which 308 ar?

[dana345]

I am considering an AR style in 308. I am down to 2 brands and style. Rock River Arms LAR-8 .308 X-1 18" or a Armilite AR-10 TAC 18". I know there are a lot of others to consider, but these two seem to fit my needs (or wants) and fit my price range. I would appreciate any input on these rifles. Thanks!

 

[Robert]

Keep in mind that the RR only takes metric FAL mags and does not have that much aftermarket support. The AR10 has more support and has a better selection of mags. The DPMS style has the most aftermarket support but there is nothing wrong with the AR10. Nothing at all.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

Personally neither of them would be for me. I'd prefer a .308 AR that utilizes the SR-25 type magazine. That seems to be the aftermarket standard. Armalite uses modified M1A magazines and apparently now makes their own magazines that work in both the M1A and the AR-10. I suppose if I had an M1A that might be an option or the Rock River if I wanted to share magazines with a FAL if I had one. The supply of cost effective, brand new, well made Magpul PMag SR-25 magazines is enough to keep me in the SR-25 camp.

Aero Precision and S&W have been tempting me into a .308 AR lately but I have yet to pull the trigger.

 

[agtman]

Personally neither of them would be for me. I'd prefer a .308 AR that utilizes the SR-25 type magazine. That seems to be the aftermarket standard. * * * The supply of cost effective, brand new, well made Magpul PMag SR-25 magazines is enough to keep me in the SR-25 camp. * * *

This.

And it's the same issue for the rather spendy SCAR17-s. You have to buy pricey proprietary mags to feed it ...

Three years ago, when I went about my research into obtaining a ".308 AR," I confined it solely to the various makes/models that accept SR-25-pattern mags, and then considered other features from there.

 

[rbernie]

I know that everyone hates it when some jerk pops into a 'this or that' thread with 'something else!', but I feel compelled to be that guy.

DPMS G2.

I have sold my Armalites and DPMS LR's, and standardized on the G2. It does everything that I want and need in a 308-class AR.

 

[G.barnes]

That version of the armalite takes the dpms/pmag magazines. I'd get the armalite. The rock rivers look nice but they use a lot of proprietary parts.

 

[Casefull]

I agree about the mag issue with the RR. I have a couple of dpms type 308s. I put together a psa 308 which I like shooting and it works well. I have a factory older dpms which I do not care for. I also have a RR 308. The RR is very accurate compared to the first 2.

 

[Quentin]

As I understand it, Knights Armament SR-25 and DPMS magazines are patterned after the 1950s AR-10 magazines designed by the original ArmaLite. The original AR-10 faded away as did ArmaLite. When the new ArmaLite (Eagle Arms) reintroduced the AR-10 in the mid 1990s the AWB restricted magazines to ten rounds so the decision was made to use slightly modified existing M14/M1A 20-round magazines. After the AWB, other manufacturers introduced "AR-10s" with the original mag since the 10-round limit was lifted.

Ten years after the AWB that put ArmaLite in a bind as they were not compatible with new and cheap aftermarket magazines like Magpul. So they offered "A" models that used the original design yet still support their AR-10B models which were a great idea during the ban years. I applaud them for that and for the fine rifles that they sell today.

Today it is important to consider magazines and other proprietary parts in the .308 ARs, it's not the friendly AR-15 world of standardization!

 

[Robert101]

I have stayed with the DPMS standard parts due to uniformity and availability of parts - magazine included. Easy and inexpensive to find what you need.

 

[Jackal]

Anyone in the market for an AR10 type rifle would be VERY smart to look closely at the DPMS G2. I have one and have been blown away with it. An AR-10 the size/weight of an AR15. I have the AP4 and it weighs 7.5lbs. After handling this rifle for a while, it's my opinion that it makes most other semi auto rifles nearly obsolete. Its lighter than my 7.62x39 AK and packs a larger punch. Depending on what model you get, its everywhere from 1.5moa to 1/2 moa rifle.

 

[txblackout]

dpms G2 - also compatible with AR-15 parts

What this means is that the GII rifles can accept AR-15 fore-ends and rail systems so long as they were designed to fit the standard AR-15 barrel nut. This is good news for the .308 AR world where aftermarket support has been somewhat slower to develop. All AR-15 pistol grips, buffer tubes, stocks, and trigger components are able to be used with the GII rifles as well.

 

[Reloadron]

Mine is an AR-10-T Armalite but at the time (about 25 years ago) the 308 AR selection was very limited, heck the AR 15 market was limited. Thus I have an early Armalite AR-10-T and have been real pleased with the rifle. I tricked it out a little. Today, if I had it to do all over again? I would likely take the DPMS route. My early Armalite magazines are patterned after the M14 magazine and if I wanted to I can modify M14 mags to run in the rifle. Anyway, today, considering ease of support and parts I would likely go DPMS but have no problems with Armalite supporting my current rifle.

Ron

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

As I understand it, Knights Armament SR-25 and DPMS magazines are patterned after the 1950s AR-10 magazines designed by the original ArmaLite. The original AR-10 faded away as did ArmaLite. When the new ArmaLite (Eagle Arms) reintroduced the AR-10 in the mid 1990s the AWB restricted magazines to ten rounds so the decision was made to use slightly modified existing M14/M1A 20-round magazines. After the AWB, other manufacturers introduced "AR-10s" with the original mag since the 10-round limit was lifted.

Ten years after the AWB that put ArmaLite in a bind as they were not compatible with new and cheap aftermarket magazines like Magpul. So they offered "A" models that used the original design yet still support their AR-10B models which were a great idea during the ban years. I applaud them for that and for the fine rifles that they sell today.

Today it is important to consider magazines and other proprietary parts in the .308 ARs, it's not the friendly AR-15 world of standardization!

Yes, utilizing the existing magazine type to get around magazine restrictions was a great idea during the ban. I think the Noveske N6 were also the M1A magazines as well. I think they were built using the same specs if not the same forgings as the Armalite AR-10.

 

[Jackal]

Here's my DPMS G2 .308 next to my 5.56 AR15. Its the same length and only weighs 1 lb more than my lightweight, side charging AR15 build...

I swapped out the factory buffer tube for a Colt tube and installed a Larue stock.

 

[Nature Boy]

I need another .308 like I need another hole in the head. Having said that, I do want an AR .308 and would probably go with the Armalite for no other reason that my AR15 is an Armalite and it's a good, never had a problem rifle.

 

[RainDodger]

I have a RRA LAR-8, .308. Mine happens to have a lengthy barrel (26"), but one can make things shorter if one desires... just can't make it longer.

A nice thing about the LAR-8 lower - it uses standard AR parts. Meaning the trigger group for sure - I put a Geissele SSA-E trigger in mine, right out of a standard milspec AR lower.

If the magazine choice is an issue for you, the LAR-8 is designed specifically to take advantage of the millions of FAL magazines out there, and there truly are millions of them. I found them for $11 each, brand new. For a REALLY good quality magazine, Moses Machine Works, LLC is now producing an absolutely gorgeous magazine specifically for the LAR-8. I bought five of them and they'e as good as any magazine I've ever seen. Flawlessly functioning polymer magazines very much like other "name brand" mags.

The fit and finish of the LAR-8 is on par with any ARs I've seen and better than most. Since it is designed to use the FAL magazine, there are a couple of differences. The bolt release for one thing - it is ambidextrous and it's below the trigger guard just to the rear of the magazine well. I find it handier than a standard AR bolt release.

My 26" stainless match barrel is excellent to date. I have no criticisms of the rifle other than the fact that it's definitely not a lightweight. A shorter barrel will make it much more portable.

If I can answer any specific questions, let me know.

 

[agtman]

Okay, since we're now into pics, and well beyond the OP's stated choices, here's mine ...

LMT 7.62 LM8


The above is shown with the 18" SPR barrel.

I also have the 16" C/L tube, presently running a BABC. Current thinking is to suppress it with my SDN-6.

Dude-skis at my local range say: "Dude! That ---- looks way too heavy. Why not just stick with a 5.56mm AR?"

 

[Reloadron]

Pictures? Yeah, I can do that. Mine is 20 years old. Pictured with the match barrel.





I still enjoy shooting that rifle as much as I did 20 years ago. That rifle and my M1A are among my favorites. Heavy? Heck yeah, making it all the more enjoyable to shoot.

Ron