ST911
08-04-06, 12:16
Observations from a session with some Rock River Arms Government Carbines. Example herein representative of others on hand. Sorry, no photos for public posting this time.
Lower Receiver:
Marked for model nomenclature, with GM serial prefix. Marked for LE/gov restriction. Receiver bears typical assembly marks, otherwise without apparent flaw or defect. USGI magazine fit and seating unremarkable. Trigger pull of 6-7# (estimated), quality consistent with USGI units. Trigger group is conventional USGI type, select-fire, three position (safe-semi-auto). Pistol grip secured with allen screw of undetermined dimension.
Buttstock Group:
Six position collapsible. Marked, “Rock River Arms” at toe. No excessive play in stock on receiver extension. Commercial receiver extension with angle cut end. Drain hole in receiver extension. Standard carbine buffer spring. Extension includes “H” buffer. Weight of buffer unverified. Castle nut staked.
Upper Receiver:
Railed upper “A3-type”, with keyhole forge marking. Extended feed ramps cut post-anodizing, and unfinished. Ramps cut neatly. No addressing within rails. GG&G flip-up rear sight, Eotech 552 sight mounted. Otherwise unremarkable.
Mating and detachment of upper and lower accomplished easily. Fit is typical to any AR-type carbine, and neither excessively tight nor loose.
Bolt Group:
M16-type bolt carrier with full tang, shrouded firing pin. M16 firing pin. No markings on bolt or carrier. Carbine extractor spring assembly, black insert, spring appears stainless and is silver in color. Carrier key staking is poor, minimal indentation on one side and virtually none on the other.
Barrel:
16” length. Undetermined twist. Appears chrome lined throughout. No barrel markings forward of the FSB, undetermined markings beneath hand guard. No apparent chamber or feedway flaw. Compensator/flash hider A2-type, timed correctly. FSB alignment near-center, slightly right. Front sight mechanically zeroed.
Hand guard is Surefire quad variant, non-floated.
Accessory Pack:
NHMTG 30rd magazines, USGI type, current green anti-tilt follower. Marked for date of manufacture and LE restriction. Viking VTAC sling. Surefire 951-type weapon light with tail cap click switch and pressure paid. GG&G vertical fore grip. USGI-type cleaning kit. Eagle Industries discrete carry case.
No gauges or other instruments utilized.
Features, merits, and liabilities of the various accessories are discussed in previous reviews and elsewhere.
When stripped of their accessories, these RRA GM’s are indistinguishable (except for markings) from similarly configured models in the balance of the RRA catalog, and from other production from commercial competitors. This model, offered as RRA’s principle icon and flagship of their AR-type production, is really rather underwhelming.
Lower Receiver:
Marked for model nomenclature, with GM serial prefix. Marked for LE/gov restriction. Receiver bears typical assembly marks, otherwise without apparent flaw or defect. USGI magazine fit and seating unremarkable. Trigger pull of 6-7# (estimated), quality consistent with USGI units. Trigger group is conventional USGI type, select-fire, three position (safe-semi-auto). Pistol grip secured with allen screw of undetermined dimension.
Buttstock Group:
Six position collapsible. Marked, “Rock River Arms” at toe. No excessive play in stock on receiver extension. Commercial receiver extension with angle cut end. Drain hole in receiver extension. Standard carbine buffer spring. Extension includes “H” buffer. Weight of buffer unverified. Castle nut staked.
Upper Receiver:
Railed upper “A3-type”, with keyhole forge marking. Extended feed ramps cut post-anodizing, and unfinished. Ramps cut neatly. No addressing within rails. GG&G flip-up rear sight, Eotech 552 sight mounted. Otherwise unremarkable.
Mating and detachment of upper and lower accomplished easily. Fit is typical to any AR-type carbine, and neither excessively tight nor loose.
Bolt Group:
M16-type bolt carrier with full tang, shrouded firing pin. M16 firing pin. No markings on bolt or carrier. Carbine extractor spring assembly, black insert, spring appears stainless and is silver in color. Carrier key staking is poor, minimal indentation on one side and virtually none on the other.
Barrel:
16” length. Undetermined twist. Appears chrome lined throughout. No barrel markings forward of the FSB, undetermined markings beneath hand guard. No apparent chamber or feedway flaw. Compensator/flash hider A2-type, timed correctly. FSB alignment near-center, slightly right. Front sight mechanically zeroed.
Hand guard is Surefire quad variant, non-floated.
Accessory Pack:
NHMTG 30rd magazines, USGI type, current green anti-tilt follower. Marked for date of manufacture and LE restriction. Viking VTAC sling. Surefire 951-type weapon light with tail cap click switch and pressure paid. GG&G vertical fore grip. USGI-type cleaning kit. Eagle Industries discrete carry case.
No gauges or other instruments utilized.
Features, merits, and liabilities of the various accessories are discussed in previous reviews and elsewhere.
When stripped of their accessories, these RRA GM’s are indistinguishable (except for markings) from similarly configured models in the balance of the RRA catalog, and from other production from commercial competitors. This model, offered as RRA’s principle icon and flagship of their AR-type production, is really rather underwhelming.