New For 2023: Rock River Arms Operator DMR Series

Jeremiah Knupp

posted on May 17, 2023

News, Guns, New For 2023

Support NRA American Rifleman DONATE

** 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. **

RRA Operator DMR 01 — Rock River Arms is adding the Operator DMR series to its line of modern sporting rifles. Pictured is an “enhanced” version that comes from the factory with a suppressor (model OP1012BT).

Image courtesy of Rock River Arms.

Rock River Arms (RRA) is expanding its already-prolific lineup of modern sporting rifles with its Operator DMR series. DMR stands for “Designated Marksman Rifle,” a moniker that means the rifle is adapted to longer range accuracy. Rock River’s direct-gas impingement DMR series will include six models in two calibers. There will be four “large frame” DMR models in 7.62 NATO and two “medium frame” models in 5.56 NATO.

Rock River Arms DMR Operator right side shown on white. Four models in the Operator DMR series are chambered in 7.62 NATO. Pictured is the 16” barreled model (model OP1010BT). Image courtesy of Rock River Arms.

The Operator DMR rifles have an impressive build sheet. The 7.62 versions use Rock River’s billet LAR BT3 upper and lower and a RRA two-stage Ultra Match trigger. Barrels are chrome lined and available in either 16” length with a mid-length gas system (model OP1010BT) or 20” length with a rifle-length gas system (model OP1005BT) configurations. The package is finished off with an RRA lightweight free-float M-Lok rail handguard (17” for the 20” barreled model and 13” for the 16” barrel model), BCM SOPMOD buttstock, Magpul Pro Series MBUS flip-up sights and an overmolded Hogue pistol grip.

Right side of the RRA DMR Operator shown on white with a longer 20 inch barrel. The 7.62 NATO Operator DMT is also available with a 20” barrel (model OP1005BT). Image courtesy of Rock River Arms.

An “enhanced” version of each barrel length model includes a SilencerCo Chimera 300 suppressor installed (all NFA rules apply), Swiss ARCA rail adapter and additional three-slot Picatinny rail section (16” barrel model = OP1012BT and 20” barrel model = OP1007BT).

An enhanced version of the Rock River Arms DMR Operator shown with an included suppressor. The 7.62 NATO Operator DMR models can come from the factory with “enhancements,” including a SilencerCo suppressor (model OP1007BT shown). Image courtesy of Rock River Arms.

The 5.56 DMR rifles use a similar build package. Upper and lower receivers are RRA’s forged LAR-15M pattern. Internally there is a RRA two-stage Ultra Match trigger group. Externally, there are the same Magpul Pro Series MBUS flip-up sights, BCM SOPMOD buttstock and Hogue beavertail grip of its DMR big brother.

A longer-barreled DMR Operator from Rock River Arms chambered in 5.56 NATO. The 5.56 NATO Operator DMR models are also available in two barrel lengths (20” barreled model OP1505 shown). Image courtesy of Rock River Arms.

There are also two barrel choices in the 5.56 DMR series. The 20” option is chrome-lined and features a 1:7” twist rate and the rifle uses RRA's 17” lightweight, M-Lok-compatible handguard and a rifle-length gas system (model OP1505). The 16” version is also chrome lined and has a 1:7” twist rate and uses a carbine-length gas system and a 13” handguard (model OP1510).

A Rock River Arms Operator DMR shown in 5.56 NATO with a 16-inch barrel. The 16”-barreled Operator DMR uses a carbine-length gas system (model OP1510). Image courtesy of Rock River Arms.