Nuts and Bolts
To offset the cost of producing a monolithic upper, RRA went the two-piece upper/handguard route, designing proprietary components with crisp lines and tight tolerances to deliver an assembly with a unitized look and feel.
Both components are made of extruded 6061T aluminum. The flat-top upper exhibits the sharp, authoritative lines common to more expensive billet uppers. Missing is a forward assist and a conventional-style cartridge deflector. The latter function, however, is served by extending the blended handguard profile to the rear of the ejection port. It’s a sleek design that keeps the upper’s clean contours while allowing hot brass to kick off the corner of the ejection port and away from the shooter.
Set forward of the upper is a matching handguard. As with the upper receiver, the handguard includes an integrated MS1913 rail, giving the upper assembly a full-length top rail system. MLOK-compatible slots along the sides and bottom offer the necessary accessory attachment points.
The handguard is a free-float design that secures to a proprietary barrel nut while an index pin affixed to the handguard offers precise alignment with the receiver when installed. This, combined with super-close tolerances between the handguard inner mating surface and the outside diameter of the barrel nut plus the two clamping screws and two set screws, ensures a rock-solid attachment.
Overall, the upper assembly achieves its goal of delivering a monolithic receiver look and feel without the exorbitant price. As for the rest of the rifle’s construction, it’s mostly baseline RRA hardware with the same basic LAR-15 forged aluminum lower receiver the company’s fans are familiar with. There are no surprises with the standard manganese phosphate bolt carrier group, charging handle, A2 pistol grip, RRA six-position stock or A2 muzzle device. A low-profile gas block fronts the carbine-length gas system.
Where the RRAGE does veer off the well-trodden RRA path is the barrel. While it’s the same basic 16″ lightweight chromoly version found throughout much of the company lineup (with a 1:9 twist), the difference is the barrel isn’t chrome-lined. This may be a big deal for some folks and a negligible one for others but it’s the cost of admission (or price savings, depending on how you look at it) for this rifle.
Another cost-cutter is found in the trigger assembly. RRA went with their single-stage model versus the two-stage unit found in most RRA rifles. Being spoiled on more refined two-stage and premium single-stage triggers, we had to adjust our expectations here.
Trigger performance aside, the rifle performed quite well where it counts. Out-of-the-box with zero barrel cleaning or break-in, we managed to quickly sight in with TRUGLO’s new 1-6×24 Omnia scope and pull off consistent 1.25 to 1.5″ groups at 100 yards from a sketchy field rest.
For an AR backed with Rock River Arms’ reputation, the premium looks of a monolithic-style upper assembly, and an available street price around $700 (MSRP is $759.99), the RRAGE is an easy decision for anyone looking to add to their stash without guilt.
Rock River Arms
866-980-7625
http://www.rockriverarms.com
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