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AR15.COM
1/18/2009 4:57:39 AM EDT
My buddy and I just ordered 2 LAR-8s.  I later talked with some "guys" at a gun show who said the LAR-8s were having a lot of probs with feeding and mags functioning properly.  Is there any truth to that?  Any owners want to chime in.  I'm pumped about getting mine I just don't want any major problems with it.  

Thanks!
1/18/2009 6:00:50 AM EDT
[#1]
More gun show talk.  I can't say as I don't have one, and haven't used one.  I do know RRA is a good companny and any problems you may have, they will take care of fast with no BS.
1/18/2009 6:50:22 AM EDT
[#2]
Well I do have one. Rounds tend to get stuck and not extracted. I have that problem with mine and there have been a few posts here basically describing the same thing.
No it's not just "gun show talk". I feel horrible for having to say this because I have such an affinity for RRA.
1/18/2009 10:56:10 AM EDT
[#3]
Would you recommend against buying one?  The wait time is a few months I think. I'm not sure if I should go with a DPMS or maybe an M1A instead.
1/18/2009 9:28:51 PM EDT
[#4]
It seems hit and miss with feeding. I know of 2 people that have had zero feeding issues but of course when I buy one what do ya know... If I load the magazine one round at a time no malfunctions. Very accurate but I could have bought a good bolt action instead! I have bought a total of 9 magazines (Israeli, Argentine or Brazilian, and some I ordered from Bushmaster) and what happens is that the next round gets in the way of the ejecting round causing the bolt to try to chamber both. I thought at first it must be a magazine issue but I'm not a gunsmith.  The Bushy mags seem to work better than the rest. I can usually go 10 to 15 rounds before a malfunction using Winchester factory loads. This is controlled "non rapid fire" shooting. I've gone through the forums and have tried some of the recommended fixes but like everyone else I don't have a lot of time to try and fix it. I know RRA stands behind their products but like all firearm manufacturers right now they are swamped because of the demand. If I can't eventually fix it I'll send it in to be fixed. That being said my Entry Tactical ROCKS! Every time I go to the range zero issues and my friends with ARs would rather shoot the RRA over theirs...
1/19/2009 7:52:00 AM EDT
[#5]
I have the Mid-length A4 LAR8 and have had zero issues as far as it loading, firing and unloading.  It has functioned 100% every time I pull the trigger.  I'm approaching 2000 rounds through it so far.

I have had an issue with some older magazines, in that they a harder to insert and extract from the magwell.  The brand new and newer magazines insert easily and drop free.
1/19/2009 4:52:22 PM EDT
[#6]
I have a new LAR-8 with issues
e-mailed rra, after several day was directed to call and talk with tech
called several times a day for over a week before getting through and was told I would have to call back in a week as the tech was out
ARE THEY HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT GETTING A CALL THROUGH IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE?
IS THERE ONLY ONE TECH?
WORST SERVICE EVER
I SAVED FOR MONTHS TO BUY THIS GUN!
WISH I HAD MY MONEY BACK
1/20/2009 2:25:42 AM EDT
[#7]
No problems with mine, feed and function are perfect so far and a very accurate rifle.
1/21/2009 8:14:43 AM EDT
[#8]
That is something I've been wondering about too. It may be a year or more before my mid length rifle is delivered. No problem there, I knew that when ordering.

However, maybe some of the LAR-8 owners who report no problems at all could let the rest of us know exactly which mags they are using and where they bought them? The rest of us might like to stock up on hi cap mags while we can.
1/21/2009 9:16:40 AM EDT
[#9]
I've used a variety.  Everything from Steyer, G1 Turkey contract, to the modified 30 rounders from DSA.  (I can't remember what the 30 rounders were originally for, they weren't made for FAL's, but modified to work)

Like I said earlier, all have worked.  The only problem I've had is the ones that look like they've been in a war, I've had difficulties inserting and extracting from the mag well.  One of the 30 rounders (which are all curved) is almost impossible to seat.  But all have fed fine.
1/21/2009 6:27:19 PM EDT
[#10]
16" Mid here. No problems. More magazines are in the mail right now. I'll see how they do.
1/22/2009 4:02:35 AM EDT
[#11]
FYI, I just cancelled my order for the LAR8.  I know my luck and I'm sure I'd get one with the problems.  Now to find .308 rifle to replace it.  I know....good luck finding anything.
1/22/2009 1:33:05 PM EDT
[#12]
If any of you want to get rid of your LAR-8's... I might be interested.... im me with details...

-Richard
1/31/2009 6:57:42 AM EDT
[#13]
Steve told me that the LAR-8 did not change the magwell dimensions from the BAR-10 as far as fit goes. Minor mods to the release. The BAR-10 would gravity drop empty mags up to a fuzz over one inch thick, thicker ones tend to stick. I miked about 25 of the used metric mags and found variance from around 0.9 to 1.1+ inches, in other words a LOT of thickness variation in used FAL mags.

FWIW, the smooth black finished mags, pretty or not, with NO markings other than baseplate serial numbers, seem to be slimmer and drop reliably. The crusty looking ones tend to be thicker and stick. Much less correlation between sticking issues and markings, finish seems to correlate with thickness to the sticking point fr more than markings. If looking for used FAL mags for the BAR-10, first choice would be smooth black mags, no markings. Second choice smooth black mags with markings, either B theta pi or just theta pi. Last choice, in fact I would pass on them, would be either corroded finish mags with markings, or corroded finish mags with no markings.