Services That Deliver Field-Tested Results

Reliable firearm solutions for performance, safety, and reliability.

Maximize Your Rifle’s Potential

Reliability Is Non-Negotiable

Reliability isn’t optional—especially when your platform is built for defense, duty, or performance. At Rock River Tactical, we specialize in transforming standard Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs), including AR-15 and AK platforms, as well as magazine-fed tactical pistols, into precision-built tools tailored to your mission, sport, or defensive needs.

Trust Earned in the Field, Not Guesswork

As a veteran-owned FFL gunsmith in Southern Wisconsin, we bring real-world experience, technical expertise, and uncompromising attention to detail to every firearm that enters our shop. Don't trust high-value optics and critical components to guesswork. We use professional-grade tools and industry-proven methods to ensure every upgrade enhances performance, reliability, and safety.

Precision shooting gear in dimly lit range

Service & Pricing Schedule

Essential Services & Inspections

Function & Safety Check - $25

Diagnostic & Safety Inspection - $70

Live Test Firing & Range Diagnostics - $35

Live-fire evaluation of firearms to diagnose intermittent cycling failures, confirm proper ejection/extraction, or verify function following major repairs or custom builds.

What’s Included:

Pre-test mechanical check and dummy round cycling test.
Live test-firing in controlled conditions to monitor brass ejection angles, lockup, and trigger reset.

Note: Fee covers labor and shop consumables. Live ammo is either provided by the customer or billed separately at market rate. Included automatically when required as part of full custom builds.

Firearm Reassembly ("Basket Case") - $60 to $100+

Brought in a box of parts? We can get it back together and functioning properly.

Standard Reassembly ($60): Complete cleaning, correct assembly, and safety check of a complete, stock firearm.
Complex / Custom Reassembly ($80 – $100+): For firearms with aftermarket parts, modified components, or complex internal mechanisms (e.g., modern handguns, lever-actions, or intricate rimfires).

Note: Quote covers labor only. If missing, damaged, or incorrect parts are discovered during assembly, replacement parts and additional fitting labor will be quoted before work continues.

Cleaning & Maintenance Services

Level 1 Cleaning (Field Strip) - $30 (Handguns) / $40 (Rifles & Shotguns)

Level 2 Cleaning (Deep Detail Strip) - $60 (Handguns) / $95 (Rifles & Shotguns)

Complete top-to-bottom detail cleaning for heavily fouled firearms, long-stored hunting guns, or end-of-season deep maintenance.

What’s Included:

Full detail strip down to individual pins, springs, and fire-control components.
Ultrasonic deep-cleaning and degreasing to remove stubborn carbon, plastic wad fouling, and old oil varnish.
Inspection of high-wear internal parts (extractors, firing pins, gas rings).
Premium corrosion-inhibitor lubrication, precise reassembly, and full safety check.

Note: Simple break-action double/single barrel shotguns may qualify for reduced Level 2 pricing depending on condition.

Level 3 Cleaning (Restorative, Rust & Cosmoline) - $90 (Handguns) / $135+ (Rifles & Shotguns)

Specialized restoration cleaning for military surplus firearms, duck/hunting shotguns with surface rust, or barrels with heavy lead, plastic, or copper fouling.

What’s Included:

Full teardown to bare components.
Cosmoline breakdown or chemical/mechanical surface rust removal.
Deep bore scrub for heavy plastic wad build-up, lead, or copper.
Ultrasonic bath, protective oil treatment, reassembly, and safety check.

Triggers & Fire Control Services

Drop-In Trigger & Cassette Installation - $45

Quick, professional installation of drop-in trigger cassettes or direct factory-replacement trigger assemblies for AR-15s, modern sporting rifles, or select handguns.

What’s Included:

Complete removal of factory fire-control components.
Inspection and cleaning of lower receiver/frame trigger pocket.
Installation and proper torqueing of drop-in trigger unit and anti-walk pins (if applicable).
Full safety function check, drop-safety verification, and trigger pull weight measurement.

Aftermarket Spring Kit Installation - $55 - $75

Upgrading factory trigger, hammer, sear, or plunger springs with high-performance aftermarket kits (e.g., Apex, Galloway, McCarbo) to reduce pull weight and smooth out the stroke.

Pricing Breakdown:

Striker-Fired / Standard Pistols & ARs ($55): Installation of drop-in spring kits and basic connector upgrades.
Revolvers & Complex Action Springs ($75): Tuning mainsprings, rebound springs, and hand/sear springs for double-action/single-action smooth execution.

What’s Included: Full teardown of fire control mechanism, spring replacement, reset check, and pull-weight verification.

Custom Action Polish & Trigger Tuning - $80 - $130+

A complete custom trigger job designed to eliminate creep, smooth out grittiness, crisp up the break, and shorten reset.

What’s Included:

Full detail strip of the fire-control group.
Micro-polishing of engagement surfaces (sear, hammer hooks, trigger bar, disconnector, and striker safety plunger) to mirror finishes without altering factory geometry.
Installation and balancing of aftermarket performance spring sets.
Deburring stamped internal components to remove factory drag.
Final safety audit: Drop-safety check, sear engagement check, and pull weight calibration.

Note: Pricing varies based on platform (e.g., standard polymer pistol vs. revolver or 1911 tuned action).

Forced Reset Trigger (FRT) Installation & Tuning - Prices Vary

AR-15 / AR-10 Platform FRT Service

$75 - $120 (Installation & Functions Check)
$120 - $175 (Includes Buffer/Gas Tuning)

AK Platform Forced Reset Trigger Service $100 - $160 (Varies based on receiver variations and hand-fitting requirements)

Evaluation of receiver geometry (stamped vs. milled) and trigger axis holes.
Precise hand-fitting and debris clearance adjustment if required.
Modification or pairing with compatible carrier tail/trip mechanisms.
Complete function check and reset verification.

Pistol / Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) FRT Service - $85 - $140

Installation for compatible PCC platforms (e.g., AR-9, MP5 pattern with compatible lower/trigger housing) or specialized pistol platforms.
PCC mass/buffer evaluation to prevent out-of-battery or bolt bounce issues common with blowback action types.
Full safety interface and reset testing.

Custom Platform / General Rifle FRT Integration - $120 - $200+ (Hourly gunsmithing rate + test/fitting)

Custom fitting and host analysis for non-standard platforms or bullpups/chassis systems.
Custom trip bar adjustments or bolt carrier compatibility verifications.

Disclaimers

Customer-Provided Parts: Prices reflect labor and fitting only; trigger units and required host components (such as full-auto profile BCGs or heavy buffers) are sold separately or provided by the customer.
Compliance & Legal Notice: All services are performed in strict adherence to federal, state, and local laws. Customers are responsible for verifying local laws prior to service.

Sights & Optic Services

Pistol Sight Installation - $35

Professional removal of factory sights and drift-fitting of aftermarket iron sights, night sights, or optic-height sights using dedicated sight pushers and armorer tools.

What’s Included:

Safe removal of existing factory sights without marring the slide.
Precision drift-fitting of front and rear sights to ensure centered mechanical alignment.
Application of threadlocker to set screws to prevent loosening under recoil.

Note: Oversized aftermarket sights requiring custom hand-filing or dovetail modifications will be quoted prior to work.

OnGuard Sights Sales & Professional Installation

As an authorized dealer, Rock River Tactical is proud to bring Swiss-engineered Onguard Sights to Southern Wisconsin. Built in-house for extreme durability and precision, Onguard sights feature high-end CNC-machined steel 12L14 bodies with QPQ Swiss manufacturing, sapphire protective windows, and patented "superbright" tritium technology.

Choose from two industry-leading lines, expertly installed right here in our shop:

Permanent Light Points (PLP) Twilight Sights: A new, patented generation combining reflective paint, phosphorescent pigment, and superfright tritium for maximum visibility, contrast, and reliable low-light transitions from twilight to total darkness.
Classic Tritium Night Sights: Battle-tested, ultra-reliable sights trusted by law enforcement, military units, and major manufacturers for decades, featuring extended 10-year service life design.

All sight installations and custom slide work are performed strictly by appointment. Contact us today to schedule your upgrade.

Pistol Red Dot Mounting & Plate Installation - $35

Direct-mount or optic-plate mounting for slide-cut pistols and red dot sights (e.g., Holosun, Trijicon, Vortex, Sig Sauer).

What’s Included:

Inspection of slide optic cut, mounting plate fit, and screw thread engagement depth.
Degreasing threads and applying medium-strength threadlocker.
Mounting optic and torquing fasteners precisely to manufacturer inch-pound specs.
Basic mechanical co-witness check with iron sights (if applicable).

Rifle Scope & Optic Mounting - $45

Precision mounting of magnified rifle scopes, prism sights, or red dots on Modern Sporting Rifles, bolt-actions, or shotguns.

What’s Included:

Inspection and alignment check of scope rings, bases, or Picatinny rails.
Precision reticle leveling using anti-cant tools to eliminate long-range cant error.
Proper ring-gap alignment and torquing of ring caps/bases to exact inch-pound specifications.
Application of threadlocker to mounting hardware.

Optional Addition: Scope tube lapping available for traditional ring sets upon request (quoted separately).

Mechanical & Laser Boresight - $20 (or $15 when paired with mounting)

Save ammo and range time by getting your optic or iron sights pre-aligned before hitting the range.

What’s Included:

Laser or optical arbor alignment of reticle/sights relative to the bore axis.
Verifies sight picture and ensures you are on paper at 25/50 yards for final live-fire zeroing.

Note: Included at a discount when paired with any optic mounting service, or included as part of a full Diagnostic & Safety Inspection.

AR & AK Platform Services

AR Upper Receiver Assembly & Barrel Services - $50 - $85

Custom assembly, barrel swaps, and gas system tuning for AR-15 and AR-10/LR-308 upper receivers.

Pricing Breakdown:

Standard Component Upgrade ($50): Muzzle device installation, gas block/tube swap, or handguard replacement.
Full Upper Assembly / Barrel Swap ($85): Complete upper receiver build including proper barrel nut torqueing, gas block alignment, gas key staking check, feed ramp inspection, and headspace verification.

Note: Headspace safety verification is included with all barrel installations.

AR Lower Receiver Assembly & Upgrades - $45 - $75

Professional assembly, buffer system tuning, and lower receiver component upgrades.

Pricing Breakdown:

Lower Receiver Component Upgrade ($45): Receiver extension/buffer tube swap, castle nut staking, or ambidextrous control upgrades.
Full Stripped Lower Build ($75): Complete assembly of a stripped lower receiver with customer-supplied or shop parts kits, including proper castle nut torque and double-staking.

MSR Diagnostic & Gas System Tuning - $60

Resolving cycling issues, short-stroking, fail-to-eject, or over-gassed Modern Sporting Rifles.

What’s Included:

Full inspection of gas block alignment, gas port size, carrier key seal, and buffer weight/spring rates.
Installation and adjustment of adjustable gas blocks (if applicable).
Feed ramp inspection and bolt catch/ejection timing audit.

Note: Test-fire ammo, if required for live diagnostics, will be billed separately.

AK Platform Upgrades & Maintenance - $45 - $90+

Upgrade and custom fitting for stamped and milled AK-pattern rifles.

Services Offered:

Handguard, Optic Mount & Stock Fitting ($45 – $65): Precision fitting of aftermarket furniture (Magpul, Midwest Industries, Zenitco-style) requiring light filing/fitting.
Muzzle Device Swaps ($45): Detent pin and muzzle device installation (including thread adapter checking).
Trigger & Fire Control Fitting ($60 – $90): Installation and hand-fitting of aftermarket AK trigger groups (ALG, etc.) to ensure proper hammer geometry and safety lever engagement.

Note: Major AK machining or press work (pinning barrels, trunnion replacement) quoted on an individual basis.

Barrel, Chamber & Technical Services

Stuck Casing & Bore Obstruction Removal - $50 - $80

Safe, professional removal of stuck cartridge cases, squib loads (bullets lodged in the barrel), or broken steel/brass extraction failures without marring your chamber or rifling.

Pricing Breakdown:

Standard Removal ($50): Unstuck casing or squib load removed using non-marring brass rods, broken shell extractors, or chamber taps.
Severe / Corroded Obstruction ($80): Complex cases requiring chemical soaking, detailed chamber inspection, or bore scope verification.

Note: Includes a complimentary bore and chamber inspection following removal to verify barrel integrity.

Chamber Polishing & Feed Ramp Tuning - $45 - $65

Eliminates sticky extraction, failure-to-feed (FTF) issues, and rough cycling caused by factory machining marks, oxidation, or steep feed ramps.

What’s Included:

Flex-honing and micro-polishing of the chamber to a smooth, low-friction finish to prevent brass sticking.
Deburring and profiling feed ramps for smooth bullet transition from magazine to chamber.
Headspace and gauge check upon completion.

Muzzle Device Installation & Alignment - $35

Bore Scope & Chamber Inspection - $30

Shop Policies & Intake Terms

Firearm Intake & Drop-Off Policy

Unloaded Firearms Only: All firearms brought into the shop or presented for service MUST be completely unloaded with magazines removed and actions open (where applicable).
No Live Ammunition: Please do not bring live ammunition into the work area unless specifically requested by the shop for diagnostic testing or custom load matching.
Cases & Packaging: Firearms should arrive in a secure case, rug, or box.

Diagnostic Fees & Repair Estimates

Estimates: Initial cost estimates are provided upon inspection. If hidden damage, missing parts, or additional labor requirements are discovered during work, you will be contacted for approval before any extra work is performed.
Diagnostic Fee: Firearms dropped off for troubleshooting or failure analysis are subject to a $70 Diagnostic Fee. If you choose to proceed with the recommended repair, $35 of that fee is credited directly toward your final repair labor.
Unrepaired / Abandoned Projects: If a customer elects not to complete a repair after a diagnostic is performed, the diagnostic fee remains due upon pickup.

Parts & Customer-Supplied Components

Customer-Supplied Parts: We welcome customer-supplied aftermarket parts (triggers, sights, handguards, optics). However, Rock River Tactical does not warranty the fitment, quality, or function of third-party parts provided by the customer.
Fitting Labor: If customer-supplied "drop-in" parts require unexpected custom machining, filing, or modification to fit your specific firearm, standard shop labor rates will apply.
Special Orders: Special order parts must be paid for in full prior to order placement.

Pick-Up, Payment & Storage Policy

Payment: Full payment for parts and labor is due upon completion of service and prior to the release of any firearm. Accepted payment methods include cash and major credit/debit cards.
Completion Notification: Customers will be notified immediately via phone, text, or email when work is complete and ready for pick-up.
Storage Fees: Firearms left uncollected for more than 14 calendar days after completion notification will incur a $5/day storage fee, unless prior arrangements have been made.
Abandoned Property: Firearms left unclaimed after 90 days without communication or payment will be considered abandoned and processed in accordance with state and federal law.

Test Firing & Range Diagnostics

Collection of pistols in protective case

Design Your Own Firearm - Custom Builds

Rock River Tactical helps you design a fully custom firearm built from the ground up, tailored to your mission, budget, and performance requirements. We take time to understand your application and provide expert guidance on every component choice, including trade-offs, advantages, and real-world performance differences.

Why settle for a stock firearm?

A custom build gives you full control over components and configuration, resulting in a firearm that fits your exact style, purpose, and performance expectations. Every firearm is assembled by a certified gunsmith and built to strict standards for accuracy, reliability, and durability.

Choose All Your Parts

You select all components and accessories, and we professionally assemble your rifle.

Custom Options Include:

Standard or ambidextrous configurations.
Name-brand barrels and triggers.
Handguards, stocks, grips, and muzzle devices.
Custom finishes.
Optics selection and integration.

Featured Custom Build

Rock River Tactical RT-15 Rifle

RAVE 140 Flat Trigger (Rise Armament)
Upper, Barrel & BCG (AR-Stoner)
RA-220 Ambidextrous Charging Handle (Rise Armament)
MBUS Flip-Up Sights (Magpul)
Polyflex Trigger Guard (Strike Industries)
P-Grip 22 (B5 Systems)

Browse Tactical Gear

Direct Access by Appointment Only

Currently, all customers are served by appointment only. Please contact us via phone at (520) 255-1728 or email at rockrivertactical@gmail.com. You may also request a quote using the button below.

Get a Free Quote

Rock River Tactical

Services That Deliver Field-Tested Results

Maximize Your Rifle’s Potential

Reliability Is Non-Negotiable

Trust Earned in the Field, Not Guesswork

Service & Pricing Schedule

Essential Services & Inspections

Function & Safety Check - $25

Diagnostic & Safety Inspection - $70

Live Test Firing & Range Diagnostics - $35

Firearm Reassembly ("Basket Case") - $60 to $100+

Cleaning & Maintenance Services

Level 1 Cleaning (Field Strip) - $30 (Handguns) / $40 (Rifles & Shotguns)

Level 2 Cleaning (Deep Detail Strip) - $60 (Handguns) / $95 (Rifles & Shotguns)

Level 3 Cleaning (Restorative, Rust & Cosmoline) - $90 (Handguns) / $135+ (Rifles & Shotguns)

Triggers & Fire Control Services

Drop-In Trigger & Cassette Installation - $45

Aftermarket Spring Kit Installation - $55 - $75

Custom Action Polish & Trigger Tuning - $80 - $130+

Forced Reset Trigger (FRT) Installation & Tuning - Prices Vary

Sights & Optic Services

Pistol Sight Installation - $35

OnGuard Sights Sales & Professional Installation

Pistol Red Dot Mounting & Plate Installation - $35

Rifle Scope & Optic Mounting - $45

Mechanical & Laser Boresight - $20 (or $15 when paired with mounting)

AR & AK Platform Services

AR Upper Receiver Assembly & Barrel Services - $50 - $85

AR Lower Receiver Assembly & Upgrades - $45 - $75

MSR Diagnostic & Gas System Tuning - $60

AK Platform Upgrades & Maintenance - $45 - $90+

Barrel, Chamber & Technical Services

Stuck Casing & Bore Obstruction Removal - $50 - $80

Chamber Polishing & Feed Ramp Tuning - $45 - $65

Muzzle Device Installation & Alignment - $35

Bore Scope & Chamber Inspection - $30

Shop Policies & Intake Terms

Firearm Intake & Drop-Off Policy

Diagnostic Fees & Repair Estimates

Parts & Customer-Supplied Components

Pick-Up, Payment & Storage Policy

Test Firing & Range Diagnostics

Design Your Own Firearm - Custom Builds

Why settle for a stock firearm?

Choose All Your Parts

Featured Custom Build

Direct Access by Appointment Only

Stay Locked In

Site Links

Quick Links

Categories