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

Allan Cors In Memoriam
Allan Cors In Memoriam

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.

Record-Setting Number of Women Receive Free Firearms Training in Michigan

Across two days of free training at Recoil Firearms in Taylor, Mich., a record-setting 2,454 women were given hands-on instruction in the safe and effective use of firearms.

7 New Pistol Suppressors for 2026

For handgunners, having a suppressor makes range trips much more comfortable, and many new suppressors have been designed for maximum compatibility across today's most popular handgun styles and chamberings.

A Victory That Ends A Gun Registry

On August 5, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas held that key regulatory provisions of the NFA are unconstitutional as applied to certain categories of firearms.

Criminal Clues: Tips to Avoid Appearing Like a Soft Target

You don’t have to be the hardest target, but you don’t want to be the softest. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming a target for a criminal looking for his or her next opportunity.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.