[mchasal]

I have done alot of research (read: surfing the internet) on the AR - 15's over the last two months. I am wondering, if I buy an AR in .223, can I then buy a .308 or a 9mm upper put on it, or do I have to have a .308 lower?

Also, Rock River Arms calls their rifles LAR - 15's, what does the "L" stand for?

Thanks for your help!

You can buy different caliber uppers, 9mm, 45, .22, any pistol caliber would be fine on your lower, though it does require a mag block to make the smaller mags fit in the magwell. I don't think .308 works simply because of the length of the cartridge. It would be longer then the standard AR magwell, so the magazines wouldn't work with a normal lower. I'm not sure if the upper is longer as well, so I don't know if it would even fit on a standard lower.

There are several alternative calibers that do work though. 6.5 Grendel, .50 beowulf, and .458 socom come to mind. These are designed to fit in the same length as .223/5.56. Usually they are a bit wider, so you lose magazine capacity. The .458 and the .50 make your standard mags a single stack one. Of course, ammo is quite a bit more expensive for these relatively new and uncommon rounds. There isn't any surplus out there either.

There is also a company, MGI, that is making AR lowers with interchangeable magwells to accomplish what your looking for. It's a relatively new concept and I don't know the cost, but maybe it would work for you here is an ar15.com thread about it.


As to what the "L" stands for, I don't know that, they couldn't call it an AR because it is/was specifically banned in the AWB and I think it is a Colt trademark.

I assume you've come across http://ar15.com, but if not, that's the definitive AR resource on the net.

Mike

 

[Rob72]

No, the .308 magwell is larger. +1 on AR-15.com That would be a good place to find a conversion(9mm, etc), piece by piece, a bit more reasonably priced.

 

[firefighter4884]

BCurry

Check RRA... LAR might be for left handed shooters.

--Jim

 

[QKShooter]

Forum File Photo :~)

 

[rocky]

Not sure why ya want a .308 AR but ok, you can get a 5.56 and convert it to a pistol caliber with a mag block and a diffrent upper.

 

[Bud White]

the Lar is probley a way to get around a copyright .. Like bushmaster xm15


Acparmed will know for sure

 

[acparmed]

Actually Bud.........I have no clue :embarassed: ......and I have the DEA Govt. Model. :yup:

I will ask Chuck Larsen the next time I talk to him. (he owns RRA). Probably next week.

I'll bet however, it is just a propreitary thing like you said about Bushmaster

 

[BCurry1]

Thanks for the advice.

ACParmed, that DEA rifle looks awesome:yup: , im jealous. Price is a little out of my range.:frown:

 

[triggerjunky]

I definately love my RRA Entry Tact.

 

[rfurtkamp]

It's a model number thing to the best of my knowledge - we've sold 'em by the dozens time and time again and every manufacturer has a different "AR-15-like" model number to get around state AWBs and trademark issues.

That said, I have had zero problems with my RRA CAR Elite mid-length.

 

['75scout]

+1 on the RRA Entry Tactical. Can't wait to get one of my own!