Description
The Rock River Arms LAR-15 Entry Tactical 223/5.56, 16″ Chrome Lined Barrel, 6 Position Black Stock, Black, 30rd Mag is a purpose-built, no-frills carbine designed for dynamic environments. It’s a reliable, mid-length gas system AR-15 optimized for maneuverability and rapid target acquisition in close-quarters scenarios, from home defense to duty use. This rifle prioritizes function and durability, offering a proven platform that’s ready for serious work right out of the box.
Key Features
- 16″ Chrome-Lined Barrel: Built for longevity and sustained fire. The chrome lining resists corrosion and wear, ensuring consistent accuracy over thousands of rounds.
- Mid-Length Gas System: Provides a smoother, more reliable recoil impulse than a carbine-length system, reducing felt recoil and wear on internal components.
- 6-Position Collapsible Stock: Offers a fully adjustable length of pull. You can tailor the fit for body armor, different shooters, or storage needs in seconds.
- Entry-Style Tactical Handguard: A lightweight, ergonomic two-piece design that provides a solid grip and mounting surface for lights or vertical grips.
- Comes with a 30-Round Magazine: Ships ready for immediate use with a standard-capacity magazine, compatible with any mil-spec AR-15/M4 magazine.
Specifications & Details
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO / .223 Remington |
| Barrel Length | 16 Inches |
| Barrel Type | Chrome Lined, 1:9 Twist |
| Stock | 6-Position Collapsible |
| Overall Length (Stock Extended) | Approx. 35.5 Inches |
| Weight (Unloaded) | Approx. 7.0 lbs |
When it comes to home defense, you need a tool that’s both manageable indoors and effective at distance. The 16-inch barrel hits the legal and practical sweet spot, providing full velocity for terminal performance without the unwieldy length of a full-sized rifle. The mid-length gas system isn’t just a spec sheet item—it means less gas in your face and a more forgiving action when you’re running it hard. At a weight of roughly 7 pounds unloaded, it’s light enough for extended patrols or clearing drills but has enough heft to stay steady on target. This rifle is built on a forged aluminum upper and lower receiver set, ensuring a solid foundation for all your components.
Who This Rifle Is For
This is for the shooter who values proven reliability over flashy gimmicks. It’s for the Missouri homeowner who wants a definitive answer to a security threat, the patrol officer seeking a dependable patrol rifle, or the training enthusiast who puts round count above aesthetics. If your priority is a rifle that works every time you pull the trigger and accepts a vast ecosystem of standard AR-15 parts—from triggers to optics mounts—this is your platform. Look, you could spend hundreds more for a name, but this RRA delivers core performance where it counts.
Pros & Cons
Pros: The chrome-lined barrel is a major durability advantage for high-volume shooters. The mid-length gas system offers superior reliability and shooter comfort. Rock River Arms is known for excellent out-of-the-box fit and finish, and this model is typically drop-in ready with no gunsmithing required. It’s fully compatible with a huge range of aftermarket parts from brands like Magpul, BCM, and Aimpoint.
Cons: As a tactical-focused model, it forgoes some target-shooting features like a free-float handguard for ultimate precision. The included handguard is functional but may be replaced by users wanting full modularity. The 1:9 twist barrel handles common 55-62 grain ammunition superbly but may not stabilize the very heaviest .223 bullets over 75 grains.
Priced at $1033.99, this rifle represents a significant value in the duty-grade AR market. You’re getting a professionally-oriented firearm without the premium for military branding. The investment is in the chrome-lined barrel, the robust gas system, and the Rock River Arms reputation for tight tolerances. It’s available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, with all firearm purchases requiring an FFL transfer. Consider this: are you buying a range toy or a tool you can stake your safety on?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this rifle ready to shoot as soon as I pick it up from my FFL?
A: Yes. It ships with one 30-round magazine. You will need to supply your own 5.56 NATO or .223 Remington ammunition and, of course, any optics or iron sights you prefer, as it comes with a flat-top upper receiver ready for mounting.
Q: Can I use .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition interchangeably?
A: Yes. This rifle’s chamber is designed to safely fire both .223 Remington and the higher-pressure 5.56x45mm NATO rounds. You can train with affordable .223 and load 5.56 for defensive use without any function issues.
Q: What’s the real-world benefit of the mid-length gas system on a 16″ barrel?
A: It reduces port pressure compared to a carbine-length system. This translates to less recoil impulse, slower bolt carrier velocity (which means less wear on parts), and a generally smoother, more reliable cycling action, especially with a wider variety of ammunition.
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