[MEJ1990TM]

I was wondering how the Rock River AR-15 Rifles compare to the Colt models. I must admit I am slightly biased to the Colt name, but after not being able to find a decent Colt for under $1,200 at the latest Phoenix gun show I am considering buying a Rock River. I handled several Rock Rivers and they seemed like pretty decent rifles. I'm looking for a standard A2 with fixed stock, permanently attached carry handle, and standard round hand guard. I don't need any rails to make a Swiss Army AR.

In a way I kind of like the finish on the RR over the Colt. But like I said I'm biased to the Colt name.

I have narrowed it down to most likely either of these two companies. Anyone have experience with the two of them?

 

[falm16]

the colt name is what you pay a premium for. RRA is equal, in quality.

 

[mr44]

RRA

RRA = milspec..colt..not milspec since 1992

 

[MEJ1990TM]

RRA = milspec..colt..not milspec since 1992

Isn't Colt the primary manufacturer for LE and the Military now?

 

[Swampy]

Isn't Colt the primary manufacturer for LE and the Military now?

Nope.... FNH in South Carolina makes the M16 for the US Military. Has for MANY years. Colt may still (Emphasis on MAY...) still make some of the M4 carbines, but I'm nowhere near as sure of this as I am of FNH making all M16's.

Also... any currently made Colt rifle you buy that was made for the civillian market has non-milspec sized takedown pins. This means that in the future... any time you want to change out uppers... you have to buy Colt. Nothing else will fit. Not so with RRA and just about EVERY other AR maker out there. They all use standard pin sizes. Switch around uppers and lowers from any maker you like.

$1200 for a bone stock AR with a prancing pony on the side is ludicrous to me, especially since Colt went OUT OF THEIR WAY to intentionally make the rifles they sold on the civillian market impossible to upgrade or change out uppers unless you buy from them. No thanks....

One more thing.... re quality. Rock River is one of the most respected AR makers among competition shooters. Go to any NRA or CMP Service Rifle event and try to find a Colt on the firing line. You might find one or two..... but you will be falling all over RRA's, Armalites, Bushy's and many other makers AR's in the search.

Just my 2 bits,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[gospodin]

I'll add my .02 cents to this question. I have both a stock,standard RRA AR15A2 and a Colt.In my experience ,both shoot equally well and ,quality-wise, cannot be faulted. IMHO, it is foolish to pay a premium for the Colt name-especially with the parts issues that Swampy mentions.

 

[usrifle]

I understand Colt is 4th "Tier" as a supplier to the military, WAY overrated anymore...You might look into Sabre Defence, a prime supplier to the military for .50 cal barrels and complete guns.
Their AR's are beautiful, exceeding Mil-spec requirements. (wish i had one).
I have several Bushmasters, but my local "black rifle" builder has only good things to say about DPMS and Stag too. (though they stock Bushmaster lowers exclusively).
As long as it's "Mil-spec" forged, with the proper "Hard anodizing" finish, i can't see how you could go wrong with any of them.
usrifle

 

[MEJ1990TM]

Thanks for the input.

I guess I am just biased to that Colt name. Can't explain why.

 

[Swampy]

I guess I am just biased to that Colt name. Can't explain why.

We all have our own little bits of illogical brain lock.
I guess yours is going to cost you a bunch of $$$ for no other added benefit......

Just remember.... if you buy an AR15 built on a Colt receiver now.... and in the future you want to switch out to an M4 upper???..... you gotta' buy from Colt ($$$). Wanna' put on a DCM upper???.... you gotta' buy from Colt ($$$). Wanna' make a flat top sniper or sod-poodle popper???.... you gotta' buy from Colt ($$$).

I hope it's worth it..... just to have that purty little prancing pony engraved on the side.

.... from a very happy and satisfied owner of a Rock River Arms DCM rifle.... and several uppers made by several different companies that all fit quite nicely on it.... and shoot as good or BETTER than anything Colt ever thought about making

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[Mongo4567]

If you want to use a large pin upper on a small pin lower, you just need a couple of $10 conversion pins. It isn't perfect, but it works.

 

[falm16]

10 bucks for the conversion pin, 350 for the pony..... what a deal.

 

[MEJ1990TM]

We all have our own little bits of illogical brain lock.
I guess yours is going to cost you a bunch of $$$ for no other added benefit......

Just remember.... if you buy an AR15 built on a Colt receiver now.... and in the future you want to switch out to an M4 upper???..... you gotta' buy from Colt ($$$). Wanna' put on a DCM upper???.... you gotta' buy from Colt ($$$). Wanna' make a flat top sniper or sod-poodle popper???.... you gotta' buy from Colt ($$$).

I hope it's worth it..... just to have that purty little prancing pony engraved on the side.

.... from a very happy and satisfied owner of a Rock River Arms DCM rifle.... and several uppers made by several different companies that all fit quite nicely on it.... and shoot as good or BETTER than anything Colt ever thought about making

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever

After realizing my wanting a Colt was going to cost me extra I was on the verge of buying a Rock River. I was about $200 short. If I had the money I would have bought it.

 

[RMTactical]

Colt is (by many) the standard by which all other AR15's are measured. RRA makes a decent AR15 and they make them "look" very good as well as make exceptionally accurate rifles, but in terms of QC standards and many milspec standards, they don't quite measure up. Doesn't mean they are totally worthless. Doesn't mean they have never made a reliable AR15 or that they wouldn't be easily upgraded to meet many of the standards...

Isn't Colt the primary manufacturer for LE and the Military now?

Military M4's, yes. Not for military M16's and not necessarily for LE. FN does most of the military's M16's.

For LE, it depends on the agency. Some choose Colt, others choose from the vast array of other various manufacturers. I would guess that the majority do not choose Colt though.

 

[Poot]

Build your own rifle, starting with the lower. I'd still say avoid Colt, and I did. I'm very happy with the end result.

If you had to, you could fabricate a bushing as a type of pin adapter to mate a Colt upper to a non-Colt lower. It's what I did for my .22 AR set-up, and I only use the Colt upper for this because it was free.

 

[whitehouse_2008]

I'm biased to Colt as well. But I think in the AR-15 choices there are lots of options that work perfectly fine. In the end they all work more because of the design than the name.

 

[highestangel]

Rock River Arms.

Michael

 

[hutch isle term]

if im not mistaken isnt colt the only company that makes m4s for the military?,not really up on who makes what for our armed forces except fn makeing m16s and m240 mg

 

[wwIIbuff]

I would say buy the rock river, if you want to spend a ton on an AR, look at Les Bear or wilson combat. I have shot all three and I really like my RR. With that said the most often .223 rifle I shoot is my HK 93

 

[BillP]

The good news about ARs is that virtually all the components are very good quality now and properly assembled rifles will be durable and reliable. Rock River's reputation is sterling; their quality is exceptional. I've built a bunch of old school ARs (i.e. carry handle type upper in A1 and A2 config) using a variety of lowers including Rock River, DPMS, Olympic, Essential Arms, and even a Century branded forged lower. I've generally used Model 1 Sales kits or retro USGI uppers with Rock River lower parts kits and either USGI or Rock River bolts/carriers. I'm not indecisive about lower brands, just bought whatever was available and reasonable at the time. I prefer Rock River for quality and Essential Arms for vintage finish, but had no problems with any. You might consider pricing a Rock River kit and then buying a separate Rock River lower; might save you a bit of money.

 

[442man]

I've had bad experience with Colt's customer service in the past so I stay away from them. I love my Armalite!
Regards,
442Man