I posted this in another forum as well, just really curious.
I have about 400rds on mine and have a marine buddy who has 1K+ on his. A few malfunctions, probably mag related.His even took a KABOOM case head separation and was back in business after he took it apart and inspected it (he did send it back to RRA at their request to be examined). Accuracy is excellent for the price. We both run a DD free float rail and ACOG TA31. This allows for hits out to 600 meters on 12x12 steel with decent milsurp ammo ( I have only gone to 300 with mine, more to come). You just have to fudge the holds a bit.
I know RRA is not a top tier manufacturer but so far this thing is as reliable and accurate as any AR10 I have ever heard about. Could RRA have bridged the gap between accuracy and reliablity in the AR10 platform?
The ergos are much better than a FAL or M14 ( I have owned both). and the optics mounting is of course much easier.
Any thoughts? I am still nervous not having any spare parts but this seems to be the closest thing to a go to .308 platform out there.
I’ve got two. One is the 16" barreled Mid-length model and the other is their Varmint model.
I’ve ran the mid-length through a couple of 3-gun matches. One match I had my suppressor on it and shot around 300 rounds within 20 minutes. It worked like a champ. I’ve been switching between an ACOG and EOTech for optics with an A.R.M.S. 40 flip up rear iron sight and Midwest Ind. front flip up iron sight.
The Varmint model is giving my bolt gun a run for its money in the accuracy department! I’ve found a load using 180 Nosler bullets that give me consistant sub-moa groups at 100 yards and those groups are often in the 1/2 minute range. This load is proving excellent at extended ranges also, but I need to do further testing. With the longer barrel, I’m getting 2640 fps, which should give me good results out to 1000 yards.
I’m getting close to 2000 now. I did have one minor problem. The bolt hold open broke on me around the 1500 round mark. I called RRA and they sent me a new one the same day. Very good customer service!!
The bolt hold open rod broke right at the roll pin, that catches on the magazine follower to push it up and hold the bolt open. This breakage may have been partially my fault for running a suppressor, as I’m sure the bolt is being pushed back harder into the recoil spring than it would normally. I need to look for a gas block adjuster, similar to what Armalite has on their SASS. That would probably help.
Again great info! My only beef at this point is a lack of spare parts. As soon as I can get a spare lpk and bcg I’ll feel a lot better! Feel free to post any updates. I will try to do the same. Z
I may be wrong on this, but I think their fire control group is just their standard 2-stage group that they use on all their AR’s. So you could just order one of those. You could probably order the bolt hold open group too. For obvious reasons, I think this is the weak link to these rifles, and other AR type rifles, as I have broken the bolt hold open part on AR15’s too. :eek:
Yea the FCG is standard (my buddy runs a Gieslle trigger in his). Its the bolt hold open/mag release stuff I am worried about. No answer from RRA on purchasing spare parts as of yet. This rifle may be the new .308 answer many have been looking for. AR ergos, easy optics and Free float etc.
I bought my LAR 8 Elite from KYGUNCO in Bardstown, Ky. There price 1309 plus tax. Great price. I have one problem so far, the bolt does not stay open after last shot @ 1/2 the time, also, sometimes rounds pop out of mag after seating a full mag. RR gave me a RA for a new mag. The gun is an absolute tack driver, it will be my deer rifle, although a little heavy. I’m sure a new mag will solve my problems.
I have had my LAR 8 mid since July 2010. I have only 500 rounds through it, and have not had any problems. I don’t have a problem with the weight, which Rock River’s web site shows a 1 pound difference between a LAR 8 and a LAR 15. I did put a Primary Weapons System FSC30 compensator on it to tame the recoil a little. The compensator worked so well that the next time at the range after installing it I shot a full magazine before thinking about evaluating the difference in recoil. It now kicks less than a .225 with a bird cage FH.
I also bought 6 extra magazines for $97 here http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=487527 . I actually got 10 because 2 of them had FTF problems. I called and they sent out replacements and said to keep the others for spare parts. My father-in-law tinkered with them and got them to work good as new. I called Sportsmanguide to see if they wanted them back and they keep them.
I also bought 6 extra magazines for $97 here http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=487527 . I actually got 10 because 2 of them had FTF problems. I called and they sent out replacements and said to keep the others for spare parts. My father-in-law tinkered with them and got them to work good as new. I called Sportsmanguide to see if they wanted them back and they keep them.
I like what I hear about the rifle, but want a source of reliable, reasonably priced mags. Don’t want to buy a bunch and have to tinker. Sources anyone?
@ No Bananas, don’t misinterpret what I am saying about the quality of these magazines. Of the six two had problems. One only needed cleaning and the other need a new spring. Yes they are military surplus but they are far from trash. I ran the 500 rounds using all of magazines and have not had a FTF or FTE problem and each time the magazine was emptied the bolt has stayed open ready for more. Magazines are simple by design and they are easy to maintain because of this simplicity. Plus they cost me $9.70 each with shipping included!
I have about 1K through mine and I’m pleased. Lighter than many 308 ARs. RR says they will be offering uppers in other calibers next year. I sure would like a 243 and a 260, maybe a 358 Winchester. What do you think of the chances they will make a 358 Winchester? Would be pretty good for thumping deer, 250 grain bullet at 2200, 200 grain at 2500, 180 at 2700. Make one for me!
Thanks for the link on the magazines, that’s a great deal. Just ordered 6. I picked up a lightly used LAR-8, 20", last week. Looking forward to sighting it in tomorrow.
