), Winchester Supreme 55-gr. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. Generally, Rock River makes good rifles and pistols. AR-15 Review: Rock River Arms LAR-15 - Gun Digest The 18-inch barrel that Rock River chose to install has a 1:8-inch twist and features a mid-length gas system. My best group this go-around was 1.443 inches. Next, although fixed power (16x in this case), the Super Sniper had parallax adjustments for given distances present on a rotating indicator dial, along with a fast-focus eyepiece. Its a direct-impingement (DI) rifle manufactured to all the standard dimensions. That changed several years ago when Michigan decided to allow the use of straight-wall cartridges in .35 caliber or larger with case lengths ranging from 1.16- (minimum) to 1.80-inch (maximum). The dimensions of the barrel extension are different, and the bolt carrier and charging handle are both longer. Ben Voss FN Product Manager talks about the new FN SCAR 15P ultra-compact rifle-caliber pistol at SHOT Show 2023. Contrary to what youll find on the internet, most rifles are not capable of this kind of performance with factory ammunition. He had nothing but respect for those Rock River rifles. And almost all guns are built for a specific orderit is rare that youll find a new one for sale someplace. See below for more information. Last year, I got to spend some time with a pre-production version of the LAR-15M and managed to shoot sub-MOA groups. The deep-freeze cryogenic process that each barrel receives removes any stress imparted on it during the manufacturing process. RRA offers two AR-platform rifles chambered in .350 Legendblack phosphate or stainless-steel barrels. This year, H&R announced an expansion of its AR-15 lineup, bringing additional "retro" models to the market, including a 9 mm Luger-chambered Colt SMG clone, an M16A2-styled rifle and the carbine-size 723. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The RRA's have had a very good reputation for high quality products at a good price. The Rock River Star selector makes that process more intuitive and does it without the expense of purchasing an ambidextrous switch. Feel free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy. Smith & Wesson Model 586: Reviewing A .357 Revolver With Class. And I know that he also respects my knowledge about other guns, meaning that I didnt feel like some kind of idiot by asking him to give me a run-down on basic ARs some time back. The Rock River Arms X-Series LAR-6.8 AR-15 is specifically designed for this bigger brother to the 5.56 NATO. There are several candidates that also would have worked from other manufacturers such as DPMS, Bushmaster, Armalite and others, but we had to pick one and wanted to see if RRA's reputation would hold up. This was a gun that transformed itself on the bench. At each temperature step, Rock River will let the barrels soak at that temp for a specific period of time. 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. Nice. It is ambidextrous as well and can be activated with the trigger finger. Our advicemake your decision and your move now. You might wonder why we listed the prices of each option at the beginning of this review. One of my Ballistics By The Inch buddies is very knowledgeable about ARs. The choice of the FN-FAL magazine offers some nice ergonomic touches, such as the ambidextrous bolt stop and magazine release, but it also makes for a significantly longer, bulkier and heavier .308 Win. This was often the first rifle stuck into the tender hands of my generation, being readily available, easy for a youth to carry, and familiar territory to operate since all of us had plenty of muscle memory built-in from our childhood adventures with Red Rider BB guns. Our testers said the Bushmaster was handsome and svelte at 8.84 pounds, due to its lighter-weight barrel, and a vented, free-floated forend that included a sling/bipod stud mounted. This makes them some of the most accurate AR-15s on the market. Less obvious and more vexing, the FAL wont work with an AR-10-style bolt stop. Review: Rock River Arms Predator HP LAR-8M - Shooting Times All of these options bring the gun to a wallet-emptying $1994 retail price. . The rifle I tested was chambered in .223 Wylde, meaning that it can shoot both .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm (NATO) ammunition. We were shooting iron sights only and the gun shot better than I can, in terms of accuracy. Several have stepped up to the .350 Legend plate, and one of the most recent is Rock River Arms. There will probably be a slew of hunters this year who end up walking out of their go-to sporting goods retailer with empty hands and long faces because their standard ammo is not to be had. Rock River Arms guarantees one-m.o.a. The rifled features billet aluminum upper and lower receivers. Unless otherwise noted, these reviews carry the guns prices at the time of the original review. RRA's R3 Competition Rifle is a Versatile & Accurate AR Several have stepped up to the .350 Legend plate, and one of the most recent is Rock River Arms. Their AR-15s are some of the most durable and reliable on the market, and they offer a lifetime warranty on their products. The gun arrived in a plastic carrying case, with a safety block that can also used to remove the takedown pins attaching the upper and lower assemblies. As for recoil, the .350 Legend cannot help but to be compared to its more famous straight-wall cartridge bruiser, the .450 Bushmaster. Bergara BXR Review: Is the Bergara BXR the Best Rifle for Hunters? A Cold War era classic with smooth lines, a legendary back story, and an exotic-sounding name, Beretta's Model 71 was definitely a mouse that roared. When we took the Bushmaster to the range, some of positive feelings dissipated when bullets started flying downrange. In the hands of a skilled rifle shooter, the groups from this rifle will shrink dramatically. Rock River Arms alone lists four different models in its catalog, and thats before barrel and option selections! When asked about maintenance, he responded with, I like to shoot it, but I let the armorer take care of it. Each rifle he was issued was carried for about a year and typically saw 20,000 rounds before replacement with a new one. The Smith flash hider worked very well and the 1:10 twist ratio seemed perfect for the 165-grain Hornady TAP ammo. Colt Model 1861 Special Musket: What's Its Value? 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. The RRA LAR-15 is a quality gun, in just about any configuration you can come up with. The muzzle is threaded 1/2-28 and comes with an A2 flash-hider installed. I already knew that I didnt want to shoot bulls-eyes at 25 yards with a 100-yard zero in mind, so I made some minor adjustments and ran the target to the 100-yard mark. Sometimes, the innovation has been led by the firearm, sometimes by ballistics requirements, sometimes to fill a specific niche that ends up having wider application and acceptance beyond its original intent. We will also compare them to other top manufacturers to help you make an informed decision. Let me put this out there right away: Im not a rifle shooter by trade. Gun Review: Dead Accurate Rock River Arms' BT-3 - Gun Digest This attention to accuracy is especially evident in Rock Rivers new model, the Advanced Tactical Hunter V2 (ATH V2). However, if youre willing to spend a little extra money on your rifle, Rock River Arms is definitely worth considering. Metallurgists indicate that the extreme temperatures eliminate the stress imparted on the metal from cutting the chamber and contouring the barrel profile. Joe Kurtenbach, Executive Editor of Gun & Ammo, and John Myles from Smith & Wesson discuss features of the Equalizer 9mm micro-compact pistol and new-for-2023 M&P 5.7. Mossberg 500 vs 590: Which Shotgun Is Right for You? All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Rounding out the features were a Krieger heavy 1:13-twist barrel ($390) and a Geissele adjustable two-stage trigger ($200). Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. Rock River Arms has been around since 1996 when brothers Mark and Chuck Larson founded the company in Cleveland, Illinois. For a couple hundred more, you can get a gun fitted with extra features, maybe a nicer trigger or barrel or sighting system. Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to the millions of Americans who carry concealed. 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). Whether you are looking for a basic AR-15 or a fully customized weapon, Rock River Arms is a great choice. The Wylde chamber and tight freebore prevent that from occurring. Not only did I get to learn even more about the platform, I got to shoot his Rock River Arms LAR-15 as part of the test sequence. Rock River Arms produces their own bolt carrier group (BCG), which is made from 8620 steel and features a nitride finish. Good value. That is amazingly accurate, and far more accurate than most people are capable of shooting a handgun. Select Barrel. Stocky's Owner Don Bitz walks David Faubion through the company's new rifle stocks for 2023. 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. However, its unclear if the FBI currently uses Rock River Arms rifles or not. He loved his Rock River rifle. Place just the bolt carrier back in the upper receiver and slide it into battery while observing the short section of gas tube that comes into the upper receiver. A four-pronged Smith Enterprise Vortex flash suppressor is threaded to the muzzle. 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. The rifle weighs in at approximately 12 pounds and is fairly easy to carry but heavy enough to absorb recoil from the .308 Win. Performance of Rock Rivers new ATH V2 was exceptional. It broke cleanly at 4 pounds, 4 ounces and exhibited no creep or stacking. Of course, lefties complained it was in their way. Rock River Arms guarantees this pistol will shoot 2.5-inch groups at 50 yards with 185-grain Federal Gold Medal Match semi-wadcutter ammo. This gives the hammer considerable inertia. weight, the rifle is an easy carry when outfitted with a quality sling. I have yet to find a Rock River rifle that wasnt extremely accurate, so its only natural to have a favorable impression of the brand. I am by no means an expert on ARs, but I do know a bit about quality firearms. Newer models are sporting a more robust Hogue grip. 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. The Nylon 66, a relatively inexpensive rimfire with faux woodgrain, was the first successful synthetic-stock firearm. About the only thing someone might complain about is having to wait for a few weeks to get a custom gun they order. Rock River Arms Reviews: The Best AR-15 Manufacturer? - YESTACTICAL Eric Poole and Tom Beckstrand test the Aimpoint Acro P-2 against one of red dot sights' biggest myths: distance.