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

Savage 110 Trail Blazer rifle in 22 Creedmoor
Savage 110 Trail Blazer rifle in 22 Creedmoor

Review: Savage 110 Trail Blazer Rifle in 22 Creedmoor

Savage’s new 110 Trail Blazer rifle offers top-shelf performance at entry-level pricing.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro 9 mm Pistol in a PHLster Holster

In this week's episode of "I Carry," we have a Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro 9 mm pistol with a Meprolight MPO Pro-S red-dot sight carried in a PHLster Skeleton kydex holster.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 16, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FN Releases New SCAR Rifles & QD Suppressors

FN made headlines when it announced it would discontinue its legacy SCAR rifle platform in 2025, but for 2026, the design is back and better than ever.

Review: KelTec SUB2000 GEN3 In 10 mm

At long last, KelTec has answered customer requests for a more potent version of their folding pistol-caliber carbine with its SUB2000 GEN3 chambered for the 10 mm Auto cartridge.

Lowering Decibels For Less: Lyman's New Sonicore Suppressor Lineup

As 2026 shapes up to be the "Year Of The Suppressor," firearm manufacturers are racing their new designs to market, and one of the most affordable options out of the gate is Lyman Products' Sonicore line of suppressors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.