AR-10

Armalite pattern 308 rifles pretty much only have one source of parts - Armalite. You can sometimes find the Armalite-made bits cheaper through resellers, but the simple fact is that most of the parts are going to be made by Armalite. For my AR10 builds, I used JP forearms, Jard triggers, DPMS barrels (or barrels made for the DPMS by others), AR15 stocks, and most everything else from Armalite (including the magazines).

DPMS pattern 308 rifles have a little more flexibility; you can add Magpul magazines and Troy forearms and such to the list of third-party bits. JP also makes BCGs for the DPMS that you can reportedly use in the Armalite so long as you use all JP/DPMS bits.

I've read that there are no actual semiauto AR-10's being made for civilians, and that the existing .308 AR's are all upsized AR-15's--including Armalites. If so, why not just put on a .308 upper with the necessary modifications?

The AR-10 or LR308 rifles are terrific. The .308 is a great round with lots of go power and flexibility. I reload so good quality ammo cost per round is about 35 cents each.

I actually purchased a NIB DPMS TAC20 and upon moving to CA had to purchased an off list TM lower. You can purchase complete uppers (no sure of the wait these days) and build you own lower.

Personally I think the DPMS pattern rifles are far more adaptable with the aftermarket suppliers.

I have a new .308 AR and am finding it to
be a powerful and accurate rifle. Mine is a
Bushmaster MOE. I have found a website
that is most informative for the .308 type
rifles. It is:

http://308ar.com/forum/index.php

Like most forums, you can read without joining,
but not to post and ask questions.

I'm a bit curious about the AR10 world as well.

So magazines are different if you have a Armalite or DPMS (where does the RRA version fall?) But how about other parts? Barrels, grips, FCG, etc? Will an Armalite barrel install on a DPMS upper? Is there a handy chart somewhere?

I've read that there are no actual semiauto AR-10's being made for civilians, and that the existing .308 AR's are all upsized AR-15's--including Armalites.

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Well, that stands to reason, since the original AR-15 was just a scaled down AR-10

Gentlemen;
AR 10 is a copyrighted name for .308 autoloading rifle made by the Armalite corporation.
A similar rifle by any other name is NOT an AR10 and the Armalite fanboys will be quick to remind you of that.
The original AR design rifle by Gene Stoner was in fact a .308 rifle. The military decided to downsize the cartridge to the (now) 5.56 round. Gene Stoner redesigned the rifle and it became the AR 15. Colt bought the manufacturing rights to the AR15 & we went from there. In .308 AR style rifles, there are Armalite AR 10s and all other manufacturers. All that said, DPMS makes a very accurate and reliable .308 rifle called the LR 308. It comes in various configurations and price levels. It is different from Armalites offering and many, if not most, parts will not interchange between the two, but the DPMS and the other non Armalite offerings are usually pretty much interchangeable.
The DPMS design has far more options and accessories available especially magazines.
The Armalite rifle is well respected and is regarded as a high quality rifle with a price to match. Its design is the original, based around a modified M14 magazine, which has long been viewed as its achilles heel. The other manufacturers are viewed as being not as well constructed as the Armalite but in truth, the differences are small and in real world use of little concern.
Truth be told up front: I have owned a DPMS LR308B for over 5 years with many thousands of rounds downrange. It has NEVER failed, jammed, quit, broken or caused ANY problems. It is also accurate, as in consistently sub moa with decent ammo. My rifle is not unique as a lot of folks now own them and enjoy the same reliability and accuracy.




10 rds, 42.5 gr RE15, 168 Sierra HPBT M.

Roger

Looks like the pertinent information has been summed up very nicely above. Let me just add I've had a DPMS LR308 for a few months and so far it remains sub-MOA with decent ammo and has never had any mechanical failure. Granted I haven't put as much into it as many have, but so far it is smooth as butter.

I also had an AR-15 and got rid of it after a very short time. In my opinion and with my shooting preferences, I prefer the .223 round in a more "target" format, and got a Remington 700 in .223 for that purpose. I much prefer the AR style rifle in .308 rather than 5.56/.223.

the basic questions in the ar-10 market is what type of lower to buy where mags are available in abundance and reasonably priced,free float bbl or not,std upper or monolithic rail upper.then you can add the triggers of your choice.

I love AR10s, except for a Bushmaster BAR10, all mine are Armalites, as in AR.

Ar 10

Owned 7 still have two, all Armalite. Most accurate gas gun I have ever seen.

Its design is the original, based around a modified M14 magazine, which has long been viewed as its achilles heel

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The Gen II mags are pretty much a super-sized AR-15 mag, but made of steel. They no longer emply the plunger-type BHO, and my AR10A2C has been completely trouble-free with the Gen II mags.

They're not cheap, though. $35-$43 each for the 25 rounders, depending on how many you buy at once.

AR-10 FAQ

This FAQ is for ArmaLite but well point out the many differences between manufacturers. Main difference between manufacturers is magazine style and compatibility of upper/lower, they can have difference shapes.

About the only part that is interchangeable between brands and AR15's is the FCG.

The SR-25 mags (Pmag style) are the defacto standard. ArmaLite has released a version of the AR-10 that uses SR-25 mags. ArmaLite, CMMG, DPMS, KAC and LMT can use SR-25 mags. ArmaLite, Noveske and AP can use modified M14mags or ArmaLite Gen II mags.

The 7.62 AR platform is inherently accurate, every brand I have shot has been above average accuracy for a military style gas gun.

The Gen II mags are pretty much a super-sized AR-15 mag, but made of steel.They're not cheap, though. $35-$43 each

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ArmaLite lowered mag prices last summer and are now in the $28-34 area MSRP. This is lower than most other manufacturers MSRP price on metal mags. Plastic mags are a few bucks cheaper.

I've read that there are no actual semiauto AR-10's being made for civilians, and that the existing .308 AR's are all upsized AR-15's--including Armalites. If so, why not just put on a .308 upper with the necessary modifications?

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Magazine well size is the main issue. Colt is marketing a rifle that well shoot both 5.56 and 7.62. You use a mag well adapter and change out upper and buffer/spring to changer calibers.

Stonier designed the 7.62 sized AR first, then scaled it down for 5.56

My only complaint is weight.

Noveske N6

About the only part that is interchangeable between brands and AR15's is the FCG.

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The barrels will interchange - they are dimensionally identical. The barrel NUTS and other such bits, on the other hand, are not.