new rra

[makz06]

Just bought my first AR, a Rock River Arms National Match A2. As with most times I get a new toy I neglected to look it over really good until I got home. I was a little surprised at the quality of the machining (or lack of) on some parts. I was curious as to whether this was typical of RRA, or all ARs in general. The front sight looks like they made no attempt to remove the casting marks. The carry handle on the inside is machined very poorly/uneven and the top channel is thicker on one side than the other. The butt plate looks like it was fit by my grandmother with a coarse file. The lower and other internals look good, as does the finish and barrel. I know none of this affects function or accuracy but not being familier with ARs in general, I wondered if this was typical. Looking forward to getting it to the range this weekend. Thanks for any input.

[Love2Shoot]

I have seen that before on front sights. may not be an extremely common thing, but is not an overly uncommon thing in my either.

I have also seen the inside of A2 uppers as you describe...even have a colt large pin A2 that was like that.

[mr40.cal]

Hey but at least you get a Wilson Combat barrell in it!!! LOL,
I have heard guys use this Wilson barrel as a selling point for these Rock River AR's but rest assured I will never buy one. They might as well throw in a free toaster with it too......

[Ned Flanders]

Originally posted by mr40.cal
but rest assured I will never buy one. They might as well throw in a free toaster with it too......


Why not?

[makz06]

I looked at an Armalite today that has the same casting marks and parting line inside the handle. Saw some good close-up pics on the Maryland site that point out the exact things I was talking about on a Colt. Guess I didn't just get a bad example.

[Ned Flanders]

Forget about what that other guy said, your gonna love it.

[az-ar]

I have a RRA varminter that can shoot 5 shot groups to cover a dime at 100 yards (with my handloads:) ), or .5 moa. I've had a couple of 3 shot groups do .25 moa also.

You will love your RRA, and I'm sure yours will shoot just as well as mine given the right ammo. Great rifles for a great price.

[saleen]

The marks you describe on the front sight are common to all ARs except ones using inferior cast housings (instead of forged). The machining marks on the upper carry handle are also not terribly unusual either depending upon the degree of difference.

I used to push Bushmaster, but now I'm all RRA. I have sold several and have nothing but happy customers to report. Not happy because they never called to complain, happy because they loved the gun. I've never had such positive feedback with another brand.

My personal RRA that I tortured the crap out of to see if they were reliable will put 3 into just over an inch at 100. Not too impressive until you figure that I was using SA surplus and a simple prone position with no sling and no bags. I'll take field condition accuracy like that any day.


Saleen

[recon]

Saleen you really think there better than Bushmaster?

[makz06]

Thanks all for the feedback. Just got done cleaning the barrel and plan to head to the range this afternoon with my son if the rain will hold off. Hope it shoots as well as yours.

[saleen]

In my experience, yes. I figure after --- what is it --- nearly 20 years? they could at least fix the purple problem.

Over the past few years I have also noticed that many Bushy uppers I have come accross require an inordinate amount of right windage to get on target. A condition that indicates sloppy barrel indexing (over-tightening).

Now, Bushmaster makes a reliable product, but their price is almost up there with Colt's now so I question the value. I carry a Bushmaster every day because at the time they were the best deal in town. I had several problems getting it to run right with an 11.5" barrel, but once they were ironed out, it ran like a champ. Having said that, I will say that if I were looking for an AR-15 type rifle today, I'd go with RRA over all the others. Their value is unmatched in today's market.

I'm not saying that the Bushmaster is a bad product; just that it is by no means top dog. To their credit, they are the best source for chrome lined uppers in all sorts of configurations with the proper chamber specs to run in shorter barrels with mil-surp 5.56mm.


Saleen

[StreetSweeper]

The line which you guys are referring to is common on all FORGED ar parts, receivers, etc. If the line is approximately 1/8" thick, it is a forged part. If it is a really thin line, the part in question is CAST. RRA makes as good an AR as any other company out there. In fact, at this year's SHOT SHow they had the best looking ARs at the whole expo! As for the barrels, they are Wilson, not Wilson Combat. Two different companies. If you buy a RRA you are getting an equal or better quality rifle for $100-$200 less than any other.
SS