Like a Rock: 5 Reliable ARs from Rock River Arms

LAR-458 Tactical Carbine: RRA offers several variants in .458 SOCOM, and the LAR-458 Tactical Carbine stands out in particular. The 16-inch, chrome-moly, bull barrel features a 1-in-14-inch twist rate and is topped off with an RRA Operator muzzle brake with wide-angled cuts to direct gases upward and to the sides. The front of the brake features short but aggressive serrations so it can also serve as a standoff device. The barrel remains free-floating thanks to the handguard, which extends almost to the end of the barrel and features a full-length Picatinny rail on top and three removable rails. The upper and lower receivers are both forged from 7076-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. The upper receiver is a flattop design with a dust cover and forward assist. The lower receiver features all of the standard AR controls, and the standard GI triggerguard has been replaced with an enlarged aluminum triggerguard for ease of use with gloves. Internally, the LAR-458 Tactical Carbine features a two-stage RRA Match trigger with a clean 4.5- to 5-pound pull weight for improved accuracy. In terms of furniture, RRA has installed a comfortable and ergonomic Hogue pistol grip, which features deep finger grooves and a soft rubberized exterior that provides a firm grip even in inclement conditions. The polymer RRA NSP CAR stock features six length-of-pull positions, ambidextrous QD sling-attachment points and a rubber buttpad to keep the rifle firmly on your shoulder.

LAR-8 X-1: RRA’s X-Series rifles are available in a variety of chamberings. All X-Series rifles sport an 18-inch, stainless steel, heavy barrel that features a distinctive bead-blasted finish and has been fluted to reduce weight and help dissipate heat. The barrels have also been cryogenically treated. This process reduces stress and friction and improves corrosion resistance. X-Series rifles also boast low-profile bas blocks and RRA’s free-floating RRA TRO-XL handguards. These octagonal handguards feature full-length top rails while the sides are drilled and tapped for the addition of accessory rails. Two rail are included with each rifle. You also get RRA’s extended triggerguard and two-stage trigger as well as an ergonomic Hogue pistol grip. Finally, customers can choose between the RRA Beast or Hunter muzzle brakes and the RRA Operator A2 fixed rifle-length stock or the RRA Operator CAR six-position stock. The LAR-8 X-1 is chambered for the .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO, which is becoming one of the most popular alternative rounds for the AR platform. The flattop upper receiver is optics ready (no sights are included), and the rifle will use standard .308 AR magazines like the Magpul PMAG. Another thing that distinguishes RRA is its accuracy guarantees, and this rifle is guaranteed 1-MOA accurate at 100 yards.

LAR-15LH LEF-T Elite Operator: Left handed versions of anything are hard to find, and this is especially true when it comes to firearms. RRA doesn’t just produce a left-ejecting AR, but the company has in fact produced a completely mirrored AR for left-handed shooters. RRA offers a full line of left-handed 5.56mm ARs as well as complete left-handed upper receivers. The magazine release, forward assist, charging handle latch and dust cover have all been moved to the left side. The safety selector and bolt release have been moved to the right side. This, of course, necessitates a different bolt and bolt carrier. The left-handed Elite Operator is one of the more feature-laden options in this category. It runs via a mid-length gas system and comes with a medium-contour, 16-inch barrel with a 1-in-9-inch twist rate and an RRA Tactical muzzle brake. The barrel remains free-floating thanks to the RRA Half-Quad handguard, which includes rail sections on the front half and leaves the back half round and smooth. The gas block assembly includes a flip-up front sight. You also get an Ergo pistol grip, an RRA Operator CAR stock, a winter triggerguard and a two-stage trigger.

LAR-15 Lightweight Mountain Rifle: The AR was always supposed to be a lightweight rifle, but mission creep and the accessory craze have made ARs feel more like M1 Garands. But what was old is new again, and the latest trend is building ARs with the best possible features at the lowest possible weight. Not one to be left out, RRA recently introduced the LAR-15 Lightweight Mountain Rifle. This rifle features an aggressive lightweight design with a handguard that is reminiscent of an air-cooled M1919 Browning machine gun with its round holes and circular profile. It does help reduce weight, however, and allow the lightweight 16-inch barrel to remain free-floating. While the handguard has a full-length top rail, you can’t add accessory rails to the sides or bottom. Furniture upgrades include an extended triggerguard for gloved use as well as an ergonomic Hogue pistol grip and a six-positon stock. At just over 6 pounds, this rifle promises to deliver 1-MOA accuracy at 100 yards.

LAR-PDS Carbine: Piston-driven ARs are another category that seems to be growing exponentially in popularity, and these rifles certainly offer some significant advantages. The gas piston system keeps the carbon fouling and heat at the front of the gas block and out of the bolt carrier and receiver. This allows for a cleaner-running and some say more reliable rifle. Of course, RRA has really taken advantage of what this system can do with its innovative take on a gas-piston-operated AR. Rather than simply slap a gas piston on a standard AR, the LAR-PDS carbine uses a patent-pending adjustable gas system that eliminates the buffer tube, buffer and recoil spring in the stock. Instead, this rifle uses a redesigned bolt with a gas piston mounted above the barrel and ambidextrous charging handles. This allows the stock to be completely folded to the side while the rifle remains operable. You also get a monolithic upper receiver with a full-length Picatinny top rail. This top rail is slightly elevated as opposed to a standard AR’s, and currently the gas system should not be used with a suppressor, although a fix is in the works. Ribbed or tri-rail handguards are available as well.

If Rock River Arms (RRA) is not a familiar name, it should be. This 20-year-old company has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to its commitment to quality and innovation. This is especially true for those looking for ARs in the more exotic calibers. Deviating from the original AR chambering—the 5.56mm NATO—can create a series of malfunctions, but RRA has tamed that beast, so to speak, and repeatedly produces rifles that deliver consistent performance shot after shot.

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Despite manufacturing custom-grade ARs with tight tolerances and excellent accuracy, the company keeps customers in focus with reasonable pricing across the line. This effort has earned RRA admirers among federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the DEA and FBI, and several contracts. In addition to complete rifles, the company also sells a full line of parts and accessories including full upper and lower receiver kits in various calibers, barrel assemblies, handguards and furniture.