AR platform in 308 questions.

[Thompsoncustom]

I am consider buying a ar-10/15 chambered in 308, first off I have never had any AR variant and no next to nothing about them except that I want one and that I would like it in 308.

Budge wise I'm looking at the DPMS guns and I've played with all the 308's that DPMS makes I find the Recon ($1400) to be just about prefect but want a 20" thick barrel instead of the 16". But at the same time I can get the Oracle for $800. Now how hard is it to change from a "16in thin barrel to a 20" thick. If it's a drop in thing the Oracle would be setup great for 1050 saving me 350 bucks.

Is there something else I'm missing that what add expense to changing from a 16" thin to a 20" thick barrel.

 

[MistWolf]

If you're gonna get a 20", get this one-
http://dpms-gii.com/full.html

Believe me, you're not going to want to carry around a 20 bull barrel AR.

The Gen II is an improvement over the older DPMS 308 ARs

 

[TIMC]

If you are just planning on changing the barrel then there will be a gas block change due to barrel thickness change and if you go from a carbine length to rifle length there will probably be a gas tube change as well.

If you want a 20" rifle then just buy one up front. DPMS makes some decent shooters but the sky is the limit on what you can spend on some.

 

[newfalguy101]

Your best bet in my opinion is to, as suggested above, buy a 20 in Hbar if that what you want, OR another option would be buy the 16 inch oracle and sell or trade the upper for the 20 Hbar you want..............I just happen to know a guy who has a 20 inch Hbar now and would rather have a 16 inch gun...

 

[otrman]

Is there something else I'm missing that what add expense to changing from a 16" thin to a 20" thick barrel

Yes, couple things. Good barrels start around 275.00 and go to 600.00 for match grade. You may be able to reuse the gas block if it survives removal, last couple DPMS I have seen with the rail gas block were set screw type installed with red locktite, good luck. You will need upper receiver vice block,a vice, barrel nut wrench, rifle length gas tube and roll pin(some say you can reuse but for 2.00 not really worth the chance),punch for said roll pin, float tube(200.00-500.00), and a torque wrench. Can kinda do without it but can rent at most chain auto parts store.

I looked at DPMS sight and the TAC20 looks like it may be closer to what you wanted and is less than the Recon.

 

[henschman]

If you want a big, heavy 20" bench gun, why buy a light, good-handling fighting rifle and spend extra money to re-barrel it to be something completely different? Why not just buy one in the configuration you want up front? Long, heavy barreled .308 ARs aren't exactly scarce. My first .308 AR was a DPMS LR-308 Classic -- it had a big, fat, unwieldy 20" heavy profile barrel and I hated it... but it sounds like just what you are looking for.

 

[kimberkid]

Get the SiG 716 DMR ... buy once, cry once

Technical Specs:
Item Number R716-H18B-DMR
Action Semi-Auto
Operating System Short stroke pushrod operating system with 4 position gas valve
Caliber 7.62 X 51 mm NATO
Overall Length 38.3 in
Trigger Type 2-Stage Match
Trigger Weight 6.5 lbs
Barrel Length 18.0 in
Rifling 1 in 10"
Number of grooves 6
Weight w/out Mag 11 lbs
Mag Capacity 20 Rounds
Mag Type Magpul PMAG
Accessory Rail Yes
Features Short stroke pushrod operating system, Match grade trigger group, Magpul UBR Stock and MIAD Grip

When your looking at the price keep in mind it comes with most of the upgrades you'll want, plus mine shoots almost as well as my Stoner SR-25 Match.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'm just gonna buy one that fits my needs.

 

[TIMC]

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'm just gonna buy one that fits my needs

Smart man! Plenty of time to buy what you don't want later.

 

[dprice3844444]

check out the s&w m&p 10.18 inch bbl,lightest of the bunch,5r rifling.