AR in 308 suggestions for under $1,500

[Arizona_Mike]

Is there anything special about the gas block of the M&P-10? How hard would it be to install a low-profile gas block and free-float forearm?

Nope. I replaced mine with an adjustable in anticipation of finally getting my suppressor I bought in Feb (by next Feb???). Consult S&W about accessories, The first DPMS .308-compatible rail I bought was a poor fit.

Edit: It was a Samson Evolution that fit somewhat loosely (tight enough be a hand guard but too loose to mount sights). Also the anti-rotation tabs which apparently fir the DPMS were too narrow for the S@W.

I went with the Troy TRX 308 Extreme 12.6". A couple of the holes line up perfectly with the adjustment lock button on the adjustable gas block. I have plenty of bipod/other real-estate forward of the angle grip so I don't think I would need the 13.8" one.

Mike

 

[henschman]

I think the M&P 10 is a great value. Probably the best going in a .308 AR. They just don't make as many aftermarket components for it yet. I think that will likely change, though the DPMS pattern will probably stay the most commonly used... it is used by several manufacturers.

For my own .308 build, I had some very specific wants that could not be had in any factory trim rifle. A $999 base-model DPMS Oracle made sense for me, since I was swapping out the barrel, gas block, gas tube, handguard, stock assembly, and maybe in the future the bolt carrier group as well. It was cheap to begin with, and had plentiful aftermarket parts.

The S&W is real close to my same setup though, if you just put a free float handguard and a fixed gas block front sight on it. I actually like the melonite barrel better than the chrome lining on the one I ended up going with, though I like how mine has rifle length gas on the 18.5" tube, rather than mid-length or whatever it is that Smith has.

Still, if the Smith was out when I made my purchase, I would have strongly considered using it instead. I have seen some guys on arfcom put Troy TRX-308 handguards on them. That is the same kind mine has.

 

[MistWolf]

The S&W M&P-10 has a middy length gas system. I would have preferred rifle length

 

[itsa pain]

the DPMS is the best priced and mine shoots like a bolt gun plus takes P Mags