Springfield M1A or DPMS .308

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crazycarl7

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So this may be a dumb question, but I am wondering which rifle you would buy if your were going to set up a semi-auto sniper rifle. I have a DPMS .308 AP4 and a Leupold mark 4 3.5 x 10 x 40 LR/t optic. I was thinking of trading the DPMS out, and some cash, for a Sprinfield M1A. Any advice would be appreciated. This will only be for Long Range shooting and/or SHTF scenario. Thanks
 
I would get the M1A because I've always wanted one. Plus, I trust Springfield more than I do DPMS.
 
the DPMS will be more accurate out of the box, unless you get a super duper M21 or M25 M1A. And the DPMS is likely capable of more accuracy due to the direct gas impingement system, vs short gas piston of the M1A system, if you're going to accurize the platform further.

Since Magpul came out with affordable, reliable Pmags for the DPMS style .308 AR platform, I'd say there's really no downside to it.

This is coming from someone who owns and loves his Springfield M1A.
 
I agree with the general...... DPMS is putting out some great guns. People are finally beginning to realize they are almost universally the best value in NEW AR's on the market currently...
 
The FN FNAR also has a great reputation for accuracy in that price range, if it appeals to you.
 
Get an 18 inch barrel for your DPMS, float the barrel, bipod, and install a Magpul PRS and good glass. You just made a yourself a nice SPR/DMR.
 
The real issue as I see it is, cool traditional Americana Apple Pie ,Ma, ect Versus Another Black Rifle. I own both so don't get me wrong. Just something still about a rifle that looks like a rifle. That said...In accuracy my DPMS will match my M1A NM all day for about half the purchase price..:D
 
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the DPMS will be more accurate out of the box, unless you get a super duper M21 or M25 M1A. And the DPMS is likely capable of more accuracy due to the direct gas impingement system, vs short gas piston of the M1A system, if you're going to accurize the platform further.

Since Magpul came out with affordable, reliable Pmags for the DPMS style .308 AR platform, I'd say there's really no downside to it.
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+1000

The M1A is a really nice gun to shoot and has lots of character, but you'll need to spend around $2500 to get an M1A that shoots as accurately as a $1000 DPMS LR-308. The DPMS is the best deal for an accurate semiauto .308 if you're planning to scope it.
 
WOW, I thought everyone would say M1A. Is there any other rifle that would work better than the DPMS, for about 1500, that you could mount a scope on? Any experience with the FNAR? I heard bad reviews on the DPMS AFTER i bought one.
 
I have the Socom and I find it awkward, and the accuracy was not great. I have not restocked it, and I have the I, not the II with all the sharp edged rails. I did however buy an aluminum top mount for it at the NRA show last year, and the guy claims that it improves the accuracy greatly. I put one on my shorty Garand and it is better, but haven't mounted the Socom yet. This is the website:
http://www.amegaranges.com/

I am sure they will be at SHOT with product to sell. The only thing is that the white writing on them is gay. :)
 
vs short gas piston of the M1A system
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Never got a chance to play with the M1A yet, but if it's based on the M14, as it's claimed to be, then it would use a long recoil method of operation, and not a short stroke system..

That being said, DPMS makes good products. I bought a 16" A-15 5.56 carbine in 2005. It has the chrome moly barrel, the improperly staked gas key, no M4 feed ramps, the smooth hammer, and everything else they like to whine about. I've yet to have the slightest problem with it, either in terms of operation or in accuracy. My only gripes with the DPMS was their use of Loc-Tite on the end plate, and I'm not particularly keen on their 'glacier guards' (the latter being about a $20 fix for a set of M4 handguards).
 
I have the Socom and I find it awkward,
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I did not like the way the SOCOM handled either. The full length and scout models handled way better for me. Especially the full length Standard and Loaded.


Jason
 
I've got a DPMS LR-308 with a Timney trigger and it's easily sub-moa with the right ammo. M1A's are really nice shooting guns, but making them into sniper rifles is no easy task. The immediate problem is that the action is right where the scope needs to be. The Springfield scope mounts are awful IMO and the forward rail is too far away and limits your scope choices to EER models. The right way to go is with an EBR stock, but you'd have to go to Iraq to get one.
 
I sent my DPMS AP4 back to the company to have a steel upper installed. It took the weight of the rifle up to 18 or 19 pounds. They also tightned the chambering, and free-floated the barrel. It became ultra accurate, far more so than either of my "loaded" M1As.

Geno
 
Never got a chance to play with the M1A yet, but if it's based on the M14, as it's claimed to be, then it would use a long recoil method of operation, and not a short stroke system..
Click to expand...

The M1 Garand uses a long stroke gas system; the M14 (and M1A) uses a short stroke system. The gas piston itself only travels about 3.5cm, I just checked.
 
WOW, I thought everyone would say M1A. Is there any other rifle that would work better than the DPMS, for about 1500, that you could mount a scope on? Any experience with the FNAR? I heard bad reviews on the DPMS AFTER i bought one.
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With $1500 you could buy an Armalite AR-10, which is more nicely made than a DPMS LR-308 in most ways, but I think the free-floated-barrel Armalites would be over $1500 so you would be looking at a more standard model with non-FF barrel and therefore only 1.5-2 MOA accuracy.

I'm in no way saying that the DPMS is the best all around .308, only that it's the best deal if you want really good accuracy in something that has 20rd mags available. Apart from accuracy I would suggest the M1A, a DSA FAL or the Armalite, but for top accuracy under $1500 it will be hard to beat the DPMS.

No experience with the FNAR. It should be a quality gun, but is more of a modified hunting rifle than a from-the-start mil type gun.
 
The OP already has an DPMS AR10 I think he should just turn his existing DPMS into a DMR or SPR by adding a few items.
 
Thanks everyone! I am going to stay with the DPMS. I have been going back and forth for days and everyones input has been extremely helpful. Does anyone have any suggestions on aftermarket hand rails? VLTOR?
 
If I were you I would get a DPMS 18 inch barrel, rifle length gas system, and the DPMS aluminum free float tube. All can be ordered from DPMS. The big money would be the 250 dollar Magpul PRS and nice glass.
 
agree, just get a new uppper/barrel for your DPMS that suits the need at hand, and each upper keeps it's own glass on it, zero'd and all. my LR-308 with a 24" stainless fluted barrel (which i broke in per their specs) is much more accurate than me but kinda a big range-queen. if you already have the ap-4 upper for shtf/get out of dodge, you've got that base covered. just get a new upper:

images


or have your smithy build one to your specs.
 
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