Armalite or DPMS type AR 308?

I think my next build project will be a AR-10 308. I haven't decided to go with the Armalite or DPMS style. I'm not sure on what all the differences are between the two except the shape of the receiver's are different near the buttstock attachment area.

Any opinions or personal experience welcome....either one will probably be fine for me, I'm curious what you all think.

Thanks!

I wish I had some real information to pass on to ya. One day I myself plan on building a 308 in the ar platform.

As far as which of the 2 manufactures you have listed, and there is no rhyme or reason, I guest just from popularity, myself would probably go towards the armolite. I know a few people that have an Armolite all the way up to a 50 BMG and have had nothing but great praise for them...

One thing I would like to do if I build one is a billet upper with the side charging handle...

I have not had any dealings with DPMS. Just some people feel that the DPMS barrels are a bit on the thin side and heats up really quick and burns out fast. This I don't know to be factual....

This will be a slow process....I'm guessing a year to get all the parts together. I'm in the note taking phase right now,LOL

as far as barrels go...it will be at least target diameter(over .750") ,but hoping to get a bull...

Most other companies jumping on the Ar 308 bandwagon are compatible with the DPMS type.

It also seems Armalite mags are quite a bit more expensive. I'm Not sure if there is actually a difference in the magazines though...

I guess it really isn't a question of what company...but more of what design. I like both companies and have zero problems with either one.

Yeah DW...A side charger would be a big plus. If you know of anyone making one, feel free to post a link

I can always dream

I have a Cetme/HK 308....but it's heavy as hell, eats brass like candy and has minute of pie plate accuracy at 100 yards with surplus ammo. Great for zombies, I guess.

I'm just wanting something a bit better than that in a rifle

Here is something to dream about until I find that site I was on a while back that had all the side charging uppers....

Ok I must be wrong. Every site that I have and visit, they offer the side charging on already built ar 10's....

Now looking at these I can't help but to wonder something. If a man got a standard AR 10 upper, used a dremel to open the ejection port by making it longer, then took the bolt carrier out and drilled and tapped the side of the bolt carrier, could one not make his own side charging upper? You would have to lengthing the ejection port for the travel of the side charge huh? Maybe not.....

You are correct DW....90% of AR15 sidechargers are made by milling a slot in the upper and replacing the bolt carrier. The DPMS low-pro upper...the one without the forward assist and shell deflector is usually the receiver used.

It would be easy to do on the left side too....drilling and tapping the bolt carrier would be a chore without high grade tooling that could cut the hardened steel.

BtW...love the gun in the pic...I'm drooling for sure. The HK type charging lever on the bolt is a real sweet look.

That rifle is also listed at a little over 2k from American Spirit Armery (ASA)

that is also their website. They have complete uppers, the one upper with the side charger is listed at just below 2k around 1900.....

Man, a company sure knows how to inflate a product and kick a man while he is down huh???

You think HSS bit would drill through that carrier? Dang it, I am going to have to do some trading and looking around just to find a cheap carrier to play with and see if I can do it. I could make the bolt handle on the lathe no problem with a nice knurld nob and put threads on it, that would be no problem at all......

Ok DW, get out of it, you have a big project you need to get done as it is....

ASA does sell just the Side charging upper with carrier.

Upper with carrier <-- link $650 w/chrome carrier

Fultan Armory sells side charging uppers and side charging bolts.

Bolt assembly <-- link $364.95 or save $100 if ordered without the bolt head

Stripped upper <-- link $224.95 It looks like a machined DPMS.

A little salty for my tastes at the moment. But at least I know the side charging carrier is available, if I decide to replace it later. Should be a simple task to do yourself with the right tooling.

Those are just for the ar 15 tho?? I did not see any for the AR 10...... Ah I see them now... Hmmmmmm

Alexander Arms has an AR 15 Upper around 350.00

Upper side charge<-------- Link

hawcer wrote: Yeah DW...A side charger would be a big plus. If you know of anyone making one, feel free to post a link

I can always dream

I have a Cetme/HK 308....but it's heavy as hell, eats brass like candy and has minute of pie plate accuracy at 100 yards with surplus ammo. Great for zombies, I guess.

I'm just wanting something a bit better than that in a rifle

You think the cetme is heavy ? My DPMS lr 308 weighs a good 5 # more than my cetme not including the glass , but it does have a bull barrel and break .

I wonder how much more a AR-10 with a 20" bull barrel will weight than my Ar-15 with the 24" bull barrel? I don't mind the weight of my AR15...

The Cetme might just seem to weigh more since it is more stout feeling...of course the bipod hanging on the handguard and the solid thumbhole stock I'm sure adds some weight.

after a little more investigating...it seems DPMS designed their Lower to accept common AR-15 parts...mainly the FCG. And Armalite mags ARE different and hard to find....at least at an affordable price.

So I guess I'm starting to lean in the DPMS type/design....but not necessarily one manufactured by DPMS.

I do like the look of the Armalite receivers though....the way the rear section has a angle instead of a radius cut.

My .308 is a DPMS with 24" bull. I bought it built. I then had the barrell threaded for my JP comp and of course the Can.
I'll look for some pic's and post them for ya. It has the forward assist and a flat-top its the LR .308
I do really enjoy shooting it. The weight doesn't seem to be a bother.

OOH I do like that side charge handel Idea......



This Image is of the Compensator partialy unthreaded.

NIIIIIICE! One sweet rifle right there....I love the comp too

That with a side charger would be a dream come true for me.....

Thanks for posting...more eye candy.

Yup anytime....

I defenitly like that side charge handel idea.

Daywalker wrote:Here is something to dream about until I find that site I was on a while back that had all the side charging uppers....

DW, who's version is this? or should I say who makes this left side charge handle?

I believe it's American Spirit Arms. ...I have a link to the Upper receiver/carrier set in a earlier post.


Here is a pic of the standard AR15 version.





Re-looking at the picture DW posted...It looks like ASA is using the Armalite AR-10 design. Hmmmm, i think I'm gonna have to send them a message to see if they offer uppers for both Armalite and DPMS lowers.

Yep, they are nice indeed.

Yes Hawcer is right. American Spirit Arms (ASA) Looks kinda snazzy.....

Nicnac, never gets old looking at that one of yours.....

For the heck of it, I sent LAR a message asking if they plan on ever making a 308 version of their OPS-4 upper.

I haven't heard back from ASA on whether their 308 upper is Armalite or DPMS compatible yet

You may want to hold off on building a .308 for a bit. I am waiting to take a look at the new Colt SP901 .308 rifle and see what other configurations they will come out with. This thing will accept any 5.56 sized milspec upper also.

http://www.downrange.tv/blog/the-sp901-colt-modular-carbine/6936/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsOawZQLQIA

Neat stuff right there.....i wonder what the price tag will be on that?

I think the saying goes, if you have to ask, then you can't afford it...

At least that is the way for me. I could see it being very close to 2k..... I am going to predict, 1995.95 but wait, there's more!! Order today and get a free magazine just pay the seperate processing and shipping....

Maybe this would be a good time for me to continue development on a single shot bolt action upper that fits on a AR lower. Kinda like the Single shot 50 BMG uppers, but a smaller version in 308. Not too much different than one of those bolt action space guns...

I mean....Doesn't this just look awesome?



I found another company that makes a chassis/stock system that houses a barreled action...remington I think. This is there cheapest model listed at $775....just supply your own barreled action.



What they look like completed...

If I can build one of those off of a Remington 700 action for the same price as what a AR-10 will cost...I might go that route....just to have something different ,I guess.