Decision time, Review of the RRA Elite Rifle AR10 308A1276 Elite Operator Weapon Your going to find many out there that define a battle rifle based on caliber. The big question is, was the LAR-8 really designed to be a battle rifle Or, by virtue of its smaller cartridge, was the LAR-8 some other sort of weapon? Is the LAR-8 designed for uses similar to the M-1 Carbine? How can a weapon with such a small caliber really be considered a battle rifle?
Well, there are lots of rifle makers these days taking caliber out of the argument by building AR-style rifles in 7.62. The .308 AR-rifle is what Eugene Stoner envisioned from the start. So, are we moving ahead with a 7.62 AR or are we going back to the starting point?
There's not enough time in the day to answer these questions. New from RRA, how about a .308 rifle that carries like an AR-15? There will always be those that want to debate. You find the choice is clear in this review.
Oiled up and smelling good from Rock River Arms, the first thing you notice upon assembly is that you have a stout yet maneuverable firearm in your hands. True it is heavier than a .223 version, but it is well balanced and easy to handle. Adjust the butts tock to your liking and the firearm comes up naturally and easily. The Half-Quad hand guard offers a comfortable smooth area and a handy a forward rail system for lights, lasers etc. Don't let the term half-quad fool you, you may think of just two rails, but don’t worry, it has all four.
The flip-up front sight is a well-built unit with stout ears protecting the adjustable front post. Designed and built by RRA, this sight is an example of the great ideas and sound execution in the manufacturing processes. There is one on each side of the barrel and one below allowing you to mount any sort of sling system you would like.
The Rock River Arms designed gas block incorporates a pop-up front sight, sling attachment points on three sides and a short Picatinny rail making the rifle ready for anything. There was just enough room on the rail under the sight for a laser and I also added a Harris bipod. That bipod can stow with the legs pointing forward or aft for even more versatility. But to tell you the truth, when it is all said and done, the firearm without the rear sight will give you flexibility.
And speaking of which, the RRA hard case is solid, well built and easily identifiable as the container of an RRA product. The good news is that’s the only part of this firearm I could complain about.
Rapid fie is not a problem for this firearm. In this case, let’s say five would be the minimum.
There is virtually no difference in the LAR-8 and the RRA .308. I say almost, because there are two small changes on this firearm. The magazine release is ambi. The bolt release is an ambidextrous lever you push straight down, with your trigger finger if you like. While I am on the topic of the magazine release, the Elite Operator uses FAL metric and L1A1 inch magazines. So there should be no trouble finding 20-round boxes for your reloads.
For the day’s range fun I swiftly mounted a Eotech on top of the Elite Operator. Quickly, as in, I set the sight on the top rail, flipped the ARMS locks and started shooting. I started plinking at 25 yards, it was dead on. Finally after 50 to 75 yards, I braced the rifle on the post and started dropping rounds on the 100-yard target. Combat accuracy was outstanding.
This prompted me to drop a few sandbags on the bench and drop some rounds down range in an effort to see where they would fall if I was really trying to shoot a nice group. With the zero-power magnification sight aligned on the dead center of the target I rolled through the trigger press, firing as quickly as I could get the dot back on the group. I am happy! Better than advertised, 1.5 MOA.
The Smith flash hider worked very well and the 1:10 twist ratio seemed perfect for the 165-grain ammo. Another feature I really liked was the sealed battery storage area behind the rubber butt plate of the Operator CAR stock. Push the Operator butt plate button on the left side of the butt plate and it slides down exposing a storage area for several of the CR123 batteries.
If there is one thing to note about the 7.62 caliber AR-style rifles on the market, it is that parts are not universally interchangeable. Alternately the 5.56/.223 AR firearms are generally compatible for an almost endless number of parts combinations. Where as most LAR-8 rifle parts from most makers will drop in and function, the same is not true of the bigger guns.
As stated on the RRA website, the LAR-8 uses a unique receiver thread and barrel nut. No barrel nut (either separate or as part of a tubular hand guard or quad rail hand guard) except those made specifically for the RRA LAR-8 should ever be used on an RRA LAR-8 or upper half. Improper use of third party parts could mean life or death, the specifications must be correct. Better safe than sorry, enough said.
The RRA LAR-8 Elite Operator gives you a rifle and a platform that offers power and flexibility. In a law enforcement capacity you will get greater range if you need it and more penetration around buildings and vehicles. Hunting firearm, no problem, if you want to use this as a Modern Sporting Rifle, the Elite Operator will have no trouble taking deer-sized game at any range you feel comfortable shooting.
Listed here are the specs when delivered from my web based dealer.
MANUFACTURER RRA
MODEL 308A1276
CALIBER 308/7.62 Chamber
UPPER Forged A4 / with Forward Assist and Port Door
BARREL 16 Inch Chrome Moly, 1:10 Twist, Cryogenically Treated
MUZZLE DEVICE Smith Vortex Flash Hider / 5/8x24 Thread
GAS BLOCK RRA Flip Front Sight Gas Block
TRIGGER RRA Two Stage
HAND GUARD RRA LAR-8 Advanced Half Quad Free Float
PISTOL GRIP Hogue Rubber Grip
BUTTS TOCK RRA Operator CAR Stock
WEIGHT / LENGTH 9.1 Pounds / 38 inches
ACCURACY 1.5 MOA at 100 Yards
INCLUDED One Mag*, RRA Case, Manual, Warranty
Trigger: RRA 2 Stage Match, 4.5 lbs.
Sale Price: $1,399.00 , Retail $1,670.00
RRA Entry Rifle AR10 308A1276 Elite Operator has a list price of 1670.00. I ended up ordering it over the internet for much less. Nearly all dealers in my location required list price ... plus which did not set well with my financing plan. I acquired my Rock River Arms LAR-8 LAR-8 Model 308A1276 Rock River Arms from Class 3 Weapons at a substantial cost savings. Rock River Arms is at the moment offering their 7.62 rifles at an aggressive price. Other RRA rifle models in 7.62 start at an incredibly economical price of $1,069.00 according to their website.
This is it, my Review of the new RRA Elite Firearm AR10 Model 308A1276 Rock River Arms WeaponRock River Arms, RRA AR10 Model 308A1276 RRA Elite Operator RifleWhich Entry firearm to buy? Review of the new RRA Elite Firearm LAR-8 308A1276 Elite Operator FirearmRock River Arms, LAR-8 Model 308A1276 Rock River Arms Weapon