What defines a battle rifle? Was the LAR-8 really designed as a battle firearm? Or, by virtue of its smaller cartridge, was the LAR-8 some other sort of weapon? Is the LAR-8 developed for uses similar to the German STG-43 than to the M-14 or M-1 Garand? These and many other question are basically what the debate revolves. How can a weapon with such a small caliber really be considered a battle rifle?

Well, there are lots of firearm makers these days taking caliber out of the debate by building AR-style rifles in 7.62. This, of course, starts another argument as to whether the LAR-8 started as .308. So, are we moving ahead with a 7.62 AR or are we going back to the starting point?

There's not enough time in the day to answer these questions. New from Rock River Arms, how about a .308 firearm that carries like an AR-15? There will always be those that want to debate. You find the choice is clear in this review.

My Rock River Arms Elite .308, fresh from the RRA manufacturing facility. True it is heavier than a .223 version, but it is well balanced and easy to handle. Adjust the butts tock to your liking and the firearm comes up naturally and easily. An especially nice touch is the “half-quad” hand guard. Don't let the term half-quad fool you, you may think of just two rails, but don’t worry, it has all four.

Sturdy engineering is clearly evident in the RRA sight design. Designed and built by RRA, this sight is an example of the great ideas and sound execution in the manufacturing processes. The gas block front sight also serves as the anchor for three different sling attachment points.

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? There was just enough room on the rail under the sight for a laser and I also added a Harris bipod. The bipod mount easily and flipped forward like a charm. I would have liked to see a rear sight on this rifle, but that’s an option, not factory standard.

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.

Rapid fie is not a problem for this rifle. In this case, let’s say five would be the minimum.

If you have ever handled an AR-style rifle, the controls on the LAR-8 will be almost second nature. I say almost, because there are two small changes on this rifle. The RRA magazine release button is ambidextrous and can be activated from either side of the rifle and the bolt release is located at the bottom rear of the magazine well. A trigger finger ambi bolt release is a great feature. Gone are the days of slamming a magazine home and slapping the left side of the receiver with your left hand to run the bolt forward.

For the day’s range fun I rapidly mounted a Eotech on top of the Elite Operator. Swiftly, as in, I set the sight on the top rail, flipped the ARMS locks and started shooting. It was dead on at 25 yards. Then still shooting offhand, I engaged the targets at 50 and 75 yards. Scoring minute-of-bad guy hits on everything I pointed at, combat accuracy was outstanding.

So what can this baby do on longer distance groups? I fired as fast as I could get the dot back on group. I am happy! Better than advertised, 1.5 MOA.

The Smith flash hider worked very well and the 1:10 twist ratio seemed perfect for the 165-grain ammo. Built for battery storage, the Operator CAR stock offers a handy method to store batteries. Each battery tube of the Operator CAR stock is also spring-loaded to make sure your batteries come out as easy as they go in.

AR 7.62 caliber rifles are proprietary with all AR manufactures, that is just the way it is. Alternately the 5.56/.223 AR firearms 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 .308.

As stated on the RRA website, the LAR-8 uses a unique receiver thread and barrel nut. 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. So, now you know that. The parts don’t interchange with other .308 AR parts out there. Don’t try it.

A rifle that clearly offers power and versatility For combat use, more penetration for buildings and vehicles. Hunting rifle, no problem, if you want to use this as a Modern Sporting Rifle, the Elite Operator will have no trouble taking deer-sized game at any range you feel comfortable shooting.

Here are the features as shipped through my online supplier.

MANUFACTURER RRA
MODEL 308A1276
CALIBER 308/7.62 Chamber
UPPER Forged A4 / with Forward Assist and Port Door
BARREL 16 Inch Chrome Moly, 1:10 Twist, Cryogenically Treated
MUZZLE DEVICE Smith Vortex Flash Hider / 5/8x24 Thread
GAS BLOCK RRA Flip Front Sight Gas Block
TRIGGER RRA Two Stage
HAND GUARD RRA LAR-8 Advanced Half Quad Free Float
PISTOL GRIP Hogue Rubber Grip
BUTTS TOCK RRA Operator CAR Stock
WEIGHT / LENGTH 9.1 Pounds / 38 inches
ACCURACY 1.5 MOA at 100 Yards
INCLUDED One Mag*, RRA Case, Manual, Warranty
Trigger: RRA 2 Stage Match, 4.5 lbs.
Sale Price: $1,399.00 , Retail $1,670.00

Rock River Arms Entry Firearm LAR-8 Model 308A1276 Rock River Arms has a list price of 1670.00. I ended up ordering it over the internet for much less. The majority of dealers in my vicinity required list price ... plus which did not set well with my financing plan. I purchased my Rock River Arms LAR-8 AR10 Model 308A1276 RRA Elite Operator from Class 3 Weapons in Houston, Texas at a substantial cost savings. RRA is at the moment selling their .308 rifles at an aggressive price. Other RRA firearm models in .308 start at an incredibly economical price of $1,069.00 according to their website.

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