ViperTwoSix
04-08-23, 20:00
I thought I’d write this for all those with what might me termed as sub par ARs. So, before I start, this isn’t an argument about why my Rock River Arms AR is so great, nor is it an argument about why “better” ARs are actually better. There is enough searchable info on this forum alone from people much smarter than me that settles any of those arguments. But this is a message to those that already have the dreaded “less than ideal” AR brands and the short cuts that come with them.
Now, before I continue, I will admit that I’ve made alterations to my RRA. I’ve learned a TON since purchasing my first AR. At the time I bought it I was young, in the middle of the Clinton Ban, and literally only had two options of available ARs. This one fit my budget. But, below is a list of what I changed on the original AR setup. I won’t name manufacturers because this isn’t about that, it’s more about confidence you have in a weapon (we’ll get into that shortly), but do transparency’s sake:
Replaced the gas tube.
Replaced the BCG with a full auto carrier.
Replaced commercial buffer tube with mil spec.
Replaced butt stock to fit mil spec tube.
Replaced castle nut and property staked.
Replaced carbine buffer weight with H1 buffer weight.
Now, more importantly, why do I love this sub par AR? Well, because I spent time with it. I’ve owned it longer than any other AR I have. I’ve spent more range time with it than any other AR I have.
Did I replace some parts after learning? Yes.
Does it still have a 1/9 twist barrel? Yes.
Is the barrel chrome lined, melonited, and made of 4150 CMV? No.
Are my feed ramps ugly as shit and look like RRA cut them in with dremel tool? Yes.
Now, could it be “better”? Yes. But here’s the real reason why I love it.
I’ve had it the longest and spent the most trigger time with it.
I know how it shoots.
I know it’s quirks, I know what it likes and what it doesn’t.
I’ve had failures with it and I’ve cleared them. I know how to get her back in action when she chokes.
I beat it up more than any other gun (accept maybe the AK). Yet it doesn’t hold that against me and still goes bang.
It chomps through whatever I feed it.
The 1/9 heavy barrel it came with is accurate as shit, coupled with the Eotech it came with.
I have confidence in this weapon gained through actual use.
I’ve trained with this rifle, used this rifle, know this rifle. Is it the perfect specimen? Absolutely not. But neither am I. When I reach for a rifle I always find myself grabbing this one because I know it in and out. And there in lies the point of my post. You can have a top tier rifle, and there’s definitely some science and experience behind why they do what they do. But if your like me and have kids to feed and can’t afford that, just ****ing train and learn your weapon. Buy what you can afford, upgrade when you can, and learn your ****ing weapon in and out so you know what it will and won’t do. Build your confidence with that weapon, and I think you’ll find that when you need comfort in violence you’ll reach for what you’re most familiar with.
Now, before I continue, I will admit that I’ve made alterations to my RRA. I’ve learned a TON since purchasing my first AR. At the time I bought it I was young, in the middle of the Clinton Ban, and literally only had two options of available ARs. This one fit my budget. But, below is a list of what I changed on the original AR setup. I won’t name manufacturers because this isn’t about that, it’s more about confidence you have in a weapon (we’ll get into that shortly), but do transparency’s sake:
Replaced the gas tube.
Replaced the BCG with a full auto carrier.
Replaced commercial buffer tube with mil spec.
Replaced butt stock to fit mil spec tube.
Replaced castle nut and property staked.
Replaced carbine buffer weight with H1 buffer weight.
Now, more importantly, why do I love this sub par AR? Well, because I spent time with it. I’ve owned it longer than any other AR I have. I’ve spent more range time with it than any other AR I have.
Did I replace some parts after learning? Yes.
Does it still have a 1/9 twist barrel? Yes.
Is the barrel chrome lined, melonited, and made of 4150 CMV? No.
Are my feed ramps ugly as shit and look like RRA cut them in with dremel tool? Yes.
Now, could it be “better”? Yes. But here’s the real reason why I love it.
I’ve had it the longest and spent the most trigger time with it.
I know how it shoots.
I know it’s quirks, I know what it likes and what it doesn’t.
I’ve had failures with it and I’ve cleared them. I know how to get her back in action when she chokes.
I beat it up more than any other gun (accept maybe the AK). Yet it doesn’t hold that against me and still goes bang.
It chomps through whatever I feed it.
The 1/9 heavy barrel it came with is accurate as shit, coupled with the Eotech it came with.
I have confidence in this weapon gained through actual use.
I’ve trained with this rifle, used this rifle, know this rifle. Is it the perfect specimen? Absolutely not. But neither am I. When I reach for a rifle I always find myself grabbing this one because I know it in and out. And there in lies the point of my post. You can have a top tier rifle, and there’s definitely some science and experience behind why they do what they do. But if your like me and have kids to feed and can’t afford that, just ****ing train and learn your weapon. Buy what you can afford, upgrade when you can, and learn your ****ing weapon in and out so you know what it will and won’t do. Build your confidence with that weapon, and I think you’ll find that when you need comfort in violence you’ll reach for what you’re most familiar with.