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

Glenfield Model A
Glenfield Model A

Review: Glenfield Firearms Model A

The Glenfield Firearms Model A is a stalwart budget option returning to the market under the Ruger umbrella.

Skills Check: Taking Time Off

Our drill this month is a real worker bee. It trains you to deliver a well-placed transition round and deliberately decreases the time it takes you to move the muzzle and set up for the next one.

Range Review: Canik Prime Radian

With the new Canik Prime Radian, you can have your compensator and your flared magazine well, too, all inside an easily carried, compact handgun.

New for 2026: Franklin Armory 5.56 Rabbit Rounds

Franklin Armory's new 5.56 NATO Rabbit Rounds provide a spin-stabilized, multi-projectile ammunition option for America's rifle.

ATF Ends Enforcement of NFA Registration & Approval Requirements for Suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs Following NRA Victory in Jensen v. ATF

Today, the ATF confirmed it will no longer enforce National Firearms Act (NFA) registration, application and tax-stamp requirements for short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors and certain other concealable firearms.

Gun of the Week: H&K VP9CC

Hot on the heels of its CC9 micro-compact, Heckler & Koch introduced a micro companion to its popular VP9 lineup that includes some noteworthy features.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.