As I understand it, "AR-10s" are made by Armalite, DPMS and Rock River Arms. Any other manufacturers? But, the mags and parts are not interchangable between them. For Armalite, do you have to use Armalite mags only, are there no other manufacturers. What about the .308 Pmags? On the Magpul website, they list the Pmags as being for the military M110. Do DPMS and Rock River mags interchange? What about other parts? I thought I read somewhere that DPMS .308 rifles use some AR-15 parts in their lower receivers. Is this true and if so, what parts? Maybe this is preferable since I already have several AR-15s and spare parts. Which platform is the most versatile? Which is the highest quality (I'm gonna guess Armalite for this one)?
Can someone educate me on the AR-10?
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Quentin
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ArmaLite makes the only AR-10. The other companies do make AR style 308s. As far as I know they aren't interchageable except for ammo and AR-15 trigger group parts. The AR-10 probably is the best but do your homework before choosing. I think the ArmaLite can use modded M14 mags (it used to anyway) but now they sell their own mags.
There is no standard in .308 ARs so every manufacture can be/is different. Right now there is:
Armalite AR10 pattern - 1) uses a M14 pattern mag b/c it was designed during the AWB 2) new mags (gen II) are designed for the AR10 only however you can use modified M14 mags (gen I) if you don't live in a free state 3) uses forged receivers which is nice 4) resembles an orginal AR10 on the outside 5) uses AR15 furniture and trigger group 6) Noveske uses this pattern
DPMS pattern - 1) uses SR25/orginal AR10 mag pattern 2) scaled up AR15 and uses some AR15 parts; FCG and furniture for sure and maybe a few others 3) machined, extruded receivers 4) usually cheaper 5) tons of different setups 6) Remington, the new Bushmaster, and POF use this pattern
SR25 pattern - 1) closest based off the orginal AR10 pattern 2) expensive 3) M110 is the version used by the military 4) CNC machined billet receivers 5) made by KAC, La Rue uses this pattern
RRA (old Bushmaster) pattern - 1) scaled up AR15? 2) uses FAL mags 3) RRA is the only one using this pattern currently
Quality probably would go to KAC 1st, La Rue a very close 2nd, then Noveske/Armalite, DPMS/Bushy/Remington and RRA in that order but very very close to each other. I'm going to tell you DPMS clones are probably the cheapest to get started on. Armalite is probably the best mix of $$ vs. quality and I like the forged receivers. If building up a precision rig, Armalite and DPMS have about equal options and can get equally expensive. All different patterns can be equally accurate. If just buying the most accurate out of the box La Rue and the top of the line Armalite and DPMS are on the same level.
ETA: Magpul mags are SR25 pattern, only Armalite makes their "AR10" pattern mags as of the moment.
Armalite AR10 pattern - 1) uses a M14 pattern mag b/c it was designed during the AWB 2) new mags (gen II) are designed for the AR10 only however you can use modified M14 mags (gen I) if you don't live in a free state 3) uses forged receivers which is nice 4) resembles an orginal AR10 on the outside 5) uses AR15 furniture and trigger group 6) Noveske uses this pattern
DPMS pattern - 1) uses SR25/orginal AR10 mag pattern 2) scaled up AR15 and uses some AR15 parts; FCG and furniture for sure and maybe a few others 3) machined, extruded receivers 4) usually cheaper 5) tons of different setups 6) Remington, the new Bushmaster, and POF use this pattern
SR25 pattern - 1) closest based off the orginal AR10 pattern 2) expensive 3) M110 is the version used by the military 4) CNC machined billet receivers 5) made by KAC, La Rue uses this pattern
RRA (old Bushmaster) pattern - 1) scaled up AR15? 2) uses FAL mags 3) RRA is the only one using this pattern currently
Quality probably would go to KAC 1st, La Rue a very close 2nd, then Noveske/Armalite, DPMS/Bushy/Remington and RRA in that order but very very close to each other. I'm going to tell you DPMS clones are probably the cheapest to get started on. Armalite is probably the best mix of $$ vs. quality and I like the forged receivers. If building up a precision rig, Armalite and DPMS have about equal options and can get equally expensive. All different patterns can be equally accurate. If just buying the most accurate out of the box La Rue and the top of the line Armalite and DPMS are on the same level.
ETA: Magpul mags are SR25 pattern, only Armalite makes their "AR10" pattern mags as of the moment.
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Zerodefect
member
I think the DPMs, Larue, and LMT can take Pmags. I'd avoid the fal mag Ar10's
I cant wait to see a LMT .308 in person. Ambi controls, monolithic rail. $2500.
I cant wait to see a LMT .308 in person. Ambi controls, monolithic rail. $2500.
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The ar-10 does not accept ar-15 handguards or grips. The stock look slike an a-2 stock, but the buffer tube is different, so I'm guessing it is different as well. especially since magpul also distinguishes between ar-10 and ar-15
The way cut for the mating of the upper and the lower is different on the ar-10, DPMS, and SR-25, and rock river LAR-8.
The armalite uses their own, or modified m-14 mags.
The DPMS and sr-25 use the same mags.
The Lar-8 uses FAL mags.
AT the least the RRA, armalite, and dpms also use different barrel nuts.
they all take ar-15 trigger groups to the best of my knowledge. However, lots of fancy ar-15 triggers won't work right due to hammer mass and velocity vs. harder large rifle primers. timney, ar gold have ar-10 specific trigger groups. Jp has an ar-10 specific spring set. The knights armament two stage works well, and also armalites own two stage. Most triggers will work with match quality ammo, but not necessarily surplus.
The DPMS is cheaper than the rest, very accurate, and thus getting the most aftermarket support and 3rd party uppers and lowers that use their mating pattern (for lack of a good official word for it in my vocabulary).
Bought an AR-10, would rather have a DPMS or the cash back in my pocket.
Probably the cash. I'm not too thrilled by what you get when you scale up the AR platform and try to use it in a manner other than benched or prone, but that's me.
I lust after the kel-tec RFB though, so I still really would like a handy semi-auto 308 that is decently accurate.
The way cut for the mating of the upper and the lower is different on the ar-10, DPMS, and SR-25, and rock river LAR-8.
The armalite uses their own, or modified m-14 mags.
The DPMS and sr-25 use the same mags.
The Lar-8 uses FAL mags.
AT the least the RRA, armalite, and dpms also use different barrel nuts.
they all take ar-15 trigger groups to the best of my knowledge. However, lots of fancy ar-15 triggers won't work right due to hammer mass and velocity vs. harder large rifle primers. timney, ar gold have ar-10 specific trigger groups. Jp has an ar-10 specific spring set. The knights armament two stage works well, and also armalites own two stage. Most triggers will work with match quality ammo, but not necessarily surplus.
The DPMS is cheaper than the rest, very accurate, and thus getting the most aftermarket support and 3rd party uppers and lowers that use their mating pattern (for lack of a good official word for it in my vocabulary).
Bought an AR-10, would rather have a DPMS or the cash back in my pocket.
Probably the cash. I'm not too thrilled by what you get when you scale up the AR platform and try to use it in a manner other than benched or prone, but that's me.
I lust after the kel-tec RFB though, so I still really would like a handy semi-auto 308 that is decently accurate.
MachIVshooter
Member
Kurt D pretty much nailed it. When I bought my AR10A2C, Armalite was the only choice, as the KAC's were only rifle length. If I were buying today, it'd still be the Armalite. Love the company and the quality. Mag's are spendy if you buy the Gen II's, which work much better than modded M14 mags. When I use the M14 mags, I do not install the BHO plunger, as it causes binding that results in feeding issues. That's why they changed. Gen I mags are iffy on actually engaging the gen II BHO anyway. The Gen II mags run flawlessly.
Yes the AR-10 does use the same handguards (standard A2 for rifle), pistol grip and butt stock as an AR-15. Free float tubes will be different because the barrel nut is larger. The reason Magpul list 2 different PRS stocks for AR-10 and AR-15 is because the charging handle on an AR-10 is longer and will hit the cheek piece on an AR-15 version if raised. The rifle buffer tube is the same, the buffer is shorter and the spring is stronger. On a carbine stock the AR-10 comes with a different buffer tube BUT you can buy a buffer from Slash and run a standard AR-15 buffer tube and your favorite stock.
ETA: this is true for DPMS too.
Kurt_D said:
My POF P308-20-MRR is VERY high quality regardless of whether it's based on the DPMS pattern or not. It has ambidextrous bolt and mag release controls and a monolithic billet lower and a Rock Creek fluted barrel ... what's not to like? I need to order a rifle length .308 buffer (probably the one from Armalite) to go with the PRS stock and TUBB spring I just bought.
there is a slight difference. on the SR25/DPMS pattern, the receiver takedown pin spring is captured by the grip, not a receiver endplate. some grips, like the MIAD, have a hollow area in that spot, which allows the spring to just fall into the grip. ask me how i know
the M110 is the version used by the ARMY. the navy still has MK11 mod0 SR-25s, and the marines do too.
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