Description
The Rock Island VR70 12 Gauge Semi-Auto is a magazine-fed, gas-operated shotgun from Rock Island Armory (Armscor) with AR-15 ergonomics, a 20 inch barrel and a 5+1 capacity, built to be an affordable fun gun and home defense option.
Rock Island VR70 12 Gauge Semi-Auto Overview
Armscor positions the VR70 between its VR60 and VR80 models. The upper is machined from 7075-T6 aluminum, and the lower and forend are polymer. It chambers 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells and feeds from a 5 round detachable box magazine. Armscor lists a 20 inch barrel, 44.5 inch overall length and 6.4 pound weight, with flip-up sights and a fixed polymer stock with an adjustable cheek pad. Our original store title listed 10 rounds, but Armscor rates this model at 5 rounds with the supplied magazine.
Familiar Controls
If you have shot an AR-15, the VR70 will feel natural. The safety, magazine release and bolt release sit where an AR shooter expects them, and the pistol grip and fixed stock give a stable hold. That makes the VR70 easy to learn for anyone already trained on a rifle, and it makes magazine changes much faster than loading a tube one shell at a time.
Gas System and Ammunition
The VR70 is gas operated and is designed around full-power loads. Like most magazine-fed semi-auto shotguns, it can be picky with light target loads, especially when new. Plan on a break-in period with heavier field or buckshot loads before testing low-recoil or 1 ounce target shells. Keep the gas system clean, because a dirty piston is the usual cause of short-stroking.
Magazines
The VR70 ships with a 5 round magazine. Rock Island VR series magazines are shared across the VR60, VR70 and VR80 family, and larger 9 round magazines are available where legal. Load magazines firmly and seat them with a push and tug, because a magazine that is not fully locked is the most common cause of a failure to feed.
Sights and Mounting
Flip-up sights come standard and the top rail accepts a red dot, which is a fast setup for both clay throwing fun and defensive use. Keep in mind that a magazine-fed shotgun with a pistol grip is bulkier than a pump, and a loaded 12 gauge magazine adds weight under the gun. Practice your manual of arms before relying on the VR70 for home defense.
Value and Expectations
At its price point the VR70 is a lot of shotgun, but it is not a premium competition gun. Fit and finish are basic, and reliability depends heavily on ammunition and cleaning. Owners who treat it as a fun range gun and keep it fed with full-power loads tend to be happiest with it.
State Laws and Ownership
Magazine-fed semi-automatic shotguns face extra restrictions in several states. California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Washington and Delaware ban or limit semi-automatic shotguns with a detachable magazine or features like a pistol grip, and some states also limit magazine capacity. MAG5 Firearms does not ship firearms to Massachusetts or Oregon. Your receiving dealer can confirm what is legal where you live before you order.
Specifications
- Brand: Rock Island Armory (Armscor)
- Model: VR70
- UPC: 812285028118
- Gauge: 12, chambers 2 3/4 and 3 in shells
- Capacity: 5+1, detachable box magazine
- Barrel: 20 in
- Action: gas-operated semi-auto
- Upper: 7075-T6 aluminum
- Lower and forend: polymer
- Sights: flip-up
- Stock: fixed polymer with adjustable cheek pad
- Finish: black
- Overall length: 44.5 in
- Weight: 6.4 lb
Before You Buy
Federal law requires that this shotgun ship to a licensed FFL dealer, where you will complete ATF Form 4473 and a background check. You must be at least 18 years old to buy a shotgun from a dealer, and some states set a higher age or add a waiting period. Break the gun in with full-power loads, keep the gas system clean, and check your state rules on magazine-fed shotguns before ordering.
Who It Is For
The Rock Island VR70 12 Gauge Semi-Auto is a great fit for shooters who want a magazine-fed 12 gauge with AR-15 ergonomics for range fun or home defense at an affordable price.
Buy the Rock Island VR70 12 Gauge Semi-Auto at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Rock Island VR70 12 Gauge Semi-Auto online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more shotguns. For factory details, visit Armscor.
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