[puddlejockey]

Hi all.

First of all, I've been a member for a few years now, and actually posted an intro several months back; but to be honest, I spent 2 years working 60 hour weeks, and sort of forgot about this forum!
There's some great information in here, and I appreciate all the advice and input from you more experienced guys and gals.

Now my question:
I'm a recent recruit to the AR world... but have several solid years of recreational shooting with other platforms.

I didn't want to like the AR --and often argued that I could shoot just as effectively with my mini 14 as with an AR platform in a tactical shoot. I was wrong- but that's another story.

I'm looking strongly at both a RRA setup and one of the new Windham Weaponry systems. The RRA that I'm looking at does NOT have a chrome lined barrel, but does have the the rail setup that I'd like.
The Windham has a chrome lined barrel, but would need a new handguard in the very near future. The RRA is 80 bucks more. I've heard great things about the RRA trigger ,and the Windham is a single stage, but felt okay to me. How worried should I be about the barrel, given the great trigger on the Rock River? Both of these guns are "in stock", and I loved the Rock River, but while I keep my guns clean, I don't what to be overly concerned about the barrel.

I've got a few things to clear out of the safe to make some space (and money) first, but based on the great deal on both of these guns I hesitate to wait too long. The RRA is less than 900, and the Windham is less than 8-

Thanks in advance!

 

[FlatFender]

Honestly, I've never heard of Windham, and RRA doesnt have a great reputation. You mentioned tactical matches, are you sure you would want a two-stage trigger for something like that?

If you are looking at a budget rifle, check out some of Palmetto State Armory's options, or even S&W. For about $1000 you can have a Colt, and have the rifle that all others are judged by.

What are you looking to do with the rifle? What rail is on the RRA you are looking at?

 

[Charles]

Just to clarify, Windham is the location and company formerly known as Bushmaster.

 

[Wahoo95]

Honestly, I've never heard of Windham, and RRA doesnt have a great reputation. You mentioned tactical matches, are you sure you would want a two-stage trigger for something like that?

If you are looking at a budget rifle, check out some of Palmetto State Armory's options, or even S&W. For about $1000 you can have a Colt, and have the rifle that all others are judged by.

What are you looking to do with the rifle? What rail is on the RRA you are looking at?

This all the way........

 

[pirate]

Rock River and Bushmaster are low mid-level at best in the AR world. You can get a better rifle for less. Look at Spikes Tactical, Palmetto State Armory, BCM and DTI. These rifle are milspec or very close. For a plinker AR it really does not matter who you buy from, even Olympic and DPMS are fine for that role but if you want to step up a notch or two and still come in sub $900 look at the manufacturers/builders I named closely.

This resource is generally the best source of concise info on the AR platform and gives you an idea of what different builders come to the table with.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&single=true&gid=5&output=html

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...&key=0AqmgMm61Ok7WdExwaG16OENzOEZ1akp2a3Y2NjMxTEE&single=true&gid=2&output=html

 

[Kikken]

It really depends on what you want it for. If it's just range shooting, RRAs are very accurate and their two-stage triggers are nice for punching paper. If you keep the gun clean and dry the lack of chrome lining will not be a problem.

But if you want to take carbine courses, or do 3-gun, or any sort of run-and-gun, the two stage trigger and commercial-grade parts will be a liability. In that case, you'll want something closer to mil-spec and the RRA is pretty far from that.

I'll third the comments above about PSAs and Colts. Classic Arms in Monroe has a complete PSA rifle with MBUS for $649, and it's a very good mil-spec rifle for the price. Stepping up from there, you can get a Colt for $945 from DSG Arms. Neither will have fancy rails or tactical geegaw mounts but both are assembled from excellent parts.

Wyndhams are fine and they are improving the old commercial Bushmaster template, but they are pricey for what you get. JMHO.

 

[puddlejockey]

Thanks, Guys!
I wondered about building something from Palmetto State- they seem to have very, very good prices.
To clarify some of my statements: I don't plan on running in any formal matches right now, but I'd hate to spend a thousand bucks and not get a weapon that I COULD compete with if I chose to. I was always taught that when it comes to equipment and guns- buy the best quality you can afford, not the least quality that'll do the job. Sadly, in the AR world, it seems like the quality/ price matrix is pretty murky.
Right now, a lot of my range time is with some LEO buddies that serve on tactical squads, and our range days often take on a strong environment of "training". We often setup multiple target drills, or shoot from cover scenarios, etc. ; and run them timed and competitively to increase pressure.
Realistically, my AR will be a plinker like 99% of the people out there. But if I can do it for under 1000 bucks, I'd want a rifle that can take the abuse of a tactical weapon, not just serve as a place to hang 3000 worth of flashlights.

On the rails: I very much like the lightweight free floating guards; and the RR has the free floating quad rail setup.

Spikes seems to have a loooong lead time, but I've heard great things.

Thanks-

Jim

 

[Wahoo95]

I see you are located in Salisbury. You should come out to Piedmont Handgunners for the Tactical 2 Gun Match they have each third Saturday. That would give you a chance to see AR's in various configurations from off the rack plinkers to those fully set up for self/home defense or competition. I HIGHLY encourage you to bring your buddies along with you to join in on the fun as well. I promise you guys will have fun.....haven't met a person yet that has tried it and not had a great time.

Which RRA model are you referring to with a lightweight free float handguard? I've never known them to make anything lightweight. Also, don't get hung up on having railed handguards and other accessories right off the bat since that's stuff that can be easily added down the road. The benefit to doing it that way is that you can better research which add ons are best for you and of good quality.

 

[Kikken]

Yeah, in general, FF handguards are heavier than regular handguards. In this context, "light weight FF handguard" means "FF handguard that isn't quite as heavy as usual". :glare:

 

[Wahoo95]

Yeah, in general, FF handguards are heavier than regular handguards. In this context, "light weight FF handguard" means "FF handguard that isn't quite as heavy as usual". :glare:

Cheap free float handguards are heavier, however high quality versions don't give up much weight wise to a set up double heat shield factory handguards.

Im a big fan of the Centurion C4, Daniel Defense Lite, and Troy TRX/VTAC handguards which are all lightweight and very well made.

 

[Kikken]

Unless things have changed in the last six months, all of those FF handguards weigh more than USGI or MOE handguards with the heat shields. They just weigh less than most other FF handguards (and thus my previous post is completely correct).

 

[Wahoo95]

Unless things have changed in the last six months, all of those FF handguards weigh more than USGI or MOE handguards with the heat shields. They just weigh less than most other FF handguards (and thus my previous post is completely correct).

Wasn't saying that you were incorrect. Just pointing out that a high quality free float like the Centurion C4 doesn't give up much when compared to something like a MOE.....to me 1.65oz isnt much at all and will be roughly a wash once someone adds rails to the MOE to mount their light or VFG.

 

[Kikken]

Oh gotcha, I'll go along with that. I just wanted OP to know that "light weight" in this context does not mean "lighter than standard hand guards", which is what the marketing-speak can imply and which his post #7 indicated he may have believed.

 

[puddlejockey]

Thanks, guys!

Wahoo- what's the "whens and where's" on the Piedmont handgunners?

Also- on the AR thing- I'm starting to learn that what I don't know is even more vast than I realized. As soon as I move the SKS and the 300 win mag taking up space (and cash) I'm leaning heavily towards a platform from PSA....with the few options that I KNOW I want.
as others have gently alluded to, I just don;t know enough at this point to know what I want for sure...which is half the fun!

Jim

 

[Wahoo95]

Piedmont Handgunners Association is located in Linwood which is just a stones thrown from you so you gotta come check it out! The Tactical Match is every 3rd Saturday. Be sure to bring your buddies....I'm sure they'll enjoy it.

http://phashoots.com/

PSA makes good stuff. I'm assisting another guy right now with a PSA build to match up with the one we did for my neighbor.

Gonna start like this:

And end up like this:

 

[glaze22]

I have a RRA and it is awsome, the barrel will not matter that much for what you are going to do. But I would deff look at PSA, I have 2 of theirs and they are awsome, you will get a better rifle in my opinion and will be a little cheaper, plus you can get the barrel you want.

 

[99Wolfpack Chevy]

PSA will probably be the cheapest option that offers great quality. Spikes, S&W, RRA and Colt are all great too. it gets addicting so make sure sell a kidney first...

 

[lbyota85]

I too have a RRA and have thousands of rounds through it and have not had any problems. I grow a bit tired of all the mil-spec elitists that automatically dismiss anything thats not "mil-spec". Just because its not "mil-spec" doesn't mean its junk. If you have time watch this review, it goes in-depth on this very subject.

LINK

 

[pirate]

I too have a RRA and have thousands of rounds through it and have not had any problems. I grow a bit tired of all the mil-spec elitists that automatically dismiss anything thats not "mil-spec". Just because its not "mil-spec" doesn't mean its junk. If you have time watch this review, it goes in-depth on this very subject.

LINK

I am not knocking RRA but why would you think this character "nutnfancy" knows anymore than anybody else who has experience with the AR platform on this subject? Is he an "elitist" gun writer/expert who thinks he knows more than everybody else because he has a web site, makes videos and plays with guns. I think not. He has an opinion like everybody else, he is welcome to his and you to yours. Most people just try to justify their purchase by forming an opinion that satisfies their rational for making said purchase, and then try to convince others that they are right.

 

[lbyota85]

I am not knocking RRA but why would you think this character "nutnfancy" knows anymore than anybody else who has experience with the AR platform on this subject? Is he an "elitist" gun writer/expert who thinks he knows more than everybody else because he has a web site, makes videos and plays with guns. I think not. He has an opinion like everybody else, he is welcome to his and you to yours. Most people just try to justify their purchase by forming an opinion that satisfies their rational for making said purchase, and then try to convince others that they are right.

Did you even watch the video? I was merely pointing out his points on the hole mil-spec stigma.