Rock River Arms PDS Carbine
I recently blogged about RAA’s PDS pistol. This is the carbine version of the pistol.
The Piston Driven System Carbine utilizes a propriety bolt carrier that actuated by a piston. The return spring is located above the barrel, much like the Para Ordnance TTR rifle, rather than the rear buffer spring. This eliminates the need a buffer tube, allowing a folding stock. Unlike the Para TTR the PDS does not have a traditional AR-15 charging handle and instead has ambidextrous forward H&K-esque charging handles.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56mm NATO |
| Upper | Proprietary PDS upper |
| Trigger | RAA two stage |
| Grip | Hogue Rubber Pistol Grip |
| Barrel | 16” Chrome Moly, 1:9 twist |
| Stock | RRA Side-Folding 6-Position Tactical CAR Stock |
| Total Length (stock unfolded/extended) | 37.75 inches |
| Total Length (stock folded) | 26″ inches |
| Weight | 7.4 lbs |
| MSRP (Price) | $1685 |
I founded TFB in 2007 and over 10 years worked tirelessly, with the help of my team, to build it up into the largest gun blog online. I retired as Editor in Chief in 2017. During my decade at TFB I was fortunate to work with the most amazing talented writers and genuinely good people!
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I think it is a very neat looking rifle, myself.
I like the fact that the bolt is attached to the piston, and the bolt has three massive lugs.
The charging handle though, does bother me a bit.
Not because it's so much forward of the support hand, but because it folds down.
If a magazine fails to lock the bolt back and if the handle is folded, you have to flip the handle out to charge the rifle.
In a high stress situation thats just too many motions.
I would like to see a strong fixed charging handle.
I still like the rifle though.
Maybe a coat of NP3 on all the internals and a barrel rifling of 1:7, you'd really have a nice weapon.
I've had mine for a few weeks now. My only complaint, kind of, is the rail. I put a troy swivel there. I tried a v grip/bi pod but it would not fit properly. But then again I don't like "lights" kinda like screaming "Shoot over here" and the extra weight of accessories reduces swing time. The ambidextrous charging handle I like. I can stay on target without taking my hand off the fire control on either the strong or week side. (I never cared for the gis charging handle being in the back.) It shoots well for a 16"er and recoil (even with 62 grain 5.56) is softer than Charmin. But as the man said "to each their own" This piece will work for some and be hated by others. Me, I like it. There were a few things they could have improved as it truly is not an AR15 because it is so proprietary and cannot be interchanged with other receivers.