DPMS L308 AP4 vs Armalite AR10

[DammitBoy]

Somebody convince me which one is better please.

I'm leaning towards the AP4, but I've heard many good things about the Armalite.

Upon handling both, the DPMS seems to be a more solid firearm. Pricing is just about the same for either one.

 

[Float Pilot]

I have been weighing the same question... Gonna sell off the 6.8 and go back to a 308...

 

[wayne in boca]

I have the DPMS AP4 and I am completely satisfied with the rifle,a sweet shooter.I think there is no wrong choice here,though.Either one is good to go.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Upon handling both, the DPMS seems to be a more solid firearm. Pricing is just about the same for either one.

Generally the Armalite costs several $100 more than the DPMS. You are either getting a steal on an Armalite or a bad deal on the DPMS. You might want to post the asking prices to find out which!

I have a DPMS LR-308B and it's good for the money. I can see where a few corners were cut. If price were no object or if I were planning to depend on the rifle for serious use (whether expensive hunting trips or "SHTF") I would be looking closely at the Armalite. What I see as Armalite benefits:
-forged receivers (DPMS is an extrusion for the upper and milling for lower; both fine, but heavier)
-chrome lined barrel
-based on what they do with their 5.56 products, I'm going to assume that the Armalite bolt is MPI and shot peened and that the DPMS bolt is neither. (I don't know this for certain, but you could call Armalite and ask.)

Balancing that out is cost and the proprietary mags on the Armalite.

 

[navajo]

DPMS vs Armalite

Can't comment on DPMS, never owned one.
I did own 3 Armalite AR-10s.
20" rifle was the most accurate gas gun I have ever seen.
Carbine was a perfect truck gun.
AR 10B was just plain cool.

Had one mag malfunction.
Carbine short strokrd once.
AR 10B never malfunctioned.

Losing mobility fast, sold all three. These days I can barley hold up an AR15.

 

[Mags]

Same to me. The one that is different is the Rock River and it is no better if you do not want cheaper mags and a longer action.

 

[Frankl03]

I would go with the Armalite. They seem better quality to me. As far as prices I would look on Buds Gun Shop for the Armalite or Gunbroker. They start about $1299.00. I would look on www.rguns.net for a price on the DPMS. The DPMS should be a bunch cheaper depending on what you are looking for.

 

[rbernie]

Years ago I went with Armalite due to local availability and magazine cost issues. Both of those issues are now long gone.

I tend to prefer the Armalite offering since it's been quite good to me, but would be quite happy with either. I think that getting a configuration that you're happy with is probably more important than which brand, at this point.

 

[Robert]

Not to throw a wrench in the works or be "that guy" but have you looked at the JP and La Rue Tactical 308s?

 

[Socmedic27]

I don't know what they typically go for especially from a shop, but I just got a DPMS L308 AP4 straight from the factory for just under 850 a few months ago. I believe that was a special set of circumstances though. I am very happy with it though. I haven't fired an Armalite but I am in agreement with rbernie that the configuration is probably more important than the make.

 

[RonE]

My old LR308 is for sale at the local gun store with a bipod and 10X scope also trigger job and custom pistol grip. It is a tack driver. They are asking $1,500 and it still looks new.

 

[DammitBoy]

Pricing on the DPMS L308 AP4 with a chrome lined barrel runs at $1100 and the Armalite runs at $1300. I've checked this out everywhere. You can't get an new AP4 for under $1000 - the sportical is available for $850, but I don't want the sportical.

The proprietary mags on the Armalite could be a sticking point. The two I've looked at seemed very light and rattled. The DPMS felt like you could use it to knock down doors.

 

[JpSnareGuy]

I love my DPMS LR-308. VERY, VERY .... ACCURATE. My rifle is just the plain rifle with the stainless barrel. No flutes ..... nothing extra. This rifle is SOLID. I have never owned or shot an Armalite AR-10, so I am not really comparing the two. The rifle is heavy though. Some people swear that it is unbalanced and not easy to weild, but I don't know what they are refering to. I could see if you are going to use it as an entry style/short range gun, then I would not want to carry or use this rifle for that purpose. But for medium to "longish" range work it is a great rifle. I could see it being a little unbalanced without some kind of optic installed on the rifle, but that will never be the case with this rifle. There is the proprietary magazine issue that some people do not like. I do not chew through ammo at a rate to need more than a few magazines. I usually shoot slow. I also bought this "plain" rifle so I could, of coarse ...... customize it. I would recommend "handling" a few and then deciding. Shoot one or both if you can. This is a controversial issue among AR-10 and AR-10 variant owners. Armalite owners will about 99% of the time swear that the AR-10 is the best thing since sliced bread and so will the others. Go into a forum pretty much anywhere and especially in a AR-10 thread, and call your DPMS an AR-10 and you will be informed VERY quickly that "LR-308's and AR-10's are not anywhere near the same rifle" or somthing along those lines. Like you just insulted someone. I am not talking "junk" or anything I am just saying that alot (like 90%) of people are going to tell you what THEY own is the best. There are very few people that are going to be unbiased. I would like to own both. But I do have to say I think an M-14 or Garand will be next. That is my dilemma, and a whole different can of worms.

 

[Float Pilot]

There is one Armalite available locally for $1,800 .................Alaska prices tend to go nuts at times..............