AR 10 Noob

[whetrock]

I'm in the market for an accurate, reasonably priced semi-auto .308 of a sort and have decided that for a hunting/SHTF rifle it (AR 10) suits my needs perfectly. With that being said, who makes the best "entry level" AR 10. At the current time I'm leaning towards Armalite's offerings, but am curious to hear others 2 cents. Kinda outside of my realm on this one. Always wanted a .308 auto of some sort, and have read Boston's Gun Bible and am still leaning towards an AR 10 mostly do to the accuracy to cost ratio exhibited by this platform. I know its weaknesses, but still want one for what it is.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Read the FAQ on ar15.com. AR10's are NOT standardized like AR15's are. Since there is no mil-spec, there are multiple magazine types, different barrel nut thread sizes and so-on.

 

[whetrock]

I've heard that mentioned a time or two, but didn't give it too much thought. Another Achilles heel of a sort I suppose.

 

[taliv]

DPMS has the best 'entry level' imho

 

[TIMC]

+1 on the DPMS

 

[Mot45acp]

I went with Armalite. At the time they were the only entry level to offer chrome lined barrel.
The magazines aren't to high if you buy a 5 or 10 pack directly from Armalite.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The new AR-10A, SR-25 mag from ArmaLite is about $1400 new. There are AR-10B's that use the M14 mags used for $1K+/- on Gunbroker, some good deals and the M14 mags are only a few dollars more than P mags and 100% reliable.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Another Achilles heel of a sort I suppose.

Not if you go into it understanding how things are.

I cannot speak for the other brands, but the Armalite AR-10 can take a lot of AR-15 accessories & components, like handguards and buttstocks, triggers, etc.

Armalite also offers their rifles with two magazine configurations. I personally prefer the Armalite Gen II mags and am willing to pay a little more for the 25 round capacity, but the Pmag's popularity prompted them to make the 10A for all those who really want to run $20, 20 round Pmags.

 

[navajo]

which

Armalite. Owned 7 still have 2. 100% reliable and the best customer service going.
Prefer the current made GenII mags.

 

[Txhillbilly]

Armalite and DPMS are the most popular choices in the AR 10 platform.

I just bought a DPMS LR260H (260 Remington),I didn't want another 308.
There are lots of accessories available for these rifles.
FYI,The factory trigger in the DPMS is terrible.I'm sending the lower to Bill Springfield,and getting him to do a 3 lb trigger job on it.
For $68,it's the cheapest way to get a good trigger.



I've ordered am ACE stock,several P-Mag magazines,and new grip for the rifle.It should all be here by the time I get the lower back.

 

[whetrock]

5 rounds one way or the other isn't just a huge deal for me. I know that with my AR 15's I've come to love Pmags and have enjoyed them with a great deal of success. So as of now I'm kinda leaning towards the LR308, but haven't owned anything DPMS (or Armalite for that matter), so it'll be a new experience. I'm hoping to have a decent set of sights as well. With that being said I'm in no rush as of now and am going to fully explore the pros and cons of the LR308 as well as the Armalites in general. The A10B4CBF (the Armalite that takes Pmags) doesn't come with any sight setup so if I go Armalite I'll have to go with the AR10A4s or A2s and that will require the Armalite mag. I'm not against their magazine, but am showing some preference towards the Pmags due to construction and familiarity.

 

[Mot45acp]

I'm not saying the PMAGS are bad. Just that they are the only Magpul offering that are less than stellar. When you buy a 5 or 10 pack the cost isn't that much of a difference.

 

[Shmackey]

I have a soft spot for the RRA .308s, but if I had to buy one tomorrow it would be Armalite.

 

[velocette]

I've had my DPMS LR 308B for about 5 years. In that time, it has been totally reliable, no failures of any kind. It is sub moa accurate consistently with good ammo. I ordered mine new with the optional JP trigger which is enormously better than the stock trigger. (were I to do it today, I would install the Geissele trigger) & cryo barrel. I fitted it with a Magpul handgrip and good scope.
Magazines are two DPMS, two C products & one 10 rd C products.
(All magazines were deburred, guide tabs rounded, casting flash & tabs removed from the followers before use)
Money well spent for this rifle as it pays me back every time I go to the range and shoot nice little groups. Approximately 2000 rds downrange at this time.
As far as aftermarket stuff for the rifle, all std AR triggers will work, buttstocks (mostly) all sight stuff and mags are readily available at moderate cost.

Roger

 

[MachIVshooter]

The A10B4CBF (the Armalite that takes Pmags) doesn't come with any sight setup so if I go Armalite I'll have to go with the AR10A4s or A2s and that will require the Armalite mag.

The A4 variants don't come with sights, regardless of whether it's a carbine or rifle, 10A or 10B. They are all flat top upper with railed gas block. The A2 (carry handle) variants are not yet available in Pmag configuration. Armalite does now offer an A3 type AR-10 (flat top with A2 front sight), but only 10B at the moment. They do not have a carbine length gas system AR-10, just mid length and rifle length (not sure why one would want a CL gas system on a 7.62 anyway).

You could, of course, put an A2 sight on the A4 rifle. But then, it makes more sense just to use sights that mount to the picatinny rails.

 

[Casefull]

I have RRA and DPMS. No comparison. Rock River hands down. Better built, much better trigger, more accurate. Well spent extra $200.

 

[whetrock]

LOL, I completely missed the gas bloc having a rail. I just assumed that most people ran AR 10s with optics seeing as they tend to be quite accurate and have kinda moved away from the whole "battle rifle" thing and more towards the precision world. I'm kinda curious about the RRA LAR-8 that takes FAL mags. I've heard some mixed stuff in regard to it's viability, but want to like it. It looks like quality to my eye.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm kinda curious about the RRA LAR-8 that takes FAL mags.

See my post here (#8) with the Armalite release on why they didn't use FAL magazines. RRA makes good rifles, but the FAL pattern was not a good decision.

 

[Robert101]

I have to agree with Velocette on the DPMS LR308. I only have about 500 rounds down range but 100% reliable (and that is with my handloads). It shoots 1 MOA all day long from prone w/ bipod. Since I live in CA my TAC20 upper now sports a TM lower and no change in the reliability or fit. I agree the trigger is the weak point as I did a home file and polish with good results. I have nothing against the AR10 rifles and you should be served well with either choice. Enjoy the fun of a 308. It will make you smile.