NRA Gun of the Week: Rock River Arms BT9 R9 Competition

by
posted on September 4, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
The BT9 R9 Competition carbine from Rock River Arms (RRA) is a 9 mm Luger-chambered semi-automatic based loosely on the AR-15 design. Growing interest in pistol-caliber carbines has resulted in Rock River Arms’ latest offering. A two-part receiver set enhances the functionality of the platform and allows shooters to customize with aftermarket AR-15-style parts and accessories. Smartly, RRA devised its lower receiver for use with popular 9 mm magazine pattern from Glock.

Right-side view of Rock River Arms BT9 R9 Compeition black carbine shown on white background with text on images noting make and model.

A 16” chrome-moly steel barrel come standard on the BT9 R9, which is threaded and includes RRA’s 9 mm Mini Brake. Covering most of the barrel is a 15” RRA lighweight handguard that features M-Lok slots for accessories. The aluminum handguard is fitted to the company’s extruded aluminum receiver with Picatinny rail covering the top side for easily attaching optics. RRA includes its Operator CAR stock, which is six-position adjustable as well as a rubber grip from Hogue.

Close-up view of the right side of a Rock River Arms 9 mm shown with clear magazine on a white background.

Our experience at the range proved the BT9 R9 Competition to be a smooth-shooting carbine. RRA’s two-stage trigger broke crisply and reset quickly. The gun’s 6.8-lb. weight combined with its pistol-caliber chambering and the addition of a Mini Brake at the muzzle allowed for fast and accurate follow-up shots on target.

Man wearing protective shooting gear on a shooting range holding a black rifle in his hands.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video, above, to learn more about the Rock River Arms BT9 R9 Competition carbine.

Rock River Arms BT9 R9 Competition Specifications
Manufacturer: Rock River Arms
Action Type: blowback-operated semi-automatic rifle
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Upper Receiver: extruded aluminum
Lower Receiver: machined aluminum
Barrel: 16"chrome-moly steel
Trigger: two-stage; 4-lb., 7-oz. pull
Stock: six-position adjustable
Weight: 6 lbs., 12 ozs. empty
MSRP: $1,275

Further Reading:
Review: Rock River Arms LAR-47 X-1
Handgun Hard Choices: Colt M1911 or S&W M1917?
6 Tactical Lever-Action Rifles Available in 2020
Big-Bore AR Cartridges
Rock River Arms LAR-8 Standard Operator

Extras:
Magpul MP5: Accessories & Installation


ARTV—Feature: Director's Cut Bonus Scenes


Melvin Johnson’s Automatics


NRA Gun of the Week: Bula Defense Systems M14LH Rifle


National Archives Video: Close Combat Firing

Latest

Taurus Judge 20th Anniversary revolver
Taurus Judge 20th Anniversary revolver

Taurus Celebrates 20 Years of the Judge

A custom edition celebrates two decades of Taurus' Judge revolver.

Preview: DefGrip USA Performance Firearm Grips

Holding a firearm consistently and correctly results in more hits than misses on target, and one of the easiest-to-install grip-enhancement products comes from DefGrip USA.

Review: GForce Arms GF9 Rapture

In a market filled with Glock 19 clones, the GForce Arms GF9 Rapture decided to be a Glock 26 clone instead.

New for 2026: Rost Martin RM1F Pistols

Rost Martin offers a larger version of its RM1-series pistols with the RM1F and RM1F Tactical.

Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory Hellcat in .380 ACP

Springfield's latest Hellcat chambering makes the small pistol easier to shoot.

New for 2026: Stoeger M3000 Sporting Shotgun

Stoeger adds a new sporting model to its M3000 semi-automatic shotgun line.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.