What is it people really think of when they think "Pig hunting rifle"? Forget about your fathers old rifle, seems like things are changing and the AR style is the rifle of choice for Pigs. Just recently I finally after a short wait obtained my personal Rock River Arms LAR-8 LAR-8 Model 308A1279 Rock River Arms through my area transfer retailer. Introducing the LAR-8 Rifle from RRA and my review of this fine firearm. A Hog hunters dream.
Well, there are lots of rifle makers these days taking caliber out of the argument by building AR-style rifles in .308. The .308 AR-rifle is what Eugene Stoner envisioned from the start. So, are we moving ahead with a .308 AR or are we going back to the starting point?
I set 5.56 to the side and selected .308 based on the power punch I needed for hunting. RRA stepped up and gave the world a 7.62 caliber AR rifle that hits with the power a Pig hunting rifle should, but functions like an AR. There will always be those that want to a lighter round and the debate will go on forever. However in this review, you will find the choice is clear and in favor of the .308 to knock down the biggest of Hogs.
Oiled up and smelling good from Rock River Arms, the first thing you notice upon assembly is that you have a stout yet maneuverable rifle in your hands. It is a .308 and heavier that its lighter counterpart 5.56, but balanced well. 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. Without a doubt a very well thought out hand guard configuration.
Sturdy design is clearly evident in the RRA sight design. Quality looks to be the name of the game for this rifles iron sights. 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 RRA designed gas block incorporates a pop-up front sight, sling attachment points on three sides and a short Picatinny rail making the firearm ready for anything. I mounted a Command Arms bipod on the lower portion of the quad rail and that worked slick. That bipod can stow with the legs pointing forward or aft for even more versatility. There was no rear sight, I guess the folks at RRA want to let you choose your own rear sight, but I would prefer to see this rifle ready to rock right out of the box.
The cases vary in design. My case you must disassemble the rifle to place it in the case and you can’t put an upper with optics into the blue box. Case really did not matter, I am all about the firearm and the case matters not.
I think it was Ben Franklin who said “The proof of the pudding is determined by how many 165-grain bullets you’re able to put into a bad guy in five seconds.” Can you believe, 5 rounds in less than 5 seconds, on target.
Aside from weight, there is virtually no difference in the AR-15 and the Rock River Arms 7.62. I say almost, because there are two small changes on this firearm. The RRA magazine release button is ambidextrous and can be activated from either side of the firearm and the bolt release is located at the bottom rear of the magazine well. A trigger finger ambi bolt release is a great feature. Speaking of magazines, the Standard Operator is compatible with FAL L1A1 inch and metric. RRA also offers magazines in polymer.
For the day’s range fun I quickly mounted a Eotech on top of the Standard Operator. Swiftly, as in, I set the sight on the top rail, flipped the ARMS locks and started shooting. It was dead on at 25 yards. 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. I fired as fast as I could get the dot back on group. Accuracy lives up to the Rock River Arms’ claim of 1.5 MOA at 100 yards. The two-stage trigger allows for perfect control and a clean break.
The Smith flash hider worked very well and the 1:10 twist ratio seemed perfect for the 168-grain ammo. Built for battery storage, the Operator A2 stock offers a handy method to store batteries. Each battery tube of the Operator A2 stock is also spring-loaded to make sure your batteries come out as easy as they go in.
AR .308 caliber rifles are proprietary with all AR manufactures, that is just the way it is. Alternately the 5.56/.223 AR firearms are generally compatible for an almost endless number of parts combinations. Each maker has apparently come up with what they consider to be the best idea for some part or another with their own 7.62.
As stated on the RRA website, the LAR-8 uses a unique receiver thread and barrel nut. Use only RRA approved parts for modifications. Although some other barrel nuts may thread onto the LAR-8 upper receiver, the depth of thread is incorrect. Better safe than sorry, enough said.
The RRA LAR-8 Standard Operator gives you a firearm and a platform that offers power and overall flexibility. For combat use, more penetration for buildings and vehicles. Hunting rifle, no problem, if you want to use this as a Modern Sporting Rifle, the Standard Operator will have no trouble taking deer-sized game at any range you feel comfortable shooting.
Listed here are the specific features as shipped through my web based supplier.
MANUFACTURER Rock River Arms
MODEL 308A1279
CALIBER 308/7.62 Chamber
UPPER Forged A4 / with Forward Assist and Port Door
BARREL 20 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 A2 Stock
WEIGHT / LENGTH 10.2 Pounds / 42 inches
ACCURACY 1 MOA at 100 Yards
INCLUDED One Mag*, RRA Case, Manual, Warranty
Trigger: RRA 2 Stage Match, 4.5 lbs.
Sale Price: $1,449.00 , Retail $1,720.00
I ended up purchasing it online for much less. Most dealers in my area desired retail plus which did not set well with my budget. I acquired my Standard Operator from Class 3 Weapons in Houston Texas at a appreciable savings of only $1,449.00, plus a very reasonable shipping rate considering the size of the shipment. Depending on where you live your cost will deviate based on shipping and taxes if applicable. For the time being, thanks Rock River Arms and Class 3 Weapons, for an awesome weapon and keep up the good work.
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