New For 2023: Rock River Arms Ascendant Series AR-15s

by
posted on January 22, 2023
** 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. **
Rock River Arms Ascendant Series F

Rock River Arms launched an entirely new lineup of AR-15 rifles in 2023, and the new Ascendant series is intended to provide shooters and hunters with a number of upgraded options straight from the box. On each model in the RRA Ascendant series, consumers will find all the upgrades usually done by end users on base-model guns, but all of these upgrades come standard on RRA's factory guns, saving users the hassle of having to determine which components work best for them.

At the heart of each RRA Ascendant series gun is a 416R stainless-steel barrel, which has been media-blasted to reduce glare and cryogenically treated to improve accuracy. The guns are available in three chamberings at launch: .223 Wylde, 350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster. Surrounding the barrel is the company's lightweight handguard, which provides a full Picatinny rail in the 12-o'clock position to accommodate infrared illuminators and thermal optics.

Inside the gun, RRA included TriggerTech's Diamond Single-Stage AR-15 trigger, which provides an "extremely short" overtravel and is also adjustable from 1.5 to 4 lbs. of pull weight. Other upgrades include a Magpul PRS Lite stock, which is adjustable for length of pull and comb height while also saving on weight, Hogue's overmolded rubber grip and an ambidextrous Radian Raptor charging handle.

To make each rifle in the RRA Ascendant series truly ready straight from the box, the company is also including one of two Vortex optics. The .223 Wylde-chambered model includes a Vortex Viper HS 4-16X 44 mm riflescope, while the 350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster models ship with a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6X 24 mm optic. Suggested retail pricing on the guns start at $3,020. For more information, visit rockriverarms.com.

Latest

Ihtog Walther P38 1
Ihtog Walther P38 1

I Have This Old Gun: Walther P38

On the eve of World War II, the German military sought a new sidearm that was easier to manufacture than the P08 Luger. Its answer was the P38.

C&H Precision STRYKR: A Red-Dot Sight for PDWs

The C&H Precision STRYKR is a hard-use, enclosed-emitter optic designed for PDWs and compact carbines.

Rifleman Interview: Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 OD Green Topographic Rifle

At “Plinkapalooza” in May we had a chance to try out the latest Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 rifle.

Patriots Landing Announces "A Nation Remembers" Veterans Weekend

Patriots Landing, a faith-based veterans workshop based in Kentucky, announced it would hold "A Nation Remembers" veterans weekend in Grant County, Ky., from Sept. 16-20.

Past NRA President Allan Cors, 1936-2026: Liberty Takes A Loss

One of liberty’s champions, past NRA President Allan D. Cors died on August 10, 2026.

Moving to the Micro Red-Dot: An Old Dog Learns Some New Tricks

After shooting open-sighted handguns for more than 40 years, the author's aging eyes finally caught up to him, and his concealed-carry pistol now sports a red-dot optic.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.