So I recently purchased an assembled Franklin Arms lower and need an upper. My question for you all is, which one? I am torn between an Olympic Arms K16(16") and a Rock River Varmint A4(18"). I have a Leupold Mark AR 4-12x40 scope that I will be using on it. It will mostly be used for plinking and squirrels/coyotes. Any input is greatly appreciated.
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First AR build & have questions
- Thread starter Arrowhead
- Start date
tahunua001
New member
I've never heard of flanklin...you may eventually want to get a new lower parts kit and rebuild the lower. in the meantime olympic is not quality at all. rock river is a good quality upper. I would get it in a heart beat.
Absolutely nothing wrong with current production Olympic Arms. I have at least 3 Oly uppers and any one of them is suitable for hunting or target use. I also don't understand the suggestion to replace the lower parts since most are within a certain specification regardless of what's on the outside of the package. You MIGHT want to add a target type trigger/hammer combination to get a better trigger feel. Your choice of scope for a 16" carbine may be a little over the top.
I currently have lowers from 7-8 brands some of which I hand assembled myself and uppers from known and unknown makers and really haven't found a "bad" one. The 16" bull barrel is an odd duck in my stable. Accurate as expected but loses too much velocity for long range work.
I currently have lowers from 7-8 brands some of which I hand assembled myself and uppers from known and unknown makers and really haven't found a "bad" one. The 16" bull barrel is an odd duck in my stable. Accurate as expected but loses too much velocity for long range work.
I don't know a lot about Oly.
I felt RRA from an accuracy standpoint and features is a better rifle.
I did do a lot of research and the RRAs with their Chrome barrels are really good equipment. They guarantee 3/4 MOA (if you buy the entire rifle). The twist is 1-8 which splits the 1-7 and 1-9 (and 1-9 is plenty actually but it the 1-8 shades it to you can shoot any heavy bullet with confidence.
You can get them with a Chrome bolt group (and the gas key is well staked contrary to some reports)
So, I would definitely go with the RRA over the Oly if you really want accuracy, and I would get a RRA two stage match trigger (and better yet chrome)
I felt RRA from an accuracy standpoint and features is a better rifle.
I did do a lot of research and the RRAs with their Chrome barrels are really good equipment. They guarantee 3/4 MOA (if you buy the entire rifle). The twist is 1-8 which splits the 1-7 and 1-9 (and 1-9 is plenty actually but it the 1-8 shades it to you can shoot any heavy bullet with confidence.
You can get them with a Chrome bolt group (and the gas key is well staked contrary to some reports)
So, I would definitely go with the RRA over the Oly if you really want accuracy, and I would get a RRA two stage match trigger (and better yet chrome)
DPMS AR-15 Oracle A3 Flat-Top Upper Assembly 5.56x45mm NATO 1 in 9" Twist 16"
Found Here:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/513528/dpms-ar-15-oracle-a3-flat-top-upper-assembly-556x45mm-nato-1-in-9-twist-16-light-contour-barrel-chrome-moly-matte-with-glacierguard-handguard-single-rail-gas-block-flash-hider-pre-ban?cm_sp=Homepage%20Features-_-Rotator%20Gunsmithing-_-DPMSAR15OracleUpperSale
Found Here:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/513528/dpms-ar-15-oracle-a3-flat-top-upper-assembly-556x45mm-nato-1-in-9-twist-16-light-contour-barrel-chrome-moly-matte-with-glacierguard-handguard-single-rail-gas-block-flash-hider-pre-ban?cm_sp=Homepage%20Features-_-Rotator%20Gunsmithing-_-DPMSAR15OracleUpperSale
BlackJackID
New member
in the meantime olympic is not quality at all
????? really?
Does this come from personal experience, or is it dredged up from the bowels of the internet?
The Olympic arms CAST lowers, which have been out of production for a few years, were junk. Everything else is comparable to other ARs on the market.
I had heard the bad things about Oly, but didn't have any experience with them until I bought one on a whim, and gave it a try to form my own opinion...and I am not getting rid of it.
All of that aside OP, I would opt for the RRA upper, only because it has the 18" barrel and would seem to fit your needs a little better.
madcratebuilder
New member
BlackJackID said:tahunua001 said:Quote:
in the meantime olympic is not quality at all
????? really?
Does this come from personal experience, or is it dredged up from the bowels of the internet?
The Olympic arms CAST lowers, which have been out of production for a few years, were junk. Everything else is comparable to other ARs on the market.
I had heard the bad things about Oly, but didn't have any experience with them until I bought one on a whim, and gave it a try to form my own opinion...and I am not getting rid of it.
All of that aside OP, I would opt for the RRA upper, only because it has the 18" barrel and would seem to fit your needs a little better.
+10
Those antique threads on the old cast Oly's well never die. People read a fifteen year old post and then repeat it. If you go to a precision AR rifle shoot you well see Oly uppers/barrels on quite a few rifles. Oly AR pistols are among the best you can buy at any price.