Rock River Arms versus Armalite for first AR-15 (Vanity)

[Patriot95]

I was just wondering if I could get some Freeper advice on the first AR-15 purchase. I've heard great things about both, but would appreciate any input from those with multiple ARs.

[Patriot95]

Sorry for the vanity, but I figure FR is the best place for advice and people know their stuff.

[BitWielder1]

Buy one of each and tell us what you think :-)

[MrB]

Has anyone any experience, or “know somebody” who has,

completed an 80% AR 15 lower and built the rifle up from there?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

All the manufactures buy parts off the open market and assemble them. Buy the parts yourself and assemble it. The only part that requires an FFA to get involved is the receiver.

Build your own AR-15 Rifle for $560-$580

DIY AR-15 Build: Introduction, Parts and Tools Required

A little web searching will get you a lot more info.

[Billthedrill]

Buy one of each and tell us what you think :-)

Yeah. Sorry, but starting a vanity on this pretty much obligates you to buy them both. It's a new forum rule I just made up. ;-)

[usconservative]

I owned a Rock River Arms LAR-15 complete with EOTECH scope, bi-pod and grip.

FANTASTIC rifle to shoot. Accurate as all heck. Easy to clean (as AR-15's go.) The quality and craftsmanship of the Rock River is second to none. Absolutely loved it - until I took it on a fishing trip with me and ... well, boat capsized and it went to the bottom of the lake.

Just damn' I'm going to miss it.

[3Fingas]

Armalite > Rock River

But, here are the top tier ARs:

Noveske, La Rue, BMC, LMT, and Colt, Barret, maybe Daniel Defense and Spikes

Good mid Tier

PSA, S&W, Rock River, Ruger sr 556

Junktastical
Oly Arms, DPMS,

[PotatoChop]

You do realize any comment on this post tells the government about your firearm capabilities and future abilities to arm yourself and others?

This is NOT a secure public forum where this subject should be discussed.

Loose lips will sink ships.

[3Fingas]

I forgot. Armalite is in the mid tier IMHO

[Fletcher J]

Unfortunately, gun posts like this will garner very little interest or responses on FR. So you’re probably on your own here. Also, everyone will be in complete agreement on what you should do, so the few people responding will all just tell you the same thing... ;)

Seriously, though, I have a RRA and the quality is terrific. I’m sure the Armalite is great quality as well, but don’t have one. The Colt and SigSauer ARs are really great also. The Colt M4 that’s factory equipped with all the Magpul accessories costs a bit more, but is a sweet AR at a good price.

[SENTINEL]

You will have quality problems with neither. I recommend buying the cheaper model of the barrel length you want, and adding full magpul plastics, a PWS Muzzle brake, and a JP trigger.

[driftdiver]

Add Core 15 to your list. Haven’t been able to shoot it yet, but it won’t accept some pmags while accepting others.

I’m pretty confident in pmag manufacturing quality.

[Youngman542012]

It sounds like you are price sensitive...but since its your first..buy one..then you will learn what is good and bad...then buy another..and another...and another....make sure you run the ammo thru it too...1000´s of rounds...don´t be afraid to train..or to learn...go to a range and get er done...so in the dark of night ..you are not afraid to pick it up and use it in a defensive mode if need be...its your life...

[MrB]

There’s that point of view,

but there’s also the point of view of

“there are 55 million of us - don’t try it.”

[Durus]

I think Rock River has surpassed Armalite for any rifles made after 2005.

You should really consider making your own. It's not mechanically difficult, you learn a lot about your rifle and it only requires tools that every AR owner should have for maintenance. You can either save money or increase reliability by rolling your own for the same amount as complete rifles from major builders. Barrel and trigger are where you should spend the most followed by bolt, upper receiver, then lower receiver. Make sure the rail is free float but otherwise it should be task oriented.

Optics/irons are a whole other story. Some would suggest you get used to irons but I'm leaning away from that now. Dual optics (scope and off-set dot) just offer far too many advantages to ignore. If you do decide on a scope buy the best you can afford that suits how you will most use the rifle. I've seen people put 1k+ scopes on ARs they only plink with, and others put 50 dollar knock offs on rifles they intend for self defense. Simple common sense suggests a happy medium.
IMO Satern barrels are the best followed by Noveske, Krieger, etc. For a decent value barrel I would suggest Rainier arms. For triggers it's hard to suggest anything other than Giselle but there are some decent alternatives I guess.

[3Fingas]

Yes, I have heard some bad things about their quality control.

Some other brands I forgot to mention in the mid tier:
Windham Rifles are trending upwards
Bushmaster is trending downwards

I personally own two S&W ARs. I am happy with them. I got them with $100 Veteran’s rebate, a good buy for the value. S&W has the best customer service in the business. Colt’s customer service is terrible, but you usually don’t have any problems with a Colt AR.

[M Kehoe]

Hi guy.

Sorry, but starting a vanity on this pretty much obligates you to buy them both. It's a new forum rule I just made up.

I like your new rule. Almost as good as the CZJ pics with a Dowd column.

5.56mm

[Durus]

“Bolt” should really read BCA (bolt carrier assembly). NP3 coated BCAs minimise the most commonly held flaw (residue buildup then jamming) of the AR platform.

[garykfd]

I enjoy my Stag Arms

[Vermont Lt]

The government spent quite a bit of money on teaching me to fire their weapons. I think the records they DO have show me to be much more proficient than I am today. Should I write about what a crappy shot I am...so they can adjust their files?