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. An exceptionally volatile Texas spring brought a series of gusty winds, heavy rain, the occasional hailstorm, and a few tornados thrown in for good measure. This might sound ridiculous, but not to the keen ears of a 'yote. The construction and fit of the rifle are among the best Ive seen in years. accuracy in the Standard Operator, and our testing, at least with match ammunition, was consistent with that claim. Ammunition for the .350 Legend was available, but he couldnt find anything for his .270. Winchester seized this opportunity to develop an entirely new cartridge that would fall within these parameters while utilizing manufacturing efficiencies to keep production costs down. Make zone hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy It also included an optional scout rail to raise the scope height, but we found it unnecessary with the LaRue mounts. The 16-inch barrel is certainly maneuverable in the brush, and with its 6.8-lb. Certainly not, considering the quality. If you a, Those who need an easily managed carry pistol without sacrificing ergonomics and performan, With the new Veracity PH, guessing holdover, doing math, or running DOPE cards are no more, Burris Optics caters to Precision Rifle competitors with a made-in-the-USA riflescope buil, Youve invested a lot in your guns, now invest in making yourself a better shooter by Brad, TESTED: Rock River Arms LAR-15M .350 Legend, Straight-wall rifle cartridges are getting big play in hunting circles this year, and Rock River Arms has delivered an AR-platform chambered for this exciting new round, Premier Body Armor Releases Full Line of Vertx-Compatible Armor, Smith & Wesson Releases New 9mm Pistol Carbine: Introducing the M&P FPC, AR-platform rifles chambered in .350 Legend, Hornady American Whitetail, 170-gr. In short, this means rifle-makers need to adapt, and one company taking that step is Rock River Arms (RRA) with its LAR-15 Operator III in 5.56mm NATO. The side-cocking module deserves a little more explanation. But Im lucky. First, is an ambidextrous magazine release consisting of two fenced buttons mirrored on both sides of the lower receiver. Kenau and Ripperda Monument - Tripadvisor 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. We were somewhat constrained in our ammo choices due to a lack of enough rounds of ammo to run our tests properly. However, its unclear if the FBI currently uses Rock River Arms rifles or not. 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. For everyone else, then: Rock River Arms got into making AR-15 rifles back in the late 1990s after years of doing custom work on 1911s. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Snipers Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location. If that gas tube moves when the bolt carrier comes forward, the carrier key is hitting the gas tube. Eric Poole and Tom Beckstrand test the Aimpoint Acro P-2 against one of red dot sights' biggest myths: distance. 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. Full Member. It's outfitted with a 20-inch fluted and cryogenically treated stainless-steel barrel. In the world of .308 Win. The barrels Rock River use come from the Connecticut-based company, Wilson Arms (wilsonarms.com). Rock River Arms, Olympic Arms, MGI and Del-Ton (upper only). The A4 had a winter trigger guard, which allowed gloves to be used with the gun. We spent the better part of two days recording data in what Bass Pro employees affectionately call the Dungeon. Our time there also allowed us to schedule testers to come in and fire away, including a young lady who broke away from her teachers job to school us, by posting the second best group of 0.49 inch in our tests. As for recoil, the .350 Legend cannot help but to be compared to its more famous straight-wall cartridge bruiser, the .450 Bushmaster. AR-10-style rifles, the Rock River Arms LAR-8 stands alone. It may not display this or other websites correctly. If Stag used a vented forend to reduce weight, used a stock with more butt weight to balance the rig, and used a shorter barrel, this gun might have won. Rock River Arms Standard A2 (.223 / 5.56) 20" Barrel The average velocity of the load from the Rock River was 2,728 fps. This allowed us to position the scope well above the charging handle, yet remove the scope for transport, and re-attach it via two quick-throw levers. However, I always thought they were a good platform, but I was more than a bit intimidated by the myriad options, terms and manufacturers. As a result, Rock River rifles enjoy significantly improved reliability with all types of 5.56mm ammunition. 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. Bob Meinert, FN Marketing Director, introduces FN's first commercial pistol suppressor, the FN Rush 9Ti. 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 Hornady. 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). Anyway, I was lucky to have someone I could turn to for information. . The LAR-8 Standard Operator is reliable and accurate, and its fine trigger makes it easy to shoot well. The Rock River Varmint A4 sported a heavy bull 416SS air-gauged barrel, but it was only 20 inches in length. OK, I wanted a scope that would make me look good and the Tango6 certainly didnt fail me in that regard. Once the rifle is fitted, the barrel is lapped and additional touches made to ensure superior workmanship, accuracy and quality set all Rock River apart from other AR-15 manufacturers. Its an aggressive little thing that, should you run out of ammo to fend off a charging beast, could be turned into a defensive tool in its own right. Billed as the LAR-15M, these rifles are familiar RRA fare, featuring the companys forged A4 upper and multi-caliber lower receivers, 13-inch extended free-float handguard, Operator CAR stock, and two-stage trigger. The rifles they were issued were manufactured by Rock River Arms, and were carbine variants in similar spec to the U.S. militarys M4. Subscriber Services. Rock River LAR-15LH Pistol: Full Review - Guns and Ammo Given that the .350 Legend cartridge is intended for hunting applications out to 250 yards, the LAR-15M is ideally suited to the task. Fortunately, our established test protocols took care of this requirement on their own. Newer models are sporting a more robust Hogue grip. The first three shots with Remington 168-grain BTHP factory ammunition at 25 yards showed that I was 3 inches low and 1 inch to the right. Rock River Arms produces some of the most reliable and durable AR-15s on the market today. Its like tapping the barrel with a hammer between shots, but the folks at Rock River obviously found a consistent way to avoid this from happening in the V2 during its assembly process. After installing and zeroing a TRUGLO Omnia 8a suitable optic for this firearm platformI set up for ballistic and group size evaluation. However, on this rare occasion, I had some first hand experience with the question offered. Perhaps the greatest praise was directed toward the side-cocking mechanism. Rock River Arms is considered to be one of the most reliable AR-15 manufacturers because of the materials they use and the quality of their products. We didnt have any problems with the gun operating at all, but I didnt expect any. We encourage you to also support these organizations as we continue to fight for our fundamental rights. More load testing is definitely on the menu. It made all the difference in my performance. The monolithic receivers and . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLDPl0rguAE, Pelican Case Foam Cutting: How to Cut Perfectly Every Time. He had nothing but respect for those Rock River rifles. Additionally, RRA offers a lifetime warranty on their rifles. Rock River Arms: LAR-15 X-Series X-1 Rifle in .223/5.56mm | VIDEO In addition, Rock River Arms uses only the highest quality components in their rifles, which results in a firearm that is accurate and reliable. Depending on exactly what kind of gun you want, with all those myriad options I mentioned, you can spend as little as $900. Rock Rivers triggers not only have a lighter pull weight and crisper let-off, the hammer shape promotes excellent accuracy. The other gun barrels come lapped from the factory and do not require this break-in procedure. JBoomhauer Gunny Sergeant. Recoil with any AR-style gun is pretty minimal, at least in the .223/5.56 configuration. 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. 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. 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. This rifle is fed by a 10-round AICS-pattern detachable box magazine. 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. And the BT-3 didnt disappoint. We chose No. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. The hammer in Rock Rivers trigger moves most of the mass to a location much closer to the trigger pin. Unlock the Benefits of Knowing Your Winchester Serial Number, Complete Buyers Guide to the Sig Sauer P228. If so, you may be wondering which manufacturer is the best. 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. 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. The Rock River also turned in the tightest group in our test at 0.57 inch with the Black Hills Ammo. Loves Federal Premium 69g Match. Two Stage Varmint Chrome Two Stage Varmint: +$35.00. Rock River Coyote Carbine Review | An Official Journal Of The NRA One of the challenges of introducing an all-new cartridge is getting rifle manufacturers to chamber for the new round. Rock River Arms is known for being accurate due to the materials they use and the quality of their products. 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. The bottom of the gas block has a short length of Picatinny rail for attaching a bipod. The fire control is Rock River's 2-stage trigger. Rock River cured a couple other standard AR failings with parts they developed in-house. When the carrier key hits the gas tube, that disturbance travels down the tube and into the barrel. Best precision/Varmint/3-Gun Bravo Company (BCM) 18 Upper Decent quality, accurate, soft shooting $780 at Rainier Arms Jump to Details Best Budget Short Barrel Option Palmetto State Armory 10.5 Wallet friendly, decently reliable $329 at Palmetto State Armory Jump to Details Best Lightweight Upper Faxon ION Upper Facing off in a handgun challenge featuring the smallest professional-grade enclosed red dot sight on the market, Eric and Tom put the Acro P-2 to the distance test by doing a walk-back challenge. We knew this test would prove to be hotly contested, so we chose topnotch mounts and scopes for this showdown. Rock River Arms uses barrels from a variety of manufacturers, including FN, Criterion, and Wilson. Their AR-15s are made with forged aluminum receivers, chrome lined barrels, and MIL-SPEC parts. Their rifles are built to last and their customer service is second to none. SAAMI Accepts 30 Super Carry As New Standardized Cartridge, SHOT 2022: Federal Premium Announces 30 Super Carry Cartridge, Remington Introduces New Model 597 Rifles. For more information on the BT-3, please visit: https://www.rockriverarms.com/www.rockriverarms.com. AR Accuracy with 7.62x39 mm | An Official Journal Of The NRA weight, the rifle is an easy carry when outfitted with a quality sling. It broke cleanly at 4 pounds, 4 ounces and exhibited no creep or stacking. 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. 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. If youre willing to spend a little extra money, theyre definitely worth considering. The Nylon 66, a relatively inexpensive rimfire with faux woodgrain, was the first successful synthetic-stock firearm. The testers preference for the Fulton gun was further enhanced when rounds started being sent downrange. Rock River Arms has been around since 1996 when brothers Mark and Chuck Larson founded the company in Cleveland, Illinois. 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. A pair of horizontally opposed internal tunnels for holding spare batteries creates a full contour buttstock that is compatible with a solid cheek weld. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. The LAR-8 will accept metric- or inch-pattern magazines as well as current-production Rock River magazines. This gives the hammer considerable inertia. Even with only 16 inches of launch, the .223's velocity averages 2900-3000 fps. 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. This is a difficult question to answer. Here are the features to watch out for. A normal throw lever found on an AR works fine for a right-handed shooter firing off the right shoulder. We began wondering if we would like the breakdown case nearly as much after our assembling difficulties. At the time, both AR-10 and SR-25 magazines were scarce and expensive, so Rock River designed its own AR-10-style rifle around a more abundant and affordable magazine. A four-pronged Smith Enterprise Vortex flash suppressor is threaded to the muzzle. According to Rock River Arms, the FBI has used their rifles in the past. soft point; 5-shot string #2, Hornady American Whitetail, 170-gr. There is also a fundamental difference in the definition of the varmint hunter. Performance of Rock Rivers new ATH V2 was exceptional. The Standard Operator has a 20-inch, cryo-treated chrome-moly barrel. The author grouped and chronographed Black Hills' 77-grain 5.56 OTM ammo with impressive results. While I was pleased to see the new rifle perform well, I like to know all the reasons why. For testing, we fitted the rifle with a Leupold 1.1-8X 24 mm CQBSS using steel 34 mm rings. InterLock, Burris Veracity PH Rifle Scope: Drop Compensation for the Masses, Why You (Yes, You) Need Next-Level Firearm Training. REVIEW: Rock River Arms R3 Competition Rifle | Shoot On I acquired Federal and Hornady cartridges for the range test. But the chances are if youre in that group, this will be a refresher. The really nice thing about Rock River Arms is that you can order this specific rifle custom-made to your taste and requirements; youre not stuck with a rifle only to purchase your favorite parts later. Our Sitemap. After mounting the scopes, each gun was given a good general cleaning, carefully lubricated, trigger pull weights checked on a digital gauge, and then it was off to the range. Every rifle is hand-built with precision in mind, and this definitely shows in the quality of their products. Spaarne (Haarlem) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor 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. 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. In comparison, the standard AR trigger has most of its mass as far away as possible from the pin about which it rotates. Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. The safety lever also sported a rounded knurled knob for easy activation. While they may be on the higher end price-wise, many feel that they are worth the investment. 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. 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. Its a direct-impingement (DI) rifle manufactured to all the standard dimensions. needed for precision accuracy at exceptional ranges. This is topped off with Rock River's .308 A2 flash hider. TESTED: Rock River Arms' LAR-15M .350 Legend | Shoot On Jeff Bradley shows off the Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) from Christensen Arms at SHOT Show 2023. The rest of the ATH V2 compliments the barrel work. Hard to imagine a city without a river, and this is Haarlem's. The waterway brings in air and light to the city. This rifle also has an RRA TRO-XL extended free float rail handguard and an accuracy of 3/4 MOA at 100 Yards. Several have stepped up to the .350 Legend plate, and one of the most recent is Rock River Arms.