RRA CAR A2 Inspection Report, 06/09

[ST911]

Highlights from an in-service inspection of RRA carbine issued by a partner agency. Submitted carbine is recent production, late 2008/early 2009, 1 unit of ~50. Photos included below are of anomalous items, or items of particular common interest. Photos copyright by me, all rights reserved.

Manufacturer: Rock River Arms
Type: .223 Carbine
Model: Undertermined. Likely CAR A2, (AR1295X?), Modified
Serial Number: KT100****

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060920.jpg

Lower Receiver:

RRA OEM single stage GI-type trigger, semi-automatic fire control group. Mil dim receiver, hammer, pivot, and takedown pins. Drain hole in magazine fence. Hex bolt in grip screw. A2-type polymer grip. Standard aluminum trigger guard. Balance unremarkable.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06095.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060922.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060914.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060915.jpg

Buttstock Group:

Common 6-position adjustable stock group. Commercial dim receiver extension. End of extension cut at angle. Buttstock plastic, RRA branded. Rear sling swivel missing, unknown if it was not installed or removed by user. Loose fit. Standard carbine buffer, correct weight. Modified by agency with an ambidextrous receiver end plate incorporating circular attachment holes and ~1.25” sling loops, manufacturer undetermined. No staking upon reinstallation. Balance unremarkable.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060916.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06094.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06098.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060917.jpg

Upper Receiver:

A2-type upper with fixed carry handle, A2 sights with adjustments for windage and elevation. RRA branded on left side of carry handle. Extended feedramps cut evenly, appear machined, left unfinished. Balance unremarkable.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060913.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060912.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060910.jpg

Bolt Carrier Group:

Unmarked bolt. Extractor spring assembly 4-coil spring with black insert. Carrier key bears small rectangular indents for staking with no material intrusion on carrier key screws. Bolt carrier includes shrouded firing pin and semi-auto rear tang. Balance unremarkable.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06091.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06092.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06093.jpg

Barrel Assembly:

16” barrel. Marked “C 200/P)” under hand guards. Coding indicates barrel is 4140 chrome-moly steel, chrome lined. Barrel is heavy. Twist undetermined by has high confidence of being 1/9. A2-type flash hider installed and timed correctly. Forged traditional front sight assembly, installed with straight pins. Front sight assembly has “F” marking on left side. Sling swivel installed with rivet. Barrel extension cut for extended feedramps prior to parkerizing. Modified by agency, replaced OEM hand guards with SF M500-type replacement. Balance unremarkable.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06096.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060911.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06097.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA06099.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/RRA%20A2%20PR%206-2009/RRA060918.jpg

Gauging:

Unavailable

Other:

Single point sling. Manufacturer undetermined.

GI-type magazines, unremarkable.

Function Testing / Live Fire:

Officer reports firing a few hundred rounds of SAAMI-specification .223 Remington ammunition from a known-good supplier. Rounds fired during initial training/qualification upon issue without malfunction.

Discussion:

This manufacturer was reportedly selected based upon the experience of selecting officers with RRA products, and RRA’s ability to deliver in the quantities required and on the desired delivery schedule. A total of ~50 carbines were purchased.

The carbine discussed herein is a representative sample from that quantity. Others observed demonstrate the same characteristics of manufacture and assembly. In live fire exercises, some reported unspecified stoppages that were reportedly corrected by agency armorer(s). (NFI)

The carbine is carried in a security mount attached to the prisoner cage in the patrol vehicle and has handling marks consistent with use thus far.

Machining appears even, and finish-machining left few remanants of manufacturing process. Parkerizing and anodizing appear even, without apparent blemish, and are consistent in hue between components.

Recommended Corrections:

Stake carrier key screws. Stake receiver extension nut to receiver end-plate. Replace grip screw with slotted screw. Verify resistance of extractor spring insert, or replace with known-good. Ream chamber to 5.56mm.

Conduct live fire testing with 5.56mm NATO ammunition. Conduct live fire testing with (REDACTED) to assess performance at functional threshold.

Approval Status:

Courtesy inspection only. Not subject to approval.

[ST911]

Other discussion, unrelated to the carbine itself:

This agency has authorized personally owned rifles and carbines for many years. A broad list of manufacturers was authorized, as were certain aftermarket accessories. The agency purchased this carbine to standardize on a single type of carbine for patrol officers. Personally owned rifles and carbines are now be disallowed. Individually owned RDS units, and additional accessories, are also disallowed.

All issued agency carbines are zeroed by armorer/LEFI staff. Individual zeroing of the carbine by the officer is expressly prohibited. Carbines are vehicle-based.

Three magazines are issued with the carbine. No spare ammunition carrier is provided or authorized. Officers are required to carry their spare ammunition in a plastic equipment carrier that’s mounted to their prisoner cage. This carrier also contains ticket books and other support gear for patrol operations. During initial training, officers and observers reported consistent fumbles, drops, and loss of spare magazines as officers retrieved their carbine and ammunition from the vehicle.

The barrel profile, coupled with the SF M500 light assembly, renders the carbine front-heavy. It is not unacceptably so, nor is it excessively unwieldy, but certain small statured officers will have difficult carrying, deploying, and running the carbine in extended operations.

The single point sling was of a quality build and acceptable for the type and task assigned. As this carbine will be deployed by officers of all types and job functions, including those standing perimeter, issuing a weapon catch or tether of some sort would be advisable to keep excess motion of the gun to a minimum.

This carbine will likely serve acceptably when the corrective action recommended above is taken, and regular inspection and preventative maintenance is performed.

[Iraqgunz]

Skintop,

1. Why aren't the individual officers allowed to zero their carbines?

2. Did they remove all optics choices from the officers so everyone has to use iron sights?

3. How do they carry their spare magazines in the event that they have to become separated from their vehicle and need all the mags?

[Ozzy]

Skintop,

1. Why aren't the individual officers allowed to zero their carbines?

2. Did they remove all optics choices from the officers so everyone has to use iron sights?

3. How do they carry their spare magazines in the event that they have to become separated from their vehicle and need all the mags?


I can answer those questions as this is my agency....

1. According to the FI's "everybody shoots the same, or should, leave the sights alone". I adjusted my "adjusted" sights at a 50yd zero as it shot 2" left of zero at even that distance. (everybody shoots the same)

2. All optics are removed. Period. When transition to dept guns is complete, no personal rifles will be allowed. This after finally getting optics allowed.....
Even if they were allowed, the rifles would not fit in our racks.

3. Mags? what mags? Seriously, though, the training included stuffing them in your pocket........

[Bob Reed]

Hello,

Why the F Height FSB with an A2 Upper, is the front sight post screwed down really low, or is it about normal?

Ozzy, I'm sorry to hear that your forced to work under such foolish conditions.

[Iraqgunz]

Ozzy,

Sorry to hear about your situation. Sounds like the brass and admin need to take themselves back on the street for a reality check.

[Frens]

Hello,

Why the F Height FSB with an A2 Upper, is the front sight post screwed down really low, or is it about normal?

Ozzy, I'm sorry to hear that your forced to work under such foolish conditions.

AFAIK, F-FSB are needed on carbine gas system both A2 and A3/A4

[pacifico]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was the height rather than any difference in the gas system (port size?) that differentiated F-FSBs from non-F.

[Frens]

carbine gas system = shorter sight radius = need for taller FSB

that's the way I got it...if I'm wrong I apologize

[CarlosDJackal]

COuld you (if you were allowed or dare to) use an Aimpoint Micro (T-1 or H-1) using a Larue high mount (LT-660). Then you can zero it, mark the location, remove the whole assembly and store it where you can get to it. Once you deploy the rifle lock it in place and you should be good to go.

I've repeatedly removed mine and have not experienced a shift in zero whatsoever.

However, it sucks that most agencies are still under the mistaken notion that optics are optional. :rolleyes:

[AMMOTECH]

Skintop,

1. Why aren't the individual officers allowed to zero their carbines?

2. Did they remove all optics choices from the officers so everyone has to use iron sights?

3. How do they carry their spare magazines in the event that they have to become separated from their vehicle and need all the mags?


I can answer those questions as this is my agency....

1. According to the FI's "everybody shoots the same, or should, leave the sights alone". I adjusted my "adjusted" sights at a 50yd zero as it shot 2" left of zero at even that distance. (everybody shoots the same)

2. All optics are removed. Period. When transition to dept guns is complete, no personal rifles will be allowed. This after finally getting optics allowed.....
Even if they were allowed, the rifles would not fit in our racks.

3. Mags? what mags? Seriously, though, the training included stuffing them in your pocket........

Sounds like it's being run by ex-USAF cops....:p

.