What defines a Hog hunting rifle? Forget about your Grandfathers rifle, feels like things are evolving and the AR style is the rifle desired for Pigs. Not long ago I finally acquired my very own Rock River Arms LAR-8 AR10 308A1279 Standard Operator from my favorite area transfer supplier. Here is my review of an fantastic weapon at a great value. A Pig hunters dream.
Well, there are lots of firearm makers these days taking caliber out of the argument by building AR-style rifles in 7.62. The .308 AR-rifle is what Eugene Stoner envisioned from the start. Looks like with the 7.62 in AR we are going back to the future
5.56 or .308, there’s not enough time in the day to debate on the .308 vs 5.56, I wanted knock-down power of the .308. New from Rock River Arms, how about a .308 firearm that functions like an AR? There will always be those that want to a lighter round and the debate will go on forever. However in this review, you will find the choice is clear and in favor of the .308 to knock down the biggest of Hogs.
My Rock River Arms Standard 7.62, fresh from the Rock River Arms manufacturing facility. It is a 7.62 and heavier that its lighter counterpart 5.56, but balanced well. A fine firearm indeed tricked out with a Operator A2 stock. An especially nice touch is the “half-quad” hand guard. But the rails simply run half the length of the hand guard; from the gas block back. From the magazine well forward the hand guard is just that, a hand guard with a knurled aluminum free-float tube that is both comfortable and easy to grip. You don’t often mount accessories that close to the magazine well anyway. That’s where you want to hold when you fire so this half-quad only makes sense.
Sturdy construction is clearly evident in the RRA sight design. Quality looks to be the name of the game for this rifles iron sights. There is one on each side of the barrel and one below allowing you to mount any sort of sling system you would like.
I love the look of a bayonet, but lets face it, who uses a bayonet? Why not make it a small rail instead of a bayonet lug? I mounted a Command Arms bipod on the lower portion of the quad rail and that worked slick. The bipod mount easily and flipped forward like a charm. There was no rear sight, I guess the folks at RRA want to let you choose your own rear sight, but I would prefer to see this firearm ready to rock right out of the box.
The cases vary in design. My case you must disassemble the firearm to place it in the case and you can’t put an upper with optics into the blue box. Case really did not matter, I am all about the firearm and the case matters not.
I think it was Ben Franklin who said “The proof of the pudding is determined by how many 165-grain bullets you’re able to put into a bad guy in five seconds.” Can you believe, 5 rounds in less than 5 seconds, on target.
If you have ever handled an AR-style firearm, the controls on the LAR-8 will be almost second nature. I say almost, because there are two small changes on this firearm. The RRA magazine release button is ambidextrous and can be activated from either side of the firearm and the bolt release is located at the bottom rear of the magazine well. The bolt release is an ambidextrous lever you push straight down, with your trigger finger if you like. Speaking of magazines, the Standard Operator is compatible with FAL L1A1 inch and metric. RRA also offers magazines in polymer.
For the day’s range fun I swiftly mounted a Eotech on top of the Standard Operator. Rapidly, as in, I set the sight on the top rail, flipped the ARMS locks and started shooting. It was dead on at 25 yards. Finally after 50 to 75 yards, I braced the firearm on the post and started dropping rounds on the 100-yard target. Combat accuracy was outstanding.
So what can this baby do on longer distance groups? With the zero-power magnification sight aligned on the dead center of the target I rolled through the trigger press, firing as quickly as I could get the dot back on the group. Accuracy lives up to the Rock River Arms’ claim of 1.5 MOA at 100 yards. The two-stage trigger allows for perfect control and a clean break.
The 168 ammo worked great and seemed be consistent with several brands. Built for battery storage, the Operator A2 stock offers a handy method to store batteries. Each battery tube of the Operator A2 stock is also spring-loaded to make sure your batteries come out as easy as they go in.
If there is one thing to note about the 7.62 caliber AR-style rifles on the market, it is that parts are not universally interchangeable. Alternately the 5.56/.223 AR weapons are generally compatible for an almost endless number of parts combinations. Each maker has apparently come up with what they consider to be the best idea for some part or another with their own 7.62.
Rock River Arms also offers several enhanced features such as a unique barrel nut assembly. No barrel nut (either separate or as part of a tubular hand guard or quad rail hand guard) except those made specifically for the RRA LAR-8 should ever be used on an RRA LAR-8 or upper half. Although some other barrel nuts may thread onto the LAR-8 upper receiver, the depth of thread is incorrect. Better safe than sorry, enough said.
A rifle that clearly offers power and versatility For combat use, more penetration for buildings and vehicles. Deer or hog hunting rifle, no problem, with the Standard Operator you can hit hard and fast with no debate.
I ended up purchasing it online for much less. Most dealers in my area desired retail plus which did not set well with my budget. I purchased my Standard Operator from Class 3 Weapons in Houston Texas at a considerable savings of only $1,449.00, plus a very reasonable shipping rate considering the size of the shipment. Based on where you live your price will fluctuate based on shipping and taxes if relevant. For the time being, thanks RRA and Class 3 Weapons, for an awesome weapon and keep up the good work.
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