View Full Version : Rainier RUC Complete Lower
DMViergever
01-23-14, 10:34
Whenever a new rifle is built the first question is usually "stripped or complete lower?". The advantage to stripped is the user can configure it to their liking without a pile of take off parts going in the parts bin. This usually means more money going into parts and less going into training and ammo.
The Rainier RUC complete lower is a different story. This thing is chocked full of top end parts for under $400 bucks. Both the lower receiver and the 6 position receiver extension are made from 7075 aluminum and are mated with a Fortis Manufacturing end plate and a castle nut that is properly staked. The staking on the castle nut is just another example of the fact that Rainier really paid attention to the details. It also uses a H buffer for improved reliability and control.
The stock on the RUC lower is a B5 Systems Bravo stock. This is the simplified version of the B5 SOPMOD and even though it is a minimalist stock the cheekweld and lock up on it are solid as a rock. If end plate QD sockets are not up the users alley, the Bravo has that covered with a built end QD socket as well.
The Pistol grip is the Magpul MOE Plus which was switched out with when received for a more vertical grip. It now wears a Magpul K Grip which fits in to the newer straight up and down style similar to the UCWRG Grip 23 and BCM Grip Mod 0 that are so hot right now.
The safety selector is the Battle Arms Development BAD-ASS 45 degree short throw lever. It was solid locking and the throw on it was so quick and short that it was surprising and didn't leave you reaching with the thumb to go from safe to fire positions. The short and long levers are also adjustable from left side of the receiver to the right side so it is good to go for both right hand and left hand shooters.
The trigger in this lower is the ALG QMS and is simply excellent and gets rid of that gritty, heavy feeling so many long time AR shooters have grown to love...or hate. The break is light and clean but not so light that reliabilty and safety is a concern. The trigger guard is the polymer version of the MOE trigger guard that is modified to work with a gloved hand.
The roll marks on the receiver are very well machined and the finish is great also. It was paired with an Aero upper receiver and the lock up was nice and tight with very little wobble. The only issue I found with the lower was that the front takedown pin was so tight that it had to be given a love tap to have it lock or unlock. This is not uncommon and usually the parts will wear together and loosen up. Tight is not bad but having to use a bullet tip and tapping it with somethong are not exactly convenient from the start.
In the search for a quality lower receiver this is not one that should be overlooked.
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_169503543275119_zpskyonmpcw.jpeg
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_149538137013182_zpsat6hggfm.jpeg
]http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_149542838497399_zpsmysbkflb.jpeg
DMViergever
Www.facebook.com/almosttactical
This looks like a great option, they essentially built the lower I made, but I used the Voltor stock. I would have no issues at all using the B5 stock. Everything i've gotten from Rainier has been top notch, and I'll be ordering from them again.
your post started off sounding like a commercial and I actually scrolled down to see if you were a rep but I do agree, Rainier lowers are nice. the machining and finish is very nice and having the cutouts for the BAD A.S.S. 45* selectors is sweet.
if you're having a tight lock-up, did you look and notice the tension adjustment screw with the Delrin tip that comes up through receiver and impinges on the bottom of the upper? this is adjustable and it's possible yours is screwed in a little too much. it's not tight in the threads and you can adjust it with a pair of needle nose pliers from inside the lower.
I'm really impressed with that little "skunkworks" up there in the NW. between them, and AXTS and Noveske and until recently, Centurion, that's quite a hot little area for carbine development...
DMViergever
01-23-14, 12:22
your post started off sounding like a commercial and I actually scrolled down to see if you were a rep but I do agree, Rainier lowers are nice. the machining and finish is very nice and having the cutouts for the BAD A.S.S. 45* selectors is sweet.
if you're having a tight lock-up, did you look and notice the tension adjustment screw with the Delrin tip that comes up through receiver and impinges on the bottom of the upper? this is adjustable and it's possible yours is screwed in a little too much. it's not tight in the threads and you can adjust it with a pair of needle nose pliers from inside the lower.
I'm really impressed with that little "skunkworks" up there in the NW. between them, and AXTS and Noveske and until recently, Centurion, that's quite a hot little area for carbine development...
Def. Not a rep. Just giving the stats of the lower. The fit is good and snug with the upper but not because of the screw, just a good fit. The issue is with the front takedown pin being very snug in the hole.
This definitely is a high quality option. I really appreciate Rainier's offerings. I was never much of a billet lower fan but when Ranier offered an ambi billet lower I had to give it a try, and I am very glad I did. I put a BAD-ASS ambi 45 degree short throw safety along with the BAD enhanced take down and pivot pins, Norgon ambi mag release, Seekins enhanced bolt catch and billet magazine release, plus I'm using the Rainier Arms Raptor charging handle and it makes for an awesome package. Love it. My next lower will either be a stripped forged Rainier or one of these complete RUCs. Great company!
skijunkie55
01-23-14, 15:28
Picking mine up from the FFL dealer today. Thanks for the review.
Don't forget about us in NV ;)
DMViergever, if your pins are hard to pull out, you might look into our EPS (enhanced pins set) https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?136218-ETP-and-EPP :)
your post started off sounding like a commercial and I actually scrolled down to see if you were a rep but I do agree, Rainier lowers are nice. the machining and finish is very nice and having the cutouts for the BAD A.S.S. 45* selectors is sweet.
if you're having a tight lock-up, did you look and notice the tension adjustment screw with the Delrin tip that comes up through receiver and impinges on the bottom of the upper? this is adjustable and it's possible yours is screwed in a little too much. it's not tight in the threads and you can adjust it with a pair of needle nose pliers from inside the lower.
I'm really impressed with that little "skunkworks" up there in the NW. between them, and AXTS and Noveske and until recently, Centurion, that's quite a hot little area for carbine development...
DMViergever
01-23-14, 16:24
Are they as sweet as your Bad-ASS levers? It is actually my buddies (farmhand) lower but I may end up with one someday.
They've been very well received :)
The challenge is for folks to get over the idea that tighter is better on an AR. The EPS has many design goals, all of which were met. A tight fit between the lower and upper was not one of them. We make components for rifles that go in harm's way, these components must serve purposes that justify their cost and offer real benefits, or we simply don't develop and make them. There's a lot of thoughts and research that went into the pins. Even our friends wondered how anyone could improve on simple pins (nobody told us at the time, but they fessed up after testing them lol).
Any one of the features would qualify the pins as "enhanced", we incorporated many features into the design, which the thread above discussed in greater detail :)
New Centurion
01-23-14, 21:34
I took delivery of my complete RUC lower last weekend mated it to my new DD V7LW upper. Both were the result of much lurking and learning. Got to shoot it on Monday and I have no regrets. You really get a lot of bang for the buck on that lower (pun intended).
I too had a heck of a time getting the pivot pin to go in. It slid in and out of position easily without the upper in place, so I attribute it to the upper. Definitely won't be popping it out with my fingers like I'm used to, but I don't foresee the immediate need to break it all the way down anyway.
Don't forget about us in NV ;)
whoops, my bad! :agree:
haha, get it??? my bad?
my... BAD???
:lol:
I think the RUC complete lowers are the best value on the market. I have one and want more.
Im loving the lower, like dmv said the front pin is extremely tight, after i got back from his house i noticed that it had not seated all the way, had to give it a bump with a rubber handled bit driver. Im really glad they went with the bad 45° selectors, put the iceing on the cake. I wish rainier would offer the k2 grip as an option.
DMViergever
01-24-14, 07:37
Yeah, the pivot pin is the tight one, regardless of whether it has an upper in it or not, thanks again Farmhand!
Yeah, the pivot pin is the tight one, regardless of whether it has an upper in it or not, thanks again Farmhand!
ok, your saying "takedown" pin threw me off. if it's the pivot pin I would just chuck it up in a drill and spin it in some emery cloth till it fits. or you could try different pins. but I wouldn't try to force it in there and wouldn't do anything to the receiver. always cut, file, or modify the cheapest part...
I have one of the RUC lowers and it is very nice. Definitely a great value. I may have to try the EPS.
I have one matched to an Armalite/Aero Precision SPR Mod 1 Midlength upper. It is a great lower, and the quality is excellent. A little expensive, but excellent quality.
DMViergever
01-25-14, 20:40
ok, your saying "takedown" pin threw me off. if it's the pivot pin I would just chuck it up in a drill and spin it in some emery cloth till it fits. or you could try different pins. but I wouldn't try to force it in there and wouldn't do anything to the receiver. always cut, file, or modify the cheapest part...
Yeah my bad...I knew what I meant. Modifying the cheaper part would be the obvious answer.
I was just about to hit the order button on a BCM lower at Rainier when I remembered this thread. Generally, I like my lowers pretty sterile in appearance, so I hadn't given the RA lower much thought. However, I'm seriously considering one at the moment. The inclusion of the B5 stock, ALG trigger, Fortis endplate and BADASS-ST, really make this lower a great value. I'm considering ordering one just to salvage the parts, as I have everything I currently need to set up a lower for a particular build.
DMViergever
01-26-14, 11:09
I don't think you will regret it, if you do link the thread in the comments and tell them they owe me one! Maybe they will send me some review items haha.
New Centurion
02-01-14, 10:06
I was just on the RA website and it appears they have modified the RUC Complete Lower package. I love mine just the way it is, not having to add anything or switch parts out was the biggest selling point for me. I'm really not sure if I would've purchased the new version, primarily because I'm not familiar with the new stock and grip. Everything else looks the same, copied from the site:
Features:
7075 T6 - 6 position Milspec buffer tube - properly staked
Heavy Buffer
Battle Arms Development - Ambidextrous Safety Selector - Short Throw (BAD-ASS-ST) for the SPECIALIZED 45°
MFT Battlelink Minimalist Stock
ALG QMS trigger
Fortis QD End Plate
Magpul MOE Trigger Guard
MFT Engage AR15 Pistol Grip
**Substitutions are not allowed.
https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=3352
23241
DMViergever
02-01-14, 10:19
Appears as though they changed the lower to match the RUC2 complete rifle. I am a big fan of these B5 stocks, the bravo fits my needs perfectly. I am not sure about the Minimalist stock from MFT. It is simple and light be looks like a snaggy bastard. Also curious how well they would stand up to abuse.
I got the stock notification email and was quite disappointed to see the changes to MFT furniture and a price increase. Price on the stripped lower went up as well.
DMViergever
02-01-14, 10:31
Hmmm I hadn't noticed the price increase.
I like everything about the lower, except the new furniture. I'd be willing to pay the higher price, no questions asked if it was in the old configuration. However, I'm no longer interested, knowing that I will immediately swap the furniture and have to sell off the furniture at a discount. I just ordered a BCM lower without a stock instead.
Considering the parts you get with the complete lower, the minor price increase is not a deal breaker for me. I'll be ordering one soon. Compared to other lowers, the Rainier one is actually a very good deal.
New Centurion
02-01-14, 11:41
Absolutely, you're not doing wrong by getting one. I just think we were so impressed with it as it was configured, the changes caught some of us off guard.
Reminds me of a joke about my adopted home town:
Q: How many Richmonders does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Just one, but the whole city is gonna talk about how great the old bulb was.
Yeah I'm a huge fan of RA, but would not purchase anything with that stock on it. That being said, I'm sure it functions just fine.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4
They still have a complete lower with bravo stock for $385. It has the "uncool" zombie rollmark though which may be a deal breaker for some.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yeah, the B5 stock, trigger and endplate def make this a good value--I'd end up selling the grip and ambi-selector (just not into ambi-selectors or bad levers).
I'll have to try out that newer Magpul K grip--I like the more vertical angle (like on my BCM mod1 grip).
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