Uptade ......... Rock River AR help please

[hittman]

Hope someone here can help me a bit. What I know about the AR platform wouldn't fill a thimble.

A local guy as a Rock River complete AR15 upper for sale. When I see it, how can I tell if it's 223 or 5.56? Will there be a stamped area on the barrel or elsewhere? Some place to look for a model number?

 

[steelshooterco]

Caliber should be marked on the barrel.

 

[22/45 Fan]

I don't know of any AR that wouldn't shoot both rounds.

 

[hittman]

So shooting 5.56 in one specifically marked 223 is ok?

 

[6gun]

Hope someone here can help me a bit. What I know about the AR platform wouldn't fill a thimble.

A local guy as a Rock River complete AR15 upper for sale. When I see it, how can I tell if it's 223 or 5.56? Will there be a stamped area on the barrel or elsewhere? Some place to look for a model number?

:lol: not to make fun but it will handle both rounds they use exact same bullet size and are chambered the same, I doubt the barrel is marked one or the other, if there are any barrel markings they would be under the forearm grip or rail which ever it has, some of the old early AR's couldn't safely fire 5.56 but that was due to the lower not the upper, all modern AR's can handle both rounds now day, Rock River is a good brand go for it if the price is right.

 

[6gun]

So shooting 5.56 in one specifically marked 223 is ok?

Yes........ but I don't think you'll find one specifically marked 223, if cal. is even marked at all it would say 223/5.56

 

[hittman]

Gotcha. Thanks. I'm so confused about conflicting opinions on the 223 / 5.56 / will / will not thingy.

 

[roylt]

go to palmetto state arms. They have great deals. upper ship to you as the frame is the rifle/ serial numbered item.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/

 

[6gun]

Gotcha. Thanks. I'm so confused about conflicting opinions on the 223 / 5.56 / will / will not thingy.

Well maybe someone that is a expert on these guns will chime in and clear everything up, I built my personal AR from parts, I used a CMMG parts and Magpul furniture, my chrome lined barrel has no cal. marks on it.

 

[x0225095]

If it's a Rock River, it MAY have a Wylde Chamber which will shoot both well but lends itself specifically to the high power match application.

Here's Rock Rivers website on upper halves...click on the one you are considering and it will tell yu the chamberings...

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=200

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.223_Wylde

 

[hittman]

I'm not "considering" one or trying to pick one out. It's a local guy with one for sale and he "thinks it's 223". I'll go get a look at it and see what I can find out. All I know for now is 16" barrel, flash hider, front site, rear Magpul flip up site on the rail, sling thingy, bolt and charging handle. $400.00.

 

[roylt]

Depending on the sites it sounds pretty fair.

 

[x0225095]

I'm not "considering" one or trying to pick one out. It's a local guy with one for sale and he "thinks it's 223". I'll go get a look at it and see what I can find out. All I know for now is 16" barrel, flash hider, front site, rear Magpul flip up site on the rail, sling thingy, bolt and charging handle. $400.00.

If you don't know what your talking about when it comes to AR's and yet you don't want to use the information provided to answer your question regarding the upper receiver "you are going to go look at" then good luck fillng your thimble.

 

[Snake45]

Most everything made today or in the last decade or so has the common 5.56 chamber. The tighter .223 chamber is usally so marked and marketed.

I note that AR-15s (Colts and clones) were sold and used with common USGI surplus M193 5.56 ammo for 30 or 40 years before this surfaced as an "issue" in the early 2000s.

 

[hittman]

yet you don't want to use the information provided

Really? No info here I dismissed.

It's obvious I don't know .... I stated that. What I do know is there are conflicting stories / rumors / opinions about which guns can safely shoot 5.56 or 223; or both.

Just trying to learn some so I can make an intelligent decision. Nothing more, nothing less.

Edit to add:

Just got an email answer from Rock River. I inquired with them where I may find markings on the upper. Here's what they said:

The .223/5.56 uppers are not marked with model or caliber, they just have our logo on them. The other calibers that fit on our .5.56 lowers are marked by the port door, such as the .458 and 6.8 SPC.

 

[steelshooterco]

The general rule is if you have a 556 chamber you can shoot 223 in it. 223 chambers can have high pressure issues if shooting 556.

Check information from SAMMI on this. Of note, on the Ruger Mini-14, current product is chambered for 556, but the target is marked 223 and you are warned not to fire 556 ammo in it.

Information on another site:
http://www.thegunzone.com/556v223.html

 

[Snake45]

The .223/5.56 uppers are not marked with model or caliber, they just have our logo on them. The other calibers that fit on our .5.56 lowers are marked by the port door, such as the .458 and 6.8 SPC.

Uppers aren't marked for caliber (neither are any of your other rifle receivers). The chambering will be stamped on the barrel, same as any other rifle.

 

[hittman]

Snake you may be right, I don't know. I should be able to get it bought this weekend and we'll know for certain then.

I appreciate everybody's help. Thank you.

 

[Coyote Hunter]

My Rock River 'Coyote' upper is marked "RRA 5 56 NATO 1/9 CM" on top of the barrel starting about 2" from the flash hider.

 

[mohavesam]

Considering the seller "thinks" he knows what the chamber is, ask him how often he cleaned the gas system. - I'm betting he never did. ?
Provided the rifling is clear and bright, and there is no bulge or interior ring visible; Give him <$400 for it (for an upper he isn't sure of) and go shoot it NMW.
Shoot commercial non-commie ammo (but you knew that) and inspect carefully after rounds 1, 3, 10, etc. for any issues at all.

 

[cyphertext]

Considering the seller "thinks" he knows what the chamber is, ask him how often he cleaned the gas system. - I'm betting he never did. ?

I'm betting he never did either, as there is no need to clean the gas tube on an AR-15...

 

[hittman]

Hi guys, I had a scheduling hiccup and didn't get it picked up. Seller claims about 25 to 30 rounds thru it. Once I get my grimy mits on it I'll post a report. Weather changed in one week here from +5 to +60 (yeah in 6 DAYS) so there were plenty of outdoor chores to handle this past weekend (thank God).

 

[mohavesam]

Considering the seller "thinks" he knows what the chamber is, ask him how often he cleaned the gas system. - I'm betting he never did. ?

I'm betting he never did either, as there is no need to clean the gas tube on an AR-15...

System. Not just the tube. The bolt and piston are part of the system.

 

[Al James]

OP you have a PM!

 

[hittman]

Thank you very much Al, PM returned to you.

 

[hittman]

With a lot of help from all of you and especially Al James, I've learned a great deal.

The upper (0204C-M marked) is what RRA calls their model 0204, 5.56, 16 inch, heavy barrel, chrome moly, 1:9.

 

[6gun]

With a lot of help from all of you and especially Al James, I've learned a great deal.

The upper (0204C-M marked) is what RRA calls their model 0204, 5.56, 16 inch, heavy barrel, chrome moly, 1:9.

Chrome moly barrel? and used for $400 :? personally I would pass since the barrel is not chrome lined at that price, I wouldn't give any more than $300 for it with a unlined barrel.

 

[hittman]

Here's what the RRA site says about the barrels.
==========================================

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=273

Chrome Moly Barrel Assemblies
R-4 Profile

AR0204ASY
CHROME LINED 16 Inch CAR Heavy R-4 Barrel Assembly, 1:9 Twist

 

[Al James]

With a lot of help from all of you and especially Al James, I've learned a great deal.

The upper (0204C-M marked) is what RRA calls their model 0204, 5.56, 16 inch, heavy barrel, chrome moly, 1:9.

Chrome moly barrel? and used for $400 :? personally I would pass since the barrel is not chrome lined at that price, I wouldn't give any more than $300 for it with a unlined barrel.

Its Chrome lined Chrome Moly :lol: Say that 5 times fast. Appears to be RRA's [Wilson's] version of the M4A1 barrel profile only with a 1-9" twist. While heavier than the standard M4 profile it has its benefits:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?356852-M4A1-profile-barrel

RRA assembles a good upper. Yes you can buy better for more money and yes you can get a good upper for less. That said for a RRA upper complete with BCG and in hand I don't think I would lose any sleep over paying $400 for it. Besides, it sounds like the OP bought it from a friend. Whats $50 one way or another between friends?

 

[rugnelli]

hittman,

Sounds alright to me... RRA is good stuff.

rugnelli