Rock River Arms has been building ARs for a long time, and the LAR-15 Mid A4 is a rifle for shooters who like a traditional profile. The name points to a mid-length gas system, an A4-style upper and a free-float handguard, with a quick-detach feature.

A free-float handguard keeps pressure off the barrel, which helps accuracy. The mid-length gas system is known for smoother recoil and reliability than a carbine system. For a hunter, that combination works for hogs, coyotes and a day of target shooting at the range. Test your chosen ammunition before you trust it in the field or for carry, and stick with what runs well. A little practice every month beats a long session once a year.

An AR like this is easy to customize with optics, lights and slings. Learn to disassemble and clean it, and it will serve for years. It is a rifle for the buyer who wants a quality build from a recognized maker. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check is done at pickup.