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Rock River Arms Uppers - Any Good?

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  • Glenn B

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    I have been looking for a complete upper assembly for an AR-15. My son gave me a PSA lower kit some years back and I never finished it. Sitting here in a box and I want to get it done (hope none of the parts fell out of the box when I moved) and then mate it with a decent upper. Came across Rock River Arms, they have or produce what I want and at a decent price compared to others right now. Been thinking of getting this one.

    Do any of you guys/gals have any experience with Rock River Arms uppers or complete ARs? If so, please let me know good or bad.

    Thanks.
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    Hoji

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    Only RRA I have is a PDS 5.56 pistol.
    2F8429C5-2D13-44E8-AF9C-DBB5B9B49AA1.jpeg

    But it has been absolutely flawless.
     

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    Glenn B

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    RRA is not bad at all for their 5.56 offerings.
    Thanks for actually answering my question. I appreciate that.

    Save a little more and support a Texas company that puts out an outstanding product.

    LaRue Tactical Ultimate Upper Receiver Group.

    Thanks for an alternative recommendation but I cannot afford LaRue's higher prices and $382.00 more - for what I am pretty sure is Larue Tactical's least expensive alternative - is not a little more, at least not on my income.
     

    toddnjoyce

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    Thanks for actually answering my question. I appreciate that.



    Thanks for an alternative recommendation but I cannot afford LaRue's higher prices and $382.00 more - for what I am pretty sure is Larue Tactical's least expensive alternative - is not a little more, at least not on my income.

    No worries, there’s nothing inherently wrong with RRA. If you’ve sourced it at it below MSRP, even better.

    What I’ve noticed is those places with invention stock are raising prices...even PSA, who has a good value product at a reasonable but rising price.
     

    Glenn B

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    The CAR A4 upper assembly I have been thinking of getting goes for $410 including the bi
    No worries, there’s nothing inherently wrong with RRA. If you’ve sourced it at it below MSRP, even better.

    What I’ve noticed is those places with invention stock are raising prices...even PSA, who has a good value product at a reasonable but rising price.
    TGhe one I have been looking at is the RRA CAR A4 complete upper including BCG and charging handle for $410. I don't know if that is reasonable or not but am guessing it is an okay price right now.
     

    Glenn B

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    So, another question, does it matter what lower kit I mesh to an upper? Specifically, if the upper is a CAR A4 - can that use an A2 lower assembly or does an A2 lower have to by necessity mate with an A2 upper?

    That's the lower build kit I have from PSA.
     

    SQLGeek

    Muh state lines
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    So, another question, does it matter what lower kit I mesh to an upper? Specifically, if the upper is a CAR A4 - can that use an A2 lower assembly or does an A2 lower have to by necessity mate with an A2 upper?

    That's the lower build kit I have from PSA.

    It's completely personal preference. A2 vs Carbine lower is just what type of buffer assembly and stock you use. There are no issues with compatibility between upper and lower in this case.

    As far as building your lower, this is a good video.

    Just a hint, a clevis pin makes installing the pivot pin very easy.

    Make sure the ears on the receiver for the trigger guard are well supported. Breaking one will turn your lower into a paperweight.
     

    Glenn B

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    It's completely personal preference. A2 vs Carbine lower is just what type of buffer assembly and stock you use. There are no issues with compatibility between upper and lower in this case.

    As far as building your lower, this is a good video.

    Just a hint, a clevis pin makes installing the pivot pin very easy.

    Thanks, will check out the video. Was thinking of going crazy and looking for my directions but decided instead to have an Erdinger Hefe Weiss, with a dollop of St. Brendan's Irish Cream Liquor on the side. Just got back from the dog walk, another 2 miles added for the day, and need to refresh, the lower kit can wait until tomorrow.
     

    Mohawk600

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    I bought a complete RRA LAR from GT's......it was a SWAT gun supposedly from Georgetown PD.......The price was right and it is a GREAT gun......I figured that as a police gun it was carried a lot and shot very little (for qualification). I would recommend RRA based on my experience.
     

    zackmars

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    RRA is decent mid range quality.

    As for stock types, there is no compatibility issues with a properly gassed barrel. A rifle length buffer system (a1, or a2) gives you a fixed stock, with a set length of pull. This is the *best buffer system as it was what the AR was designed to use

    Carbine length gives you anywhere from 4 to 6 choices in length of pull. This makes the rifle easier to use if you are wearing thick clothing, armor, have smaller shooters using the gun

    The carbine buffer system is inferior to the rifle length system, but not by a whole lot. There are simple things you can do to close the gap even further, improved springs, heavier buffer weights, etc.

    *you could also get a VLTOR A5, which is basically a properly shortend rifle length buffer, rifle buffer spring, and a longer carbine biffer tube, but its not cheap, and not really worth it outside of a few specific uses
     

    lbbf

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    I have no experience with their complete uppers but the Ar I built with one of their bull barrels is a tack driver. It will hold sub 1/2moa. I don't always hold that well but the barrel will all day long. I got the 223 wylde chamber.
     

    candcallen

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    Thanks, will check out the video. Was thinking of going crazy and looking for my directions but decided instead to have an Erdinger Hefe Weiss, with a dollop of St. Brendan's Irish Cream Liquor on the side. Just got back from the dog walk, another 2 miles added for the day, and need to refresh, the lower kit can wait until tomorrow.
    I've built a couple dozen. I still follow the instructions every time.

    Make sure you orient the trigger and hammer springs correctly. The gun will work either way but they have to be in properly to keep the pins from walking out.

    And use proper punches/roll pin so your not that guy with a broke trigger guard ear or bubba scratch.
     

    Shady

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    Unless you are one hell of a shot The RRA will outperform you. Just like most PSA offerings.
     

    Glenn B

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    Well, was about to order a RRA upper until I found out there is up to a 90 day wait for one to be available to ship.

    Am now considering a Bear Creek upper as they have some in stock. As a brand, are they any good? I like the fact the upper, in which I am interested, has a 1:8 twist rate.

    In addition, some info about an M-LOK rail as opposed to a Picatinny rail would be appreciated. Will they accept the same accessories or does each require accessories (like sights) that are compatible with that specific type of rail?

    Searching for available uppers at this point in time is a bit trying.
     
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